Since ‘ammonia-free’ is becoming a mantra in the hair care world, let’s understand the difference between ammonia and ammonia-free hair colors.

What Is The Difference Between Ammonia And Ammonia-Free Hair Colors?

Before looking at the difference between ammonia-based and ammonia-free hair colors, let’s learn about the purpose of ammonia in the products. Ammonia serves as an ingredient that opens up your hair’s cuticles during the coloring process and makes them more absorbent. This helps retain the color for a long period. However, ammonia also lightens your natural hair color gradually. Ammonia molecules are very small and evaporate quickly. This is the reason ammonia-based hair colors are easy to rinse away. On the other hand, ammonia-free products still contain certain chemical components. In fact, ammonia-free products tend to be less optimal than ammonia-based hair colors. This is because the former use larger molecules that do not have the ability to penetrate as deeply into the hair as the latter. But these products do not have a pungent odor and stay longer than ammonia-based products. Let’s now look at the advantages and disadvantages of using ammonia-free hair colors.

Benefits Of Ammonia-Free Hair Colors

These are less harmful to your hair. They do not damage the cuticles despite multiple uses. They keep your hair soft and silky. They can be used on damaged hair as well. They are odorless. They do not alter the internal cuticle bonds like ammonia-based hair colors.

Disadvantages Of Ammonia-Free Hair Colors

They tend to leave a residue on the follicles. The chemicals take time to evaporate. They are difficult to rinse out. They are relatively less vibrant.

Let’s now take a look at the top 15 ammonia-free hair colors available in India.

Top 15 Ammonia-Free Hair Colors To Buy In 2022

1. L’Oreal Paris Casting Crème Gloss

L’Oreal Paris’ Casting Crème Gloss is one of the top ammonia-free hair dyes in the market. The brand is also one of the first to launch ammonia-free hair colors. This semi-permanent hair dye gently adds natural-looking color to your hair. The formula blends away gray hair and provides 100% coverage. It is specially formulated to coat your hair fibers from deep within. It not only adds rich shine but also imparts luscious fragrance to your hair. The color claims to last up to 28 washes and leaves your hair visibility shinier and healthier. This rich formula is infused with coconut oil, goji extract, hazelnut, and honey.

Improves hair texture A little product goes a long way Mess-free application Conditions your hair Adds shine and gloss to hair Contains natural extracts Effective formula for covering grays

Starts fading within a few weeks

2. Garnier Olia Brilliant Color

Garnier’s Olia has a 60% oil blend formula that contains natural flower oils. The product has a velvet crème formula that is non-drip and has a pleasant fragrance. The oils help reverse damage and leave your hair looking and feeling healthier. It is available in 34 shades that range from lustrous blacks to luminous blondes. The product also claims to leave your hair looking three times shinier with long-lasting color results.

Nice floral fragrance No artificial finish Hydrates dry hair Imparts radiant shine

Not long-lasting

Buy it here!

3. BBLUNT Salon Secret High Shine Creme Hair Colour

This salon-grade hair color is popular among Bollywood beauties. The pack comes with a shine tonic that must be added to the colorant and developer. It is infused with silk proteins that give your hair a natural finish with tremendous shine. This luxuriously creamy formula is drip-free and has a pleasant fragrance. It is important not to apply new color on previously applied color as this will give you darker results. Apply it for 30 minutes and give your hair the nourishment it requires.

Long-lasting shine Fades gracefully Lasts for 8 weeks Processes quickly 100% gray hair coverage Affordable

Contains chemicals

4. Revlon Top Speed Hair Color

This hair color is formulated using speed up coloring technology that gives maximum coverage to gray hair in just 5 minutes. It contains pearl and ginseng extracts to make your hair shinier and more radiant. This ammonia-free formula ensures to condition your hair from root to tip as it colors. Its nourishing properties help prevent your hair from drying out.

Highly pigmented Fades gracefully Processes quickly No side effects Makes your hair softer and silkier

Not stain-resistant

5. Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color

Clairol’s Natural Instincts Hair Color claims to leave your hair feeling healthier and stronger post-processing. It protects your hair strands from surface damage as it develops reasonably quickly. It has an ammonia-free and non-drip formula that not only covers grays but also boosts the color of the dark hair strands. The color comes with a hydrating conditioner that contains coconut oil. This helps smooth away frizz and roughness to give you soft and shiny hair.

Suitable for dry and dull hair Blends well with your natural hair color Eliminates brassy and uneven tones Long-lasting

Expensive

6. BSY Noni Black Hair Magic

Color your hair in 5 minutes with BSY Noni Black Hair Magic. It is formulated with extracts of the Hawaiian noni fruit, and is thus a completely safe and natural way of coloring your greys. It is further infused with the power of herbal essences that protect your scalp, reduce dandruff, and control hair fall. The nourishing quality of this hair color adds shine to the shaft and also helps in strengthening the roots by providing them with essential nutrients.

Long-lasting Stain-free Easy-to-use Controls hair fall Reduces dandruff

May irritate sensitive skin

7. Biotique Bio Herbcolor 3N Darkest Brown

Biotique Bio Herbcolor 3N Darkest Brown is infused with 9 organic herbal extracts, which help to nourish the hair and keep it hydrated. This hair color provides 100% gray cover, protects the scalp and hair, and makes your hair look healthier. Black tea, infused in the hair color, moisturizes your hair and adds color to the hair. Hibiscus enhances the color and condition of the hair. Bhringraj strengthens the scalp. Pros

100% Herbal extracts Long-lasting Dermatologist-tested Preservatives-free No-ammonia

Cons

None

8. Indus Valley Organically Natural Gel Hair Color

Indus Valley Gel Hair Color is imbibed with the goodness of aloe vera, jojoba oil, and wheat germ oil that nourish and moisturize your hair. It also contains natural extracts of henna, amla, honey, orange, basil, and sunflower. These ingredients cleanse your hair and help in eliminating dandruff and other scalp impurities. If you have excess of gray hair, this color is the perfect product for you as it covers the stubborn gray strands and reduces the occurrence of new gray hair.

Easy application Processes quickly Gives maximum gray coverage Strengthens the roots Improves hair texture

Requires patch test before using.

9. Godrej Expert Rich Crème Hair Colour

Godrej Expert Rich Crème Hair Color has been upgraded to a new multi-application pack. With this hair color, you can now color your hair multiple times right at home. It contains milk and aloe proteins that condition and nourish the hair shafts, keeping them from drying out. The pack also includes two ‘color protect’ conditioner sachets that keep your hair incredibly soft. It gives you 100% gray coverage and also adds shine. Godrej uses mild base ingredients that, unlike ammonia, do not cause extreme damage to your hair shafts. It is available in five beautiful shades and claims to add a natural look to your freshly colored hair.

Can be used multiple times No side effects Cost-effective Long-lasting color

Fades unevenly

10. Shahnaz Husain Colourveda Natural Hair Colour

This 100% natural hair dye imparts highly pigmented hair color that suits Indian skin tones. The Ayurvedic hair color contains traditional plant extracts that are safe for your hair and scalp. Ingredients like henna, indigo, and catechu protect your hair from damage and premature graying. This color is an ideal product for concealing gray hair.

Conditions your hair Promotes healthy hair growth Adds thickness, body, and shine to your hair

Not pigmented

11. Dabur Vatika Henna Hair Colour

Dabur Vatika’s Henna Hair Colour contains plant-based colorants, such as henna, and natural extracts from ingredients like walnut and olive. These natural ingredients strengthen your hair and add vitality. Besides adding a natural and radiant look to your hair, this hair color also nourishes and protects each strand from aging. This product comes in four shades – rich black, natural brown, dark brown (chestnut), and burgundy.

Reduces dandruff Works great on fine gray hair Strengthens the roots Reduces breakage

Availability issues

12. Beaute Blanc Fruit Vinegar Black Gel Color

Beaute Blanc Fruit Vinegar Black Gel Color is an ammonia-free hair color that provides full grey coverage. It nourishes the hair, repairs the damaged and rough hair. This hair color delivers natural black color and adds shine to the hair. Regular application of the hair color makes it soft and smooth. The hair color works effectively for broken hair as well. Pros

No-ammonia Non-irritating Price worthy Long-lasting Non-allergic

Cons

May stain

13. Vegetal Bio Colour

Vegetal Bio Color is a 100% natural hair color brand that controls hair fall, reduces dandruff, and repairs damaged hair all at once. It contains natural botanical extracts that provide nourishment to dry and damaged hair. The formula contains coloring components like indigo, henna, manjistha, and coffee. Other medicinal herbs like Brahmi, shikari, amla, bhangra, and catechu are also present. These ingredients add a natural look to your hair with intense shine.

Controls hair breakage A little product goes a long way No added preservatives No side effects

Takes time to impart the color

14. Naturigin Permanent Hair Color

Naturigin Permanent Hair Color is manufactured using certified organic ingredients such as soya, sunflower oil, prunus armeniaca, kernel oil, jojoba oil, shea butter extract, aloe vera extract, etc. Besides coloring, it also nourishes and strengthens your hair, improving the health of your scalp. This organic hair color offers 19 permanent shades.

Comes with a conditioner Safe and easy to use Adds natural shine Cruelty-free

Expensive

15. Dr. Batra’s Herbal Hair Color Cream

Cover your grey hair flawlessly with Dr.Batra’s Herbal Hair Color Cream. The hair color is formulated with henna, herbs, and natural ingredients that make your hair shiny and lustrous. This herbal hair color keeps your hair well-moisturized and provides a natural-looking hue. It is available in black, brown, and burgundy color.

Long-lasting Herbal Drip-free Recommended by trichologists Unisex Paraben-free

May cause allergy to sensitive skin

Listed above are some of the best ammonia-free hair colors. But before buying any of them, keep in mind a few vital points. The buying guide given below lists a few essential facts about hair colors that you need to consider.

Things To Consider When Buying An Ammonia-Free Hair Color

Irritation And Allergies

Ammonia-free hair colors are not completely hypoallergenic. These hair colors contain many other chemicals that may cause skin sensitivity, burning sensation, redness, and itching. Therefore, go through the ingredients list to prevent any risk of adverse reactions, especially if you have sensitive skin and scalp. Conducting a patch test before using an ammonia-free hair color is also recommended.

Shade

Ammonia-free hair colors come in various shades. Therefore, it’s necessary to opt for a shade that suits your natural skin tone. It is advised to opt for shades closer to the natural color of your hair. If you want to opt for a different shade, make sure it compliments your face.

Staying Power

Ammonia-free hair colors are not only a safer option, but they also last longer. These colors offer full gray hair coverage in one application and can last up to 5 weeks.

Final Thoughts

Always do a patch test before you use any hair coloring products. While all of these hair dyes are free of ammonia, they still contain other chemicals like PPD, MEA, or AMP that can cause skin irritation and hair damage. Do a patch test 48 hours before you use any hair dye to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. It might also be a good idea to look at natural alternatives like henna and hair darkening oils to avoid the repeated use of these chemical-laden products. Semi-permanent hair colors are also a safer option. Always read the ingredients list before you buy a product. Avoiding harmful chemicals like ammonia is crucial when it comes to preventing skin and hair damage. Have you tried any of these ammonia-free products? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

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