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Hiiii and welcome back to G&L Beauty! I’m so excited to be writing today because I’m finally going to share my honest review of Innersense Organic Beauty. If you don’t already know, Innersense is a professional hair-care line of clean ingredient products created by two hair-stylists. Greg and Joanne Starkman founded Innersense Organic Beauty after they discovered a need in the market partially due to raising a child with William’s Syndrome.
Can Professional Hair Care Products Even Be Clean?
As a licensed cosmetologist, I’ve generally held the belief that if a product has natural ingredients, it probably wont perform to professional standards. This led to me procrastinating trying any clean hair-care products for YEARS.
To be completely frank, hair products were the very last place I have explored switching to clean products. Growing up with a hairstylist in the house I was taught from a very young age the importance of professional hair products! Now as a professional myself, I’ve learned that so many products (even professional) can do more damage than good for your hair if you aren’t careful.
When a good friend of mine asked me to look into Innersense Organic Beauty, I decided now is as good a time as ever! I ordered a trial kit and have been testing a handful of their products for a few months now. After a little research I felt assured that performance was at the forefront of Innersense’s philosophy.
The Heart Behind Innersense Organic Beauty
When I first checked out the Innersense website, I was impressed by the brand’s mission statement! One of the founders, Greg, states that the mission behind Innersense is
“to create trusted safe, effective and sustainable products for professional hairstylists and consumers.”
Not only have they prioritized efficacy in the professional hair world but they are also a Certified B-Corporation. This means they are “100% Carbon Neutral, Plastic Neutral, and active members of 1% for the Planet.” – source
If those two cornerstones weren’t already enough to intrigue me, I also love their commitment to integrity! Their brand claims to have products made for every hair type and texture. One thing I noticed on their bottles is their instructions include mind and body practices that offer a more “whole body” experience.
“We are always honest with how we portray our products and their performance. In doing so, we give people the space and freedom to reflect their own authenticity and individual beauty out into the world.” – source
My First Experience With Clean Organic Professional Hair Care Products
As a licensed cosmetologist, my next move after reading their mission statement was to explore their wholesale policies. Most professional hair-care brands wholesale their products to licensed professionals for their use in the salon. I was pleased to learn that they do have a professional wholesale program and the reps were easy and prompt to work with! I was given the option to choose between a few trial bundles to test before officially signing up as an Innersense Wholesale Account.
The Founders’ Self-Care Favorites
Out of the three trial kit options, I chose to purchase the Founders’ Self Care Favorites because I felt it would be the best fit for my natural, thick, textured, wavy long hair. This kit is comprised of:
- Hydrating Cream Hairbath
- Hydrating Cream Conditioner
- Harmonic Treatment Oil
- True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub
- Hair Renew Pre Wash Treatment
- Hair Renew Daily Active Serum
Hydrating Cream Hairbath aka Shampoo
My very first note on this product is the cutesy use of “hair bath”. I must be a very literal person because I FOR SURE had to read the bottle description just to confirm this is indeed shampoo, lol! The ingredients say to dispense a small amount to your palm and lather. Upon doing this, I was immediately hit with a scent memory! I can be very sensitive to scents, and this shampoo claims to have a sage lavender scent. While I wasn’t quick to decipher that, I was immediately teleported into the locker room of a Burke Williams. I’m fairly certain I have tried or at least smelt this product before while having a spa day! That is the best way to describe the scent experience of Innersense Organic Beauty.
I’m in no way implying that I don’t like the smell of this product. It is, however, an adjustment to what I’m used to! It’s very light, clean, and some would say, earthy. To my surprise, this small amount (probably a dollar coin size) of product did lather an impressive amount! I’ve always assumed all clean shampoos were of the ‘no-lather’ type which was always a huge turn-off.
My Opinion On Innsersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath
The Innersense website states that this shampoo restores hydration, smoothes frizz, and enhances shine. It is suggested for those with coarse, damaged, or dry hair. I hold the belief that similarly to facial cleanser, there is only so much shampoo can do! My main goal is for it to clean my hair, while not over-stripping it from its natural oils. The other concerns can be better treated with after-shower products or hair treatments! But if a shampoo or facial cleanser offers further benefits it can’t hurt!
I’m a ‘wash my hair twice a week’ girl so I always do a double shampoo. First to remove any product build up and second to remove any remaining dirt and oil. The Hydrating Cream Bath shampoo cleaned my hair just as well as my favorite go-to professional shampoo. I do think it leaves my hair feeling clean without feeling stripped of its natural oils and well moisturized. My hair didn’t feel weighed down or coated which is a huge plus for me! I also feel like it enhanced my natural wavy texture.
Hydrating Cream Conditioner
The counterpart to the Hydrating Cream Bath is the Hydrating Cream Conditioner which also has a sage + vanilla scent. This bottle hosts a pump rather than a disc top lid like the shampoo. I would prefer that the pump dispense a tad more product per pump but that’s a personal preference. The first thing I noticed about this conditioner is that it feels dense and nourishing. A little goes a long way; after applying it from the mid-shaft through the ends, I like to brush it through. It detangles my hair like a dream, and leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft and moisturized.
With that being said, I do think this conditioner could be considered heavy for anyone whose hair is any less course than mine. I feel like mine is right on the border of not coarse enough for the weight of this conditioner. By managing the amount of product I apply and being sure to rinse well enough, I haven’t experienced any negative results. I will say that anyone who is sensitive to protein or has heavily processed hair should proceed with caution as this product has protein in the ingredients.
Harmonic Treatment Oil
This small bottle of oil is multipurpose and packs a punch. I can’t lie and say I didn’t think it was simply a hair oil at first. I was applying it as I would any oil; distributing one pump of oil between my palms and running it through the ends of my damp, post shower hair. After looking into the product further I realized it’s actually a treatment oil that can be used on both your skin and hair. The key benefits of the Harmonic Treatment Oil are: to restore hydration to skin and scalp, soothe dryness, and replenish essential nutrients.
With key ingredients like Tamanu Oil, Evening Primrose, and Jojoba Seed Oil this treatment oil can be a staple in anyone’s repertoire. Whether you want to use it on your skin or your scalp I’d recommend this oil to anyone who wants to deeply hydrate areas of dryness. Even if you want to use it on the ends of your hair to increase hydration, enhance shine, and protect fragile ends, I’d say it’s a go! Only thing to note is to apply only a small amount and focus it directly on your ends because it is a heavier oil!
True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub
The True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub is one of my favorite products that came in this trial kit! The experience of doing this scalp scrub in the shower gives DIY spa day! It’s definitely a treat yourself product you can use when you want to feel extra pampered. The peppermint scent combined with steam and the cooling tingle on your scalp is top notch.
Not only is the experience itself brag worthy, it’s super easy to do and incorporate into your shower routine. I would always spontaneously decide to use this when I felt like my scalp could use a thorough refresh! After wetting my hair, I part it to reveal the section of my scalp I want to start with. Next I take a quarter size amount of scrub and rub it between my palms. Then I scrub the product onto my roots and scalp in a rubbing/exfoliating motion. I repeat this across my entire scalp until I feel like my whole head has been exfoliated well. Then I rinse, and wash and condition as usual!
The key benefits of the True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub are to exfoliate build up and dead skin, purify hair follicles, and revitalize the scalp. Out of the entire trial bundle I ordered, this is the top product I would confidently recommend!
Hair Renew Pre Wash Treatment
The second to last product I tested from the Innersense Organic Beauty trial bundle is the Hair Renew Pre Wash Treatment. The purpose of this product is actually similar to that of the prior mentioned scalp scrub! They both are used prior to washing, and are scalp treatments. Contrary to the True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub, which utilizes physical exfoliation, the Hair Renew Wash Treatment lets the ingredients do the work!
The key benefits of this product are to cleanse and exfoliate buildup, reduce dryness and flakiness, and to soothe and revitalize your scalp. All of these benefits greatly encourage hair growth as well! Many people don’t focus on the key component to more rapid hair growth which is scalp health! The ingredients in this pre wash treatment work together to prepare your scalp for optimal cleansing and recovery.
Zinc Gluconate soothes the skin on your scalp, magnesium oil helps remove product build up, and the micro hyaluronic acid allows for deeper hydration! While this pre-wash scalp treatment doesn’t provide the “treat-yourself” indulgent experience the True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub does I still find it to be a valuable product! I’d recommend this to anyone who was dealing with hair thinning, scalp dryness, or itchiness and flaking.
Hair Renew Daily Active Serum
The final product that came in my trial bundle is this Hair Renew Daily Active Serum. This product seems to be like a counterpart to the Hair Renew Pre Wash Treatment. While that treatment is applied in the shower before you wash, this product is applied once you are out of the shower. It’s a daily serum that you apply to your scalp (similar to a facial serum).
With its key ingredients being Hemp Seed Oil, Pea Sprout Extract, and Tea Tree Oil this serum replenishes moisture and helps reduce itchiness and flaking. You can either use it as a post wash treatment or as a daily serum. (For those of us who don’t wash our hair daily!) It doesn’t have an oily finish so even when you apply the drops to your scalp with dry hair it doesn’t affect your style.
I’ve enjoyed using this product so far, and am excited to see how continued use will further benefit my scalp health!
Final Thoughts On Clean Hair Products By Innersense Organic Beauty
After collecting my thoughts, by writing this extensive article giving my honest review of Innersense Organic Beauty, I can now say I’m partially converted. I do see an effectiveness with these clean hair products however I do think it varies by situation! For my natural, thick, wavy, course hair these products performed to a professional standard!
I do think, however, that I am more partial to the treatments than the actual shampoo and conditioner. The Hydrating Cream Hair Bath and Conditioner work well, and would do the job if I was being strict about only using clean ingredients. However, since I am not fully there yet in my journey, I can’t see myself repurchasing this exact duo just yet. I’d be interested in trying some of their other wash systems like the Hair Renew Scalp system!
I’m going to continue using up the rest of the treatments before deciding if any of them have earned a spot in my artillery of go-to products. If I were to guess based off my experience so far, I’ll be repurchasing the True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub and the Hair Renew Daily Active Serum. I can see both of those products filling a gap and truly benefiting my overall hair health.
What Are Your Thoughts And Opinions
I’m curious to know now that you’ve read through this entire article, what are your thoughts on using clean hair products? Do you know of or use any other brands that you think I should check out next? I do have some already on my radar that I plan to look into! I’m happy to know many companies are making efforts to clean up their ingredients list and offer more transparency! Innersense Organic Beauty lived up to my expectations and checked off many boxes when it comes to a good hair care line. I think I’ll hold off before fully committing to creating a wholesale account. I’m excited to keep testing out other brands and products. I appreciate you spending time here reading this article and hope it was beneficial and informative! See you next time!
xoxo Aly
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