A curly girl’s job is never done, and that goes double for hair care. Many products boast of that much-needed balance between shine and health. Because of that, those with curly hair have to be careful about false advertising, especially since many hair product ingredients don’t do what they claim.
Although some products are better than others, it all comes down to ingredients. Whether you’re looking at moisture, hair repair or every day shine, there is a perfect ingredient for the job. And if you know what to look for, you’ll be blessed with a lot less headache and a lot more gorgeous curls.
Moisturize Those Locks
One of the most important ingredients for type 3 hair is essential oil. Essential oils are categorized as emollients which penetrate into the curly hair cuticle, absorbing nutrients and moisture along with it. Olive oil, sesame oil, jojoba oil, shea butter and vegetable shortening all have the properties necessary to accomplish this process. Emollients help your hair becomes smoother, healthier and even shinier, as improves the health of your scalp. Some emollients such as olive and sesame oil also have anti-inflammatory properties.
The Frizz Reducers
Aside from the quintessential emollient ingredients, there are several fantastic ingredients dedicated to curbing frizz. The first thing you should know about frizz is the fact that moisture is a good thing. If your curly hair is dry and unruly, it is more likely to suffer from frizz, static and even breakage. But emollients can only go so far. Luckily, there are a few other good hair product ingredients you should look for.
Apricot kernel oil is especially great for stressed hair and improves the structure of those unruly curls. Ginseng root strengthens hair and prevents split ends. With less split ends comes less damage and tearing, reducing frizz. Aloe vera protects from heat damage as it moisturizes and soothes the scalp; this in turn prevents excessive damage from heat and prevents the common causes of frizzing in curly hair. Also, palm oil and glycerin provide enough slippage for easier combing.
Vitamin Enhancers
Vitamins are always good ingredients to see on the product label because you know they’re in a concentrated form. Plus, if you’re doing research, it’s easier to research vitamins on a dedicated dictionary website over the dozens of words that all mean silicone. After all, silicone can be great for your hair, but in many ways vitamins just make sense.
There are a variety of vitamins added to hair care products and for the most part they all tend to work for curly hair. But if you want that extra oomph you’ve been looking for, read carefully for vitamin E and B. Those vitamins moisturize, condition and are great for the skin and therefore your scalp.
Ingredient Overload
There are dozens of ingredients out there that are perfect for curly hair, which can create a bit of an ingredient overload. If you’re one of those people that enjoys to research your products, start small. It’s easy enough to become overwhelmed, but as long as you know the best hair product ingredients, you’re halfway to finding the right products for you.
