Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Ginkgo Leaf & Ginseng Root Hair Moisturizing Jelly

AO MM is very moisturizing, never dried me out, and provided a soft and flexible hold. I highly reccomend it to naturals that are comfortable with ‘letting it do what it do’, because this gel will not ‘control’ your hair like other commercial gels. It will decrease frizz…it will add a little weight, and it’ll definitely give you great definition! Back at the end of 2007 (check out my pics in the Blast from the Past thread) when I was using this gel regularly, I became curious about the ingredients in AO MM for 2 reasons: (1) it worked so well…I wanted to know what it was that my hair was responding to, so I could seek out the same ingredients in other products, and (2) when I’m using something that claims to be moisturizing, I want to know why, and plus it’s comforting to think about, lol. It feels good to know that you’re doing something good for your hair.

Here’s what I found:

Panthenol (Vitamin B-5) – A natural hair thickener that helps give hair body and hold. An excellent scalp nutrient and hydrator, also beneficial to the skin. It is sometimes known as Pantothenic Acid.

Aloe (Aloe Vera) – A superb hydrator and soothing agent, very beneficial to damaged hair and dry, chapped or sun-exposed skin. We use certified organic aloe in our products.

Gum Arabic – An herbal gum used as a thickener and emulsifier in creams and lotions, and as a hair set in styling gels and sprays. Often combined with Gum Tragacanth.

Gum Tragacanth – An herbal gum frequently used as a thickener and binding agent in creams and lotions, and as a setting agent in hair sprays and gels. Gum Arabic and gum tragacanth are both natural alternatives to synthetic polymers such as PVP, found in most commercial hair products.

Ginkgo Leaf (Ginkgo biloba) – This ancient Chinese herb has been used in skin care preparations since 2,800 B.C. Combined with earth smoke in hair care products, it has been shown to improve hair permeability and scalp health. Ginkgo is featured in our Mandarin Magic line.

Ginseng Root – One of the most prized herbs in China, an important tonic used in overnight creams and other hair and skin care products.

Magnolia Blossoms – The essential oil of magnolia, used in fragrances and as a natural tonic for the hair and skin.

Angelica – The dried leaves of this herb are very aromatic. Angelica oil and angelica wax are good skin care ingredients.

Chrysanthemum – Often called pellitory or Persian pellitory. A natural freshener and skin revitalizer.

Earth Smoke (Fumitory) – A superb tonic and skin and scalp freshener. Combined with ginkgo leaf, it has been shown to improve hair permeability. We include earth smoke in our Mandarin Magic hair and skin care line.

Morus Root – A superb tonic, this Chinese herbal is a key ingredient in our Mandarin Magic line.

Mandarin/Sweet Orange Peel – Contains flavonoids and vitamins A, B, C and E. (See also Orange Oil.)

The information above came from the Aubrey Organics website.