25 Natural Hair Products You Didn’t Know You Needed & Why

When it comes to natural hair, there are a few natural hair products that every natural need to have in their product stash.

Whether you’re a new natural or a natural hair veteran, here’s the scoop on products you didn’t know you needed…until now!

Clarifying Shampoo // Ever noticed that your hair is drier than usual?

Or your products just aren’t working the way that they used to?

You may need a clarifying shampoo to remove dirt and product build-up from the hair.

Read: 5 Reasons to Use a Clarifying Shampoo

Buy My Picks: Shea Moisture JBCO Strengthen & Grow Shampoo, Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo, Curls Pure Curls Clarifying Shampoo, Shea Moisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo ,
Kinky Curly Come Clean Natural Moisturizing Shampoo Sulfate Free
Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Moisturizing Shampoo
Eden BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Clear Shampoo

Microfiber Towel // A microfiber towel is a MUST for natural hair! Using a regular bath towel to dry your hair after a wash actually disrupts the cuticle layer of the hair, separating the natural clumps your curls make and causing frizz. Opt for a microfiber towel to absorb excess moisture.

Protein Treatment // You should be incorporating a protein treatment into your natural hair regimen at least once a month. Hair is made up of mostly protein.

Since you naturally lose a small percentage of protein when you wash your hair, it’s important to replenish to add strength back to the hair.

Protein treatments work by filling in the gaps that are present on your hair strand, forming a bond.

A lack of protein can lead to breakage, so make sure to keep up with those monthly protein treatments.

Buy My Picks: ORS Hair Mayonnaise, Shea Moisture JBCO Strengthen, Grow, & Restore Treatment Masque, Giovanni – Smooth as Silk Xtreme Protein Hair Infusion, ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

Read Also: Protein and Natural Hair

Moisturizing Deep Conditioner // Just as hair needs protein, hair needs moisture as well. Moisture is key when it comes to natural hair! Moisturizing deep conditioners help to restore moisture and maintain the hair’s elasticity.

Buy My Picks: Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque, TRUE by Made Beautiful Intensive Treatment Masque, Sheamoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque, Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Deep Conditioner 

Read Also: 5 Best Moisturizing Deep Conditioners

Chelating Shampoo // Unfortunately, some of us live in hard water areas. A chelating shampoo helps to remove mineral deposits found in tap water that can be drying to our natural hair. These mineral deposits actually coat the hair, preventing moisture from getting into the hair and leaving the hair feeling dry. Chelating shampoos are very much like clarifying shampoos, removing dirt and build-up. The only difference here is that they also remove mineral deposits from the hair.

Buy My Pick: Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo, Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo

Dry Shampoo // If you’re one of those naturals who straightens her hair often, then this one’s for you. While a dry shampoo doesn’t necessarily cleanse the hair, it does absorb the excess oil on your scalp and hair that leaves your straight style looking flat and lifeless.

Buy My Picks: Ojon Full Detox Rub-Out Dry Cleansing Spray,  Fekkai Blow Out Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo, Garnier Fructis Volume Extend Instant Bodifier Dry Shampoo for Fine or Flat Hair

Balancing Conditioner // Everything is about balance and moderation, and your hair is no exception when it comes to this. Our hair relies on a balance of proteins, nutrients, and oils to promote healthy hair.

Too much protein will make the hair hard and brittle, and too much moisture can lead to hygral fatigue and breakage because the strands become too weak.

Balancing conditioners are usually considered light protein treatments. They help to restore the balance, add softness and moisture, and repair weakness all in one.

Buy My Picks: Aphogee 2-Minute Reconstructor, Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner, Shea Moisture African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner

Read also: Demystifying Protein Moisture Balance for Healthier Hair

Coconut Oil // Coconut oil is bae.

I love to mix both coconut oil and olive oil for a few reasons that you can read about here.

You may as well slather coconut oil over your entire life because you can use it for pretty much anything! You can use it as a pre-poo, hot oil treatment, or to seal in moisture.

Buy Coconut Oil

Read Also: 11 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Your Natural Hair

Leave-In Conditioner // Although you may use a regular rinse-out conditioner following your shampoo, a leave-in conditioner takes things a step further.

In addition to providing further moisture, many if not all leave-ins usually contain some type of protein to help strengthen your strands. Because its left in the hair, the nutrients will continue to work throughout the days to follow.

Buy My Picks:  Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner, Giovanni Direct Leave-In Conditioner, EDEN BodyWorks All Natural Coconut Shea Leave In Conditioner

Edge Control // There’s just something about having laid edges! From classic buns to elegant updos, they add a touch of sleekness and sophistication to any style.

Edge control not only helps to lay down your edges, but they help smooth out the hair for styles like buns, ponytails, buns, etc… It also works well for braided or flat twist updos to keep the braid neat and tight.

Buy My Picks: Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Paste, Creme of Nature Perfect Edges, Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Hair Balm

Satin Scarf/Pillow Case // Those cotton scarves are not going to cut it when it comes to protecting your natural hair at night. Opt for silk or satin scarves or pillowcases to ensure that moisture stays locked into your hair.

Cotton scarves and pillowcases draw the moisture out of your hair, leaving you with dry hair and time wasted from all the work you did getting the moisture into the hair.

Buy Satin Scarf

Water //  Water is essential and just may be the cure for some of your hair problems. Your hair thrives off of water! That means hydrating your body from the inside, and moisturizing your hair daily (or whenever needed) using water or a water-based leave-in conditioner or moisturizer.