French hair care brand PHYTO has a very specific mission: to create plant-based solutions for every hair need, from dandruff to oiliness to hair thinning. “PHYTO’s approach to hair care starts with the scalp,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “This is an approach I appreciate because it makes sense medically. The hair is grown from the scalp and a healthy scalp will generally grow healthy hair. On the other hand, an unhealthy scalp will almost always grow unhealthy or thinner hair.” Ready to learn more about PHYTO’s unique mission and how their hair care products can help be incorporated into your healthy hair routine? In this article, we’ll cover:

• How PHYTO began its mission of healthier hair

• What makes PHYTO different than other hair care brands

• Tips for healthy hair with PHYTO

How PHYTO began its mission of healthier hair

PHYTO is rooted in the legacy of one man and his obsession with plants. In the 1960s, Spanish hair stylist Patrick Alés was working in Paris when he coined the styling technique now known as the blowout. Alés called this alternative to hot roller-styling “Le Brushing,” and it took the world by storm as he styled the hair of starlets of the moment, such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. He developed a deep love of botanical ingredients as an alternative to products that relied on harsh chemicals, as popular styles of the time—think bleaching, backcombing and beehives—left women’s hair looking and feeling dry and damaged.

Alés was fascinated by the power of plant ingredients, studying the history of medicinal uses of plants and consulting with scientists to further his knowledge. He created a product line called Phytotherathrie in 1967 that would go on to become PHYTO, working hand in hand with scientists to mine the natural healing properties of plant compounds. After all, “phyto” means “plants'' in Greek.

What makes PHYTO different than other hair care brands

PHYTO scalp treatments were Alés’ passion, and they continue to be a major focus—and for good reason. “As a dermatologist, I agree with this,” Dr. Schlessinger says. One of Alés’ philosophies was to “let the plants speak” when it comes to developing new formulas. This ingredient-driven, science-centric approach continues to inform every new product the company creates. Here are a few of PHYTO’s trusted plant-based ingredients and the innovative products they’ve inspired. From shampoos to scalp treatments to a daily dietary supplement, they can all be part of your healthy hair care routine.

Tips for healthy hair with PHYTO

Tip 1: Try rosemary leaf oil

This herb-derived oil is a key ingredient in PHYTO Botanical Scalp Treatment, which PHYTO created to balance the scalp and stimulate microcirculation for healthy hair growth. One study showed that rosemary oil improved hair growth as efficiently as minoxidil, the active ingredient in hair-growth treatments such as Rogaine.

Tip 2: Use quillaja bark extract

PHYTO relies on this extract of Quillaja saponaria, an evergreen tree also known as soapbark, to create its popular shampoo for oily scalps, called PHYTO Panama Balancing Treatment Shampoo. In this formula, quillaja bark extract helps gently cleanse hair without stripping it of necessary moisture and also helps bring an oily scalp back into balance by regulating oil production.

Tip 3: Incorporate ginkgo biloba

This botanical extract derived from ginkgo trees has antioxidant properties that can stimulate hair growth by boosting scalp circulation. It’s a key ingredient in the PHYTO Phytocyane Revitalizing Treatment for Women, a scalp serum formulated to address reactional hair thinning, which is defined as sudden, drastic hair loss as a result of health issues such as stress, diet, fatigue or pregnancy.

Tip 4: Add lupin hydrolysate

This protein-rich plant extract works in your body to regulate an enzyme that is tied to progressive hair loss. It’s featured in PHYTO Phytocyane Densifying Treatment for Women, a treatment for progressive hair thinning, which is a type of hair loss that’s hereditary or a result of age and occurs over time. PHYTO combines this ingredient with Peruvian maca extract to help anchor hair by prolonging hair growth and tulip extract to promote healthy hair structure.

Tip 5: Say yes to mallow extract

Derived from the flowers, leaves or seeds of the mallow plant, PHYTO relies on this ingredient in its formulas for dry hair and dry scalp, such as PHYTO Phytojoba Moisturizing Shampoo. Mallow extract helps maintain hydration in the heart of each hair fiber while jojoba oil act as a humectant to draw in moisture.

Tip 6: Use tea tree oil

This botanical oil is one of the key ingredients in PHYTO Phytosquam Intense Exfoliating Treatment Shampoo, which PHYTO created to treat both the symptoms and root cause of dandruff. Tea tree oil has antifungal properties that can help target Malassezia globosa, a fungus that can cause dandruff.

Tip 7: Try wheat germ oil

Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, wheat germ oil joins carrot extract, fish oil and biotin in the PHYTO Phytophanere Dietary Supplement, a daily supplement PHYTO created to support healthy keratin production and, in turn, promote hair and nail growth. In an independent study of twenty women who were experiencing thinning hair, 95% noticed improvement in the quality of their hair within four months of use.

Are you looking for more tips for healthy hair? You can learn more about the benefits of vitamin E for hair and how to protect your hair from chlorine damage on the LovelySkin Blog.