Because you deserve to know exactly what’s in your hands all day long
If you’ve ever looked at the back of a shampoo bottle and felt like you were reading another language, you’re not alone. As stylists, we work with professional products every single day — but that doesn’t mean we’ve been given a full translation of what’s really in them.
Here’s the truth: some of the most common salon ingredients are there for convenience or cost… not for your health, your clients’ wellbeing, or the planet’s safety.
Let’s break down three of the biggest offenders — SLS, Parabens, and PEGs — so you can understand why we avoid them and what that means for your craft.
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) & SLES
What it does:
These are strong detergents that create a rich, foamy lather. They cut through oil and dirt fast — which is why they’re in everything from dish soap to car wash fluid.
Why it’s a problem in haircare:
While sulfates are great at cleaning, they’re not so great at caring. They strip away natural oils and moisture from the hair and scalp, leaving dryness, irritation, and colour fade in their wake. For stylists, repeated skin contact can also trigger sensitivity over time.
Our approach:
We use gentler, plant-derived cleansers that clean effectively without rough treatment on the cuticle or scalp. That means less irritation for you behind the chair, and longer-lasting colour for your clients.
Parabens
What they do:
Parabens are preservatives that extend product shelf life by preventing bacteria and mould growth.
Why it’s a problem in haircare:
Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, potentially disrupting hormone balance. While research is ongoing, the growing concern among health-conscious consumers (and stylists!) is reason enough to take a precautionary approach.
Our approach:
We preserve our products with safer alternatives, ensuring salon-grade stability without compromising hormone health. Your body already works hard enough — it doesn’t need to battle endocrine disruptors on top of back-to-back colour appointments.
PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols)
What they do:
PEGs are used as thickeners, softeners, and emulsifiers, helping ingredients blend smoothly.
Why it’s a problem in haircare:
The concern isn’t the PEGs themselves, but what can come with them. Depending on how they’re made, PEGs can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane — a possible carcinogen. Not exactly what we want massaging into our clients’ scalps (or our own hands) multiple times a day.
Our approach:
We avoid PEGs entirely, choosing natural binding agents that are clean, safe, and still deliver that luxurious, salon-worthy texture.
Why this matters for you, the stylist
Every day in the salon is hours of direct, repeated exposure to whatever’s in your products. Over time, those choices add up — affecting your skin, your respiratory health, and even your hormonal balance.
By knowing what’s in your toolkit (and what isn’t), you’re not just elevating your service — you’re protecting your body, honouring your craft, and showing your clients that their health matters as much as their hair.
Sophic’s Promise:
We leave out SLS, Parabens, PEGs, and a long list of other known or suspected toxins— not to scare you, but to free you. Free you from the daily compromises between performance and wellbeing. Free you to create beauty, consciously.
Because your salon space should be a sanctuary — for your clients, and for you.