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.
MORE: Shea Butter for Hair: Healing Magic
2. Coconut Oil:
Many natural hair products contain coconut oil, another emollient perfect for sealing moisture into the hair. Coconut oil provides both shine and strength to locks, making it a popular ingredient for naturals.
Coconut oil can also be used as a leave-in conditioner for for thicker textured hair. Because the natural hair oils have difficulty sliding down the curls, you’ll need to use an abundant amount of coconut oil.
MORE: Mineral Oil or Coconut Oil For Hair?
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera can be used to promote hair growth, stop hair loss and treat scalp problems. The easiest way to use aloe vera is to mix some aloe vera gel into your shampoo or conditioner.
You can also apply aloe vera gel into your scalp and gently massage it in before rinsing it off. You should notice an improvement in the condition of your scalp and hair in about two to three months. Make sure to leave the aloe gel or juice on for at least two hours before rinsing or washing your hair. This treatment also works to promote hair growth, since aloe vera contains an enzyme that stimulates hair follicles.
MORE: Relax With Aloe Vera
4. Vegetable Glycerin
Natural Hair products containing vegetable glycerine act as strong humectants—meaning, they attract and bind water to themselves. Vegetable glycerine also creates a layer of oil over the hair strand, thus aiding in the retention of moisture. Try combining it with aloe vera juice to create an even better moisture spritz!
MORE: Glycerin: A Nearly Ubiquitous Ingredient
5. Jojoba Extract
Jojoba is another humectant perfect for adding to damaged ends. Because it is very similar to your natural hair oils, jojoba oil can be used to balance oil production at the scalp, aiding overproducing glands that cause oily hair. Jojoba is also non-greasy and will give your hair a healthy, natural shine.
MORE: The Beauty of Jojoba
6. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) 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-shampoo or a deep conditioner.
MORE: Using Olive Oil for Hair
7. Castor Seed Oil
Not only is this vegetable oil a humectant, castor oil 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.
MORE: Castor Oil and Its Derivatives
8. Honey
Honey is a 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.
MORE: Honey Kisses for Body & Soul
9. Avocado/Avocado Oil
Many natural hair products use avocado since it’s packed with vitamins A, D, E, and contains 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.
MORE: Avocado: A Luscious Hair Care Treatment
10. Tea Tree Oil
With 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.
As many of these ingredients are indigenous to other countries, we strongly suggests buying these products “fair trade,” where the people who make the product from harvest to packaging are paid fair wages!
Organic and unrefined versions of these ingredients work best and ensure the retention of nutrients.
What are some of YOUR favorite ingredients in natural hair products?
July 28th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Amla!
July 28th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Thank you for this great article!
Jojoba Oil though would not be considered a humectant as it is an oil, the definition of a humectant is a non-oily ingredient that attracts moisture from the atmosphere.
July 31st, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I love mango butter. It’s a little lighter than shea and smells delish!
August 14th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Shea butter is not the thing to use for those of us with fine-textured hair. At least, this has been my personal experience. However, my hair has responded well to jojoba oil. The proverbial jury is still out w/r/t coconut oil. A friend suggested that I may have used too much, as one only needs to use it sparsely for the best effect. So, I will keep experimenting with coconut oil.
August 15th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
I LOVE Coconut oil for hair. I write all about why it’s so awesome on my blog:
http://wondercurl.com/curly-hair-blog.html
August 21st, 2010 at 3:20 am
I love using olive oil as a conditioner.
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August 21st, 2010 at 11:44 am
Great ideas… I’ll probably try some of these.
I wouldn’t try honey in the summer when there are flies though! Flies like me too much as it is.
August 21st, 2010 at 12:06 pm
yeah, i just discovered the joys of coconut oil! THANKS FOR COMMENTING, LADIES!
August 25th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I have tried Coconut Oil and Olive Oil they don’t do much for my hair…I do like Shea Butter…but Hemp Oil I am in love with…it makes my hair soft and shiny…its worth the cst to me.
August 27th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Camellia oil leaves my hair feeling like silk. Love!
August 29th, 2010 at 9:50 am
I have fine, 4a type hair, I like shea butter, but I haven’t had much luck with EVOO. Honey left a nice scent on my hair when I used it.
September 1st, 2010 at 7:06 am
Thanks for all the great comments
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:42 am
to ladybreukelen: jojoba oil is not actually an oil–it is a wax ester.
May 21st, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful advice. I use all of these products and have learned its just easier if I recognize the ingredients.
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:16 pm
i use Tea Tree oil mixed with my conditioner, massage into scalp and rinse. Then I spray Argon Oil on dripping wet hair. My hair is soft and silky.
November 5th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
my hair has a lobe/hate relationship with Shea butter
May 8th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Argan oil is another great ingreadient for hair, no matter the type. I’ve been using Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan Oil System for my hair and it’s great at restoring its health and nourishing each strand. My hair is healthy, shiny and vibrant now
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:52 pm
What about argan oil? Argan Oil is a natural organic product which will protect, restore and enrich your hair. It’s rich in vitamins E, C, F and A. It is also rich in Omega 9, Essential Fatty Acids, Squalene and Antioxidants.
It’s incredibly good for hair!! I use Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan oil because it has no sulfates, silicones or other chemicals that damage hair.