The more we embrace our natural texture, the more we learn natural and/or organic products work best. There are hundreds of ingredients found in nature that can be used in hair products. Healthy ingredients aren’t for textured hair alone! These ingredients work to make everybody’s hair healthier. Below is a list of 10 popular natural ingredients and what they provide for our hair.1.Shea Butter: High in fatty acids, shea butter is an emollient—meaning it provides a layer of oil on top of the surface of a hair strand, significantly reducing the amount of moisture (water) lost. This is what Naturally Curly girls mean when using products like this to “seal” their hair.2.Coconut Oil:Another emollient perfect for sealing moisture into the hair.3.Aloe Vera Juice/GelAloe vera adds true moisture to the hair. It is actually absorbed into the hair strand. Try it as a daily moisturizing spritz!4.Vegetable GlycerinActs as a strong humectant—meaning, it attracts water to itself and binds to it. Creates a layer of oil over the hair strand, thus aiding in the retention of moisture. Can be combined with aloe vera juice to create an even better moisture spritz!5.Jojoba OilAnother humectant. Perfect for adding to damaged ends.6.Extra Virgin Olive OilEVOO is an emollient that seals and softens the hair. The “extra virgin” on a label means it was produced using only physical means (no machines involved) and has no chemical treatment to alter it. Use it as a quick pre-poo or a deep conditioner.7.Castor Seed OilNot only is this vegetable oil a humectant, it also has anti-fungal properties. This will ensure a clean scalp, with the hair follicles clear and prepared for better hair growth. Some apply it to the temples to increase the thickness of thinning edges.8.HoneyA light humectant that also has antibacterial properties. Check out Oyin Handmade products! They use tons of Oyin—the Yoruba word for honey—in their sweet hair treats.9.Avocado/Avocado OilThey’re packed with Vitamins A, D, E, and contain more potassium than bananas. Easily absorbed into the skin, avocado oil is a quick way to get multiple nutrients onto your scalp for improved hair growth.10.Tea Tree OilWith potent antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, tea tree oil is a soothing remedy to a dry scalp. It is an essential (concentrated) oil, so a little goes a VERY long way. Over-application of a potent essential oil may actually cause irritation.
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