Are you aware of ingredients you put in your hair? Have you ever wondered why your hair is dry, brittle, or breaking? This could be a result to the ingredients in your regimen. Naturals can become product junkies. They love to used different products to explore what would work for their hair. However, every “natural” product isn’t good for your tresses. It’s important to understand the ingredients used in your products because every ingredient has a different purpose. For example, sulfates could easy dry your hair out and petroleum could block your hair follicles. Both can stop your hair from flourishing.
The six ingredients you should look for are sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, petroleum, alcohol and propylene. Sulfates can be very drying. They are used to strip the gunk out of your hair. This can sometimes remove your natural oils and cause scalp irritation, damages and split ends. Sulfates are usually found in shampoos. Parabens are used to prevent bacteria. This is good but an be very harsh for your natural hair. Parabens could result in hair loss and hair damage. Mineral oil is the most controversial on whether it’s good or bad for your hair. Mineral oil coat the hair and prevent moisture from actually getting in. Petroleum is a product that is very heavy. It can cause a lot 
of build up in your scalp that reduces the chance of growth. Alcohol is used in antifreeze, wood finish and shellac! Alcohol is the number one no no when it comes to natural hair. It’s very drying and damaging to your hair and can cause future breakage and split ends. Lastly, propylene glycol is a chemical that is known to break down the protein in hair strands. This can cause change in curl patterns as well. When shopping for any product make sure your label says sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, petroleum, alcohol and propylene free.
When shopping for natural products read your ingredients. Make sure your searching for products that can help your hair and not stop your process of flourishing. Go for the natural stuff. Find products with seeds and oils from avocados, shea, argan, olives and jojoba will give you shine without an oily buildup. When you take the time to pick out products you can save both your hair and your health from the effects of the chemicals found in most commercial hair care products.
Written by @leahgordone
Images @naturalhairdontcare @curlynikki
