Did you do a double-take when you read the title of this blog? If so, you’re not alone. Most people don’t think about the fact that haircare products come in contact with their skin, and even more don’t realize they can have a negative impact. Haircare can also counteract the efforts of the skincare products you’re using to achieve specific goals—and this is especially important to consider if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Let’s dive in…
SEEN’s founder, Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr. Iris Rubin, has spent years studying the connection between haircare and skin health. (After all, that’s why she founded SEEN!) Not only did she create a line of haircare products formulated with the health of the skin in mind, she’s also penned articles about the impact haircare can have on the skin for several prestigious medical journals, including the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. To prove the point that haircare should be considered skincare (even though you may shop for each in different aisles), we’re summing up Dr. Rubin’s recent Practical Dermatology article—in non-medical terms.
Every time you rinse your shampoo and conditioner in the shower, these products come in contact with virtually every square inch of your skin. Leave-in styling products can transfer from your hair to skin on your face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest (as well as from your towel and pillowcase)—and haircare products can linger on the skin for hours. Among their potential negative effects are irritation (of the skin and scalp), skin allergies, and clogged pores.
For the record, most haircare products are not formulated with the skin in mind. Even more, there are few regulations regarding the use of allergens or potentially harmful chemicals in haircare products. But the good news is, dermatologist-developed SEEN has your hair and skin’s back! Here are the main skin issues that can be affected by haircare—and how we avoid them.
Acne
Dr. Rubin has personally experienced breakouts from products used when she went to the salon, which is why she ensures that all SEEN products are non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores. We performed this dermatologist-graded study (published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology) that found 70% of those with body acne and 52% of those with face acne improved after using SEEN Shampoo and Conditioner for eight weeks.[1]
Dry, flaky scalp
Just a reminder, the scalp is skin, and dryness and/or flaking are common complaints. Potentially harsh shampoo ingredients like sulfates can contribute to dryness and flaking, as can other irritants and allergens in haircare products. SEEN is sulfate-free, and uses gentler naturally-derived cleansing agents instead. SEEN's formulas are designed to respect the skin barrier, and are safe for sensitive skin. A dermatologist-graded study showed that using non-medicated SEEN Shampoo and Conditioner for four weeks delivered improvement in 93% of subjects with mild to moderate dry, flaky scalp.[2]
Then came SEEN Restore Scalp Serum—and 100% of 30 subjects agreed their scalp felt improved and healthier after using this serum for two weeks. (Wow!)
Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis
For some, certain haircare ingredients can cause a red, itchy rash. If this sounds familiar, it’s best to see a dermatologist to figure out what’s going on, because it may be caused by a condition called contact dermatitis, which can be from irritants and/or skin allergens. In fact, contact dermatitis cases due to personal care products more than doubled between 1996 and 2016.
On the bright side, SEEN avoids many irritants and common allergens—and Dr. Rubin keeps a close eye on emerging allergens as they appear on the dermatologic radar. Independent testing has confirmed that all SEEN products are non-irritating as well as safe for sensitive skin, and all of our fragrance-free products have been awarded the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Approval™. To further ease the minds of those with sensitive skin, our Fragrance-Free Shampoo, Fragrance-Free Conditioner, and Magic Serum have also received SkinSAFE's Trusted Choice™ seals.
Now are you convinced that haircare should be considered skincare? The beauty of SEEN is that it is haircare your skin deserves. You get a luxurious experience with all the hair benefits you want—and none of the potential negative skin effects you don’t want.
[1] In a dermatologist-graded clinical study, 27 subjects with mild to moderate acne used SEEN shampoo and conditioner as a regimen for 8 weeks. SEEN is non-medicated and can help those for whom hair products are contributing to acne.
[2] In a dermatologist-graded clinical study, 30 subjects with mild-to-moderate dry, flaky scalp used non-medicated SEEN shampoo and conditioner for 4 weeks.
