Especially when you are new to going natural, it’s easy for you to sucked into product hype. The number one thing that newly naturals fall for is that they should only use organic or “all natural” natural hair products. Regardless if a product is all natural or not, if it works for your hair use it. In fact, some synthetic ingredients do a better job at penetrating our hair than “all natural” products do.
There are no absolute product brands that you must have, but these are the kinds of products that you should definitely have:
SHAMPOO
Shampoo – You want to go with a shampoo that does not contain sulfates. Sulfates strip the hair of its natural oils and end up leaving it dry. This is why women of color often associate washes with dryness, it most cases its not the water itself that is drying to the hair, its the products that are being used.
(See Examples of Shampoos to Try)
CONDITIONER
Conditioning is probably one of the most important aspects of your hair care routine because it replenishes the protein that we lose in our hair on a daily basis. When you make conditioning a part of your regimen you will notice overtime more strengthened hair and it also aids with your hair’s ability to retain moisture.
(See Examples of Conditioners to Try)
MOISTURIZER
Water based moisturizer – A good moisturizer will have water as its first ingredient. Keep in mind that greases with mineral oil or petroleum are not moisturizers they are sealants and not very good ones either. In fact, mineral oil or petroleum may coat the hair preventing moisture from penetrating the hair. You want to choose a moisturizer that contains humectants or ingredients like aloe which is a super curl friendly product.
(See Examples of Moisturizers to Try)
OILS
While coconut oil has been said to have moisturizing properties, the purpose of oils and butters overall is to seal moisture into the hair, not to moisturize it. Nevertheless, you will find having a good oil to be a necessary part of your product collection. Jojoba oil
Curl Friendly Product Ingredients:
PH Balance
To know which products have a good PH balance you can judge it according to the ingredients that are used in the product and then learning what their levels are or you can buy PH testing strips ( A product with a PH level between 3.5 to 7 is preferable).
The battle of the Alcohols
While some alcohols are drying to the hair, some actually work well to strengthen our hair like Cetyl Alcohol. Short Chain alcohols such as SD alcohol, SD alcohol 40, Alcohol denat, Propanol, Propyl alcohol and Isopropyl alcohol are a group that you may want to be cautious of. Just be sure to pay attention to how high they are on your product ingredient label are they closer to the top or the bottom? This will tell you how potent this ingredient is in the product that you are purchasing.
Finding What Works for You
Pay attention to how the product is working out for you. Is it keeping your hair moisturized? Is it flaking it out? Researching what product ingredients to look out for can help you to narrow down a product that will most likely produce the most benefit for you. However, the most important aspect of finding a product that works for you is using your own judgement.
Looking for a starting point? Check out our product recommendations page for products you may want to try.
What’s In the Guide
#1 Why to Go Natural
#2 What You Should Know About Natural Hair
#3 How to go from Relaxed to Natural Hair
#4 Know Your Hair Type
#5 What’s Your Hair Porosity Type
#6 What Products Do I Need?
#7 How to Create a Natural Hair Regimen
#8 Natural Hair FAQ
I am a 4c girl and have been natural for about 6 years. As of now I am very unhappy with my 4c hair. I am 57 years old and had a stroke two years ago. From my appearance it does not appear that I had a stroke. But one of the side effects is the strength in my right side, especially my arm and hand. I am beginning to think that it is best that I return to the crack. I tried the texturizer but it broke my hair off tremendously when I tried to flat iron. My hair has grown back, but it is hard for me to maintain. There is always these little knots on the end. My hair shrinks a lot, but I can deal with the shrinkage as long as it does not look like balls on the end. When I touch my hair the ends always has tangles and knots. I am unable to locate a natural hair beautician in my area. I wear a lot of wigs, but lately I’ve been wearing my hair back with a ban across the front because I am beginning to loose my edges. I can not wear braids because they are to painful. I work at the office so you can imagine the looks I get with my natural hair out. I forgot to tell you that I also have a part time job, so my day consist of working 14 hour days including traveling. PLEASE HELP BEFORE I RETURN TO THE CREAMY CRACK
Have you tried two strand twists (with no extensions added) in your hair? Your can wear them for weeks and when you take them out you would have a twist out style.
Hello, my hair types fall in the 3B and 3C category…very soft and unmanageable. I was recommended the Blue Bliss line by Curls…do you have any thoughts on the brand.
I really want to take treating my natural hair serious but I don’t know where to start from.please I need basic tips.thanks
Hello, oyekan olorunnifemi.
When it comes to treating your hair, You can start by making some homemade treatments that include the following products: -Apple cider Vinegar (helps increase shine, removes buildup and cleanses the scalp), avocado(adds moisture, and contains proteins and vitamins that will strengthen the hair), mayonnaise(good for moisture and protein, eggs (protein), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (contains Vitamins A and E—both good for fighting dandruff), and yogurt (fights frizz). There are many others.
There is also the hot oil treatment, which is warming an oil, like Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil or Grape seed Oil and massaging it into your scalp. Then you cover your head with a plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer. If you do not have a hooded dryer, you can heat some water in a microwave, dampen a towel, (Not soaking wet, just a lil damp) and wrap that around the plastic cap to generate heat. Do that for 15 minutes. When you’re done, you can wash out the oil with some water. DO NOT MICROWAVE THE OIL!! MICROWAVING KILLS THE OILS NATURAL NUTRIENTS !!
Or you can buy treatments. I recommend these:
-Shea Moisture Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
-Cantu Deep Treatment Masque
Hope this was helpful 😉
Hello Iv’e been a transitioned natural for 4 yrs now and I must say Iv’e really completely fell out of touch with my hair for the past 3 months it has Tremendously broken off mostly on the nape and crown and on the left back corner…smh. So in all where do I begin to get back on track?