In determining the top products for caring for Black hair, we'll look at products for natural hair and products for chemically treated hair.
Natural hair care products are for the hair you're born with. The emphasis is generally on giving natural hair sheen and moisture, though there are products for styling as well, like creating dreadlocks. Products for chemically treated hair are for styling and protecting relaxed hair, treating damaged hair and the relaxer products themselves. There are also products for hair styles that involve braiding hair or artificial hair into your own.
Natural hair
The naturally curly texture of Black hair can be fragile. The hair is subject to breakage at any point on the strand because of its structure.
When purchasing shampoo for natural hair, look for shampoos that are sulfur-free and don't contain harsh chemicals that will strip African-American hair of oils the body produces. Even those products advertised as sulfate-free from the most popular cosmetics makers can be bad for your hair. Shea Moisture Curl and Shine is a shampoo with natural oils and certified organic ingredients. Aveda's Be Curly shampoo is another shampoo with organic ingredients that provide moisture and sheen to curly hair.
Conditioners are very important for natural hair styles. A good conditioner will help moisturize and protect the hair. Avoid conditioners that use petroleum or mineral oils. While those conditioners will add shine to the hair, the petroleum doesn't penetrate the hair shaft. It does, however, clog up the pores on your scalp.
Vegetable oils, or oils derived from plants like aloe, jojoba or coconut, provide better moisturizing effects and less build up on the scalp. Suave Professionals Conditioner with Shea Butter and Sexy Hair Organics are two low-cost options for conditioning Black hair that hasn't been chemically relaxed.
Chemically treated hair
Black hair that has been chemically treated needs special consideration when choosing hair care products. Chemically treated hair is subject to breakage, split ends, scalp irritation, and in extreme circumstances, hair loss.
Top products for relaxed hair will lack sulfates and mineral oils like those for natural hair. The shampoos and conditioners should contain ingredients that will prevent breakage by coating hair strands so that they don't rub against each other and tangle. The shampoos should be free of harsh cleaning compounds found in many traditional shampoos.
Mild shampoos made for children will be good for cleaning relaxed hair without harsh chemicals. Try Weleda Calendula Shampoo and Body Soap. Organic Root Stimulator Aloe shampoo and Elasta's QP line are also good for chemically treated hair. KeraCare's Moisturizing Shampoo is made specifically for chemically treated hair.
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