I found Act + Acre products a few months ago, and I was really excited to try them out. So far I’ve only used the dry shampoo for my curly (2C/3A) hair, but I’m excited to try some of their other products now too.
If you’re interested in giving Act and Acre a try, I highly recommend them!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I could be compensated if you decide to make a purchase. You can read my full disclosure here.
What is Act + Acre?
Act + Acre is a small hair products brand that focuses on scalp health.
Did you know our scalp ages 6-times faster than our face? When celebrity hair stylist Helen Reavey noticed that the vast majority of her clients had quite a bit of damage to their scalps (no matter their age, ethnicity, or background), she decided to make a change and create hair products that were focused in this area.
Not only are most of Act + Acre’s products completely safe and non-toxic, but they’re also plant-based and sustainable.
The bottles themselves are made of recyclable plastic (because glass isn’t allowed in showers), and they’re designed to use for at least 2 years worth of refills (which you can also purchase on their website).
The packaging is great too. When I ordered my plant-based dry shampoo, it came in a small biodegradable cardboard box that was filled with shredded kraft paper to cushion the bottle. No plastic to be seen!
Why Cold Processed®?
Most brands use heat-based production methods, but Act + Acre’s products are all Cold Processed® in order to remove the burden and negative effects of heat-based production.
Heat can actually lower the amount of nutrients that are available in products. Some brands intentionally add certain natural ingredients that can help your hair, but these ingredients are boiled off during production.
Additionally, Act + Acre’s Cold Processed® method also uses 90% less energy by eliminating heat, which is more sustainable and better for the environment.
Is Act + Acre Safe for Color-Treated Hair?
My hair is natural and not color-treated, but according to their website and list of ingredients, Act + Acre’s products are all perfectly safe for color-treated hair. They’re also ok to use when you’ve had a chemical treatment, like a Brazilian blowout.
All of their products are gently and non-stripping, ph-balanced, sulfate-free, and silicone-free.
Act + Acre Products for Curly Hair
As mentioned above, I have a mixture of 2C and 3A hair. I follow a version of the curly girl method, and I co-wash my hair one to two times a week. I typically don’t use shampoo at all.
This means I sometimes need to use dry shampoo in between washes in order to keep my roots from getting too oily.
I’ve found a few dry shampoos that I like, but I’m really impressed with Act + Acre’s Plant-Based Dry Shampoo.
The application is a little different than other dry shampoos because it doesn’t come in an aerosol container, but it works extremely well, and it only has 6 ingredients!
All of Act + Acre’s other products are also curly-girl approved except the conditioner (which contains isohexadecane, a conditioning agent that’s not CG-approved). That’s a bit of a bummer for me because I was hoping to try it. Some of their other products do contain humectants though, so be careful if your hair is sensitive to them.
Their super-popular Scalp Detox is safe for curly hair too and works best with thicker hair. Reviews mention that it leaves your hair feeling clean and healthy. This is going to be my next purchase, so I’ll update my review when I’ve used it for a while!
Below is a before and after photo of my hair when I used the Plant-Based Dry Shampoo. You can see on the left, my hair is oily, flat, and clumpy (and not the good kind of clumpy!). On the right, my hair looks much cleaner and healthier. The dry shampoo even added a little bit of volume at the root… and it only took a few minutes!
Is Act + Acre Worth the Price?
Yes! I definitely think Act + Acre is worth the higher price. Compared to other salon-quality hair products, it’s really not that much more expensive anyway. Especially if you participate in their new subscription program, which will save you 20% each time. (And you can pause or cancel your subscription at any time.)
The Cleanse and Conditioner are $22 each with a subscription, and since you mix them with water, they’ll last for quite a long time, depending on how often you cleanse & condition your hair.
The Scalp Detox is $33.60 with a subscription, and since you only use it once a week (or less), it will also last a long time.
For the absolute best deal, I’d recommend purchasing their Essentials package, which contains the Cleanse, Conditioner, and Scalp Detox. This is what I would order if their conditioner was Curly Girl-approved! It’s only $85 ($78.40 with the subscription).
The Dry Shampoo is 100% worth the price, in my opinion, even without the subscription. It’s the cleanest, most non-toxic dry shampoo that I’ve found so far, and it really works!
Where to Buy Act + Acre
I’ve always purchased Act + Acre from their website, but you can also find most of their products on Amazon and Revolve.
Some Nordstrom stores carry it as well, and you may even find it inside Urban Outfitters.
Have you tried Act + Acre? Let me know what your experience has been. Be sure to mention your hair type too!
While we’re on the topic of hair and scalp health, you may also want to check out these non-toxic dandruff shampoos and safe hair sprays.
