Ingredients Glossary for Your Natural Beauty

Spice up your hair routine with ginger root, the root of the Zingiber officinale plant. This ingredient is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium, and potassium. It also contains gingerol, a plant compound that has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Ginger root has a long history of being used for culinary and medicinal purposes. For thousands of years, ginger root has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine to treat fatigue, nausea, digestion issues and joint discomfort. The benefits of ginger root extend to the hair as well. These include reduced scalp inflammation, which creates a healthier environment for hair growth, and stronger strands, due to its high concentration of fatty acids. 

Ancient Egyptians used castor oil for everything from fueling lamps to soothing irritated eyes and strengthening strands. Today, it is common to find castor oil in hair care. Castor oil is a vegetable oil from the Ricinus communis plant, believed to be native to Africa. This ingredient is high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that seals in moisture. Castor oil also has a ton of fatty acids—especially ricinoleic acid, which prevents water loss when applied to the skin. Castor oil hair benefits include scalp nourishment, strand protection, and antimicrobial and antifungal properties. By creating a healthy scalp environment, this ingredient may promote hair growth.

Ready to discover the benefits of nut oil for your hair? Amazonian Nut Oil, also known as Brazil nut oil, is the perfect place to start. This oil is harvested from the nuts of the Brazil Nut Tree, grown in South America. Brazil Nuts are remarkably nutritious and are high in healthy fats, antioxidants, and minerals. They are most known for being a rich source of the mineral selenium. Selenium has been found to support thyroid function and act as an antioxidant to combat free radical damage. Amazonian nut oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that stimulates hair growth. Amazonian nut oil also has heaps of vitamin E, which has been shown to promote healthy scalp circulation that can encourage hair growth. You can find this ingredient in many moisturizing and shine-enhancing hair products. 

Aloe’s extensive list of 75 active ingredients include a plethora of essential vitamins and minerals linked to hair growth. The proteolytic enzymes in aloe assist in scalp nourishment, helping to rejuvenate dead skin cells. The combined benefits of hair growth, conditioning, and scalp repair correspond to a smooth and shiny look in your hair. The polysaccharides provide an added layer of protection on the scalp and hair by working as a hydrant, which is linked to the prevention of dead skin and dandruff. Blended into hair conditioners to leave hair shiny and encourage healthy hair growth. It’s also used often in hair gels and skincare.

Cocoa butter consists of fatty acids, including stearic, palmitic, and lauric acids. It also contains natural vitamin E and vitamin C, as well as collagen and magnesium. Cocoa butter is best known for its moisturizing capabilities. The fatty acids allow the butter to penetrate the hair shaft to help provide direct moisture to the hair. The natural vitamins aid in strengthening and protecting your hair against dryness, as well as adding volume by preventing protein loss. The butter acts as an added layer to help seal your hair from harmful outside environmental factors, while simultaneously nourishing the scalp by moisturizing deep into the skin. Cocoa butter is commonly found in natural hair products, body lotions, and cosmetic products. It is often used in its entirety as a deep moisturizer for both hair and body.

Coconut oil’s powerful antibacterial and nutrient properties provide protection and moisture from your scalp to your hair fibers. Coconut oil is linked to providing intense moisture and shine to your hair. It is known to prevent the shrinkage of hair fibers, aiding in water and moisture retention and creating a shiny look. It works to help protein loss from both undamaged and damaged hair and conditions from within the hair shaft to protect from environmental damage. Coconut oil’s powerful antibacterial and nutrient properties are associated with scalp protection and the reduction of gray hairs. Coconut oil can be used on its own or mixed with other ingredients like in hair and skin products to moisturize and prevent hair damage. It helps stimulate hair growth and promotes scalp health while adding luster, shine, and protection to prevent hair breakage and split ends.

Honey’s powerful emollient and high content of antioxidants help soften your hair and prevent hair damage. Honey’s softening properties help seal moisture in your hair. The various polyphenols, which are also known to reduce the risk of heart disease, provide a substantial amount of antioxidants. These antioxidants provide similar benefits as they do for your body. They’re a helping hand in preventing damage to both your scalp and your hair. Honey also acts as powerful tool to strengthen the hair follicle, limiting the amount of hair which falls out. The limitation of scalp infections promotes stronger hair growth and unclogged hair follicles, as well as revitalizing dormant follicles.

Monoi oil is made from Soaking Tahitian Gardenias in Coconut Oil. The oil derived from Tahitian petals contains vitamin E and is known to have dynamic healing properties. Monoi oil is known to have the ability to prevent further hair damage and help prevent protein loss, which is linked to the control of less hair breakage. The added coconut oil in monoi oil is known to reduce frizz and improve shine in your hair. The vitamin E improves hair elasticity and fights against free radical damage. The use of the oil is linked to fewer split ends and fewer dry ends, as well as an enhancement of shine. Used as an ingredient for beauty recipes like pre-poos, body moisturizers, conditioners and frizz controls to heal and prevent future damage of the hair.

Shea butter contains natural vitamins, fatty acids, and cinnamic acid which help to deeply saturate into your hair. Shea butter is known to deeply moisturize hair due to its natural vitamin and fatty acid content. The cinnamic acid in the butter helps reduce inflammation and irritation on the scalp, which aids to reduce dandruff. The moisturizing capabilities of shea butter are known to soften and repair, restoring smoothness and eliminating frizz in your hair. Shea butter is commonly used in cosmetics, such as body creams, lotions, lip balms, and hair conditioners, for its smoothing and moisturizing properties.

This pantry staple can help you serve up stunning styles. Compared to regular olive oil, virgin olive oil is unrefined: it does not undergo any process involving heat or chemicals. As a result, virgin olive oil retains more nutrients and antioxidants and is of higher quality. One such nutrient in virgin olive oil is oleic acid, a moisturizing substance that helps maintain a healthy scalp. Apply virgin olive oil to your hair to boost shine, nourish, detangle, or soften.