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Nécessaire has built a reputation in the clean beauty space by treating haircare as an extension of skincare. For those exploring curly hair products, the brand's minimalist approach and "scalp-first" philosophy offer a distinct alternative to traditional salon lines.
About Nécessaire
Founded in 2018, Nécessaire positions itself as a body and haircare brand that applies skincare principles to the rest of the body. The brand's core philosophy centers on "essentials, done well"—a minimalist approach that prioritizes ingredient transparency, dermatologist-tested formulations, and sustainable packaging.
In the haircare market, Nécessaire differentiates itself by focusing on scalp health as the foundation for healthy hair, rather than leading with styling or cosmetic benefits. This positions them alongside clean beauty brands like The Ordinary and Drunk Elephant, but with a specific focus on barrier-supporting ingredients typically found in face serums.
Nécessaire's Product Line for Curly Hair
We track the full Nécessaire haircare range in our database, including:
- The Shampoo & Conditioner (Hyaluronic Acid Line)
- The Scalp Serum
- Rosemary Shampoo & Conditioner
- Rosemary Serum
- Rosemary Leave-In Mask
- The Hair Mask
All products are available for scanning in Bönpello to check routine compatibility and ingredient behavior.
Market Availability and Pricing (USA)
Nécessaire products are available through:
- Direct: Nécessaire.com
- Retailers: Amazon, Sephora, Nordstrom, Credo Beauty and other major retailers
- Price range: $25-$45 per product
The brand is positioned in the premium clean beauty segment, comparable to brands like Prose or JVN Hair, though with a more minimalist product lineup.
Nécessaire's "Scalp-First" Philosophy
Nécessaire positions itself as a scalp-care brand first. Their formulations prioritize ingredients typically found in face serums—like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid—over traditional heavy hair silicones. This makes them a popular choice for those looking for a "clean," lightweight approach to haircare that doesn't feel like a heavy salon product.
This philosophy aligns with dermatological research suggesting that scalp health influences hair quality, though the brand avoids making medical claims about hair growth or repair.
Ingredient Patterns in Nécessaire Formulas
When scanning Nécessaire products with Bönpello, several distinct patterns emerge that define their approach to curly hair.
1. Gentle, Sulfate-Free Cleansers (But Not Always "Low-Poo" for Everyone)
Across both "The Shampoo" and the "Rosemary Shampoo," Nécessaire avoids harsh sulfates (SLS/SLES). Instead, they rely on a blend of milder surfactants such as:
- Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
What this means for curls: These formulas can feel gentle compared to sulfates, but they are not automatically a fit for every low-poo or co-wash routine. In particular, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a surfactant some curly routines treat as "use with caution" because it can behave more cleansing than expected depending on the full formula, frequency of use, and how your hair reacts.
If you tend to get dryness, frizz, or tightness from "sulfate-free" shampoos, it may be worth:
- reducing frequency,
- alternating with a softer cleanser,
- or using it only when you actually need more cleansing.
2. The "Skincare for Hair" Complex
Almost every product in their line features a signature cocktail of barrier-supporting ingredients:
- Ceramides (AG, AP, EOP, NP, NG): Lipids that help seal the hair cuticle and retain moisture.
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Included for scalp health and balancing oil production.
- Hyaluronic Acid: A humectant that draws water into the scalp and hair.
3. Silicone-Free Formulas
The products we analyzed are silicone-free. Instead of Dimethicone or Cyclopentasiloxane, Nécessaire uses plant-based emollients and lipids to provide slip and shine:
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (derived from coconut oil)
- Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate (a gentle detangling agent, not a harsh sulfate)
Why You Can't Assume: The Protein Difference
While the brand has a cohesive philosophy, you cannot assume all their products work the same way for your porosity. The biggest difference lies in protein content.
- The Rosemary Line: Strong focus on Hydrolyzed Proteins (Jojoba, Rice, Pea, Quinoa). This line acts as a strengthening treatment. If your hair is protein-sensitive, this line might feel stiff or brittle with overuse.
- The Hyaluronic Line: Focuses on Moisture and Peptides. "The Conditioner" contains Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 but lacks the cocktail of hydrolyzed proteins found in the Rosemary line, making it a safer bet for hair that needs moisture without the added structure of proteins.
For a detailed analysis of how the Rosemary Conditioner specifically performs for curly hair, see our Nécessaire Rosemary Conditioner analysis.
Nécessaire vs Other Clean Beauty Brands
Compared to similar clean beauty haircare brands:
- vs. The Ordinary: Nécessaire offers more complete formulations (shampoo + conditioner systems) rather than single-ingredient serums
- vs. Prose/Function of Beauty: Nécessaire uses fixed formulations rather than customization, making products more accessible but less personalized
- vs. JVN Hair: Nécessaire focuses on scalp health and barrier support, while JVN emphasizes styling and curl definition
Nécessaire's strength lies in its dermatological approach and ingredient transparency, though it offers fewer styling-specific products than curl-focused brands.
Routine Compatibility
CGM (Original): Most Nécessaire products are not strictly CGM-compliant due to the use of certain conditioning agents. However, the silicone-free, sulfate-free approach aligns with many CGM principles.
Low Poo: Often compatible, but depends on your tolerance for more-cleansing sulfate-free surfactants. Some products use surfactants (like Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate) that may feel too cleansing for some low-poo routines, especially with frequent use.
Co-Wash: Limited compatibility. The shampoo formulas are stronger than typical co-wash products and may be too cleansing for co-wash-only routines.
Clarifying: Not designed for clarifying. These are maintenance cleansers, not deep-cleansing treatments.
Check Your Specific Bottle
Because formulation nuances like protein balance often depend on the specific product line (Rosemary vs. Hyaluronic), general rules aren't enough.
Use Bönpello to scan your specific Nécessaire product. We'll tell you instantly if it matches your routine (Low Poo, CGM, etc.) and flag any ingredients that might not agree with your hair's porosity.
