Healthy hair is manageable and lustrous, while dry hair cracks, breaks and gets frizzy. Blow drying, curling irons and flat irons, and chemical treatments such as perms and color tend to dry out the hair. To maintain a healthy head of hair, read the ingredient list on product labels. There are also some home treatments that will infuse moisture into each hair shaft, which will help prevent brittle hair that breaks easily. Only wash hair when it is dirty, because natural oils help condition hair from the scalp.
Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners
Look for moisturizing shampoos and conditioners with ingredients that humidify the hair. Look for liposomes as ingredients; these act to condition and moisturize the cells at the scalp, which will ultimately strengthen the roots of each hair.
There are other shampoo and conditioner ingredients that can help prevent hair from becoming brittle or improve the appearance of hair that is already damaged. Sage oil moisturizes the hair, keeping it flexible and helping to prevent breakage. Wild thyme extract helps smooth the hair shaft, preventing breakage while blow drying. Lavender oil penetrates each hair shaft and helps create body and shine. Avocado oil helps to prevent a dry scalp, which ultimately helps condition the hair, keeping it shiny and preventing breakage. Jojoba oil conditions the hair, making it silky and smooth. Glycerin pulls moisture into the hair, which will keep it from being brittle. Panthenol is a vitamin B compound, which also helps keep the hair shiny with penetrating moisture. Other ingredients to look for include lanolin, citric acid and cocamide DEA, which comes from coconut oil.
Deionized water has been purified with dionization, sterilization and carbon filtration. According to an article on TheBeautyBrains.com, water is the best moisturizer for all parts of the body, including the hair. It works to transport the other moisturizing ingredients where needed. However, if the hair shaft isn't sealed, the moisture in the hair is likely to evaporate.
Styling Products
Look for styling products that are cream based. Avoid those with most forms of alcohol because they cause the hair to become dry and brittle. However, cetyl alcohol contains fatty acids that help seal the moisture, according to Cosmeticsinfo.org. Other ingredients that help moisturize the hair are olive oil, rosemary herbal oil, aloe vera and protein, which is often mentioned as amino acids on the list of ingredients.
Homemade Hair Moisturizers
Many people have found success with homemade hair moisturizing treatments. Apply a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil or full-fat mayonnaise to the hair, starting at the ends and working your way toward the scalp. Cover with a plastic shower cap or plastic wrap for approximately 30 minutes. Wash with a moisturizing shampoo and condition as usual.
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