THE BASICS OF KEEPING NATURAL HAIR MOISTURIZED

There’s an infinite amount of information out there about natural hair. Every other day there’s a new method or a new ingredient we have to be aware of. If you were confused before, you’re probably discombobulated now. What is the right thing to do? Can it just be simple?

We try all these different tactics and products and still see no improvement. You would think with so many options to choose from now, and so many sources to get information from, we would have our hair routines perfected, but this just isn’t the case.

This is the exact reason why education is a huge part of our brand. Our mission is to take the question out of natural hair care. The struggle is not real when you know what to do. For this blog we wanted to take it back to the basics. The question we get the most is, “Why is my hair so dry?” We’re answering your biggest question here, and the answer is one that will solve 90% of your hair struggles. Find out the reason your hair is dry and what to do to keep your hair moisturized.

Your hair is naturally dry

The texture of natural hair is the reason your hair is dry. The more tightly coiled your hair is the more difficult it is for the natural oils our body produces (sebum) to travel down the hair shaft. The good news is it’s normal for someone with any type of curl pattern to have dry hair. Now, all you need is the proper information on what to do now that you know dry hair is inevitable.

Here’s What You Gotta Do

Don’t confuse leave-in conditioners and moisturizers.

A leave-in is a topical solution to smooth the hair cuticle. It has a very different purpose than a moisturizer. So, if you’ve been using a leave-in conditioner, thinking it will keep your hair moisturized, and are getting frustrated because it’s still dry, that could be the reason. On the other hand, a moisturizer is designed to penetrate the hair shaft to moisturize the hair from the inside out.

Check the ingredients.

Don’t get got by the front of a label. The front of the label isn’t legally regulated as strongly as the ingredient list on the back is. Focus on the ingredient list. The 1st ingredient must be water. If it’s not, ABORT! Put the product down immediately. Moisturizers with water as the first ingredient are the most hydrating.

Make sure there is no mineral oil in the product. Also known as paraffinum liquidum, the name can be misleading. The word “mineral” sounds good, but in this case, it’s actually toxic. Additionally, it lays on the hair, preventing moisture from getting to the hair cuticle.

Good moisturizers combine water and moisture-retaining ingredients, like humectants. Humectants are ingredients that attract moisture to the hair such as glycerin. Water evaporates eventually -- as it should -- so it’s imperative that we do everything we can to lock it in for longer.

Consistency

Many of us have been slathering on all of the products we can on wash day in an effort to keep our hair moisturized and defined all the way to the next time we wash our hair. The thing is, this doesn’t work. Again, water evaporates. We have to be consistent with moisturizing our hair.

Moisturize your hair at least once a day. It doesn’t have to be a long process. Take your hair moisturizer and smooth it onto hair, focusing on your ends. If you need an extra moisture boost, spray your hair with water before reapplying your moisturizer.

Need a good moisturizer? Try our 3-in-1 moisturizer that moisturizes, styles, and protects against heat.