Feed your hair like you feed your body with ingredients that will nourish and bring life and energy to your curly, coily or wavy hair. Nail this and it will be your crowning glory. Miss it and you will have to contend with the most unruly of all hair types.
Maintaining curly, coily or wavy hair requires special care, attention and that's right- ingredients! Curly hair is fragile. It requires extra loving and special ingredients. This is why you must pay attention to the contents of your go-to hair products. The idea is to use products formulated with ingredients that nourish your hair with nutrients, and not poison it. Let's take a look at Top ingredients you need to avoid and use for smooth, silkier curls, coils and waves.
Ingredients to Avoid for Curly, Coily & Wavy Hair
Here are some nasties to keep far away from your curly/coily hair
● Sulphates - like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate are some of the common ingredients in most hair products today. Sulphates are sudsing agents responsible for the foamy lather of most shampoos. As cleansing agents, Sulphates help to rid the hair of Oil and dirt, but they can also strip it of sebum- a natural oil that helps protect against moisture loss. This can leave your hair dry and prone to breakage thus making Sulphate too aggressive for most natural curls.
● Alcohol - as a curly it is important to know that alcohols such as Ethyl alcohol, Benzyl alcohol, Ethanol alcohol, Isopropanol alcohol (above 1%) , etc, are known as "Bad Alcohols". They have a fast drying effect but can also dissolve the natural oils that form a protective layer in your hair. This means when they evaporate after application, they do so with any moisture in your curls leaving it dry and brittle. Looks for products with Good Alcohols e.g. Cetearyl alcohol as they are too large to penetrate the hair shaft so add moisture by drawing water to the hair and add slip for faster detangling.
● Parabens - such as benzylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, etc are used as preservatives in products like shampoo. The concern with this ingredient is that it can disrupt hormone function and increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
● Phthalates - are also a no-no for your curls because of findings from studies which link them to a myriad of health conditions such as breast cancer, asthma, obesity etc.
● Triclosan - a chemical used in many consumer products for their antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, but also linked to a myriad of health issues following exposure.
● Fragrance Chemicals - also known as Parfum, are used to scent products but can also be detrimental to your skin, hair and scalp health. These side effects range from reactions like dermatitis, itching, to redness, or hives. As a curly it is best to opt in for parfum free products to guard yourself against any potential side effects. Choose products with naturally fragrant essential oils.
● Triethanolamine - or TEA is a compound added to skin and hair products to stabilise their pH value. Triethanolamine has been found to be an eye irritant, cause blisters on the scalp and affect organs like the bladder and liver.
● Formaldehyde - is a big no for two major reasons. First, findings from research classifies this compound as a human carcinogen. Secondly, its use in products can contribute to hair loss, breakages and other issues in people with sensitivities.
● Methylisothiazolinone - A preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast or mould in hair products and extend their shelf life, but can ruin your curls structure, cause rashes, itching and other scalp reactions.
10 Ingredient to Include for Curly, Coily & Wavy Hair
Here are some ingredients that can help you achieve gloriously defined curls with visible curl patterns and luxurious volumes that will turn heads. We've added links to these ingredients to help you find what you need in our shop.
● Shea Butter - contains high concentration of chemicals that can make hair resistant to breakage. Applying Shea Butter with other moisturizers could help to reduce dandruff and risk of flare ups.
● Hydrosols - the condensate water produced from the steam or hydro distillation of flowers, plants or herbs. Hydrosols in their pure form make a fantastic complement to any hair care recipe. This combination if done right can help to improve moisture, increase shine, stop oiliness, and enhance sebum secretion on the scalp.
● Jojoba Oil - rich in vitamins & minerals that can nourish the hair from within, prevent hair loss and promote hair thickness.
● Honey - contains both emollient and humectant properties making it great for moisturising the hair and adding shine.
● Hyaluronic Acid - has humectant properties that allows it to absorb and retain water. Applying topical hair treatments containing hyaluronic can help to trap the water, hydrate your cuticle, and result in softer, and smoother curls.
● Coconut Oil - a natural emollient that deeply penetrates hair strands enabling flexibility, increasing strength and reducing breakage.
● Aloe Vera - contains a proteolytic enzyme that supports healthy hair by repairing dead skin cells on the scalp. It also stimulates hair follicles, promoting hair growth and stopping hair loss.
● Argan Oil - is packed with vitamin E, polyphenols, oleic & linoleic acid that helps to hydrate and soften the hair.
● Castor Oil - is rich in nutrients which can help to increase hair flexibility, and improve shine.
● Abyssinian Seed Oil - very rich in antioxidants, vitamins, plus omega-6 & 9 fatty acids. These fatty acids help with hair manageability, add shine and act as a shield against irritants.
