The shampoo and conditioner you’ve been using for a decade can only go so far. Just as you grow through different phases of life, so does your hair. Establishing a
haircare routine is crucial to maintaining luscious locks. What that routine looks like, however, depends on your individual hair history. Are you a fan of the flat iron? Or, maybe you’re an avid swimmer with chlorine damage to combat. No matter what your hair has been through, there’s a revitalizing solution nearby. Just check out the list below. These 10 ingredients are the best at pampering hair. Find the ones that satisfy your unique needs, and be sure to add them to your haircare routine ASAP!
Best Ingredients for Hair Health
1. Coconut oil
Best for: nourishing limp locks
Most natural oils will make the surface of your hair shiny – or, worse,
greasy. What
coconut oil does is different, though. It penetrates the hair and locks in moisture. This moisturizing effect can help relieve the protein loss caused by repeat brushing or blow drying.
How to use it: Coconut oil works perfectly as a hair mask. Rub it through your hair a few hours before washing. You can also use it in lieu of your normal conditioner.
2. Fermented rice water
Best for: smoothing and detangling strands
For ages, women of the Chinese tribe, Red Tao, have used fermented rice water to help them maintain amazingly
long and strong hair. With the low pH value and high antioxidants, minerals, B and E vitamins, fermented rice water serves as a natural hair conditioner. Not only does it strengthen roots, but it also adds a glossy shine and substantial volume to hair.
How to use it: Traditionally, you get fermented rice water form boiling rice and setting aside the leftover water for a few days. After the water ferments, you can then use it to wash and rinse your hair. Of course, beauty companies have caught on to these unique benefits, which means you can easily find shampoos and conditioners made with fermented rice water. Check the labels to make sure it’s listed toward the top, as a primary ingredient.
3. Ginseng root extract
Best for: promoting hair growth
Ginseng’s active compounds, ginsenosides, have been found to promote hair growth by enhancing dermal papillae on the scalp.
Research has also shown that ginsenosides can actually modulate certain cell-signalling pathways that are involved with hair loss. Classified as an adaptogen, ginseng may help you manage physical and emotional stress. Stress is another major factor in hair loss, which means ginseng can be beneficial on multiple fronts.
How to use it: Ginseng comes in various forms – supplements, teas, face washes and more. But to use it in your haircare routine, you’ll want to create a potent topical solution. First, choose a
standardized ginseng root extract in capsule form. Open the capsules and mix the contents with any oil of your choice. Once well-combined, apply the ginseng solution directly to the scalp and use your fingertips to massage it in.
4. Shea butter
Best for: repairing hair
Shea butter is widely known for its moisturizing properties – and for good reason. Shea butter is fat extracted from the African shea tree. Because fat is naturally hydrating, shea butter is perfect for nourishing dry, damaged hair. If you’re wondering
how to fix breakage, look no further than shea butter.
How to use it: Use shea butter with your favorite conditioner to provide hair with extra moisturizing benefits. Or, apply a small amount (pea size) before blow drying or styling hair. If pure shea butter is too rich, you can find it in smaller concentrations blended into hair oils,
shampoos, conditioners and curl creams. hair oils,
shampoos, conditioners and curl creams.
5. Vitamin B6
Best for: promoting hair growth
Vitamin B6 is a required nutrient for haemoglobin formation and maintaining healthy red blood cells. Why is this important for hair health? Well-oxygenated blood promotes hair growth. This water-soluble vitamin is also a key player in more than 100 enzymes that participate in protein metabolism. Getting enough vitamin B6 in your diet can promote long, strong strands.
How to use it: You can find certain haircare treatments infused with vitamin B6, including the
Giovanni 2chic Ultra-Moist Shampoo. Regular use of these supercharged products can make a difference. And be sure to boost your eating habits, as well. Poultry, shrimp, cheese, spinach and lentils are all rich sources of vitamin B6.
6. Ceramides
Best for: conditioning hair follicles
Ceramides are a chain of fatty acids called lipids that lock in nutrients, repair cuticles and strengthen the hair shaft. Unfortunately, heat damage, coloring and other harsh treatments reduce the naturally occurring ceramides in hair.
How to use it: Look for a
ceramide-infused hair conditioner,
shampoo, hair mask or oil.
7. Collagen
Best for: building protein and repairing strands
Collagen is not just a skin-healthy nutrient. It also promotes hair growth and repair, thanks to its protein-building properties. The problem is collagen production slows with age. To help replenish your stores, add collagen-rich foods to your diet.
How to use it: Bone broth is a good source of collagen. You can drink bone both in its purest form, or you can use it to prepare soups, stews and many other dishes. Collagen supplements can also fill in nutritional gaps, and are sometimes a more convenient option. Choose from collagen powder, capsules, tablets or even
collagen gummy rings.
8. Açaí oil
Best for: protecting color-treated hair and maintaining scalp integrity
Açaí oil is extracted from the
Euterpe oleracea fruit, which grows in the Amazon rainforest. The oil is rich with antioxidants, like vitamins A and E, plus fatty acids. These compounds help coat the hair shaft, reduce frizz and enhance moisture. Anyone who has dyed their hair at home or in the salon, consider using
açaí oil to help prevent color fading.
How to use it: Açaí oil is best used as an after-wash hair treatment. Apply a pea-sized amount to wet or damp hair to enjoy its ultra-moisturizing benefits.
9. Olive oil
Best for: strengthening strands
Emollients found in
olive oil provide all kinds of hair benefits – from treating dry scalp to promoting hair growth. One noteworthy emollient is squalene.
Research suggests squalene contributes to the stability of olive oil by helping to prevent oxidation. This may translate to hair, where olive oil’s components help strands maintain moisture and shine.
How to use it: Try a DIY hair mask made of olive oil, honey and egg yolk. Once mixed together, apply the paste to hair and let it sit for 20 minutes before washing out.
10. Keratin
Best for: strengthening hair
Keratin is another key structural component of hair. It’s a type of protective protein that helps prevent breakage. It’s vulnerable to sunlight, pollution and harsh hair treatments, though. Exposure to these elements can easily deplete keratin stores. Of course, you can’t avoid the sun and certain air pollutants, which is why it’s important to find keratin-rich hair care.
How to use it: Look for keratin in all sorts of hair products, like
OGX Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo.
Note: You’ve likely heard of keratin treatments, but the term “keratin treatments” is a misnomer. These semi-permanent hair-straightening treatments are meant to smooth curly or frizzy hair. However, they don’t use keratin at all. These treatments use a derivative of formaldehyde or glyoxylic acid to break hair bonds and create a straighter appearance.
The Long and Short of It
As you can see, there are several natural, nourishing ingredients that support healthy hair growth and shine. Whether you have pure, untouched hair or years of dye damage, you can restore its youthful strength. Start incorporating some of these beneficial nutrients into your daily or weekly haircare routine, and you’ll quickly see a difference. If, after a few months of use, your hair is still stuck in a rut, consult a dermatologist. Their medical training can help identify underlying issues.
