5 Ingredients That Are Great For Your Scalp

Our scalp is often an area that we don’t pay a great deal of attention to. After all, unless we’re bald, we don't really see our scalp, so out of sight, out of mind, as they say!

But our scalp needs just as much care and attention as the rest of our body and failure to provide it could result in a variety of issues, including flaking skin, dermatitis and folliculitis, among others.

Thankfully, Mother Nature has supplied us with an abundance of amazing ingredients we can use to keep the skin on our noggin healthy! In this blog post, we’ll be discussing some of them so you know what to use on your scalp to give it the nourishment it needs.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a plant in the succulent family. The plant’s thick, fleshy liquid-filled leaves have been treasured for centuries for its various medicinal and cosmetic properties. 

The aloe vera is native to arid regions, so it’s adapted for these dry conditions by storing water in its leaves, which takes the form of a gel-like material that’s jam-packed full of nutrients and compounds that are beneficial for health and skincare.

When you apply aloe vera to the scalp, a plethora of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and antioxidants work together to soothe and nourish. 

The gel is also great for providing hydration, to ward off dry skin and irritation, while its anti-inflammatory and cooling effects are particularly advantageous for soothing sunburns, reducing redness and providing relief for chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Jojoba Oil

This oil is derived from the seeds of the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis) which is native to southwestern United States and Mexico.

This oil is said to be similar to the sebum that’s produced naturally by our skin, and as well as being incredibly versatile, it’s been shown to provide a number of benefits when used topically.

By mimicking the skin’s natural oils, jojoba is an excellent moisturiser. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it doesn't clog pores, making it suitable for various skin types. 

When applied to the scalp, jojoba oil helps regulate sebum production, which prevents excessive oiliness or dryness. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, all of which make it the ideal ingredient if you’re suffering from some sort of skin complaint like seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is a creamy natural fat that’s found in the seeds or nuts of the shea tree. Often referred to as "women's gold" in Africa as women tend to source shea butter, it’s known for its remarkable healing and moisturising properties. 

To obtain shea butter, a time-intensive process must be followed, which involves roasting, grinding and then boiling the nuts to extract their contents.

Thanks to its abundance of fatty acids, shea butter is an excellent moisturiser meaning it nourishes and hydrates the scalp deeply.

Shea butter also contains vitamins A, E and F – Vitamin A promotes skin health, while vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant to ward off free radicals. 

Shea butter also possesses anti-inflammatory properties making it the ally of anyone with chronic skin conditions, while it also possesses a natural SPF of around 6, offering mild protection against UV radiation which is great for those with less hair!

Deeply rooted in the traditions and culture of West Africa, shea butter has been used in this region for thousands of years. The nuts are harvested and processed primarily by women, who have passed down their shea butter knowledge through generations.

Murumuru Butter

Murumuru butter is another all-natural product that works wonders for our skin.  This luxurious natural butter is derived from the seeds of the murumuru palm (Astrocaryum murumuru), which grows in the Amazon rainforest where it’s been used for centuries.

Murumuru butter is famed for its myriad benefits for the skin and scalp. It’s rich in essential fatty acids that deeply moisturise the skin, while this butter’s emollient properties make it an excellent choice if you’re looking for something to soothe your dry, itching skin.

When it’s used on the scalp, murumuru butter helps nourish and condition for thicker, healthier hair.

Argan Oil

Often referred to as "liquid gold," argan oil is the world’s most expensive edible oil, fetching over £200 per litre due to its numerous benefits in the health and beauty sphere.

The oil, which is extracted from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa) that grows in Morocco, is a potent moisturiser, deeply hydrating the skin.

Brimming with antioxidants, including vitamin E, this oil also protects the skin from environmental damage and signs of ageing. When applied to the scalp, argan oil nourishes and conditions, resulting in strong, thick hair and helping you avoid issues like dandruff and dryness. 

Like the other ingredients on this list, argan oil boasts anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritated skin and providing relief for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. 

So those are four incredible ingredients that are known to nourish our skin, including the scalp. Whether you’ve got very dry skin and you’re in search of something that provides deep hydration, or you just want something full of nutrients and antioxidants that provide a healthy, vibrant glow, you can’t go wrong with these.

We stock a range of shampoos that contain all these ingredients. Each natural shampoo has its own unique formulation, but you’ll find aloe vera, murumuru, argan and jojoba, ready to moisturise your scalp and give your hair the nourishment it deserves.