Whether our black hair is natural or treated, keeping it healthy and shiny is essential. Without proper care, it can get coarse and dry, break with ease, and grow slowly. Because of that, we need to hydrate it with the best moisturizer for black hair available.
Without a high-quality hair moisturizer, black tresses become very dull and limp. What we’re actually looking for is texture, bounce, and finally — thick yet soft hair.
A few moisturizing tips
Now, we shouldn’t wait for our hair to become dry to go on a hunt for the best moisturizer for black hair. We have to take care of it before it starts losing on its moisture and quality.
Given that black hair needs more moisture on a daily basis, we’ll have to hydrate it properly. The more we take care of it, the easier it will be to keep it healthy and shiny.
Second, we should refrain from washing our hair every day — it’ll only make it drier. Washing it once a week won’t strip the hair of its natural oils, which are necessary to keep it healthy. Also, relieving the scalp of dirt and buildup will let the hair absorb more nutrients.
On another note, we ought to hydrate from within too by drinking large amounts of water. Keeping our body well hydrated will be beneficial for both our hair and skin.
Step-by-step treatment
Choose the right hair shampoo
Finding a quality moisturizing shampoo is a good start. Check the labels — we need to know what’s inside. If it contains petroleum-based substances, be cautious with it. Petroleum is water-insoluble, and it has a bad reputation in the natural hair community as it seems to clog the hair follicles and doesn’t allow moisturizers to work effectively.
Also, the shampoo should be alcohol-free; alcohol is very harsh to hair and can make it brittle. Opting out of using alcohol-based products would leave the hair more voluminous and with less split ends.
It’s very difficult to choose a quality shampoo from the broad selection of brands and hair products out there. Thus, the best way to find one would be to rely on the trial and error method — we can try a few different ones and see which one works. Additionally, we should pay attention to how they affect our hair texture. Some shampoos may severely dry out the hair!
Next step: hair conditioner
We’ll normally pair our shampoo with the leave-in conditioner from the same line. They are usually made with the same ingredients that help moisturize the hair better. Best of all, we can apply the conditioner generously — practically drench the hair with it.
Apply it section by section so that you don’t miss a spot. Start with the roots, finish at the tips, and concentrate on the ends. And detangle, detangle, detangle — remove all those knots.
Using a hair mask
A hair mask is another product that deeply conditions and revives dull tresses. Using a hair mask is pretty much the same as using a hair conditioner. Masks only take more time to show their power. Also, there are different formulas available: hydrating, nourishing, fortifying, rebuilding. If you are not sure what you are looking for, check with your hairstylist.
The application is the same as with a hair conditioner. We’ll need to apply the mask on our wet hair, leave it on for 10-30 minutes, depending on the instructions, and concentrate on the ends. Furthermore, we can make use of a shower cap, blow dryer, or simply keep it on while we’re still in the shower. The heat will allow the mask to go into the deeper layers of the hair and moisturize it further.
What about oils?
There are many essential oils that would be a great addition to anyone’s hair care routine, as they will help the hair seal in all the water molecules. Many of them are very beneficial for the hair, especially often dry black hair. Here are some of them:
- Jojoba oil — very rich in vitamins and minerals. It fights dandruff and can prevent hair loss.
- Castor oil — contains a type of fatty acid that boosts the growth of hair follicles.
- Pomegranate seed oil — a great source of vitamin C. It stimulates the hair follicles and promotes blood circulation at the scalp. Additionally, it fights dandruff and scalp bacteria.
- Coconut oil — reduces frizz and is rich in vitamins and minerals. It makes the hair less dry and protects it from UV damage.
- Olive oil — boosts hair growth, especially if it’s unrefined. It’ll repair damaged hair and moisturize a flaky scalp.
- Avocado oil — stimulates blood circulation, which, in return, helps the hair grow.
- Sunflower oil — rich in vitamin E, which has many positive effects on the hair. It works very well with damaged and split ends.
- Almond oil — also rich in vitamin E, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids. As a result, it nourishes and softens the hair from the roots to the tips.
- Grapeseed oil — with its proteins and minerals, it helps thicken the hair and prevents hair loss.
Could shea butter be the best moisturizer for black hair?
Mixing any of these oils with shea butter will definitely give you one of, if not the best moisturizer for black hair. On its own, shea butter is one of the healthiest hair moisturizers. However, adding any of these oils will help it to penetrate the hair follicles and the hair strands better.
Final tip: Rinsing the hair
Rinsing the hair with lukewarm or cold water should be the final step of a hair care regimen. Nothing locks in the moisture better than water!
We shouldn’t use hot water because it can make the hair quite dry. Above all, we shouldn’t rub the hair harshly with the towel — that’ll affect the hair elasticity and cause breakage.
Washing the hair with lukewarm or cold water will make the hair stronger and shinier. It will keep the hair pores and cuticles closed, trapping in the moisture and nutrients received from various hair products.