Helping your hair in winter time
Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners
“Moisturizing” is the term that defines the action of protecting the hair and the cuticle from the dryness of cold winter weather. Consider these key ingredients for use in shampoos and conditioners.
1. Aloe Vera Barbadensis
The aloe plant is one of the best-known natural ingredients due to its deep hydration properties on the hair and its ability to soothe the scalp. These properties come from the inner part of the leaves of the aloe plant.
Aloe’s benefits, derived from over 75 ingredients, including crucial elements like mucilage (a key component of Aloe Vera), vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, C, and folic acid), and minerals, work together to soothe, heal, and deeply hydrate the hair.
2. Sea Kelp
Sea Kelp, a winter essential, provides vital nutrients (such as vitamins K, A, C, E, folate, B12, B6, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, phosphorus) to maintain moisture and health in hair and scalp.
It is suitable for oily hair as it doesn’t add extra oil, making it perfect for normal and dry hair. Additionally, Sea Kelp’s soothing properties make it beneficial for inflamed or excessively dry scalps.
3. Jojoba
Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant, which grows especially in the Sonora desert in Mexico and in some regions of Arizona and southern California.
Jojoba’s rich blend of B vitamins, vitamin E, zinc, copper, selenium, linoleic acid (Omega 6), and triglycerides enhances hair elasticity. Its iodine content combats bacterial and fungal infections, addressing scalp dandruff. Vitamin E and ceramides aid in repairing and maintaining hair structure, penetrating the hair fiber rapidly.
4. Mallow
Mallow flowers and leaves, utilized for their abundant mucilage content, deliver hydration to the hair and enhance the elasticity of the scalp. Additionally, mallow serves as a source of vitamins A, C, and B-group (B1 and B2), as well as mineral salts like magnesium, calcium, and iron.
Very suitable for sensitive or irritated scalps, thanks to its soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Oatmeal
Enriched with hydrating proteins and lipids, oat milk provides extreme softness and instantly detangles hair.
Oatmeal soothes, softens, and hydrates dry, rough hair, repairing damaged strands and adding manageability. It also helps soothe an irritated scalp with anti-inflammatory properties, making it a natural remedy for relieving psoriasis.
Among all cereals, oats contain the most vitamins and minerals, as they are rich in iron, magnesium, selenium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin E, vitamin B5, and vitamin B6.
When the skin is itchy and irritated, its pH level can be too high or too low. Oatmeal acts as a buffering agent and can help bring the skin’s pH back to normal levels, around pH 5.5.
6. Macadamia
Macadamia nuts, grown in countries like Australia, Costa Rica, and Hawaii, yield an oil rich in palmitoleic acid, obtained through nut pressing. This oil enhances hair health, providing moisturizing and nutritive benefits, aiding in the repair of damage from dyes and discolorations. It also boasts high levels of vitamin E, antioxidants, oleic and linoleic acids, along with Omega 7—similar to the scalp’s natural sebum.
Over time, and due to the use of chemical products, our hair gradually experiences dryness and increased tangling, especially exacerbated by the cold of winter. Thanks to macadamia oil, frizz disappears, making it easier to both straighten the hair and showcase a naturally beautiful smoothness.
Commercial shampoos with macadamia oil are available, but a fantastic alternative is to directly apply pure macadamia oil to your hair after washing and drying.
The antioxidants in macadamia oil also prevent premature graying of hair by combating free radicals originating from external factors, such as pollution or UVA rays.
7. Siberian pine oil
Many people believe that Siberian pine smells like Christmas, reminiscent of the scent of forests and the purest nature. This is attributed to the resins and compounds of pine oil present in it.
The Siberian Pine (Abies sibirica) is a large evergreen conifer tree native to both Canada and Siberia. Siberian Pine essential oil is characterized by a very gentle, calming, and fresh scent.
The needles and twigs are used to extract the essential oil, and both components are then steam distilled.
It improves hair and scalp health, especially when experiencing dryness or irritation. Its high content of vitamins A, B, E, and C, along with carotenoids and flavonoids, restores the keratin layer of the hair, providing shine and a healthy appearance.
*The vitamin E content in Siberian oil is much higher than that in olive oil.