Kérastase is a benchmark for luxury salon hair care, but "luxury" and "natural" are different things. If you are wondering whether Kérastase is clean, natural, or certified, the short answer is no, and the brand does not actually claim to be. Here is what the ingredients and ownership show, and what a certified alternative looks like if natural formulation is what you are after.
Is Kérastase natural or certified?
No. Kérastase is owned by L'Oréal and is positioned as a high-performance luxury line, not a natural one. It holds no COSMOS, ECOCERT or other natural-formulation certification, and it makes no organic claim. This is not a criticism of how it performs; it is simply a different category from certified natural hair care.
What the formulas contain
- Silicones. Many Kérastase products contain silicones such as dimethicone, which coat the strand for instant smoothness and slip. A few lines are formulated silicone-free, but silicones are common across the range. Silicones are not permitted in COSMOS certified formulas.
- Sulfates. Many current formulas are sulfate-free, though some historic formulas used SLES. Check the specific product.
- Active ingredients. Kérastase uses well-formulated actives like ceramides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. These are effective, and several are synthetic or synthetically processed rather than naturally derived.
The takeaway: Kérastase is conventional cosmetic chemistry built for immediate results, much of it relying on silicones for that signature finish.
Why the silicone question matters
Silicones give a fast, smooth, glossy feel, which is part of why salon brands lean on them. The trade-off is buildup over time, the need for stronger cleansers to remove them, and the fact that the smoothness sits on top of the hair rather than improving its condition. Certified natural formulas reach shine and slip a different way, through plant oils and conditioning agents that smooth the cuticle without the coating.
A certified alternative for shine
If you want salon-level shine without silicones, a COSMOS certified routine gets there through cuticle care rather than coating. Our GLOSS BATH and GLOSS BALM use plant proteins and avocado oil to smooth the cuticle and reflect light, , and both are formulated without silicones. You can verify the certification in the ECOCERT database, and read the full INCI on each product page. See how the major brands compare in our certified hair brand comparison.
Related reading
- Natural Hair Care Brands: Which Are Actually Certified? (2026 Comparison)
- Is Gisou Natural? What the Ingredient List Actually Shows
- Which Hair Care Brands Are COSMOS Certified in the UK and EU?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kérastase natural or organic?
No. Kérastase is a luxury line owned by L'Oréal and holds no COSMOS, ECOCERT or organic certification. It makes no natural or organic claim; it is conventional high-performance hair care.
Does Kérastase contain silicones?
Many Kérastase products contain silicones such as dimethicone, which give that instant smooth, glossy finish. A few lines are silicone-free, so check the INCI on the specific product. Silicones are not allowed in COSMOS certified formulas.
Is Kérastase sulfate-free?
Many current Kérastase formulas are sulfate-free, though some older formulas used SLES. It varies by product, so check the ingredient list of the specific item.
Is Kérastase cruelty-free or vegan?
Kérastase is not certified vegan, and as an L'Oréal brand its cruelty-free status is debated because of sales in markets that can require animal testing. It is not a certified natural or organic brand.
What is a certified natural alternative to Kérastase?
For shine without silicones, look for silicone-free shine products such as NUDA's Gloss Bath and Gloss Balm, which smooth the cuticle with plant proteins and oils and publish their full INCI on each product page. Certification is product-level, so always confirm the specific product.