Best Non-Toxic Edge Control in 2025
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What we look for:
- Simple formulations using fully natural or safe synthetic ingredients
- No parabens, PEGs, phthalates, harsh sulfates, BHA/BHT, artificial dyes, formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers, or undisclosed synthetic fragrance (unless certified safe)
- Minimal, necessary preservatives only
- Trusted third-party certifications when available
- Transparent sourcing, ingredients, and manufacturing practices
Not all products in this category are Welpr Approved, but they’re safer than most. The ones that meet our full standard will have the Welpr Approved tag. View our full standards here.
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User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Laid Edge Control - Essations
Product Details
- Made without silicone, promoting a healthier choice for hair styling.
- Suitable for all hair types, ensuring versatility and ease of use.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Provides strong hold without making hair sticky or tacky.
- Effectively lays edges with a sleek and clean shine.
- Formulated with minimal ingredients, promoting healthier hair.
- Diverse performance works well on various hair types including natural curls and relaxed hair.
- Leaves no flaking or greasy residue.
Cons
- Some users noted issues with packaging, such as inconsistent fill levels or damaged containers.
- A few users experienced product drying out hair or leaving a white residue on the edges.
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Ceteareth-25, Peg-7 Glyceryl Monococoate (Glyceryl Cocoate), Propylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Almond Oil), Honey
Define & Shine Edge Gel - SheaMoisture
Product Details
- Hydrates and holds edges all day without flaking.
- Alcohol-free formula infused with glycerin, coconut oil, and silk powder for smooth, defined edges.
- Features a fresh, invigorating scent of exotic pineapple, sweet peach, and creamy coconut.
- Organic and sustainably sourced Fair Trade Shea Butter for a product you can feel good about.
- Free from parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, and mineral oils for a clean beauty choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Holds hair in place all day with a sleek, shiny finish.
- Offers a pleasant fragrance that many enjoy.
- No flakes or residue for most users, promoting a clean look.
- Suitable for sensitive skin and doesn't cause irritation.
- Works well for both natural and styled looks.
Cons
- Some users may experience a white residue, requiring a specific application method.
- A few users note the gel can harden hair, necessitating washing afterwards.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Water (Eau), Ceteareth-20, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, VP/VA Copolymer, Glycerin (Vegetable/Végétale), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Linum Usitatissimum (Flax) Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Silk Powder, Polyquaternium-7, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Fragrance (Parfum)
The Alpha Edge Control - The Mane Choice
Product Details
- Specially formulated to rejuvenate and control your edges while adding brilliant shine.
- Provides supreme hold and superior shine without causing reversion of natural hair.
- Formulated to hydrate, strengthen, and revitalize hair and scalp, reducing frizz and breakage.
- Made with premium ingredients, free from mineral oil, petrolatum, parabens, sulfates, and formaldehydes.
- Enriched with essential nutrients like biotin and vitamins A, B, C, and E for healthy hair and scalp.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Remarkable hold for coily, wavy, and curly hair without stiffness or flakiness.
- Formula nourishes edges with vitamins and nutrients.
- Free from parabens, sulfates, and formaldehydes.
- A little product goes a long way, ensuring longevity.
Cons
- Some users noted inconsistent filling or texture issues.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Aqua (Purified Water), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Derived From Coconut), Cetrimonium Chloride, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glycine Soja (Soy) Extract, Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Oil, Biotin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Yashtimadhu) Root, Sambucus Nigra (Elder) Flower Extract, Yucca Glauca (Yucca) Root, Equisetum Hyemale (Horsetail) Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract, Eclipta Alba (Bhringraj) Powder, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Extract, Citric Acid, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend)
Edge Control Hair Gel - NaturAll
Product Details
- Tames edges and baby hairs for sleek, laid-back styles.
- Strong all-day hold reduces the worry of hair slipping out of place.
- Made from real flaxseeds for natural hold and moisture.
- Contains no sulfates, parabens, silicones, dyes, or phthalates.
- Uses fresh, naturally derived ingredients without animal testing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Has a pleasant sweet aroma that many users love.
- Blends well with hair without leaving sticky residue.
- Provides a reliable hold that lasts all day.
- Doesn't flake or leave a greasy feeling on hair.
- Keeps edges smooth without causing dryness or damage.
Cons
- Some users experienced residue build-up, which may matter if you prefer a clean finish.
- A few found the customer service unresponsive, potentially important if you anticipate order issues.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Flaxseed Gel (Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Gel), Water (Aqua, Eau), Ceteareth-25, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Propylene Glycol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Natural Fragrance Blend (Parfum), Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Yogurt Powder, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simethicone, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycerin
Rosemary Edge Control - As I Am
Product Details
- Promotes healthy hair growth and strengthens edges without using toxic ingredients.
- Offers long-lasting hold without flaking, ensuring a neat style throughout the day.
- Infused with soothing rosemary and peppermint oil for a calming aroma.
- Free from phthalates, silicones, parabens, gluten, and artificial colors for a cleaner hair care experience.
- Utilizes decomposable materials to minimize environmental impact.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No residue or flaking, ensures a clean finish.
- Mild, pleasant scent with a focus on hair health.
- Rich in healthy ingredients like rosemary, beneficial for scalp health.
- Ideal for those looking for light, natural style control.
Cons
- Some users with thick or unruly hair may find the hold insufficient and require additional products for longer-lasting results.
- Smaller container size might not meet expectations of frequent users.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Ceteareth-30, Glycerin, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Niacinamide, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Inositol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Menthol, Caffeine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-34, Ceramide NP, Biotin, Melatonin, Piroctone Olamine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool
Common Harmful Chemicals in Edge Control
Chemical Name
Why it’s harmful
Phthalates, linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, and cancer, are banned in the European Union but remain prevalent in U.S. cosmetics. They are widely used in personal care products, such as nail polish, fragrances, and eyelash glue and other products. A significant loophole allows phthalates to be added to fragrances without disclosure. Health concerns include endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and potential carcinogenicity.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Phthalates, Product Profile: Hand Sanitizer, Phthalates in Cosmetics, Phthalates in cosmetic and personal care products: concentrations and possible dermal exposure, A Survey of Phthalates and Parabens in Personal Care Products from the United States and Its Implications for Human Exposure, Phthalates Factsheet, BPA and Phthalates: Chemicals found in our homes
Sodium laureth sulfate, derived from ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, is a surfactant used in sudsy products like toothpaste, detergents, and shampoos. While it acts as a cleansing and emulsifying agent, it can sometimes contain toxic impurities such as 1,4-dioxane. This chemical has raised health concerns due to its potential to cause skin, lung, and eye irritation, organ toxicity, and, primarily because of contamination by 1,4 dioxane, cancer.
The Dirty Dozen: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, 15 Toxic Trespassers, SKIP PRODUCTS MADE WITH SLES (AND SLS, TOO!), Campaign for Safe Costmetics: 1,4-DIOXANE, WHAT IS SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE: CHEMICAL FREE LIVING, A new formula for a mild body cleanser: sodium laureth sulphate supplemented with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside,
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is recognised as a skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant according to ICSC. It may cause allergic reactions and eye irritation as stated by the HSDB. Exposure may even result in eye burns, as per CAMEO. Depending on its form - which may range from a solid (90-98% purity), to a paste (30-41%), or an aqueous solution (28-50%) - it can significantly irritate skin and eyes, with adverse effects escalating with increased concentration. Despite these hazards, it is not a skin sensitizer according to CHEMINFO, while eChemPortal: ERMA and MSDSonline endorse its classification as an irritant.
Triclosan is a synthetic pesticide with antibacterial properties commonly added to detergents, soaps, and various personal care products such as deodorants and toothpastes. Although it lacks the ability to combat viruses causing colds and flus, it's used in products like body washes, disinfectants, and some toothpastes to resist bacterial growth. In 2016, the FDA limited its use in antibacterial soaps, but the compound is still permitted in other products. The European Union prohibited its presence in food-contact items in 2010. Exposure to triclosan has been associated with hormone disruption, increased breast cancer risk, liver damage, and the development of resistant super-germs.
Triclosan Exposure, Transformation, and Human Health Effects, Are antibacterial products with triclosan fueling bacterial resistance?, Antimicrobial agents, triclosan, chloroxylenol, methylisothiazolinone and borax, used in cleaning had genotoxic and histopathologic effects on rainbow trout, The Effects of Triclosan on Puberty and Thyroid Hormones in Male Wistar Rats, Triclosan is a potent inhibitor of estradiol and estrone sulfonation in sheep placenta, The in Vitro estrogenic activities of triclosan and triclocarban, Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water, Environmental Exposure of Aquatic and Terrestrial Biota to Triclosan and Triclocarban, Triclosan: Environmental Fate and Effects, Chemical Profile: Triclosan / Triclocarban, 5 Things to Know About Triclosan, Underarm Harm? Whats So Bad About Antiperspirants?, Some flame retardants and the antimicrobials triclosan and triclocarban enhance the androgenic activity in vitro, Triclocarban Enhances Testosterone Action: A New Type of Endocrine Disruptor?, Triclosan, a commonly used bactericide found in human milk and in the aquatic environment in Sweden
Benzene is a colorless, sweet-smelling, highly flammable liquid that evaporates quickly into the air and slightly dissolves in water. It's a byproduct of both natural processes and human activities, used extensively in the U.S production of other chemicals for plastics, resins, nylon, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Present in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke, benzene is also released into the air from burning coal, oil, gasoline stations, and vehicle exhaust. Short-term exposure may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and irritation, while long-term exposure leads to blood disorders, reproductive effects, and even leukemia. Benzene has been classified by EPA as a known human carcinogen, and regulations apply to various industry sectors with potentially high exposure risks.
Triethanolamine appears to cause occupational asthma and allergic contact dermatitis in machinists and photographers, as well as liver and kidney damage in animals with high-dose feeding. It's noted to be an irritant to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, with potential to cause skin sensitization, though the rate of skin sensitization in humans is low. Triethanolamine has low acute toxicity, with median oral LD50 values of 4,190-11,260 mg/kg in rats and 5,300-8,000 mg/kg in guinea pigs, and a median dermal LD50 greater than 2,000 mg/kg in rabbits. Triethanolamine is not carcinogenic, developmental toxicant, or toxic to the reproductive system. However, chronic exposure may lead to liver and kidney damage.
Safety assessment of triethanolamine and triethanolamine-containing ingredients as used in cosmetics, Toxicology of mono-, di-, and triethanolamine, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Ethanolamine Compounds (MEA, DEA, TEA And Others), The Dirty Dozen: DEA-related ingredients, Chemical Profile, Special Chem, Safety assessment of triethanolamine and triethanolamine-containing ingredients as used in cosmetics
Diethanolamine is a chemical found in various consumer products like shampoos, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Acute exposure in humans can result in irritation of the nose, throat, and skin. However, no detailed data is available on its chronic, reproductive, developmental or carcinogenic effects on humans. Studies on animals reveal that acute oral exposure can influence the liver, blood, kidney, and central nervous system, while dermal exposure has been connected with an increased incidence of liver and kidney tumors in mice. Production of first-degree burns, skin irritation, occupational asthma, kidney, and liver injury risk, and potential skin sensitization are some other adverse effects associated with diethanolamine.
Chemical Safety Facts: Ethanolamines, NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Diethanolamine, California Environmental Protection Agency: Diethanolamine , International Agency for Research on Cancer: Diethanolamine, Initial List of Hazardous Air Pollutants with Modifications, What is the Toxics Release Inventory?, OPINION CONCERNING DIALKYL- AND DIALKANOLAMINES AND THEIR SALTS IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS, Ethanolamine Compounds (MEA, DEA, TEA And Others), WHAT ARE ETHANOLAMINE COMPOUNDS (DEA, MEA, OR TEA): CHEMICAL FREE LIVING, The Dirty Dozen: DEA-related ingredients, FDA: Diethanolamine, Chemical Profile: Diethanolamine ,
2-Phenoxyethanol is a hazardous substance toxic by all routes of exposure, and is used widely in products like cosmetics, soaps, and inks, among others. The effects of exposure to this faintly aromatic, colorless, oily liquid can include eye irritation, headaches, tremors, and CNS depression. It's crucial to rinse exposed eyes with tepid water for at least 15 minutes and to wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water in case of contact. The substance requires preheating before ignition can occur, and if involved in a fire, gentle water spray can extinguish the fire by inducing frothing.
Methylisothiazolinone can reportedly cause allergic contact dermatitis in workers who interact with products containing it. This substance is recognized as a contact allergen for consumers using cosmetics that include it. It can cause skin burns and sensitization, and inhaling it may lead to corrosive injuries in the upper respiratory tract and lungs. Ingesting this substance is harmful, and inhalation is toxic. This preservative is linked to the category of isothiazolinones.
Antimicrobial agents, triclosan, chloroxylenol, methylisothiazolinone and borax, used in cleaning had genotoxic and histopathologic effects on rainbow trout, Methylisothiazolinone toxicity and inhibition of wound healing and regeneration in planaria, Methylchloroisothiazolinone and/or methylisothiazolinone in cosmetic products, Isothiazolinone Biocides: Chemistry, Biological, and Toxicity Profiles, Methylisothiazolinone and isothiazolinone allergy, Analysis of isothiazolinones in environmental waters by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, Methylisothiazolinone induces apoptotic cell death via matrix metalloproteinase activation in human bronchial epithelial cells, EU REGULATIONS , Methylisothiazolinone contact allergy: a review, Effects of methylisothiazolinone and octylisothiazolinone on development and thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish larvae, Two Cases of Chloromethylisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone-associated Toxic Lung Injury, An update of the risk assessment for methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) with focus on rinse-off products, Effects of a mixture of chloromethylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone on peripheral airway dysfunction in children, Isothiazolinone preservative: cause of a continuing epidemic of cosmetic dermatitis, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Isopropyl alcohol has been shown to cause narcosis in animals during acute studies, as cited by ACGIH. However, according to research by Zimmerman, it is not hepatotoxic in either experimental animal studies or in human exposures. It's known to be a skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant, and if inhaled in high concentrations, it can cause CNS depression, as indicated by the ICSC.
Octinoxate, commonly found in various cosmetic and personal care products such as hair color products, sunscreen, lipstick, and skin creams, is an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen and can affect thyroid function. It has been detected in human urine, blood, and breast milk, indicating systemic exposure. Octinoxate's potential health concerns include its impact on cell proliferation in response to estrogen exposure, disruptions in thyroid hormones, alterations in reproductive systems, and adverse effects on the development of male and female fetuses, as well as their offspring.