🇺🇸Melanin Haircare

Black-owned, female-owned indie brand founded in 2015 by sisters Whitney and Taffeta White in the US. Melanin Haircare was built from frustration with mainstream natural hair products that worked inconsistently — the White sisters wanted formulations that were genuinely effective for Type 3 and Type 4 hair without relying on silicones, sulphates, mineral oil, or harsh preservatives. The range is deliberately compact — five core products covering the full wash day routine — and every formula is silicone-free, sulphate-free, paraben-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Most products are fragrance-free or use only essential oils. A notable feature of the brand is the use of Diheptyl Succinate and Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer as silicone alternatives — plant-derived emollients that provide the slip and softness of silicones without any of the buildup concerns. The brand has a strong following in the 3c–4c community and is stocked at Sephora and Target in the US. A smaller range than most brands in this category, but each product pulls its weight.