Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
In this article, I’ve listed out a few of the natural ingredients for hair that will help in hair growth, thickness, scalp issues, etc. I’ve also included some good ingredients for shampoos to check the next time you’re shopping for hair products.
It’s all about being natural these days, baby! Yes, using herbs and plants and essential oils are not limited to the hippies anymore.
People these days, (including yours truly) have slowly discovered that when it comes to haircare, natural is better.
So I’ve started to use a lot of DIY homemade masks, conditioners, etc. some of which are recipes passed down by my grandma!
Related: Ingredients To Avoid In Hair Care
Related: Natural Essential Oils to Stop Hair Fall
And when it comes to shopping for hair products like shampoos, conditioners, and even gels and creams, I always check the ingredients label first now.
After a bit of research and several trials and errors on my own hair, I’ve found a few natural ingredients for hair that I use religiously. I’ve listed them and their benefits for you below. Check it out!
Natural Ingredients For Hair
Here is a list of some natural ingredients that I use for my hair on a daily basis. I’ve also explained how they benefit your tresses. Take a look below!
Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Clarify Hair
I have low porosity curly hair, so I have a lot of product buildup on my tresses. I usually use oils and creams to maintain my curls but my hair porosity prevents it from getting absorbed completely and coats my curls.
But I found the perfect solution for this in apple cider vinegar. I mix 3 cups of water to one cup of apple cider vinegar.
You can increase the amount of apple cider vinegar if this works for your hair.
I apply this rinse to my hair and leave it on for 5-10 minutes after shampooing and conditioning. I then rinse it off with cold water.
This will remove a lot of grease and product buildup from hair naturally without you having to resort to using sulfate-based clarifying shampoos.
The acidity of apple cider vinegar also seals hair cuticles, adding shine and reducing frizz. So there’s an extra benefit for you.
Coconut Oil Helps Nourish Natural Hair
Coconut oil is one of the best natural moisturizers for hair. It contains a treasure trove of fatty acids that help nourish hair and act as antioxidants.
This majorly includes lauric acid which helps the coconut oil get absorbed into the hair better and prevents hair damage.
Now as I have low porosity hair and coconut oil is heavier, I use it sparingly.
But I do use it as a deep conditioning treatment a lot when I’ve recently bleached or colored my hair as it’s superb at replenishing my hair’s lost moisture.
I massage the oil in and wrap a hot towel around my head for 15-20 minutes. The heat helps the oil penetrate my hair better and provides better conditioning.
Jojoba Oil Is An Excellent Natural Heat Protectant
I often like to straighten my curly hair, but was getting really disappointed to see how many chemical-laden products are needed for the styling process.
So I decided to cut down on certain things and substitute them for natural ingredients for hair instead. One of these was using jojoba oil as a heat protectant spray.
Now, jojoba oil has a very high smoking point. This means it burns at a temperature higher than your hair straightening iron can reach.
So coating your tresses with this oil before straightening can help shield it from the worst effects of the heat and protect hair from damage.
Grapeseed Oil Helps Hydrate Low Porosity Hair
We all have heard wonderful stories about how great coconut oil or argan oil are for your hair. A lot of people swear by using virgin olive oil on their tresses too.
But one product that gets really ignored in all this is grapeseed oil. It’s very lightweight, lighter than jojoba oil, in fact. And it’s also got twice as much vitamin E as olive oil.
I also liked the fact that it contains omega-3 fatty acids which functions as an anti-inflammatory agent, helping grapeseed oil fight dandruff and scalp problems.
But my favorite part is that grapeseed oil contains linoleic acid which helps it penetrate the hair strand very quickly and moisturize my low porosity hair.
Rice Water Is A Natural Protein Treatment For Damaged Hair
The constant coloring and chemical processing were taking a toll on my hair health. And thankfully just about this time I found out about using rice water for hair.
This homemade hair care mask has been used in Asia since forever now, and is slowly catching up in the west.
To use rice water for hair, you need to rinse rice thoroughly to remove any dirt, insects or pesticide residue. Then soak the rice in two cups of water overnight.
You can now use this water as a “pre-poo” hair mask where you leave it on for 15-20 minutes before showering.
There are studies that show that rice is not just rich in amino acids that fill in the protein gaps on damaged hair, but it also contains inositol that penetrates hair strands and repairs it from within.
If you want more antioxidant benefits, you can leave the soaked rice for a day or two to let it ferment. This increases the amount of probiotics in the rice water.
Rosemary Helps Boost Hair Growth
Did you know that there is research to prove that rosemary essential oil works as well as 2 percent minoxidil in boosting hair growth?
Yup! If you have thinning hair and want to increase hair growth in patchy areas, just use rosemary oil if you don’t want to try chemical topical treatments.
Just be careful not to apply essential oils directly to the scalp. You can mix a few drops of rosemary oil to a carrier oil (like coconut, argan or jojoba oil) and massage it in the affected area.
There might be one tiny side effect which is some people experience itching after topical applications of rosemary oil. But it’s still a natural alternative to synthetic hair growth tonics.
Good Ingredients For Hair Shampoo: Check For These!
If you want to buy a shampoo and are confused about all the ingredients on the label, let me simply things for you. Here are some components of a shampoo that are great for your hair.
Mild Surfactants
We all know that sulfates like SLS and SLES are bad for your hair. So you need to look for milder surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA), etc.
Natural Surfactants
Or you can use shampoos with natural cleansers like coconut-based cleansers, reetha, shikakai, and more.
Natural Oils
If you have dry hair or curly hair make sure you get shampoos with natural oils like coconut, sweet almond, jojoba or argan oils.
Essential Oils Instead Of Perfumes
Perfumes might make shampoos smell good but they can dry hair in the long run. So check if the shampoo has artificial fragrances or uses natural essential oils like citrus or lavender for scent.
Vitamins
Biotin helps thicken your hair strands while vitamin E is essential to moisturize it. So these two vitamins are essential in shampoos.
Emollients
Look for shampoos with glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, etc. as these are emollients that add moisture to your tresses
FAQs about Natural Ingredients For Hair
Which oil is best for the hair?
There are several natural oils that can be beneficial for hair. But which ones you select should depend on your hair type and needs. For example, coconut oil and castor oil are heavy and nourishing and make excellent moisturizers for curly, 4c hair. On the other hand, lightweight oils like avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and argan oil suit wavy or straight hair better
Is onion good for hair?
Yes, onions (especially onion juice) are said to be excellent for hair growth and thickness. This is because onions are a rich source of sulfur which helps increase collagen production and strengthens the keratin protein on hair, making it more elastic and less susceptible to breakage.
Can I mix coffee in my shampoo?
Yes, mixing ground coffee grounds in your shampoo is a well known hack for increasing hair growth and thickness. You can mix one teaspoon of coffee in your shampoo (for medium to long hair). The caffeine in the coffee grounds can boost hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the scalp. Also, the grounds act as physical exfoliators and cleanse your scalp of debris and grease, unblocking hair follicles and allowing better absorption of hair care products.
Which is best for hair, egg white or yolk?
You can use both the white and the yolk of the egg as each has its own benefits. The liquid white portion of the egg is where the majority of the proteins lie and helps fortify your damaged hair strands. Meanwhile, the yolk is rich in vitamins like A, D, E, and biotin which condition and thicken your hair. However, I do suggest using a few drops of essential oil if you’re adding the yolk to your hair as well, as this part of the egg can have a strong smell.
Summary on Natural Ingredients For Hair Growth And Thickness, And Scalp Health
If you compare now to a few decades ago, there is a lot more emphasis now on buying “natural” and “organic”. Which can be surprising considering how much scientific progress is made.
The truth is, there is a fear these days of buying “chemical” laden products as most things from our haircare to skincare and even food items seem to be heavily processed.
Also, consumers these days are more aware of what their shampoos and conditioners do and do not contain and what they need to take better care of their hair.
But remember, natural doesn’t always mean healthy. Make sure you read the ingredients label thoroughly to look out for hidden preservatives and harmful additives.
And above all, natural or not, make sure you choose ingredients and products that suit your hair type, texture and needs.
Also Read:
Natural Alternatives To Hairspray
What Are Surfactants In Hair Care?
To Summarize
