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Your Fool-Proof Guide to Hair Moisturizers

Your Fool-Proof Guide to Hair Moisturizers

If there’s one product that every natural hair gal cannot live without, it’s a hair moisturizer. Just like you wouldn’t skip a moisturizer for your skin (no ash welcome here), you shouldn’t skip it for your hair either. It’s no secret that curly hair is naturally dry and unfortunately, with textured hair (waves, curls and coils) dryness certainly shows. That’s why understanding how to use a hair moisturizer and how to pick a go-to formula is essential.
25 Feb 2022
As the weather begins to change from dry, bitter winds of winter to crisp, warm days of spring, you may find that your curls need a little extra TLC, especially in the moisture department. One way to avoid hair woes during seasonal changes is to stick to a good hair moisturizing routine. Balanced moisture levels in natural hair make a world of a difference in the look and feel of your curls. Keep reading to learn more about hair moisturizers and why they’re a must in any balanced hair regimen.

What is a hair moisturizer?

You guessed it, a hair moisturizer adds moisture to the hair. These hydrating formulas are often full of ingredients like oils, butters and emollients that add moisture to your strands. A good hair moisturizer also includes a humectant, which attracts extra moisture, to keep curls silky and smooth over time.

While most of us generally refer to a hair moisturizer as a cream, the truth is they can come in a slew of formulations. There are creams, butters, serums, oils and even sprays. And there’s nothing wrong with pairing one moisturizer with another. If your hair likes it, stick with it.

How do I find the best hair moisturizer?

Since there are a variety of hair moisturizers to choose from, let’s discuss how to know which one is best for you.

If you have fine to medium hair, you’ll want to reach for a lighter product that isn’t too heavy and won’t weigh down your curls. The Goddess Strength Divine Strength Leave-In Cream, strengthens wreck hair and also is light enough to keep curls bouncy and weightless.

For medium to thick hair, consider a rich cream or oil to impart moisture to dry curls. The Hair Milk Combing Creme and Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp and Hair Oil deliver major moisture and help to keep breakage and split ends at bay.

For thick to coarse hair, you’ll want to look for a hair moisturizer that’s rich, creamy and chock-full of hydrating ingredients. You can’t go wrong if you choose a moisturizer for 4c hair, since these formulas are made for really dry locks. The Wash Day Delight Cream Serum Hair Moisturizer Rose is a multi-tasking product that has the feel of a cream, but melts into the hair like a serum. In addition to quenching the thirst of dry kinky hair, it helps to detangle, soften and reduce frizz. Plus, it’s great for moisturizing touch-ups on day three or four when your curls need a bit of revival.

How to moisturize natural hair

There aren’t many rules when it comes to applying a hair moisturizer. You can apply it to wet, damp or dry hair and it should be applied evenly from root to tip. As with all hair products, you should add more product if the hair feels dry or frizzy. You can also use a hair moisturizer on dry areas throughout the hair if you’re looking to do a quick touch-up. Since the ends of our hair get dry quickly, adding a dollop of hair moisturizer in the morning and evening can help prevent breakage, split ends and knots.

Once you’ve applied the hair moisturizer, don’t rinse it out. Follow up with your other favorite styling products and style as desired.

How often do I apply a hair moisturizer?

If it’s not necessary, don’t apply a hair moisturizer every day. Touch-ups are okay, but you shouldn’t need to apply throughout the entire head for a few days. But don’t go weeks without applying. Kinky hair is naturally drier than other hair types because the natural oils in the scalp don't glide down the strand of the hair as easily as it does with straight hair. And when you top that with over-styling, climate changes and everyday wear and tear that our strands go through, it’s no surprise that dryness is amongst the most common concerns for curly haired folks. That’s why hair moisturizers are non-negotiable if you want picture-perfect curls that are healthy, strong and beautifully defined.

For more information on moisturizing your hair, read Your 5-Step Hair Routine for Very Dry Curly Hair.

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