#TeamNatural knows that there are some truths that come with having natural hair. One such truth is that you have to learn how to moisturize natural hair… and keep it moisturized. We talk a lot about hydrating your hair and moisturizing your hair and teach people the LOC (leave-in conditioner, oil, cream) method to simplify the multi-step process that will ensure your hair stays soft, stretchy, and healthy. But we know you have questions. And we have answers. So, in this article, we’re pulling some of the most popular questions around moisturizing natural hair
A moisturizer hydrates and nourishes your hair. It coats your hair shafts with an emollient that smoothens the hair and penetrates to repair any damage. If the moisturizer has anti-inflammatory properties (like marshmallow root), it treats an itchy scalp and enhances the removal of flaky, dead skin cells on the surface.
It also reaches the hair follicles to unclog them and induce the growth phase. Since curly/kinky hair loses moisture before sebum travels from the root to the tip of the hair, applying a moisturizer prevents dryness and keeps your hair healthy.
These benefits depend on the ingredients in your moisturizer.
Hair moisturizer cream is one of those products that most naturals will incorporate into their hair care routine at some point. Here's a simple regimen when applying moisturizing cream:
Most of the time, you should be using a moisturizer in conjunction with a hair hydration product and oil.
We know that the best products rehydrate and detangle dry hair. Losing hair moisture is the number one problem for people with curly hair, and the problem is that most products hydrate without locking the hair moisture in.
That being so, you'd be heading in the right direction when using Marula and Cupuacu Intensive Moisturizer. It's a 3-in-1 cream meaning it hydrates, moisturizes, and defines your curls. It adds the hair moisture you need and seals it; hence, your hair feels soft.
Yes, you can. However, your hair type should guide you. You see, a leave-in conditioner is a non-rinse product meant to detangle and make styling easier. Therefore, it contains lightweight ingredients because you apply it on wet hair for that slip effect that makes your hair easy to brush.
In contrast, a hair moisturizer has thicker oils as its purpose is to penetrate hair shafts and boost hair moisture. For these reasons, when you use a leave-in conditioner on curly hair, you'll still have dry, brittle hair because it caters to the surface only. The only benefit might be that a leave-in conditioner doesn't weigh the curls down.
On the other hand, when you apply a moisturizer on thin hair, it weighs it down. So what should you do?
One, curly hair needs a hair moisturizer, not a leave-in conditioner, as it loses moisture more than fine hair.
Two, you can use a leave-in conditioner as a daily moisturizer if your hair is thin, as this lightweight formulation won't cause build-up.
Three, if you wash your hair often, and you're always getting tangles and frizz, use both. Start with a leave-in conditioner to make your hair easier to work with, then moisturize it to keep it healthy.
Typically, the curlier your hair is, the more it will need to be moisturized because curlier hair types like 4C have a harder time getting sebum from the root t the tip of the hair. So, if your hair needs extra moisture, find a lightweight moisturizer that works on wet or dry hair (unless you happen to wash your hair everyday, which may be the case if you have really short hair).
Remember, it's possible to over-moisturize your hair and cause hygral fatigue (Source: Healthline), where your hair follicles swell excessively. When this happens, the moisture penetrates the cuticle, the outer layer of your hair shafts, to reach the cortex. The outcome is frizz, tangles, and brittleness as the excess moisture interferes with the layer responsible for hair strength.
One more thing… be on the lookout for greasiness. If it's too greasy, you'll have build-up if you moisturize your hair daily. We don’t do greasy at Pydana though, so...
For thick hair, use a rinse-out conditioner, then apply a leave-in conditioner before you lock in the moisture with a moisturizing cream. Using natural extracts and essential oils is the best you can do for your hair. Why? You won't have to worry about bad alcohols, harsh chemicals, and other ingredients that make hair shiny but brittle. Our founder calls that “pseudo-moisturized”.
Additionally, there are so many excellent hair oils that you'll always have a variety for each need. For example, if you're worried about growth, you can hydrate your hair with hair masks or use essential oils clary sage, thyme, rosemary, or peppermint.
On the other hand, if frizz and breakage are bothersome, try argan and avocado oil. What's more, such moisturizing ingredients have antibacterial and antifungal properties to fight scalp conditions like dandruff.
But you really do have to be careful when you’re using homemade moisturizers and looking for using essential oils. Seriously, just let us do it for you. Our product lines are made up of safe, natural, ingredients that won’t ruin your hair in the long run.
Hydrating your hair means adding moisture to it. You'll need a regimen that prevents moisture loss, which means using a moisturizing cream rich in humectants, occlusives, and emollients. It's not only about the moisturizer but also about the shampoo and conditioner you use.
For that reason, apply a leave-in conditioner to reduce tangles so that as you brush your hair, you distribute the moisturizing agents. For example, the Avocado Leave-in Conditioner is non-greasy, so you'll have the shine without a build-up of oils. Apply it after washing your hair as the hair shafts take in moisture when wet.
Further, protect your hair from elements that can cause dryness; therefore, a sunhat when going out can go a long way in maintaining hair moisture.
Plus, wash your hair in tepid water to seal the outer layer, the cuticle, and prevent moisture loss. Wash it every other day so that it doesn't dry up.
First, you need to eliminate the cause of dryness by reevaluating your regular hair care routine and checking out the good and bad ingredients that may be in your favorite hair products. Therefore:
These easy tasks will restore your hair in no time.
The best tactic for 4C hair is the LOC method. It stands for Liquid, Oil, and Cream, three steps that hydrate and seal in the moisture the whole day. Hair breakage occurs in 4C hair because of its tight curls, so you want to keep these hair tresses moistened and soft all day long.
You also want to keep the strands healthy using a moisturizer that penetrates the hair shafts.
Here's what to do,
Marula & Cupuacu Moisturizer suits their hair. Black men's hair dynamics change the moisturizing game altogether. No weaves or wigs to protect the hair from the weather, hair trimmers cause scalp irritation, male pattern baldness...
Therefore, they need a moisturizer cream that penetrates the hair shafts to repair damaged cells, boost hydration and treat skin irritation. As cupuacu treats dandruff and dry scalp issues, marula prevents moisture loss.
On top of that, such a combination is non-greasy, so no stained collars.
Here are a few tips to guide you,
First, drink water to keep your hair hydrated from inside. Two, seal in moisture using oils like avocado oil as it lasts all day long. When you apply avocado oil, massage it from the root to the tip of the hair to stimulate the blood vessels on the scalp.
Avocado oil also enhances growth, lowers hair loss, and unclogs hair follicles to release more sebum onto the scalp. Also, wear a silk bonnet at night to wake up with healthy, moistened hair that can withstand the crazy weather conditions outdoors.
Last but not least, a regular hair washing routine also prevents product build-up that may cause a dry, itchy scalp.
We have different hair types, environments, lifestyles, and health statuses, so we can't say all hair retains moisture the same way.
That being so, find a routine that doesn't cause product build-up or leaves your hair dry for too long. For example, moisturize it three days a week, then see how your scalp and hair take it.
Some suggest doing it daily, but girl, you know your hair better. I wish afro hair is like Joshua trees that survive on one rainfall per year in the Mojave Desert. Sadly, it's not, so we must moisturize it as often as possible.
Hi, there. Thank you very much for this post. So I was wondering, would moisturizing also help with dandruff? My daughter has terrible dandruff and her hair is oily and heavy. What do you think I should do to reduce the build up?
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Joy Olakusehin
June 22, 2021
This is a lot to take in to be honest, I’ve been having some issues regarding my hair growth and I noticed that my hair is dry, what home products can I use till I get a good moisturizer and conditioner?