From Disillusionment to DIY: My Journey to Creating My Own Hair Gel

Hey gang! What’s up?

Today, I made my own hair gel. I’ve been experimenting with the main ingredients from my Slip Bar, Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm Bark—alongside other powerful additions like Fenugreek, Amla, Bhringraj, and more. I decided to try making a larger batch this time, roughly the size of my usual Eco Style gel bottle.

Now, I know everyone and their mother uses Eco Style gel. It's budget-friendly and marketed as healthy for your hair. But honestly, I never really looked at the ingredients list. So, I paused my experiment and did a quick Google search.

Here’s what I found:

Source: Google

Eco Style Styling Gel is a water-based, alcohol-free hair styling product designed for maximum, non-flaking hold. Common ingredients across varieties include Water (Aqua), Carbomer (thickener), Triethanolamine (pH balancer), Glycerin (humectant), and PVP (hold agent). Popular versions feature added oils like Olive Oil or Argan Oil to boost moisture.

Key Ingredient Breakdown:

• Base and Structure: Water, Carbomer, Triethanolamine.

• Hold and Styling: PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.

• Moisture and Shine: Glycerin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, or Coconut Oil.

• Preservatives and Others: Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), and colorants (e.g., CI 19140 Yellow 5).

After reading that, I was floored. I realized these ingredients were problematic, and I was genuinely upset that I had even considered mixing my fresh, all-natural gel with the dregs of my old Eco Style bottle.

Does anyone else get angry about how much stuff is put into the products we use every day? The deeper question I keep asking myself is why. Why lie to us so much? Why try to control us? For years, I’ve pondered this. Things I thought were good, friendly, and safe turned out to be filled with ingredients with egregious side effects on our minds, bodies, and souls.

The more I ask "why," the angrier I get. But that anger fuels a desire to reclaim my power and share what I'm learning with people who feel the same way—people who don't want to put these things, marketed as safe but clearly not, into our bodies and homes.

What frustrates me most is when articles mention the risks but soften them with phrases like "some people may have..." (please insert your own eye roll here). It's ridiculous!

Now, I know some people have allergic reactions to natural ingredients. For example, hibiscus is an irritant for my eyes if it gets in them during a rinse. That's why I always say to test natural ingredients in small batches and apply small doses before using anything new. However, I'm pretty sure these natural ingredients don't cause the long-term illnesses and diseases associated with synthetic chemicals.

But I digress. Let's look at the specific concerns with Eco Style's ingredients, shall we?

Key Ingredients and Concerns:

• Triethanolamine (TEA): Used to balance pH, but linked to skin and eye irritation.

• PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone): A synthetic, plastic-based polymer for hold. It can create a plastic-like coating on hair, leading to build-up.

• Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate: A preservative that acts as a formaldehyde releaser. Formaldehyde is a known irritant and is associated with cancer risks.

• Tetrasodium EDTA: A chelating agent used to improve product stability in hard water, often flagged for potential toxicity concerns.

• Fragrance (Parfum): A broad term that can hide a cocktail of chemicals and trigger allergic reactions.

• Yellow 5 (CI 19140): A synthetic colorant that has raised concerns for some consumers regarding skin sensitivities.

While Eco Style markets itself as a safe, vegan-friendly brand, those of us looking for "clean beauty" see these synthetic preservatives and plastics as a major red flag.

The Power of Natural Ingredients

From my experience, marshmallow root and slippery elm bark work as a fantastic curl activator. They really bring out the curls in my hair, which I love. My goal has been to find the perfect recipe for a slick-back look—the kind of sleek, wet-hold effect you get from edge control.

This batch I made today was mixed with the small remains of my Eco Style gel (before I knew better), and it was still soft. The first batch I made on its own provided more of the gel-like hold I was looking for. I'm really trying not to mess with my hair, and I'm looking for stiffness, but maybe my hair is just so thick that it gets soft regardless. While my marshmallow root gel can give a pretty good hard hold, it’s not exactly the sleek look I'm aiming for this time.

Even though I'm not totally happy with the consistency this time around, I can't be mad. Why? Because every single ingredient in my gel is genuinely good for me and my hair health, and that's the most important thing.

In full transparency, I'm still learning and had to Google and look up info on YouTube to make sure I got this right. I'm paranoid about giving you all the wrong answers! So, here’s what I’ve learned about the benefits of the ingredients in my gel if you want to try them.

Benefits of My Ingredients:

• Marshmallow Root: A premier natural hair care ingredient. Its high mucilage content makes it an intensive detangler, moisturizer, and scalp-soother. It coats hair strands to reduce breakage, enhance shine, and define curls.

• Slippery Elm Bark: Promotes hair growth by providing essential nutrients and hydration to the scalp, strengthening follicles. It improves hair elasticity, making it more resilient and less prone to breakage, and acts as a fantastic natural detangler.

• Fenugreek: Rich in protein, nicotinic acid, and lecithin, which strengthen hair follicles, reduce hair fall, and combat dandruff. It promotes growth by increasing scalp circulation and moisturizing with its own mucilage.

• Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals that stimulate growth, reduce hair fall, and prevent premature graying. It strengthens follicles and acts as a natural conditioner.

• Bhringraj (False Daisy): A key Ayurvedic herb for promoting hair growth, reducing loss, and preventing premature graying. It acts as a natural conditioner, fights dandruff, and makes hair softer, thicker, and shinier.

• Black Rice Oil: A nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich oil that stimulates growth, deeply hydrates without greasiness, and protects against environmental damage. It strengthens roots and adds shine.

• Castor Oil: A nutrient-rich oil composed of ricinoleic acid that provides intense hydration. It acts as a natural conditioner, seals moisture to reduce split ends, and has anti-inflammatory properties for a healthier scalp.

• Olive Oil: A deep moisturizer that penetrates the hair shaft to prevent breakage, tame frizz, and soothe dry scalps. It’s packed with vitamins E and K and fatty acids to soften and boost shine.

• Biotin (1000mcg): Used to improve hair health by stimulating keratin production, which can increase hair strength, enhance shine, and reduce breakage.

• Xanthan Gum: A natural thickener and stabilizer that enhances product texture and hold while improving hair's hydration, elasticity, and softness. Great for curl definition and reducing frizz.

• Preservatives (Citric Acid, Leucidal Liquid, Optiphen Plus, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin E): This mix ensures the product is safe and stable.

• Rosemary Extract: Promotes growth, improves circulation, and reduces dandruff.

• Vitamin E: Deeply hydrates and protects hair with antioxidants.

• Citric Acid: Balances pH to seal the cuticle, boost shine, and remove buildup.

• Leucidal Liquid: A natural preservative from radish root with conditioning benefits.

• Optiphen Plus: A broad-spectrum, paraben-free preservative system.

Reconnecting with My Roots

I've noticed a huge difference in my hair since I started using my Black Rice and Rosemary tea rinse 2-3 times a week, in addition to my own gel. My hair is black, thick, and I'm pretty sure it's longer (I just trimmed my bangs last week to get rid of dead ends).

I love using and exploring these natural ingredients. It often feels like I'm creating a powerful potion of natural remedies, something tied to a past I once forgot. An ancient past that is calling me to remember. It feels good to reconnect to my roots—literally. Even if I may not remember it fully, it feels like something is being reborn or rediscovered.

It's as if the past is colliding with the present to shape our future. Maybe, just maybe, I'm learning more and more that the future is ancient, after all!

Thanks for reading, till next time friends!

Sacha