Alcohol-Free Hair Care

Not all alcohols in hair care are the same. There are two main categories — drying alcohols and fatty alcohols — and they have completely opposite effects on hair.

Drying alcohols to avoid: Ethanol (alcohol denat.), isopropyl alcohol, propanol, and SD alcohol. These are lightweight, fast-evaporating alcohols that strip moisture from the hair shaft and scalp — causing dryness, brittleness, and irritation with regular use. Commonly found in some gel and styling products where fast drying is desired.

Fatty alcohols — safe and beneficial: Cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol. These are derived from plant oils (coconut, palm) and are emollient, moisturising ingredients that condition and soften hair. Despite the name, fatty alcohols are not drying — they are beneficial in hair care formulas.

Alcohol-free hair care specifically avoids drying alcohols — making it ideal for dry, damaged, colour-treated, and curly hair that needs maximum moisture retention.

Alcohol-free formulas are most beneficial for: dry or dehydrated hair that struggles to retain moisture, colour-treated hair where moisture loss accelerates colour fade, curly and textured hair that needs maximum moisture for definition and frizz control, sensitive scalps that react to alcohol-based ingredients, and anyone following the Curly Girl Method (which excludes drying alcohols).

Top alcohol-free professional brands at Partners Hair Design: Moroccanoil (argan oil-based moisture-rich formulas), Olaplex (all bond-building products alcohol-free), Kérastase Nutritive and Blond Absolu ranges, Milkshake Moisture Plus range, Kevin Murphy Hydrate-Me range, and most Pureology products. Our team can recommend the right alcohol-free products for your specific hair type and concern.

Partners Hair Design is an authorised stockist of every alcohol-free brand we carry. All products are 100% authentic. Free delivery on orders over R390 across South Africa. Orders placed before 1pm on weekdays are dispatched same day.