Consumers are becoming more conscious about the ingredients in the products they buy. Whether it is the food they eat, what they clean their homes with, or especially, the beauty products they use; trends have shown a rise in the demand for more natural, organic and fare trade boasting products.
A study(1) in 2018 has shown a how larger companies have begun taking over smaller companies and nurturing their ‘natural’ departments as to compete with the start-ups and niche businesses out there on the rise.
Beauty products are a front runner for change in market demands as younger generations are now privy to so many more ancient traditions of health care such as using coconut oil for myriad of uses. Oils have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments as well as used for everyday care and maintenance of the hair and skin. This is where companies can maximize their appeal by adding oil to their beauty products, giving the consumer access to ancient proven remedies.
Natural Ingredients For Hair Care
There are many options when it comes to oil. All of them can moisturize the scalp and hair follicles and continue to work long after the shower by protecting the hair while out in the elements. Most ladies know, you may look good in the mirror of the bathroom, but as soon as you step outside that frizz is coming to get you! Not with locks that have been treated and cared for with natural oils!
Let’s take a look at the powerful benefits of these 7 game-changer oils.
Argan Oil
Known as the “liquid gold” of Morocco, Argan oil has been used for centuries in cooking and health and beauty products. While the oil is best known for it’s benefits for the skin, the healing properties apply to the hair as well. Argan oil can not only repair damaged hair but also protect it while styling. Packed with high powered antioxidants and vitamins, this powerhouse of an oil benefits your hair in all areas.
- Loaded with a high volume of fatty acids like oleic acid linoleic acid, this oil can help moisturize without overloading the total moisture content.
- Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, Argan oil can treat psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, making it a great oil for the scalp.
- Give you hair a healthy sheen and prevent split ends when using this oil to protect your hair when styling. Using just a few drops on the hair prior to any color or heat element goes a long way in protecting your hair and keeping it looking healthy.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is definitely the most popular of oils on the market today. So many consumers are waking up to the long list of benefits from coconut oil whether that be for your teeth, your skin or nails, and also the hair. What makes coconut oil so great for the hair are the protein boosting effects. The oil has a natural affinity for our hair proteins meaning that the oil doesn’t just penetrate deep down into the hair shaft, but also continues to protect by limiting the amount of water our hair absorbs, preventing locks from drying out and spitting at the ends. Coconut oil is versatile and can be used easily in an everyday routine such as:
- A pre-wash conditioner
- In place of a regular conditioner
- In small amounts for styling
- As a leave in treatment, using a lot of oil and letting it sit for hours or overnight.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
A great benefit to EVOO is it’s styling benefits. Add to your conditioner or use as a hot oil treatment for revived hair that is soft, shiny and resilient. It penetrates the hair shaft in a similar way to Coconut oil and has a history of moisturizing effects for the skin, making it a great therapy for your scalp too. EVOO can also be used to treat lice and dandruff. Olive Oil can be used as a daily or weekly treatment as well:
- Simply apply a few tablespoons of oil to the hair; more for long luscious locks and begin to rub into the hair and scalp.
- By continuing to massage, the oil heats up which boosts is healing properties, driving the oil into the hair shaft and binding with the proteins in the hair (similar to coconut oil) to help prevent split-ends and frizz.
- The oil must be washed out and may take a couple washes to get all the remnants that were not absorbed.
Baobab Oil
Baobab oil comes from Africa’s ‘Tree of life’, the baobab tree and has long been a treasured hair care treatment. It’s high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids give it anti-inflammatory benefits while protecting the hair form sun and free radicals and nourishing the scalp, making this oil a great treatment for eczema and dandruff. Then there is the Vitamin C, responsible for collagen production and keeping hair silky and smooth. Ways to enjoy this oil are:
- Massaging into the hair from top to tip in the morning before a good wash to condition and protect the hair for the rest of the day.
- Adding a few drops to conditioner for extra moisturizing.
- Massaging into the scalp to increase blood flow can stimulate hair growth and prevent dryness and flakes. Having a healthy scalp leads to healthier hair overall.
At Organically Africa, the baobab oil is organic and cold pressed from the seeds of the fruit that hangs off the branches of the tree inside a hard shell. The oil is immediately filtered to help clarify the oil meaning it never needs to undergo further refinement or processing and requires no additives making this product 100% pure.
Avocado Oil
This oil is a step above the rest in the way that it is hot too heavy and is complimentary to use as part of an everyday routine as it does not build up on the hair over time. The oil is pressed cold pressed from the avocado and is rich in potassium and lecithin as well as vitamin A, D, and E giving the hair protection and strength.
- Add Avocado oil to shampoo and conditioner or styling products such as gel, mousse. and creams.
- Using the oil for a scalp massage gets the blood flowing and activates circulation.
Tea Tree Oil
This powerful oil can treat acne, skin dysfunctions and other ailments and the hair is one more area of the body to reap these benefits. The Melaleuca alternifolia plant is where we get Tea Tree oil from and is harvested for its healing properties all over the world. It also penetrates the hair follicle shaft like the other oils, but it is particularly good at cleansing the dead skin, creating an environment that supports new hair growth.
- Adding a bit of Tea Tree oil to shampoo boosts the cleansing effects and stimulates hair growth.
- The Journal of American Academy of Dermatology (2) conducted a study that found a 41% improvement in dandruff reduction in itchy, greasy scalps but adding only 5% solution to shampoo.
In a class-action case (3) against WEN hair products, $26 million dollars was the settlement paid to consumers claiming the hair products made their hair fall out. Whether this was a settlement out of true fault or merely to move forward from false accusations, the public are aware of this case along with others such as Johnson & Johnson paying a settlement due to cancer causing baby powder. Consumers want more natural ingredients for hair care. With conscious recipes for hair care and beyond, consumers can begin to feel proud of their purchases, leading them to feel more connected to their routines and more likely to recommend to a friend.
Plant extracts have been used to support holistic health for centuries and now, new generations are taking note. Oils are a great addition to any beauty product as they provide vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties. When it comes to natural ingredients for hair care products, the goal is healthy, luscious locks and oil is the key ingredient in achieving those results.