If the ingredient list on your shampoo reads like a smoothie order, that’s a good thing.
If the ingredient list on your shampoo reads like a smoothie order, that’s a good thing. Coconut, aloe vera, and other natural extracts are packed with exactly what your hair needs. Here’s what each can do for you.
Aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory and conditioning properties alleviate itchiness.
ALOE
If you have scalp issues, like dandruff or itchiness, then aloe may be your antidote. “It is marvelously moisturising and soothing,” says Elham Eghbali, a cosmetic chemist in Germany. The succulent’s gel has antiinflammatory properties and is rich in amino acids and polysaccharides, all of which can help calm an irritated scalp. Simply scoop a bit of gel from the inside of an aloe leaf and apply it to your damp scalp pre-shampoo. Another easy way to give your head a dose: After you shampoo, massage a soothing, moisturising anti-dandruff conditioner into your roots, then wait a few minutes before you rinse.
COCONUT OIL
You may already use this tropical-smelling salve to grease a pan or hydrate your lips. If you don’t put it on your hair as well, then start doing so. Coconut oil has a low molecular weight, so it can penetrate the hair shaft, says Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist in Chicago. Its conditioning properties make the hair more flexible and resistant to breakage. “That’s why it’s ideal for weak, fragile strands,” Perry says. One way to use it: Before bed, melt a spoonful of coconut oil between your palms and then smooth it through your hair, focusing on the ends. In the morning, shampoo and condition. “I like to apply an oil before I hit the sauna or take a steamy shower, since the steam aids in the absorption of the product, deepening the hydration,” says Faith Huff nagle, director of education for Prose hair care. You can also get the benefits of coconut oil – without the greasiness – in your styling products. To hydrate and protect hair from heat, spritz with heat protection spray throughout damp hair before you blow-dry.
ALMOND OIL
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
If you wash your hair once every few days (or less often), then your scalp and strands may have a lot of build-up: excess oil from your follicles, layers of hair product, even pollution from the air. Activated charcoal (which is more porous than regular charcoal) draws out and absorbs these impurities and contaminants, leaving hair looking brighter and less weighed down, says Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist in Cincinnati. You’ll get the biggest detoxifying benefit from a charcoallaced purifying shampoo.
SEA KELP
Hair is more than 90 per cent protein. When that protein is frayed, split, or otherwise damaged, sea kelp can help fill in the holes that form in the strand’s cuticle layers. “Sea kelp contains tons of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins,” Kelly says. “It’s also very nourishing, and it helps keep hair conditioned.” Look for the powerhouse ingredient in conditioners (like Noughty Wave Hello Curl Defining Conditioner, US$10, www.noughtyhaircare.com), repair treatments (such as Oribe Power Drops Damage Repair Booster, US$58, www.beautylish.com), and hair restoration supplements.
"Strengthen strands, smooth frizz, and condition dry ends with coconut oil."
