Believe it or not, bad hair days can often start with how you condition your hair and scalp. This, in turn, can affect how easy it is to style your hair. If you’ve been experiencing unruly and unmanageable hair, chances are you’re using the wrong hair conditioner.
Your scalp is sensitive or itchy
Think of hair conditioners as facial moisturizers. They restore hydration and help the scalp stay balanced, which leads to healthier, more manageable hair that’s easier to style. There are a lot of ingredients that your hair and scalp are better off without. Some can leave your scalp itchy and flaky or red and sensitive. Some ingredients can throw off the scalp’s natural pH balance, which is essential for healthy hair. Here are a few culprits you’ll want to consider avoiding:
- Sodium chloride – Also known as table salt, sodium chloride leeches moisture from the scalp, drying it out.
- Synthetic dyes – Artificial dyes can cause skin irritation and exacerbate skin conditions.
- Quaternium-15 – While most often used in eye shadows, it’s also present in some of the more popular hair conditioners. This preservative has been classified as a skin irritant that converts into formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
You’re afraid to apply conditioner to your scalp
Lots of people are concerned about oily, flat hair, so they only condition the hair from mid-shaft to the ends. That’s a problem. Your scalp is where the hair shaft grows and it needs hydration and nutrients to be its healthiest. Something to remember, though, is that our scalp does produce its own natural oils, so make sure you don't use too much conditioner at the roots. In addition, make sure the hair conditioner features natural emollients, amino acids, vitamins and softeners. Specific ingredients to look for are:
- Shea butter – it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
- Aloe vera – it nourishes and hydrates the hair and scalp
- Panthenol – helps improve the texture of the hair, adding body and sheen
- Vitamin E – softens the hair, provides essential healthy-hair nutrients, and soothes and protects the scalp
- Ginger root – it stimulates the scalp and hair follicle, helping to promote hair growth
Deep conditioning is important for maintaining a healthy scalp. Regular heat styling seeps moisture from the scalp and hair. Daily conditioners help replenish moisture, but the scalp needs an extra boost that it can only get through deep conditioning.
Your hair type needs something different
Using the wrong conditioner for your hair type is the same as putting the left shoe on your right foot. It’s just not right, and no matter how hard you try to make it fit, it’s going to be an unpleasant experience. Understanding your hair type will allow you to choose the right conditioner for your hair:
- Fine hair – Use a volumizing conditioner. Our Blossom & Bloom conditioner is designed to optimize volume, thicken the appearance of your hair, is lighter, and doesn’t weigh hair down.
- Medium to thick hair – This hair type tends to absorb more moisture, but is also prone to frizz and split ends. Use a light daily conditioner with hydrating and smoothing benefits like our Farewell Frizz conditioner.
- Curly or textured hair – Try using an ultra-hydrating conditioner such as our Curl Charisma conditioner. Formulated with shea butter and sweet almond oils, this conditioner increases hair softness and enhances the body of curls without weighing them down.
