Let's Talk Hair - Part 3 - Natural Ingredients
My main focus for this article is to describe the natural hair ingredients listed in many of my DIY hair products. Depending upon how you answered the questions in Let's Talk Hair-Part 1, you will then be able to cater your hair product ingredients to your hair needs. When going the DIY hair product route, it is very helpful to understand product ingredients and also how your hair needs may change season to season and which ingredients can benefit your hair. Some of the ingredients in my DIY hair care products are similar. You can also tweak the recipes to suite your hair needs.
Aloe Vera moisturizes the hair and keeps it soft while also pH balancing hair naturally. It is packed with vitamin B12, vitamin C, amino acids, minerals, and salicylic acid. It has been used for general hair health, hair growth, and also as a hair shampoo and conditioner.
Rosemary Essential Oil stimulates hair follicles, therefore increasing hair strength, hair growth, and for dry and flaky scalps. It has also been used as a remedy for mental fatigue.
Lemongrass Essential Oil stimulates hair follicles and also adds a refreshing citrus fragrance to the leave-in conditioner. It has anti-bacterial properties and is calming and soothing to the body.
Vegetable Glycerin is known for being a humectant. It is an amazing ingredient to add when air drying hair. It’s amazing for curly hair and really dry hair. It should be used very sparingly so that it doesn’t create a sticky film.
Henna benefits maintaining healthy hair growth because it repairs and seals the hair cuticle creating less breakage. Coating hair with henna allows moisture to retain better in hair making it more resilient and much stronger with a natural shine. It has been used for years as a natural remedy for hair loss, graying of the hair, dandruff, and hair lice. Henna is an excellent deep conditioning hair treatment. Cassia, neutral henna, can be used instead for those who are not interested in coloring their hair, although it will give golden highlights.
Avocado can be used as an omega packed simple deep conditioning hair treatment giving hair a moisture and protein boost providing 20 essential nutients including Vitamin A and B.
Honey is a natural humectant that soothes the hair cuticle drawing moisture into the hair. It is a perfect ingredient for deep conditioning treatments.
Amla is an ayurvedic herb that conditions, softens, and darkens hair while also revitalizing curls. It is extremely rich in vitamin C.
Hibiscus petals promote healthy hair growth, prevent hair fall and dandruff, and slow down premature graying. It also adds shine and luster to hair as it is a wonderful hair conditioner.
Flax seed gel gives a great hold and is wonderful for natural wavy and curly hair as it really helps your curls clump together without the drying effects of store bought gels.
Agave nectar a soothing hair humectant which provides moisture and gives hair a lustrous shine.
Coconut milk adds strength, luster, and manageability to hair while also proving to be the best carrier for my henna treatments giving henna great dye release and moisturizing properties.
Coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft providing amazing moisturizing benefits while promoting healthy hair growth.
Olive oil, also called liquid gold, conditions and nourishes dry, brittle, and chemically processed hair. It strengthens and improves the overall health of hair providing a beautiful shine. Olive oil is a great deep conditioning oil and also as a leave-in.
Wheat germ oil is a ceramide oil with a rich content of vitamin A, D, and E, as well as essential fatty acids, lecithin, protein, minerals, and vitamin B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, and F.
Hemp oil is also a ceramide oil loaded with linoleic acid that keep the hair cuticle flat and intact. It provides lasting moisture in hair which is extremely helpful for hair that tends to be on the dry side.
Camellia oil is high in olein acids and rich in vitamins A, B, and E, monounsaturated fats, plant collagen, and antioxidants. Camellia oil is a non-greasy oil that revitalizes and conditions hair while providing UV protection and giving hair a beautiful shine similar to silicone based hair serums, without any chemicals or residue feeling.
Jojoba Oil is the closest oil to skin’s sebum. Therefore, is extremely healing and moisturizing for the hair. It’s a non-greasy oil absorbing immediately into the hair. Jojoba oil helps with hair frizz and dryness.
Shea butter is naturally rich in Vitamins A, E, and F as well as other vitamins and minerals. It does wonders for dry over-processed hair and is perfect to add to leave-ins for thick curly coily hair.
Marshmallow root extract is a popular ingredient in many hair conditioners for its amazing slippery texture for easy detangling as well as softening the hair. It’s high in plant protein that promotes healthy hair growth and shine while also soothing dry scalp and skin inflammation.
Green tea is full of antioxidants and soothes dandruff, psoriasis, and other scalp irritations. Green tea contains vitamins C, D, and E as well as vitamin B5 (panthenol). Green tea stimulates hair follicles therefore increases healthy hair growth and reducing hair loss.
Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibiotic with antibacterial properties that balance the pH of your scalp while removing dead skin cells on the scalp. It’s also a natural remedy for hair thinning, hair loss, and dandruff while providing detangling and conditioning benefits.
All of these ingredients can be used on all hair textures and hair types. For those with thin fine hair avoid products that contain large amounts of oils, butters, and humectants, although in small dosages will greatly benefit hair. Thicker straight, wavy, or curly coily hair can get away with using more oils, butters, and humectants even if you do have fine strands. One of my favorite hair ingredients is aloe vera which can improve the pH and overall hair health for all hair types. It may be the perfect leave-in condition for some just on its own.
Let's Talk Hair-Part 4 shares details about DIY hair products as other healthy hair care methods.
Image by Dawn Michelle