IT’S OUR ONLY BODY. LET'S TREAT IT RIGHT.
From Snehal, Our Founder:
As a fellow hair and beard dyer, I developed SIMPLER Hair Color because other products left my skin burning, which wasn’t something I wanted to keep doing long term. I searched around for alternatives but couldn’t find one with safer† ingredients that were gentler† on my skin and effective, so I developed SIMPLER Hair Color.
SIMPLER Hair Color’s commitment is simple: To choose the best ingredients possible for our customers and for the planet.
We want your hair feeling healthy, not dry and damaged.
Our hair color is proudly formulated and made in the USA using premium ingredients that result in a natural look, guaranteed. We’ve included our proprietary blend of revitalizing ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Esters, and Meadowfoam Seed Oil. We've specifically combined ingredients designed to nourish and protect hair. The medium and long chain fatty triglycerides present in our oils create a protective coating on the hair, helping to retain moisture for longer and achieve the natural and healthy results our customers love.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFER HAIR COLOR:
Hair color has traditionally contained some very harmful ingredients. But hair color formulation science has made leaps and bounds over recent years and continues to improve. We’re committed to staying on the leading edge of what’s possible.
Here’s a run-down of what’s NOT in our product:
NO PPD
PPD is short for para-phenylenediamine. PPD is one of the most common components in permanent hair dyes. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that exposure to high levels of PPD “may cause severe dermatitis, eye irritation and tearing, asthma, gastritis, renal failure, vertigo, tremors, convulsions, and coma in humans.”(1)(2)
Instead of PPD, we use a gentler ingredient called toluene 2,5-diamine sulfate (TDS). TDS is much more costly than PPD. We chose it, however, because TDS has been shown in Dr. A. Scheman’s study to be tolerated by 57% of patients that were allergic to PPD and that TDS-based dyes “represent the first cosmetically elegant alternative hair-dye products for individuals allergic to PPD. (3) Some people can be allergic to TDS, so please follow all safety instructions and see the note in the gray box below.
NO AMMONIA
Ammonia is another common ingredient in hair dyes. Ammonia separates the hair’s protective protein layers, to allow for the new color to deposit. It is the reason some hair colors smell unpleasant. It can also leave your hair and skin feeling dry and damaged.
Instead of ammonia, we use ethanolamine, an ingredient that provides natural results, with less odor and dryness.
NO PARABENS
Widely used in hair care products, parabens may produce allergies and skin irritation for some people. You won’t find any parabens in our formulations.
NO PHTHALATES
Banned in the EU, Phthalates are used as solvents and plasticizers in shampoo and styling products. Studies have found that phthalates might have some effects on reproductive hormones.(4) No phthalates here!
NO TITANIUM DIOXIDE
Titanium dioxide is a chemical used in some cosmetic products as a pigment to make products appear white or non-transparent. Titanium dioxide (airborne, unbound particles of respirable size) is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer. Exposure to titanium dioxide may increase the risk of cancer. (5)
SIMPLER contains no titanium dioxide.
NO LEAD ACETATE
As of 2018, the FDA “no longer provides for the use of lead acetate in cosmetics intended for coloring hair on the scalp.” But some older products being sold on the market may still contain lead acetate. If you’re using other older hair color products, check your label!
NO ISOBUTANE
Isobutane is a flammable gas that is commonly used as a propellant mixed with the ingredients in aerosol cans. Imagine that: who wants to be putting flammable gas on their hair and beard? Not us.
Even though SIMPLER Hair Color is packaged in an aerosol can, our propellant is 100% natural – it’s just compressed air. In addition, unlike other brands of aerosol hair products, our ingredients are packaged entirely separately from the propellant. There’s no mixing.
NO CRUELTY
Some hair color brands have a history of mistreating animals. We think that’s wrong. Nothing we make is ever tested on animals. That’s right: we let our pets rock their grays if they’ve got ‘em!
CARE FOR OUR PLANET
One can of Simpler Hair Color can provide as many uses as up to 4 boxes of other brands. Unlike many box dyes, you don’t need to waste leftovers. You can save the can and use it until it’s empty. And then, you can recycle the can instead of having to dump chemicals in the trash.
Please note that all permanent hair color contains ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction, which in rare cases can be severe. Conduct a skin test and carefully read and follow all safety warnings in the Instruction Manual included with every Color Box and also linked here. If you have already had a reaction to hair color products and/or you have sensitive, irritated, or damaged skin or scalp, you have an increased risk of allergic reaction to our products. Always consult a physician if you have questions or concerns.
THE INGREDIENTS
Full Coverage - Natural Black:
Aqua (water), Stearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Oleic Acid, Oleyl Alcohol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ceteareth-30, Steareth-40, Lauryl Alcohol, Ceteareth-3, Steareth-80, Ethanolamine, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-58, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Jojoba Esters, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Toluene-2-5-Diamine Sulfate, 4-Chlororesorcinol, M-Aminophenol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, 2-Methylresorcinol, 2,4 Diaminophenoxyethanol Dihydrochloride, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Isoascorbate, Tetrasodium Edta, 1-Hydroxyethyl 4,5-Diamino Pyrazole Sulfate
Full Coverage - Brown Black:
Aqua (water), Stearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Oleic Acid, Oleyl Alcohol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ceteareth-30, Steareth-40, Lauryl Alcohol, Ceteareth-3, Steareth-80, Ethanolamine, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-58, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Jojoba Esters, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Toluene-2-5-Diamine Sulfate, 4-Chlororesorcinol, M-Aminophenol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, 2-Methylresorcinol, 2,4 Diaminophenoxyethanol Dihydrochloride, Sodium Sulfite, 2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine, Sodium Isoascorbate, Tetrasodium Edta, 1-Hydroxyethyl 4,5-Diamino Pyrazole Sulfate.
Full Coverage - Dark Brown:
Aqua (water), Stearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Oleic Acid, Oleyl Alcohol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ceteareth-30, Steareth-40, Lauryl Alcohol, Ceteareth-3, Steareth-80, Ethanolamine, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-58, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Jojoba Esters, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, 4-Chlororesorcinol, Toluene-2-5-Diamine Sulfate, M-Aminophenol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, 2-Methylresorcinol, 2,4 Diaminophenoxyethanol Dihydrochloride, Sodium Sulfite, 2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine, Sodium Isoascorbate, Tetrasodium Edta, 1-Hydroxyethyl 4,5-Diamino Pyrazole Sulfate.
Full Coverage - Medium Brown:
Aqua (water), Stearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Oleic Acid, Oleyl Alcohol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ceteareth-30, Steareth-40, Lauryl Alcohol, Ceteareth-3, Steareth-80, Ethanolamine, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-58, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Jojoba Esters, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Toluene-2-5-Diamine Sulfate, 4-Chlororesorcinol, M-Aminophenol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, 2-Methylresorcinol, 2,4 Diaminophenoxyethanol Dihydrochloride, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Isoascorbate, 2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine, Tetrasodium Edta, 1-Hydroxyethyl 4,5-Diamino Pyrazole Sulfate.
Full Coverage - Light Brown:
Aqua (water), Stearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Oleic Acid, Oleyl Alcohol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ceteareth-30, Steareth-40, Lauryl Alcohol, Ceteareth-3, Steareth-80, Ethanolamine, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-58, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Jojoba Esters, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Toluene-2-5-Diamine Sulfate, M-Aminophenol, 4-Chlororesorcinol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, 2,4 Diaminophenoxyethanol Dihydrochloride, 2-Methylresorcinol, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Isoascorbate, 2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine, Tetrasodium Edta, 1-Hydroxyethyl 4,5-Diamino Pyrazole Sulfate
Full Coverage - Blond:
Aqua (water), stearyl alcohol, ceteareth 20, oleic acid, oleyl alcohol, dibutyl adipate, ceteareth-30, steareth-40, lauryl alcohol, ceteareth-3, steareth-80, ethanolamine, propylene glycol, polyquaternium-58, hydrolyzed wheat protein, aloe vera leaf juice, jojoba esters, coconut oil, avocado oil, 4-chlororesorcinol, meadowfoam seed oil, p-aminophenol, sodium sulfite, toluene-2-5-diamine sulfate, n,n-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine sulfate, 2-methylresorcinol, sodium isoascorbate, tetrasodium edta, m-aminophenol, hydrogen peroxide, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, simethicone, tetrasodium edta , sodium phosphate dibasic, phosphoric acid, etidronic acid. may contain: 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine.
Full Coverage - Ginger:
Aqua (water), stearyl alcohol, ceteareth 20, oleic acid, oleyl alcohol, dibutyl adipate, ceteareth-30, steareth-40, lauryl alcohol, ceteareth-3, steareth-80, ethanolamine, propylene glycol, polyquaternium-58, hydrolyzed wheat protein, aloe vera leaf juice, jojoba esters, coconut oil, avocado oil, meadowfoam seed oil, p-aminophenol, 2-methylresorcinol, m-aminophenol, sodium sulfite, 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene, toluene-2-5-diamine sulfate, sodium isoascorbate, tetrasodium edta, 5-amino-6-chloro-o-cresol, hydrogen peroxide, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, simethicone, tetrasodium edta , sodium phosphate dibasic, phosphoric acid, etidronic acid. may contain: 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine.
Full Coverage - Developer Vol 20:
Water, Hydrogen Peroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Stearyl Alcohol, Oleic Acid, Oleyl Alcohol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ceteareth-30, Steareth-40, Lauryl Alcohol, Ceteareth-3, Steareth-80, Simethicone, Tetrasodium Edta , Sodium Phosphate Dibasic, Phosphoric Acid, Etidronic Acid
Partial Coverage - Darker:
AQUA (WATER), STEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH 20, OLEIC ACID, OLEYL ALCOHOL, DIBUTYL ADIPATE, CETEARETH-30, STEARETH-40, LAURYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH-3, STEARETH-80, ETHANOLAMINE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, POLYQUATERNIUM-58, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE, JOJOBA ESTERS, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, TOLUENE-2-5-DIAMINE SULFATE, 4-CHLORORESORCINOL, M-AMINOPHENOL, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, 2-METHYLRESORCINOL, 2,4 DIAMINOPHENOXYETHANOL DIHYDROCHLORIDE, SODIUM SULFITE, 2-AMINO-3-HYDROXYPYRIDINE, SODIUM ISOASCORBATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, 1-HYDROXYETHYL 4,5-DIAMINO PYRAZOLE SULFATE.
Partial Coverage - Lighter:
AQUA (WATER), STEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH 20, OLEIC ACID, OLEYL ALCOHOL, DIBUTYL ADIPATE, CETEARETH-30, STEARETH-40, LAURYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH-3, STEARETH-80, ETHANOLAMINE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, POLYQUATERNIUM-58, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE, JOJOBA ESTERS, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, TOLUENE-2-5-DIAMINE SULFATE, 4-CHLORORESORCINOL, M-AMINOPHENOL, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, 2-METHYLRESORCINOL, 2,4 DIAMINOPHENOXYETHANOL DIHYDROCHLORIDE, SODIUM SULFITE, SODIUM ISOASCORBATE, 2-AMINO-3-HYDROXYPYRIDINE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, 1-HYDROXYETHYL 4,5-DIAMINO PYRAZOLE SULFATE.
Partial Coverage - Developer Vol 5:
WATER, CETYL ALCOHOL, CETEARYL ALCOHOL CETEARETH 20, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, OLEIC ACID, OLEYL ALCOHOL, DIBUTYL ADIPATE, CETEARETH-30, STEARETH-40, LAURYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH-3, STEARETH-80, SIMETHICONE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, SODIUM PHOSPHATE DIBASIC, PHOSPHORIC ACID, ETIDRONIC ACID.
REFERENCES
(1) The EPA warns that exposure to high levels of PPD “may cause severe dermatitis, eye irritation and tearing, asthma, gastritis, renal failure, vertigo, tremors, convulsions, and coma in humans.”
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/p-phenylenediamine.pdf
(2) Krishna Sumanth Mukkanna, Natalie M. Stone, John R. Ingram: Para-phenylenediamine allergy: current perspectives on diagnosis and management, Journal of Asthma and Allergy 2017:10 9-15
(3) A. Scheman, et al.: Alternative hair-dye products for persons allergic to para-phenylenediamine, Dermatitis. 2011 Jul-Aug.; 22(4):189-192 (reporting that about 57% of patients allergic to PPD will tolerate newer hair coloring products using TDS and concluding that TDS-based products “represent the first cosmetically elegant alternative hair-dye products for individuals allergic to PPD”).
(4) Wang Y, Qian H. Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 May 18;9(5):603. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9050603. PMID: 34069956; PMCID: PMC8157593; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8157593/ (“Phthalates, as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and SVOCs, are detrimental to the reproductive, neurological, and developmental systems of human from multiple exposure pathways.”)
(5) “The Office of Environmental Health Hazard and Assessment warns that “Exposure to titanium dioxide may increase the risk of cancer,” https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/factsheets/titanium_dioxide_fact_sheet.pdf”
