4 Super Moisturizers for Natural Hair

Moisturizers serve two primary purposes. 1.) add moisture 2.) prevent loss of moisture. In this article I will identify 4 of the best moisturizers to include into your hair regimen.

Water

Water is the ultimate moisturizer. Water equals moisture. To introduce or retain moisture, water must be present in your daily hair routine and diet. That’s right, moisturize your hair and body from the inside out by drinking water.  Also, using water-based products will combat frizzy dry hair.  Limit any hair care practices that deplete your hair of water such as excessive blow drying or coloring.

Humectants

Humectants naturally draw moisture from the environment into the hair. One of the most common is glycerin. Make sure your humectants are present in the first 5 ingredients of your hair products. You can purchase vegetable glycerin at most grocery and health food stores. Other humectants include honey and agave nectar.I add a 4:1 ratio of water to vegetable glycerin to my spray bottle for a daily hydrating mist. When using vegetable glycerin its important to use a sealant. I recommend a natural sealant like shea butter.  This will lock in moisture.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a natural moisturizer and pH balancer for hair.  It doesn’t matter if you’re using the juice or the gel; the properties are the same. I like to mix aloe vera gel with my homemade flax seed gel or whipped shea butter.

Hair Penetrating Oils

Oils that penetrate the hair are the exception to the rule.

The opposite of penetrating oils are coating or sealing oils.  These oils are impermeable to hair and are not moisturizers.

And oil and water don’t mix but penetrating oils aid the hair by increasing its ability to absorb and retain water molecules.

These oils are coconut, olive and avocado oils. (Also read: Why These are the Best Oils For Natural Hair) I like to mix all three of these oils together and moisturize using the LOC method.

Read 5 Ways Coconut Oil Prevents Hair Damage

Hair penetrating oils help to keep the hair moisturized in a two-fold process. These oils absorb into the hair preventing the loss of proteins that bind water molecules. This binding increases the amount of water that remains in the hair.

They also minimizes damage from expanding and contracting of hair as water enters the hair shaft also known as hygral fatigue. As a result the hair remains healthier during the shampooing process. Healthy hair stays moisturized.
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What Super Moisturize Would You Add To The List?

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