4 Things You Should Know Before Moisturizing Natural Hair

Hair Texture

Depending on your hair texture you should use oils or creams to seal in moisture.  As a rule of thumb, many people believe you should use creamy based moisturizers for denser, thick hair vs. finer, thin hair. For example, shea butter is a good natural creamy based sealant which works ideally for kinky hair but weighs down finer hair.

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Hair Type: Porosity

Porosity is your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture.  If your hair is high in porosity, you will need products that close the hair cuticles in order to reduce the amount of water lost. Consider using aloe vera gel/juice or Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinse to balance the hair’s pH and seal its cuticle.

In contrast, people with low porosity should use products with a higher pH or that are more basic (alkaline) to open the hair cuticle.  This way the hair can absorb moisture.  But its important to remember once the cuticle has been open to seal it with a pH balancing leave-in conditioner which is Aloe Vera based.  Read More Tips on Moisturizing Low Porosity Hair

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Hair Condition

Is your hair healthy? Healthy hair is more likely to respond well to moisturizers or any hair product for that matter.  Monthly strengthening treatments with a protein based deep conditioner restore the integrity of the hair structure and improving its porosity.

Hair Regimen

Does your current hair regimen allow your hair to absorb moisture? There are some people that believe a clarifying step is not needed. This results in build-up from dirt, dead skin cells, lint, debris and other foreign objects that accumulate on the hair and scalp over time.  Build-up that is not removed weekly or bi-weekly with a sulfate-free shampoo or creamy cleanser can limit your hair’s ability to receive moisture.