Natural and Organic Hair Products for Type 4 Hair and it's Benefits

“Avoid products that have silicone, parabens, sulfates, etc.” Every natural girl has heard this at some point or the other. You might say: “But what's the big deal? Some products that contain these ingredients work; they get the job done. Yes?”

Actually, no, they seem to get the job done, then in the end, they cause problems for your hair and in some cases, these chemical ingredients can affect your general well-being. 

In this article, we’ll talk about everything related to and the benefits of natural and organic products for type 4 hair care. Let’s begin with what natural and organic products mean. 

Natural and Organic Products - What Do They Mean?

The words natural and organic are used interchangeably when describing products but they are slightly different.

Natural products are made without any chemicals or in a laboratory. DIY products, tea rinses and others fall into this category. They are obtained from all-natural products. Usually, natural products contain plant-based oils, natural butter, herbs, etc. 

Organic products can be described as upgraded forms of natural products. That’s because they combine natural ingredients with safe chemicals. Organic products usually adhere to stricter regulations and guidelines when it comes to farming or making organic products; there are no artificial fertilizers, harmful chemicals or pesticides.

If natural and organic products contain safe ingredients, what harmful ingredients should you avoid the next time you go hair product shopping? 

Ingredients to Avoid When Selecting Hair Products

Here are some harmful chemicals that synthetic products contain that you need to run away from. This is not an exhaustive list of harmful ingredients to look out for when buying hair products.

1. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)- a common ingredient in shampoos and other cleaning products that produces a thick lather. While effective at cleaning, it can be too harsh for natural hair. 

SLS can be overly cleansing, removing the scalps' natural oils that keep hair moisturized. This can lead to dryness, frizz, and breakage, especially for naturally dry or curly hair. SLS can irritate the scalp, causing itching and redness in some people.

2. Sodium laureth sulfate  (SLES)-  an ingredient similar to its cousin, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), but with a slightly gentler reputation.  Still, with the potential to strip natural oils and lead to dryness, frizz, and breakage, especially for naturally dry or curly hair.

3. Ammonium lauryl sulfate- still in the family of SLS and SLES, this milder form of the two potentially has the same adverse effect on natural hair. 

4. Propylene glycol (PG) is a humectant, attracting and retaining moisture. It can also help other ingredients blend into the product.  When present in high concentration, PG may pull moisture from the hair and scalp, canceling its intended benefit. It can also irritate persons with sensitive scalps.

5. Petrolatum, aka Petroleum jelly- a popular ingredient for some naturals, useful for sealing in moisture or even adding shine to hair. But, it can potentially cause build-up on the scalp, clogging hair follicles and hindering new hair growth. Also, while it seals in existing moisture, petrolatum can prevent the hair from absorbing natural oils and external moisture sources.

6. Diethanolamine (DEA)- primary function in hair care products is to adjust pH levels and create lather. But, it can irritate the scalp, especially in high concentrations and if mixed with other compounds. It also causes itching, redness, and discomfort, especially for those with sensitive skin.

7. Parabens are a group of preservatives commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products, including hair products. While they are effective in extending shelf life and preventing bacterial growth, they can be potentially harmful. Parabens are suspected to be potential endocrine disruptors, which raises concerns for it’s use in natural hair products.

8. Alcohols are double-edged ingredients. How? There are good and bad alcohols, but the bad alcohols (e.g alcohol denat, ethanol, SD alcohol 40) can disrupt natural hair moisture balance. This disruption can lead to frizz, brittleness, and difficulty managing curls. 

Now, some of these chemical ingredients are approved to be used in small quantities but over time, these small quantities can accumulate, is it really worth it? 

Since we know ingredients you should avoid, what ingredients should you use for your type 4 hair? 

Ingredients to Accept When Selecting Hair Products

As you know this will not be an exhaustive list of ingredients to use but they are great ingredients and you should feel safe with a product when you see any of these. 

Also, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients on the list, please look for a better alternative, you need to stay safe while taking care of your hair.  Now, the list.

1. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)- a cherished ingredient for natural hair straight from the tables of Ayurvedic hair care. Amla boasts a powerful dose of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that promotes healthy hair growth and strengthens hair follicles. 

It helps retain moisture and adds shine, leaving hair soft and manageable. Not to mention, its natural astringent properties can help combat dandruff and scalp irritation.

2. Bhringraj (The King of Hair in Ayurveda)- stimulates hair growth by promoting blood circulation to the scalp and nourishing hair follicles. Bhringraj's antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe an itchy scalp and combat dandruff. 

It may help prevent hair loss and baldness by addressing underlying causes like stress or scalp issues. Bhringraj oil can be massaged into the scalp. Its powder can be used in masks and rinses. 

3. Aloe Vera (Nature's Hair Hydrator)- a popular, succulent plant with soothing properties. Aloe vera is rich in moisture and vitamins. It helps penetrate the hair shaft, locking in moisture and preventing dryness.  By keeping hair hydrated, aloe vera can help tame frizz and promote smoother, more manageable hair. 

Also, its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe an itchy scalp and alleviate dandruff caused by dryness.

4. Flaxseed (The Multitasking Seed)- is a tiny but mighty seed. Flaxseed is a powerhouse of omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to overall hair health by nourishing the scalp and promoting hair growth from within. 

It is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture in the hair shaft. This is particularly beneficial for dry, coily or curly hair textures that are prone to dryness and frizz.

A huge shoutout to the flaxseed for its anti-inflammatory properties that soothe itchy scalp and eliminate dandruff caused by dryness.

5. Shea butter- is a fatty substance extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, shea butter penetrates the hair shaft, locks in moisture, and prevents dryness and breakage. This makes it a great choice for thick, coarse, coil, or curly hair textures.

By keeping hair hydrated and nourished, shea butter can tame frizz and promote smoother, more manageable hair. Shea butter can make a great butter, mask, or leave-in conditioner in combination with other ingredients like honey or olive oil.

Unrefined shea butter retains more of its natural properties but may have a stronger scent. Refined shea butter is odorless and smoother. Also, shea butter is comedogenic (can clog pores), so for sensitive and acne-prone skin, a patch test before use is a great idea.

6. Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin, as essential oils are very concentrated and can cause irritation if used directly. Castor oil, almond oil, argan oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil are popular carrier oils with moisturizing and nourishing properties.

These oils add moisture and shine to your hair, helping to tame frizz and promote smoother, more manageable hair. Different carrier oils have different properties and benefits. It's important to choose an oil that is suited to your specific hair needs and preferences. Always remember to do a patch test before application.

7. Essential oils- are concentrated plant extracts, commonly used in aromatherapy but can be incorporated into haircare. Again, you have to use them diluted with carrier oils to prevent injuries. 

Oils like peppermint oil, tea tree oil, ylang-ylang, rosemary oil, cedarwood oil, and lavender oil are known for their soothing properties. These oils stimulate hair growth, soothe itching, and regulate sebum production amongst other benefits. 

But, remember to speak to a doctor before use if you have any health issues or concerns. 

We can go on and on with the ingredient list, but we’ll move on to the benefit of choosing natural and organic products over synthetic or chemical-based products. 

Benefits of Choosing Natural and Organic Products in Your Type 4 Hair Care

1. Gentle and mild effect on the scalp and hair- Unlike chemical-based products, natural and organic products are mild on your scalp. Remember, the scalp is where we make or break our hair goals; we want to choose products that support scalp care. 

Natural and organic products will give our hair strands the TLC they need to thrive and flourish. So think moisturization, growth, shine and hair strength, sound good? Stick with natural and organic products.

2. Eco-friendly- Natural and organic hair products are great for the environment, as they don’t cause pollution in the air or water, and they don’t contain harmful chemicals.

3. Animal friendly- Natural and organic products are cruelty-free. There are no animal experiments used for production, so our little furry friends are safe.

4. Skin-friendly- There is no way to use hair products without them coming in contact with our skin. Natural or organic products are mild on the skin. If you do have sensitive skin or allergies, it’s easier to choose what natural ingredients work and you can stick with those. Unlike chemical-based products that have so much going on, you can’t tell how much damage they can cause.

5. No side effects-  Agreed, some chemical-based products give shocking quick results, but the long-term side effects aren't worth it.  Instead of dealing with future problems, take the steady, “long route”- build a consistent hair care routine and regimen, and watch your hair and health flourish almost effortlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Natural and Organic Hair Products

1. How do I know if a product contains harmful chemicals?

The product list is on the bottle. Transparent hair product companies always have their ingredient list written on the bottle (also it’s required by law). Additionally, some products write things like “No parabens. No alcohol. No silicone, etc”, so you can look out for that. 

2. Do Natural and Organic products really work?

Yes, they work. There is no magic cure to hair issues or to reach your hair goals; the only thing you can do is build a consistent routine, understand your hair, use products that work for you and develop healthy habits that help you maintain your gorgeous hair.

Wrapping up

Product use is an essential step in caring for coily or curly hair, so you want to choose products that care for, love and protect your hair. The fact is, hair will grow out of your head whether you care for it or not (enter men, lol), so when it does grow out make it worthwhile, pamper it. 

Remember to do a patch test before using any natural or organic products if you have sensitive skin, Speak to your doctor if you have allergies and use alternatives. 

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