Tea Tree

[mckay_vegan]

Last night I poured through dozens of websites and confirmed that Garnier Fructis does test on animals. I've used Garnier for a long time, so I was quite disgusted by this; I threw out seven bottles of hair wax, gels, and hairsprays. The only cruelty-free hair care products that I've been able to find is Paul Mitchell. Do any of you use Tea Tree??

[janie]

That's a shame that you had to throw all of those out. :(

I like Avalon Organics (http://www.avalonorganics.com) and Jason Natural (http://www.jason-natural.com/products/products.php) for hair care. I've also heard good things about Giovanni (http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/).

[IamJen]

There are all sorts of companies that don't test on animals...just look at the labels. That doesn't mean they're all vegan though. Even Paul Mitchell has some items containing animal products, iirc.

As far as throwing away the products, I understand your anger, but if you've already purchased them, it's not doing a lot of good to throw them away. If you can't bring yourself to use them, maybe you could donate them somewhere (Freecycle, homeless/women's shelter, even taking it to the gym)

[cojo]

I use tea tree and I love it. I am trying to grow my hair as long as possible, so I need to be gentle with it. It is also supposed to be a good natural remedy for skin conditions. I hesitate to say this but in the interest of honesty, if I did not use tea tree I would definitely have to use Head & Shoulders or something chemical and gross. I have always had severe skin problems on my scalp and if I am not careful it flakes so much it bleeds.

Tea tree doesn't cure my problem but keeps it under control, I just have to use a charcoal shampoo once a week or every two weeks as well. It makes me feel good because it still smells great and is a natural way of helping out my skin condition. If you have any skin problems on your scalp I would highly recommend it. Tea tree is a natural antiseptic so that's why it works.

It smells good, tingles on your scalp and wakes you up in the morning.

The downside to tea tree is that it is expensive. But I don't need to use much to get my hair clean.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

cojo - you are unclear. Do you use the straight oil or a product with the oil in it? The straight undiluted tea-tree oil can be very caustic to some people's skin and should be used with caution.
That said, it also works WONDERS for dandruff and flaky scalp.

I love the Aquage products. Not tested on animals and very effective but I do have to get them in a salon or online - they last forever though... I've tried the "health-food-store" brands like JASONS and Avalon, etc. and never had good luck.

[lilac wine]

Earth Science shampoos and conditioners are wonderful!

[*AJ*]

I actually - though I hate to admit it - use Whole Foods brand shampoo and conditioners ... they have no animal products in it ... which practically every cosmetic or beauty product in your typical mainstream grocery store does (see http://www.veggieboards.com/articles/animal-derived-ingredients-list.php)... and they're not really expensive compared to some other high end vegan organic products ....

one thing that I'd like to try eventually is the shampoo 'bars' that are like soap bars ... i wonder how well those work ... I like the concept because the packaging is usually much less and more recyclable ...

[Treehugger267]

Kenra (from a salon or beauty supply store) doens't test on animals.

[*AJ*]

Desert Essence is a brand that seems to have a lot of vegan products ... I haven't used any of their hair care products ... but I do like their mouthwash, and floss, and face wash ... the face wash lasts forever!