Act + Acre is a haircare company putting scalp care at the heart of its brand with scientifically formulated products and accessories aimed at reducing build-up on the scalp. Helen Reavey is the founder and celebrity trichologist applying her expertise to a wide range of products designed to help diagnose common scalp and hair conditions. Her patented cold-pressed technique has allowed her to create plant-based products that are sustainable and filled with rich nutrients. Each of her collections targets a different scalp challenge like hair thinning or an oily and dry scalp. As she continues to innovate and grow her brand, she’s changing the landscape of haircare with her newest detangling brush ($34) “Designed to prevent breakage using double-length bristles that gently work through tangles without causing damage, the Detangling Brush is designed to be used on wet and dry hair.” We sat down to talk about Helen’s new curl and wave system aimed at protecting and restoring curls.
What is the inspiration behind the name of your brand?
Our brand name was inspired by our mission to provide clean, plant-based products that help you to elevate your hair ritual by taking care of your scalp.
- Act: the process of doing. A ritual. A moment of consciousness.
- Acre: of land and nature. A return to natural elements.
What challenges or struggles did your clients face that influenced the products you created?
Over my 15 years as a hairstylist, working worldwide from salon to runway, I continued to notice an overwhelming commonality across the board of poor scalp health. Thus, I decided to delve deeper into the haircare industry and really examine the products that we use everyday and I came to the conclusion that the industry was serving up a selection of sub-par products that do not nourish, balance and stimulate the scalp. So many of the haircare products we used every day were made through the addition of harsh chemicals and high temperatures, meaning that all the natural ingredients that were initially included are boiling off, reducing the potency and effectiveness of the products. It was then that I was inspired to challenge the science behind the process and carve out a new category within the hair wellness space that focuses on all-natural, chemical-free, clean ingredients scalp centric products.
How would you define a “Cold Processed” hair wellness brand?
Our Cold Processed® Method is our one-of-a-kind product creation method that uses 90% less energy than your average personal care product (which uses a heat process). Our patented technology allows us to maintain the efficacy and purity of each ingredient within our formulations, which then gives us the ability to have fully plant-based products that don’t include chemicals. Think of it almost as a cold-pressed juice but for your hair care products – our scalp-centric products are created to be extremely nutrient-rich, meaning your scalp + hair are receiving all of the ingredient benefits needed to help the hair thrive.
How did your experience in trichology shape how you designed the detangling brush and comb?
Being a trichologist has fundamentally changed the way I approach hair care and more importantly scalp health. The scalp is the root of all hair health, meaning you need a well-balanced, healthy scalp/scalp biome to have healthy hair.
Although brushes + combs aren’t necessarily seen as “scalp-centric” products, properly using a brush + comb is crucial to overall hair health. For example, wet hair is hair at its most vulnerable, so I always recommend gently using the brush or comb to detangle wet hair post-shower, ensuring to start from the ends and work your way up to the roots. Our Detangling Brush was specifically designed with double-length bristles that gently work through tangles without causing damage, while our Detangling Comb was created with wide-spaced teeth to protect the hair from friction + snags.
Additionally, you can use both the Brush + Comb to massage the hair at the root, since scalp massages are known to:
- Increase blood flow to the scalp to help the natural growth cycle
- Improve hair follicle health
- Reduce inflammation that may trigger hair loss
Why did you decide to expand your line with the Curl + Wave system?
Prioritizing your scalp care is a great first step to getting your curls to thrive, and we wanted to create a line of products specifically formulated to promote scalp health, while restoring shape, texture, and shine to curls and waves.
Curly hair tends to be drier and coarser, so it’s crucial to ensure you have the right balance of moisture and protein in your product to help curly hair thrive. The scalp has a delicate microbiome and a low barrier function, meaning that it has difficulty maintaining + replenishing moisture. This can leave the scalp prone to dryness and irritation, which can lead to drier curls and texture issues.
We created our Curl Cleanse Shampoo with 5% Glycerin (vs 1.5% in our original cleanse formula) and Fulvic Acid, to act as a probiotic for the scalp to remove build-up and add moisture. It strikes the perfect balance of cleansing without disrupting the hair’s natural moisture balance, resulting in nourished, frizz-free curls.
From there, our Soft Curl Spray is uniquely formatted with Watermelon Extract, Aloe Vera, and Glycerin which work together to soothe any dryness or scalp sensitivity, while hydrating the scalp + hair. It’s the perfect product to use on a daily basis to refresh and rejuvenate your waves/curls.
And then, for bouncy, defined curls, we created our Soft Curl Lotion, which is similar to a curl creme but is packed with vegan protein to help repair damaged hair and strengthen it, while reducing frizz and adding definition.
It’s also important to note that many curl products on the market contain sulfates and silicones, which can actually further dry out the hair, making curls frizzy and limp. We wanted to create a collection of all the products you may need to elevate your curls, without the use of silicones, sulfates, or harsh alcohols.
What is the difference between the soft curl and soft wave systems?
The main difference between our Soft Curl System and Soft Wave System is that Soft Wave does not include our Soft Curl Lotion. Both systems include the Cold Processed Curl Cleanse Shampoo and Cold Processed Curl Spray, which work together to restore the shape, texture, and shine of curls and waves while soothing + hydrating the scalp. The Curl Cleanse Shampoo is formulated with 5% Glycerin to cleanse + hydrate the scalp for softer and shinier hair, and the Curl Spray contains 0.20% Watermelon Extracts which hydrate and refresh your curl pattern + texture.
Although you can use both systems for any curl type (Type 2, Type 3 or Type 4), the Soft Wave system is especially great for those with Type 2 hair types that are looking to elevate their waves and add a bit more definition. If you have a Type 3 or Type 4 curls, and are looking for a more defined, bouncy curl, I’d opt for our Soft Curl System, since it includes the Soft Curl Lotion. The weightless curl creme is formulated with 0.5% Vegan Protein – which is perfect for giving a light hold + soft finish to curlier and more kinky/coily hair.
Which products would you recommend first-time users try and why?
I always say that prioritizing your scalp health is the first step to getting hair to thrive. To get started, incorporate a weekly scalp treatment into your hair routine, such as our Scalp Detox. This gentle pre-cleanse treatment breaks down oil and removes product buildup from the scalp to ensure the scalp microbiome is balanced and the hair follicles are prepped for healthy growth. You can even apply it with our Scalp Gua Sha, to further support and promote natural microcirculation and relaxation.
From there, make sure to use a sulfate + silicone-free shampoo, and always double cleanse the scalp, as the first wash removes residue + additional build-up, while the second actually cleanses the scalp. After each wash, use a restorative + hydrating serum to soothe the scalp and balance the microbiome. I absolutely love our Cold Processed® Stem Cell Serum – it uses Apple Stem Cells which are clinically proven to promote the hair growth cycle, and Aloe Vera to nourish and soothe the scalp, while boosting collagen production and adding moisture.
And then if I could recommend a third must-try product, it has to be our Scalp Renew. Similar to Scalp Detox, Scalp Renew is a pre-wash treatment that promotes scalp health. The gentle, chemical exfoliant contains 0.15% Salicylic Acid which works to calm scalp irritation + itch, while balancing sebum oil levels and nourishing the scalp. I’d recommend using the Detox and Renew as weekly treatments where you would apply these on different days to maximize the benefits of each product! Or if you want to specifically focus on your scalp concern:
- Scalp Detox = Dry + Itchy Scalp and to boost hair growth
- Scalp Renew = Oily + Flakey Scalp
Have you tried Act + Acre scalp care or hair products yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments.
