What Is Ammonia-Free Hair Color & How Does It Benefit Your Hair?

What is Ammonia-free Hair Color?

So, what is no-ammonia hair color? Ammonia-free hair color uses natural ingredients and unique technology for coloring. Hair color without ammonia provides fine texture to the hair and supplies nourishment in the cuticle throughout the process (which gets hampered while using ammonia-based hair coloring products). Resultantly, these are gentler and safer than ammonia-based hair colors.

What Does Ammonia Do to Your Hair?

Wondering what does ammonia do to your hair? Let us tell you! Ammonia is an alkaline chemical that elevates the pH level of the hair during the hair dye process. When ammonia is used in hair color, it helps lift the cuticles of the hair fiber and lets the color sit in the inner layer of the hair (cuticles shield that). What’s more! Ammonia lightens the natural hair color of the hair so that you can get the desired result.

What is the Difference Between Ammonia Hair Color & Ammonia-free Hair Color?

Ammonia vs ammonia-free hair color, what’s the difference? Let us tell you:

• Ingredient

Ammonia hair colors contain ammonia, which opens the hair cuticles by swelling them for deeper color penetration, whereas ammonia-free hair colors use MEA (monoethanolamine), natural oils, and other gentle ingredients to soften and lift cuticles more mildly.

• Color Penetration

Ammonia formulas force the cuticles open for intense pigment deposit into the hair shaft, while ammonia-free formulas gently lift cuticles to allow effective color penetration without excessive cuticle damage.

• Smell

Ammonia hair colors are known for their strong, pungent odor, whereas ammonia-free formulas usually have little to no smell, offering a more pleasant coloring experience.

• Scalp Sensitivity

Ammonia-based colors may cause irritation and sensitivity, especially on reactive scalps, while ammonia-free options are gentler on the scalp and hair, making them suitable for sensitive scalp types.

• Hair Texture Impact

Repeated use of ammonia-based hair color can leave hair feeling dry or rough over time, while ammonia-free formulas tend to retain more moisture, helping hair feel smoother and healthier.

• Coverage

Ammonia hair colors are known for excellent grey coverage and long-lasting results, whereas ammonia-free colors provide decent grey coverage with less damage, offering a more hair-friendly alternative.

Benefits of Ammonia-free Hair Color

Check out the top benefits of using hair color without ammonia:

• Natural & Organic Ingredients

No-ammonia hair colors come with natural and organic ingredients like emollient oils, walnut oil, argan oil, and other caring ingredients. These natural ingredients present in the ammonia-free hair color help keep the hair texture in an optimum state and prevent moisture loss in the cuticle while coloring your hair.

• Minimal Damage

No-ammonia hair colors don’t affect the pH level of your scalp as these hair dye variants utilize monoethanolamine (MEA) that works as a substitute pH adjuster. MEA contains alcohol, but in a less concentrated formula, and is mixed with emollient oils. This combination of ammonia-free hair color as a whole works safely on the hair and scalp, causing minimal damage compared to ammonia-based hair color.

• Healthy Hair

Since ammonia-free hair colors don’t hamper the pH level, they cause less damage and prevent moisture loss from the cuticle, allowing you to flaunt healthy and beautiful tresses in no time. Choose hair color without ammonia for your next appointment and pave the way for healthy hair.

• Prevents Itchy Scalp

One of the greatest advantages of using ammonia-free hair color is that it rescues you from the stinging or burning sensation and itchy scalp, which you would otherwise experience with ammonia-based hair dyes. Those with sensitive scalps can embrace these gentler hair color options and experiment with different looks.

• Free of Odors

Ammonia hair colors' side effects also include a pungent odor. Simply put, these hair dyes exert a strong smell that can cause irritation to the eyes and in the worst cases lung problems, throat infections, and sinuses. However, no-ammonia hair colors do not cause any of these issues and ensures a safe hair coloring process.

Top Ammonia-free Hair Colors

There are different types of hair colors: permanent hair color, semi-permanent hair color, and temporary hair color. You can find a safe hair buddy from any of the no-ammonia hair color ranges listed below:

• Excellence Crème & Casting Crème Gloss Ultra Visible

Those who are looking for ammonia-free permanent hair color options can find a suitable match under the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème range. You can find some of the gorgeous shades of brown, like caramel brown, plum brown, dark brown, and more, in the vast collection of the Excellence Crème range.

You can also choose from Casting Crème Gloss Ultra Visible hair color range as it offers 5x glossier and 4x silkier hair, and stays for up to 28 washes. So, check it out and get the one that suits you the best.

• Casting Crème Gloss

We recommend you use the L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss as this range has a wide assortment of semi-permanent, no-ammonia hair color options. With this hair dye range, you can get optimal grey coverage and color that stays for up to 28 washes.

• Magic Retouch

Searching for safe temporary hair color options? Color your hair using L’Oréal Paris Magic Retouch. This hair color without ammonia comes with rich color pigments to give you a natural finish and grey root touch-up within seconds.

So, your search for the benefits of no-ammonia hair color ends here. Choose to color your tresses with ammonia-free dyes and get healthy and radiant locks easily. Remember, choosing between ammonia & ammonia-free hair color depends on your hair health, scalp sensitivity, and lifestyle preferences. Both have unique benefits; hence, pick the one that suits your needs best.

If you are unsure about which hair color would suit your personality, head toward the L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Virtual Try-On tool and find out how the 2025 hair color trends look on you!

Once you have decided on the right shade, go ahead and color your hair at home or seek professional help to put on a new avatar in no time. For further assistance on pre- or post-coloring hair care, read our hair color blogs and hair care blogs, and let your hair unleash its true potential.