Beauty

A Complete Rundown of the Olaplex Saga

Confused about whether Olaplex products will give you amazing hair or cause infertility? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the Olaplex controversy. 

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If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve probably heard, read, or at least briefly seen the word "Olaplex" somewhere on your feed. For those who need the introduction, Olaplex products are widely loved for their ability to completely transform hair inside out by reviving damaged, colored, and bleached hair. Although the bond-building haircare brand is usually known for its “miracle” products, it has now found itself at the center of a surprising controversy. 

Earlier this month, news broke that Olaplex has been using an ingredient that could potentially be related to, or even cause, fertility issues. Since then, social media outlets (TikTok in particular) have been buzzing about the potential risk butylphenyl methylpropional (or “lilial") may cause to Olaplex users. So much so that rumors of Olaplex products are to be banned in Europe sent beauty experts, hair salons, and hairstylists into a frenzy.

To better understand the context of the situation, the brand’s best-selling product—the No. 3 Hair Perfector—contains a small amount of lilial, a synthetic fragrance ingredient often used in beauty and cleaning products. In 2020, the European Commission classified lilial as reprotoxic, meaning that it has the potential to have a negative impact on fertility and fetal development. As a result of these findings, the Commission ordered that all cosmetic and beauty products containing the ingredient were to be removed from shelves by March 2022. 

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So does this mean that Olaplex products are to be phased out from now on? No.

What the controversy forgot to mention was that the brand has since changed the formula of its No 3. Hair Perfector, excluding lilial from the product. In an official statement, the brand clarified that any Olaplex products containing lilial had not been sold nor distributed since January 2022. Olaplex further stated that lilial has been removed from their No. 3 Hair Perfector globally. 

 

It is also important to note that the European Commission isn’t concerned about the use of a single product containing lilial, but rather of the cumulative effects of using several lilial containing products, as the accumulation can create build-up and become harmful to individuals.

The haircare brand also took to Twitter and Instagram to reassure their consumers that the percentage of lilial previously used in their formula was never high enough to impact fertility. 

Good news for Olaplex users everywhere. Not only will the product remain on our shelves, but it is now also a healthier and safer formula to use. 

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