Gratium is an ethically produced natural hair and skin care brand bringing products that you can confidently buy knowing there’s no harmful ingredients. Read more to find out what it takes to be a Gratium woman and why more people are turning towards vegan friendly products.
1. Tell us about the brand’s story
The brand was birthed out of a need for safer products for black women and men. The initial purpose was to meet the needs of family and close friends suffering from asthma, eczema, hair loss and dry scalp. There wasn’t a plan to start a brand.
The Healthy Scalp Growth was formulated for a close friend and her daughters who suffered from dry flaky scalp. Needless to say, she became a walking advert for the product, as a result of the hair growth she had gained from the use of the product.
The demand for the product was increasing, and it was due to this demand that it was decided to launch the brand. GRATIUM has expanded its reach and now provides products to customers from different ethnicities.
2. Can you describe to us what a GRATIUM Girl is?
A GRATIUM girl is confident, complete in herself, loves life and lives it unapologetically. She is fearless but charming and elegant. She is captivating – a silent show stopper.
3. Why was it important to you to have natural and vegan friendly products?
Within the cosmetic industry we are free to use toxic ingredients to formulate products. For example, some substances are used to keep the products safe such as antimicrobials, antifungals and preservatives. It’s important for GRATIUM to offer consumers a safer natural organic option, that is cruelty free.
The cosmetic industry has evolved to the extent that there are alternatives to animal testing, and we can now formulate products that do not contain animal derived substances.
GRATIUM actively source non-toxic ingredients because studies have shown that toxic substances cause harm to our body and organs. For example cosmetics may contain triclosan and parabens which are known endocrine disruptors (these imitate the body’s hormones, such as estrogen) which can cause changes to the endocrine system and may lead to health problems, such as cancer. We may be exposed to these in other ways, such as through pesticides and the food we consume.
4. What product from your brand would you recommend the most and why?
Plant Oil – good for promoting growth, density and preventing the hair from lightening.
5. What does your wash day routine look like?
I start by sectioning my hair into four or five parts. I pre-poo with the Plant Oil for 20 to 30 minutes. I follow up with the Clay Shampoo, twice. Apply the Cupuaçu Conditioner to each section of my hair, cover with a cap for 20 – 30 minutes, then rinse out. Comb through each section of the hair with a wide tooth comb, apply the moisturiser (coming soon) and seal with a pomade or butter. Braid each section, cover with a satin of silk scarf.
6. During the summer weather, What should steps should we be taking with our hair?
Tip one: Protecting your scalp is important. When you think of SPF, we only think of our skin. However, SPF can also protect and preserve your scalp during the hot weather.
Tip two: Deep cleansing your curls after being outside for a while is extremely vital. Our hair is exposed to the sun which can be damaging. This will help to remove any build up and toxins from our scalp and hair. Deep cleansing will exfoliate any dead skin cells and encourage healthy hair.
Tip three: Curly hair textures tend to be much drier and yearn for constant moisture. As the weather gets hotter, this can leave our hair much drier than usual. Using regular deep conditioning treatments with a good leave in conditioner will help to retain your curls from fizziness and a lack of moisture. To fight against humidity from the long summer days, add more moisture in your daily hair care regimen. Following on from this, seal in with a pomade, butter or grease.
7. The rise in veganism has rocketed in recent years. Why do you think there is more of a demand for vegan products in the black hair community?
We are living in an age where information is more accessible. People are more informed about what goes into what they eat and the toxic ingredients in their cosmetics, and now have the freedom to choose from the variety of products available on the market. People are more conscious of what they are putting on their hair and skin.
Visit the GRATIUM store at gratium.co.uk
