Humectants in Natural Hair Care: All You Need to Know

“Humectants? What are they?” For girls in the skin care space, they already know the importance of humectants to skin.  But do they play any role in natural hair care? What are they? Do humectants in natural hair care matter?

Let's find out.

What are Humectants in Natural Hair Care?

Humectants are ingredients that bind to water and attract water to the hair shaft, keeping it hydrated.  In skin care, these ingredients attract water from the environment and lock it in, helping dry skin stay supple and hydrated. 

Products that contain humectants include conditioners, both leave-in and rinse-out. Shampoos and gels, too.  Some important humectants in natural hair care are honey, aloe vera, panthenol and others.

Let's discuss these humectants a little more. 

6 Humectants in Natural Hair Care You Should Know

This is a short list of natural humectants you need to know: 

1. Honey 

Honey is an amazing humectant that draws in moisture to the hair shaft, while preventing moisture loss as well.  Honey is quite sticky, so you can't just slap it on your hair. It's best used with other ingredients or added to already-made products. 

You can add honey to your DIY deep conditioner mixes or add it to your shampoos or conditioner for more moisture

Benefits of honey as a humectant

1. It helps to smooth and soften hair strands. Honey gives your hair that supple, silkier look and feel. It helps natural hair become more manageable and keeps its natural shine. 
2. It reduces hair frizz and dryness. By smoothing your cuticle and strands, honey can help tame frizz and flyaway hair. 
3. Honey gives deep hydration to your hair. The intense hydration from honey can help improve the elasticity of your hair strands and strengthen your hair, thus reducing breakage. 
4. Honey can help maintain scalp health. Its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce inflammation and help soothe dandruff. 

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a natural humectant rich in amino acids and polysaccharides that nourish your hair and scalp.  Aloe vera hydrates your hair, keeps it strong, smooth and shiny. It can form a barrier that locks in moisture in your hair.

Benefits of Aloe vera as a humectant

1. It increases and boosts hair shine. Aloe vera helps with hydration. This translates to moisturization, which keeps your hair looking shinier and healthier. 
2. Aloe vera also has soothing properties. The calming effect of aloe vera on the scalp, as well as its humectant properties, helps with scalp health. 
3. Like honey, aloe vera can help with dryness and also prevent breakage. 

3. Flaxseed

Flaxseed is a naturally occurring humectant that attracts moisture to your hair and also locks in moisture by forming a protective film on your hair. 

Benefits of flaxseed as a humectant

1. Flaxseed gel had the ability to draw water from the environment into your hair. When you boil flaxseeds, the mucilage present in them makes this possible. 
2. It keeps your hair less prone to breakage. The presence of Omega-3-fatty acids, antioxidants and proteins makes it possible for flax seeds to nourish your hair and keep it supple. 
3. Flaxseed has strong moisturizing properties. When you apply flaxseed gel to your hair, it forms a thin protective film that slows down evaporation. This property helps keep your hair moisturized for longer periods. 

4. Okra gel

Okra gel is an excellent humectant in natural hair care. Like other humectants, it has water-attracting properties. It's also rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.  Okra gel can be used as a deep conditioner, a hair mask or a detangler. Its slippery and deep moisturizing properties make it a great product. 

Benefits of okra gel as a humectant

1. It helps your hair stay supple and moisturized. Like flax seeds, the mucilage in okra gel forms a hydrating layer on your hair that keeps it moisturized. 
2. Okra gel enhances curl definition. Like flaxseed gel, a benefit of okra gel is its curl definition. Since it keeps your hair supple and bouncy, it naturally enhances and defines your curls while keeping its shine. 
3. It has hair-strengthening abilities. Due to its moisturizing properties, okra gel keeps your hair strands moisturized and strengthened. 

  5. Seaweed

Seaweed is a naturally occurring humectant. Its humectant abilities are due to its rich nutrient profile and high polysaccharide properties.  Seaweeds come in different types, like algae for scalp care.  Specifics like Alginate, carrageenan and fucoidan nourish the scalp, strengthen hair and enhance shine.

Benefits of seaweed as a humectant

1. Like other humectants, its polysaccharides pull water molecules into your hair.
2. The gels in seaweeds form a protective barrier that seals the cuticle and prevents moisture loss.
3. Seaweed helps with manageability and elasticity of the hair strands, thus leading to less breakage.

6. Glycerin or Glycol

Glycerin is a sugar alcohol found in foods. Pure glycerin can be obtained from animal or plant sources. It can also be made from fat and oil hydrolysis.  Glycerin's conditioning properties make it great for reducing breakage. It works best in humid areas, this is where its humectant abilities shine through.

Note: Glycerin is meant to be mixed with water first before applying it to hair.  Also, glycerin conducts heat; it can trap heat in your hair shaft, so use it sparingly if you are using a heat tool. 

2 Things to Consider When Choosing a Humectant in Natural Hair Care

1. Weather and Environment

Humectants in natural hair care are at their best in humid, balanced weather. In extremely dry areas, they actually do the opposite of their job; they draw out water from your hair instead. 

So, it's best to use them moderately. Take note of how they work for your hair, and use them accordingly. 

2. Porosity

Humectants are great for low porosity hair. Due to their closed cuticle and hydrophobia, the humectant can help pull moisture into the hair shaft. Just ensure the humectant or product is lightweight to reduce build-up. 

Regarding high porosity hair, humectants may be too much in areas with high humidity. Too much moisture might cause the cuticle to swell, leading to frizz.  But, in low humidity, it might just bring that perfect need for moisture good enough to keep high porosity hair moisturized.  Read about hair porosity

For the best results, pair a humectant with a sealant. The sealant helps lock in moisture. A sealant could be a butter or an oil of your choice, which actually seals in moisture.

The bottom line here: study your hair and see how different products make your strands feel. If a particular humectant doesn't give your hair the best results, there is nothing wrong with discontinuing.

Wrapping up

A humectant in your product can be a game-changer for your hair, especially if you're looking to combat frizz and dryness.  For the best results, study how your hair reacts to these ingredients and if they are keeping your hair supple and shiny, by all means stick with them.

We’d like to hear about your experiences with products containing humectants. Tell us in the community.