You’ve heard it before, over and over again — moisture is everything when it comes to natural hair health. Still, many naturals struggle with keeping their curls, kinks and coils well-moisturized. Perhaps you’re guilty of one of our 9 ineffective moisturizing practices. Check it out;
1. Moisturizing dirty hair/hair that has product buildup
The objective of moisturizing is to apply water-based product that penetrates the cuticle (outer layer) of the strand and infuse the cortex (inner layer) with water. If there is too much dirt or product on your cuticle, then there’s little chance that any moisturizing product you apply will make it to the cortex.
2. Using butters or oils as moisturizers
With the exception of a few oils, like coconut oil, that can penetrate the strand — oils and butters will sit on the OUTSIDE of your strand because they are SEALANTS, not moisturizers. Their purpose is to lock in moisture — not apply it. If your hair is feeling dry, and you apply a butter or oil, you are just weighing down dry hair, making it more brittle and susceptible to breakage.
3. Using water based products without sealing
Just like oils and butters aren’t effective as moisturizers, water-based products — and water itself! — isn’t effective at moisturizing unless it’s sealed in. Water quickly evaporate out of the cortex unless a sealing product is applied to the lock it in.
*Note: Spritzes are a great daily moisturizing solution as they contain water, which penetrates the cuticle, as well as oils, that seal the water in. While they aren’t heavy-duty enough to provide long-term moisturizing, they are great as a daily refresher, in between moisture and seal sessions.
4. Under-moisturizing
Just like your body can be thirsty way before your throat actually feels parched, natural hair can need moisture way before it feels crunchy and dry. Start by moisturizing your hair at least once a day. If, in the following hours, your hair feels wet and mushy, you can cut your moisturizing down to every other day. If it still feels dry, then you might need to up your moisturizing to twice daily.
5. Neglecting the re-moisturizing process after a shampoo
Shampooing is a bit of a paradox when it comes to moisturizing — you are dousing your hair with water, while also stripping your strands of dirt and natural oils that help lock in moisture. So, in a sense, your hair is getting dryer as it gets wetter. The squeaky, super dry feeling your hair has after a shampoo is lack of lubrication, and its critical that it be replaced. Be sure to deep condition after every shampoo and follow up with a moisturize & seal.
6. Using styling products as moisturizers
The primary purpose of styling products is NOT to improve the health of your hair. Just like the primary purpose of moisturizing products is NOT to sculpt and style your hair. There are some crossover products that can do both, but most will not. Liquid styling products might look tempting as a fill-in when you need a moisturizer but they might contain alcohols and mineral oil that will dry your hair out in the long run.
7. Focusing on roots instead of ends
Your ends are the driest part of your strands and most susceptible to breakage. The natural oils that your scalp secretes don’t travel down far enough to coat your ends, so it’s important that you are proactive in protecting them. Work moisturizing product into your hair from root to tip. Some naturals even limit their product application to the bottom 75% of their strands.
8. Over Moisturizing
Properly moisturized strands don’t feel soggy and wet, they feel supple and strong — even when they’re dry. Applying too much moisturizing and sealing product can leave your hair perpetually wet, making it difficult to style. Be even-handed with your product application. Not only will it make styling easier, but it will save your bed spread, couches, car seats, and anything else your hair comes into contact with.
9. Deep conditioning/steaming for hours
While there are a few treatments, like henna, that require long-term application, most deep conditioning treatments need 30 minutes or less. Many naturals feel that keeping treatments on overnight helps with softness and moisture, but an increasing number are realizing that 30 minutes (or whatever time the product instructions say) is just as effective as 8 hours. Keep in mind that the makers of your conditioner have tested the product, and know how much time it takes to be effective.
Are you guilty of anything on this list? What are some ineffective moisturizing practices that you’ve been guilty of?
Excellent article, highly informative!!!!
Wow. Definitely guilty of using oils as moisturizers!
I could not have said it better. I am a Hairstylist in Washington DC and I have be doing hair since the late 70′s.I love to educate my client about their hair and scalp needs.I do multi cultural hair, mostly curly and textured. Thank you for the information. Clients love to play hairdresser and mix their own concoctions usually using some form of sealant instead of moisturizer.
I’m 47 & only natural for a little more than a year. All 4 of my daughters are natural now too. This is a article that’s given us a better understanding of what’s really needed for our hair. THANKS A BUNCH for this awesome site!
Be Well,
Your 47, thought you was about 19!
You look AMAZING!
YOU’RE 47???
I’m almost ten years your junior, and I don’t look like THAT!
Coconut oil has become my new best friends. I have seen a big difference in my hair since using it. Make sure you get 100% Extra Virgin Coconut oil. Don’t make the mistake I did of getting the coconut oil that contains petroleum jelly.
Wow, I am guilty of almost all of them! 1-5 and 9!! This has really opened my eyes to how I need to do my hair. Thanks for the info!
With the oil as moisturizer, my hair acutally grew when I flat ironed it every 2 weeks, deep conditioned, and then used argan oil during those two weeks on my hair… was I able to do that becuase argan oil penetrates the hair shaft? I love the stuff, my hair just sucked it right up and my hair never felt greasy.
A number of people still think that applying shea butter or some type of oil without water is “moisturizing” their hair. SMH. Water puts the “moist” in moisturizer. :)
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Great article! I currently use a daily spritz mix of water and coconut oil then I use a shea butter,grapeseed, tea tree, olive oil mix. So I should be good cause that’s my moisturizer and sealer right??
hey i’m not an expert (i’m learning too) but i don’t think mixing oil and water in the same bottle is effective. as water and oil don’t mix. and they have opposite effects on the hair. as explained well in this post. the oil will prevent any water/moisture from getting into the hair as well as out. so spritzing with a mixture of both sounds counterintuitive, if you get my drift.
Great article and tips. I think that certain stylers work well for sealing in moisture. Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie comes to mind. I love that stuff. It’s like hair crack!
Hi,
I have An important question. Can someone PLEASE Tell me what is a good moisturizer for 4C Hair?!? I need help. Up until now I ‘moisturized’ with a water based leave in conditioner. (like Cantu Sheabutter leave in conditioner). But It’s a styling product. Also I used waterbased butters. As read in the article, they are NOT moisturizers. What is a good real moisturizer? I don’t mean ‘moisture butters, or leave in conditioners. I mean, besides water and aloë vera juice. What else is a good daily moisturizer without parabens, or petroleum, or silicones? Please help and inform?
Starved for information:-).
DutchGirl4C
I’ve found that equal parts distilled water, available at my pharmacy, mixed with vegetable glycerin, available at the health food store have been very helpful in moisturizing my hair. Adjust the measurements to your liking. I think it would be okay to just use tap water too.
Also, Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier is pretty good.
Ingredients: Deionized water, wheat germ extract, aloe vera, cetrimonium bromide, DMDM hydantoin, olive oil, gylcerol-(vegetable derived) silk amino acid, bay laurel extract, fragrance. No animal testing.
The fragrance is light and does not smell like chemicals to me.
Good luck, I hope this helps!
Thanks ever soooo much. I love having these replies. They help me So much. Will try the Mist Bodifier by TW next time I buy something. I also heard about the glycerine, water and aloë vera mixture. I have that so I’m on track. Any more suggestions on good hair moisturizers for 4B/C hair?
Suggestions are very welcome?
DutchGirl4C
Goodness, just a few years ago I used to use crap like Biosilk when I came out of the shower, thinking that it was a nice detangler and softener and moisturizer all in one. So not for me!
Now I have a bottle with water and veggie glycerine and spray that in my hair when I come out of the shower, and seal with a whipped mix of shea butter, coconut oil and some other oils. I noticed this mix also automatically starts defining my curls. If I want a bit of hold, I just use aloe vera gel. My hair feels super soft all the time now. I’m glad I experimented and found something tailored to my needs!
This really is the worst write-up of all, I?ve study
sometimes i feel like there’s way too much to do with natural hair. lol, but these are good tips
Thanks for this article! I will definitely reccomend these steps & will be trying them! Well written & organized. (I’m Guilty of just about all of these things!) LOL
I use a spray bottle, I add some essential and carrier oils to a little mousturizing and also some protien based conditioner and add water. I use this while u wear my protective styles. I’m currently wearing crochet braids. I have also been greasing my scalp w doo grow thickener just to see if it works. It’s killing me not to be able to play in my hair, but I was over malnipulating it so I had to tie it up and outta the way.
Any thoughts on my spritz?
This whole time I have been using Shae butter as a moisturizer and wondered why it doesnt penetrate my strands. It just sits on top of my hair and it seemed like all it did was dry my hair out. Now I know what to do, in the morning I’m getting me some coconut oil, I already got the Shae butter.