I have been doing this natural hair thing for a long time but it has only been the last three or so years that I have discover what works for my hair. I look beyond the front of the product bottles and like to delve into the ingredient list to determine what will give me shiny, defined curls. With so many products and ingredients with long and complicated names, it may feel impossible to narrow down which ones your hair likes and does not like. But anyone can do it when you start making looking at the ingredient list a priority. If you are new to the language of labels, here is a guide for what to look for.

Here are the five ingredients that I have found my hair loves.

Calling all curly coily ladies out there! Are your curls thirsty? Has harsh weather made your hair stiff? You might be overlooking a great natural ingredient that could be your saving grace. Aloe vera is known to promote shine and moisture in hair while also preventing hair loss and dandruff. Grab products with aloe vera or some all natural aloe vera gel to benefit from this amazing plant! Why should you? So glad you asked.

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Lecithin is an essential component of every cell in our bodies. Lecithin is a basis in the structure of cells that prevents the hardening of cell membranes. It is a fat that can also be found in several foods including soybeans, meats, vegetables, and egg yolks. According to Drugs.com, “Lecithin is the common name for a series of related compounds called phosphatidylcholines.” Healthy cells lead to a healthy body and maintaining a body’s resistance to many diseases that take advantage of damaged cells. One of the most well-known benefits of lecithin is supporting cardiovascular health, but some even say it aids in weight loss and relief of arthritis. Lecithin is natural-occurring in the body. It can also be consumed either through foods or as a supplement. The majority of commercial lecithins sold in the market today are from soybean, sunflower, and grape seeds.

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Most women are nervous about what we put on our hair. We want to make sure we are using the best products to get the results we desire. The problem is sometimes understanding that ingredients takes an advanced degree in chemistry.  With so much talk lately about what chemicals do to skin and hair, it’s no wonder you have questions!

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Walk into your local beauty supply store, and you'll find tons of products that promise longer, stronger, healthier hair. From castor to monoi oil, cleansing conditioners to conditioning repair creams, the choices are endless. But as you scrutinize the labels looking for parabens and cones, you may still be damaging your hair--and much more.

Do you know what's really in your products? "All natural" might not always mean what you think. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed over 1,000 products marketed to black women--and found that 1 in 12 contained chemicals that can be hazardous to your health.

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Collagen for strengthening hair? Wait a minute... collagen is a protein? Many are not even aware that collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and this hard, insoluble and fibrous protein is found in the skin, bones and connective tissue of not just humans but animals as well.

Most of us are familiar with it being pumped into lips and even the face but while some find it necessary for fuller lips or removing wrinkles, others see it as a viable option for strengthening hair and staving off breakage. Proteins for har keep hair healthy, strong and protected from manipulation, heat, the elements and even Here's why you need to be using proteins in your natural hair routine and why collagen is a great one to try.

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When there are issues with getting your hair to grow, it’s important to rectify the situation both internally and externally. A number of factors contribute to reduced hair growth, from your scalp being too dirty or your pores being blocked from build-up.

It is true that nothing but time can make your hair grow, but there may be ways to help stimulate hair growth. Check out these options to give your curls extra encouragement.

1. Peppermint Oil
With a fresh aroma, this strongly concentrated oil must be diluted before applying the scalp. It penetrates the scalp and stimulates the hair follicle, allowing for more oxygen production that gives your curls the green light to grow.

Tip:
Apply it directly to the scalp with a gentle massage and cover for 20 to 30 minutes.
Check out this DIY Peppermint Pre-Poo recipe to help stimulate blood circulation to your scalp.

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Paraben free. Sulfate free. Silicone free. Yes, we’ve all seen these words plastered across a lot of products but what does this stuff really mean? What’s really inside natural hair products and how does it affect your hair? Often, we gravitate to what sounds great on the front of a label. But the proof is in the pudding aka the ingredients. Brands are required to list the scientific name of ingredients on the labels, therefore; you may think an ingredient is harmful simply because you can not pronounce the word. I’m here to tell you that’s simply not true. Here’s how to understand the ingredients in natural hair products the next time you’re about to spend your coins on the latest product or if you’re shopping with us at texturesnaturalhaircare.com of course!

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Uses of tea tree oil
A renewed interest in natural substances has increased the availability of tea tree oil as a home remedy, and has also inspired research into its composition and beneficial properties. While it should never be taken internally due to potential toxicity, it is fantastic for topical treatment at home of:

• dandruff
• hair growth
• acne
• ingrown hair
• superficial wounds
• bug bites
• thrush
• athlete’s foot
• fever blisters

If someone were to ask me what is the number one challenge with natural hair my answer would be maintaining appropriate moisture levels. This topic has been covered extensively but dry hair is the the number one complaint of many natural women I hear from and it warrants further discussion.

There has been a lot of confusion about what moisture actually is, how to moisturize hair and what ingredients should be included in an effective moisturizer. Products containing emollients such as mineral oil and petroleum, natural oils and butters as well as silicones have been marketed as moisturizers. Women have used these products with no relief to their dry hair. Brittleness has continued with ensuing breakage. Because of this we need to take a deeper look into this concept of moisturizing our hair, dissect the formulas and really understand what makes a product an effective moisturizer.

What is Moisture?
Moisture is a property of water and this element makes the best moisturizer. Hydration contributes to the pliability and elasticity of the hair. Because water can quickly enter and exit the hair it’s difficult for it to remain moisturized for long periods of time with just water. Factor in conditions such as high porosity and chemical damage and keeping the hair hydrated seems as though it’s a losing battle. This is where an effective moisturizer is crucial.

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Is your hair feeling dry, rigid and rough? You may be suffering from overly porous hair! Not sure what porous hair means? It's your hair's ability or inability to absorb and retain moisture.

To learn more about porosity and to test your hair's porosity, click HERE.

There are lots of natural options that are touted as healing for hair. One of the oldest and most widely accepted is aloe vera. There are many reasons that the benefits of aloe vera in hair are recognized and legitimate.

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Before now using glycerin for natural hair had always been a tricky topic for me. I sort of understood the purpose of the ingredient in hair products but I was still lost on the whole weather, dew point aspect. Like many, I saw other popular bloggers and vloggers using glycerin for natural hair, creating DIY recipes so I figured why not. Glycerin is also listed in about every product I own so I figured the ingredient…couldn’t hurt right?

The good news is ever since I started blogging I’ve become way more informed about the science behind growing and maintaining healthy natural hair and my research game is on another level. (Yay me!) Instead of just taking someone else’s word, I now seek out additional information to form my judgement. Now I know everyone doesn’t have time for that, which is why you are here so let’s dive right in! And if you were completely lost after reading the first paragraph then definitely keep reading.

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In a previous post we discussed the importance of conditioners to your hair care regimen. It is, in my opinion, the most important part. Given the role this product has in maintaining the health of our hair, we need to examine what we’ll likely find in conditioners that make them so important.

The main conditioning agent in conditioner is what’s called a cationic surfactant. Cations are positively charged particles and they are attracted to our negatively charged strands. They adsorb onto our hair meaning that they sit on our hair; they don’t penetrate. Additionally, they resist being washed off by water alone. They improve the hair’s softness, aid in detangling, help to seal the cuticle and make the hair more manageable.

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Why is EVOO So Amazing?  

Have you tried Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in your hair regimen? If not, wait no longer! When used on the hair, extra virgin olive oil can nourish, condition and improve the strength and elasticity.

Due to it's ability to penetrate the hair shaft, this rich moisturizing oil can reach the cortex of the hair, allowing the hair to feel conditioned, nourished, and healthy with each use.

Extra virgin olive oil contains antioxidant vitamin E, vitamin A and helps heal dry flaky scalp, also known as dandruff.

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I recently got a haircut and want nothing more for it to grow long again healthier and stronger than before.

This led to extensive research to find what, if anything, can help speed this process up. One plant in particular kept appearing in many of my readings, both from internal and external use: bamboo. I have been testing this ingredient for weeks on my own hair and want to share with you some of the claims as well as my own hair health results.


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Our beautiful hair strands are 91% hard protein also known as keratin, which is responsible for the strength and structure of the hair strand and very important to hair care and hair growth. As the hair grows it can gradually get weaker at the ends, as the hair shaft has been chipped away by the elements and general manipulation from hair care and styling. The ability to keep the hair strong, while maintaining moisture to the strand is a balancing act. Too much strength could make the hair hard and brittle while too much moisture can make the hair mushy, both of which are not the ideal situation for hair. According to Hilda Sustaita, wheat protein is considered a gentle protein, broken down into smaller portions to penetrate the hair shaft and adhere to cracks along the cuticle layers.


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It may have a strange name but it is a powerhouse of goodness and a great natural detangler for your tresses. Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is a small tree native to eastern Canada and eastern and central United States. Most commonly found in the Appalachian Mountains, it has a reddish brown truck with grayish white bark on the branches. The inner bark is where you will find its medicinal value, which is collected in spring from the bole of larger branches, dried, and powdered. For centuries Native Americans have used slippery elm as an herbal remedy for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammations. The University of Maryland Medical Center has also been used orally to relieve coughs, diarrhea, sore throats, and stomach issues. Drugs.com says it was not just used for medicinal purposes by the Native Americans, as it was also useful for building canoes, baskets, and shelter.

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How many times have you walked into a store to buy your monthly dose of hair products, picked up a product off the shelf, and immediately turned it around to analyze the ingredient panel? It is probably second nature at this point!

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I am a beast at reading ingredients in hair products (humble brag). They are extremely important to me, and while it may seem rather boring to read about ingredients, it is valid to understand the first five ingredients. The FDA requires that skin care ingredients (including hair) on the product label be listed in the order of highest to lowest concentration.