“No-Poo? What!?!?” 😂😂

If this is your first time hearing about the No-Poo method, know that you are not the only one with raised eyebrows.

As a big supporter of the No-Poo movement, we get to see that reaction all the time when we say our product are 100% No-Poo. People laugh and think we’re joking. But hey, we are serious and if you understand why No-Poo became a thing, you may want to convert to the No-Poo method too! 😂😂

Believe it or not, No-Poo started a long time ago, long way before commercial shampoos or soaps. Although they didn’t call it No-Poo, the way people used to clean their hair and bodies, is 100% in alignment with what we now call the No-Poo Method.

Going No-Poo means going totally chemical-free with your hair washing routine. By chemical-free, we really mean…CHEMICAL-FREE from the start till finish. That’s why, a lot of time, the No-Poo Method involves using FOOD to clean one’s hair and body.

No-Poo methods use ingredients as simple as rice, beans, eggs, or water. Different cultures have their own ways of using food in their hair washing routine. The choice of ingredients used depends on what is available at each locality. Meanwhile, people experiment with different ingredients and see which ones work best for their hair. 

In Southeast Asia, where ladies have thick, fine hair, things like rice water, soap nuts or kaffir lime are popular shampoo alternatives.

For Indians, mung bean, chickpea, and Shikakai powders are the basic natural ingredients for hair washing as they suit thick, wavy hair better.

In the West, for people with fine, thin and prone-to-dry hair, egg wash or apple cider vinegar rinse are common No-Poo Methods.

Apart from the cultural and historical roots of No-Poo culture that make it special, there are real, tangible benefits that make it a far better option than the usual chemical shampoos.

1. The No-Poo Method works well as a cleanser
   When we think about body cleaning, we usually believe that we need suds to clean well because it removes oil / grease. However, that’s not always the case, especially on our sensitive body. We need the right understanding of the nature of each substance and how to use them to balance each other out. It is possible that we do not need to use harsh chemicals AND still be clean. It might not be the squeaky clean we’re all used to, after using soap or body wash, but, trust me, it’s the kind of clean that Mother Nature intended for us.  
   
   

2. The No-Poo method is great for skin and scalp sensitivity
   For anyone with sensitive skin and scalp, following the No-Poo method means removing chemical irritants which are the main reason for your sensitivities. Once the irritants are removed, sensitive skin would react less. Although we cannot say that the issue will immediately disappear, we can safely say that the body is allowed to heal itself.
3. The No-Poo method is good for dry hair and flaky scalp:
   By following the No-Poo method, you allow your body to keep its natural protective oils intact. If you have issues with dry hair and scalp, you will get the full benefit of natural sebum which is secreted to protect your body. Once your sebum secretion becomes balanced, you will be surprised at how moisturized you feel after your daily body and hair cleansing routine. 
4. The No-Poo method helps overcome dependency on chemical products
   Do you know that chemical shampoo or body wash is the culprit of many skin and scalp conditions including oily hair and sensitive skin? Apart from stripping the hair off the original protective sebum layer, it also causes the scalp to overcompensate for the dryness by producing more oils. In the end, protective sebum is overproduced.  A few days after the wash, hair can become too oily and you would feel a need to wash it with the same shampoo. Sadly, that is how the vicious cycle continues. With the No-Poo method, your natural oil production mechanism is no longer disrupted and your hair does not become unbearably oily in a few day’s time.

5. Lazy to wash hair so often? The No-Poo method definitely helps!
   After transitioning into the No-Poo method, many people manage to space out wash days for a longer period because there is less oil build-up in your hair. As your oil production becomes rebalanced, you will find your hair is less oily. No-Poo followers tend to find that one week without a hair wash when following the No-Poo method is never the same as one week without a hair wash when using a chemical shampoo. 

6. Experience healthier hair with the No-Poo method.
   While there are several ways to wash hair with the No-Poo method, if you do it right, your hair can become healthier, smoother, and fuller with more volume and less frizz. With a balanced sebum production, your scalp becomes healthier which, in turn, makes your hair stronger too! Many No-Poo method followers also say it also helps support hair growth, prevent hair fall, and delay grey hair. 

7. Save money!
   Although there are many No-Poo products available in the market, people can also use the ingredients you find in the pantry or make their own No-Poo shampoo. Most of these ingredients are fairly simple such as rice water, baking powder, or lime juice. At the same time, with less frequent hair wash and no hair conditioner needed, you are definitely going to save yourself some cash in the end. 

8. The No-Poo method is better for the environment.
   When we clean ourselves, we are not just applying the products on our body. We are also creating the runoffs that carry whatever we use into the environment. By following the No-Poo method, no harmful chemicals are sent out to pollute the river, the sea, the ocean through the runoffs. Sometimes, these chemicals include sulfate, platelets, parabens, and many other chemical ingredients that are considered ecotoxins. Once accumulated in a large amount, these toxins can disrupt the ecological cycle in the environment, ruin fish habitats, cause mutation or more. So, if you are keen on reducing your impact on Mother Earth, following this method and using ingredients that are 100% biodegradable, is crucial.
   
   
9. The No-Poo method helps you become more aware of your body
   By following the No-Poo method you are opening yourself up to a whole new possibility of caring for yourself. It can go as deep as rediscovering your true self. You learn more about your hair, what it likes or doesn’t like? You learn to adjust and readjust, in order to find what truly suits you best. You learn to enjoy the process, accept the result and move forward. In the end, it reconnects you with your body and allows you to be open-minded about possibilities. 

We hope we have shed some light on the No-Poo Method and its benefits. Hopefully, there’ll be no more raising eyebrows, but more raising of hands in trying out No-Poo! 🙂

If you are thinking of starting a No-Poo journey but don’t know where to start, please stay tuned for the next blog post. It is not an easy journey especially during the transition period, but it is worth a try. However, the important part is when you genuinely learn to live with nature and accept the wholeness of it all; the good, the bad, and the ugly, you will be surprised at how much easier life will become for you.

As we always say, when the earth is happy, we are happy.  And to make the earth truly happy, maybe you want to start with your choice of shampoo!