Lacklustre To Lustrous: Top Ingredients For Beautiful Locks
Winter can be a tough time for hair, as the cold air and indoor heating can reduce the amount of natural oils that keep it looking soft and shiny during the warmer months. Maybe you find yourself reaching for heated styling tools more often as social events tend to increase in the run up to the festive season.
This can lead to hair that looks and feels dry, dull or brittle, just when you want to look your best for special occasions. Fortunately, these problems can be addressed with the right treatments. Here are some suggestions for natural hair care products that contain 100 per cent organic ingredients and can nourish your hair back to health.
Understanding your hair type and the source of damage
The first step is to understand your hair type and the particular cause of the problems. For example, if you have naturally curly hair, it may be in good condition but nevertheless prone to becoming frizzy and flyaway, and difficult to achieve a shine. This is because the strands curve in their own sweet way, rather than lying straight and uniform.
Dyeing hair exposes the strands to harsh chemicals, particularly if you have gone for a shade that is lighter than your natural hair colour. This can weaken the protective outer cuticle, causing it to break and leading to split ends. Eventually, the hair can split further along the shaft, making it more prone to breakage and losing shine and elasticity.
Hair can also be damaged by overuse of styling tools, or repeatedly wearing it in tight styles such as braids and high pony tails. Other causes of damaged hair may include nutritional deficiencies, stress, or illness.
However, as previously mentioned, even people blessed with hair that is generally sleek and shiny may struggle to keep it looking great throughout the winter due to the dryer air.
The wrong styling products can also be a factor: for example, many of the big name brand products that dominate the supermarket shelves contain lots of synthetic ingredients. These can extend the shelf life of the product and add superficial value such as a certain colour, texture or fragrance. However, they often contain irritants that strip away natural oils.
Tips for selecting the right products for your hair type
Everyone’s hair is different, and it may be the case that you have to try out a few products before you hit on a winning formula. However, here are some key ingredients to look out for.
Frizzy and curly hair: organic argan & coconut oil
The key to shiny happy curls is to look for a product that is nourishing, but also lightweight so that it won’t weigh your locks down and flatten out its natural oomph. The combination of argan oil and coconut oil is ideal for this, as it will lock in moisture while holding a beautifully defined curl.
Argan oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, which are capable of penetrating the hair shaft and to restore elasticity and help prevent frizz. The coconut oil provides additional softness and shine. The treatment can be left in the hair for all-day definition and control, or used as a weekly mask for deep conditioning and hydration.
Very dry or damaged hair
Dry hair is a common problem in winter. Look for natural products that will provide intense hydration, such as shea butter and jojoba oil. Shea butter has a high concentration of essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E, helping to deeply nourish even the most dehydrated hair.
Jojoba oil is perfect if you have longer hair, because it helps to detangle and smooth your tresses, so they are less prone to damage from everyday styling. Use as a regular conditioner or a weekly luxurious mask.
For sensitive scalps
If your scalp is sensitive and prone to irritation and flaky skin, look for products that contain coconut oil or aloe vera. These help to gently exfoliate the scalp and lift away dead skin cells, promoting the growth of new healthy skin. They will also leave the hair looking and feeling soft and healthy, with no irritation or greasiness.
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