The benefits of homemade hair care

With the current economic crisis seizing wallets and paychecks across the country, many natural hair wearers are finding it necessary to cut back on product purchases. Additionally, with concerns rising about possibly toxic ingredients in commercial products, many are seeking alternatives that are gentle on their hair and the environment. Well the solution for both dilemmas could be as close as your local grocery store or kitchen, in the form of household items used every day.

Most know the story of how Lisa Price started Carol’s Daughter, making her own products by mixing shea butters and essential oils in her very own kitchen. Her multi-million dollar idea did not start out as a way to make Price money. It was born of a need for products that worked well with her hair type before the natural hair product industry was developed. Like Lisa, natural hair wearers can also forgo the store bought brands to work homemade wonders using basic, inexpensive items.

Apple cider vinegar has long held beneficial cosmetic properties and in the area of hair care it’s a wunderkind. With a ph level that is close to that the natural acidity in hair, ACV conditions, cleans and works as a disinfectant. Mixing one third of a cup of ACV with a quart of water provides a wonderful clarifier for after shampooing and can either be rinsed away or left on for extra conditioning. This solution can also be infused with herbs and essential oils to boast its effectiveness.

Because it is a natural humectant, honey is a relatively inexpensive treatment for dry, damaged hair, and can aid in keeping it manageable. In addition to helping hair retain moisture, honey has been known to prevent hair loss. Combining one cup of honey with a quarter cup of your favorite oil produces an excellent, low cost conditioner that nourishes hair and can improve its shine/sheen. With antioxidant properties that can help prevent hair loss and protect the hair from sun damage, honey can also naturally lighten hair over time.

Eggs are an excellent source of protein for the body when eaten, and the hair when used as a conditioning treatment. Using raw eggs alone can smooth the hair cuticle which cuts down on tangles, and strengthens the hair follicle which boosts its resistance to breakage. In addition to those benefits, the protein in eggs works to thicken hair and is a better conditioner than commercial brands because it’s close in nature to hair’s natural oil make up.

To keep hair properly moisturized there are a number of cooking or salad oils that fit the bill splendidly. Olive, coconut, sweet almond and grape seed oils are great hair dressings because their chemical makeup is closely akin to hair’s composition. Beyond their moisturizing properties each oil contains additional benefits that contribute to hair health. Olive oil can be used to treat certain types of dandruff and coconut oil helps hair retain moisture. Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamins A and B which aids in cell regeneration while grape seed oil has been thought to accelerate hair growth. These oils can be used by themselves, in tandem or as additives in both commercial and homemade conditioners.

When it comes to adding body and strengthening hair, nothing compares to using coconut milk as a conditioning agent. Sharing the same benefits as coconut oil, coconut milk provides protein to hair, smoothes the hair cuticles to cut down on frizziness and works to prevent hair loss. Coconut milk can be used on its own as a deep conditioning treatment or in with other ingredients to increase its advantages.

Rich in valuable fatty acids avocados are another good conditioning agent that fortifies the hair with proteins and essential vitamins. Whether mashed into a paste for a hair masque or pressed into an oil, avocados provide antibacterial properties and stimulate hair growth. What’s great about using avocado is the fact that eating the fruit grants the same benefit as applying it topically.

When it comes to cleaning, very few products beat baking soda’s multipurpose value. While the compound does not contain any nourishing properties, like apple cider vinegar, baking soda clears the natural and excess product build up from the hair and scalp. It can be added to commercial shampoos to boost their cleansing qualities or combined with water for a no-poo option. Although the feel of baking soda paste seems gritty it is a surprisingly gentler option than many store bought shampoos.

These are just a few household elements that can be used as economical substitutes for pricier commercial hair care products, but they are the most popular within the natural hair community. A simple Google search or visit to MotownGirl.com, LongLocks.com or PioneerThinking.com can uncover more items, as well as quick and easy product recipes.