Many hair care and cosmetic products contain harmful chemicals that can have negative effects on your body. Some may trigger allergies, weaken the hair shaft, block hair follicles over time causing hair to grow out thinner or even clog up the follicle!
Our hair is organic and needs nourishment to stay healthy and vitalized. Therefore, just like a diet that we feed our bodies, products that are made with natural ingredients are great for improving the health of our hair and scalp. Here are some ingredients that are commonly found in natural hair care products including our own range of Mayfair shampoos, conditioners and hair growth serums.
Lavender
Lavender is commonly used in aromatherapy as its fragrance is believed to help with reducing stress and anxiety, promoting calmness, lowering blood pressure and inducing sleep. When lavender oil is regularly applied to the hair and scalp, its antimicrobial properties help to inhibit bacteria and fungi from growing, prevent itchy scalp and dandruff, and curb inflammation.
Massaging lavender into the scalp can help to combat hair loss as it also regulates sebum production in the scalp to control excess oil secretion. Its heavenly scent will also make you feel like you’ve just had a soothing spa therapy as you step out of your shower or bath.
Peppermint
The menthol in peppermint is a vasodilator which can cause a cold, tingling feeling as it increases circulation to the area it is applied to. This could potentially improve hair growth during the anagen (growing) phase. A recent study done in 2014 showed that after applying peppermint essential oils on mice, their hair grew faster and thicker and there was an increase in blood flow to undernourished hair follicles.
Mint is also antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, which may help with dryness, itching, or other scalp problems.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is known for its deeply moisturizing properties and is widely used in body butter, lotion and hair masks. It is packed full of natural minerals, vitamins such as Vitamin A, E, and F, and fatty acids that can improve overall health of the scalp. This strengthens the hair follicles, reducing hair loss and allows hair to grow thicker. When applied on hair, it can help to reduce split ends and breakage, strengthening hair strands and lowering hair fall.
If you are constantly dealing with dry, frizzy hair, split ends, bleached or over-processed hair, you will benefit from incorporating shea butter into your everyday routine or a deep conditioning treatment every now and then. The easiest way is to use a good all-natural shampoo & conditioner that contains shea butter.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are crucial for many of the structures in our bodies including muscles, bones, hair and nails. Our bodies require 20 different amino acids on a daily basis, but it cannot produce all of them on its own. Certain essential amino acids need to be consumed through either food or products.
The outermost part of the hair is the cuticle and plays an important part in retaining moisture. Amino acids help to moisturize dry cuticles, repair surface damage and keep hair from breaking. They help to build body, add shine, leaving hair looking and feeling silky and smooth. They are also gentle on your skin as the pH level of soaps and cosmetics based on amino acids are similar to that of your skin.
