Natural hair products are becoming increasingly popular as more people seek out ingredients that are gentle on their hair and don’t harm the environment. But the term “natural” doesn’t automatically mean good. After all, mercury and lead are natural, but you wouldn’t want to slather them all over your head!
So how can you distinguish the good from the bad? It helps to look for tried and true ingredients. Here are the five best natural hair product ingredients to search for when you shop.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a wonderful plant that you’re probably very familiar with–at least if you’ve ever had a sunburn! And it turns out that aloe vera is just as good for your hair as it is for your skin.
In fact, aloe vera has multiple properties that are beneficial for your hair. It helps block UV damage, breaks down excess oil, soothes your scalp, and is loaded with vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids that strengthen your hair. Plus, it may even help with hair growth, too!
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a popular ingredient in lotions for good reason. It’s super hydrating and smells amazing, too! When it comes to your hair, cocoa butter is excellent for conditioning, moisturizing, and softening your tresses. And you can trust in its safety. It’s the same ingredient found in your favorite chocolate bar!
Shea Butter
Like cocoa butter, shea butter is a great moisturizer for your hair. Plus, it has a long history showing its use and safety. People have used shea butter on their hair for thousands of years!
So what makes shea butter so wonderful for your hair? It’s anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, contains tons of vitamins and fatty acids, and helps strengthen your hair so it’s not prone to breakage. Plus, shea butter may help ward off damage from heat tools, too!
Rice Bran Oil
There’s a good chance you’ve eaten rice bran oil in the dressing you use on your salad. It’s delicious and full of nutrition. And the same nutrients that make it a wonderful addition to your diet also make it an excellent natural ingredient in hair products.
Rice bran oil contains loads of fatty acids, including omega 3 and omega 6, which help smooth your hair and add shine. Plus, it contains antioxidants that help protect your hair from damage and the effects of aging.
Rice Water
In order to see the benefits of rice water, you need only look to the women of the Red Yao tribe. Their hair is so incredible, they’ve achieved a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Longest Hair Village!
So how do they get such stunning locks? The Red Yao credit their amazing hair to their traditional ritual of washing it in rice water.
In addition to being rich in nutrients, rice water contains a key compound called inositol that is able to enter the hair shaft to repair and strengthen your hair from within. Those strengthening and rejuvenating properties may well be one of the reasons the Red Yao have such beautiful, healthy hair despite only cutting it once in their lives!
At Viori, using high-quality natural ingredients that are both effective and sustainably sourced is central to our mission. Interested in learning more? Check out our FAQs here.