Winter is not a season that is curl-friendly. While the windy and cold weather can strip the moisture from your hair, the heated air inside can then make the occurrence of frizz breakage and split ends more of a possibility. And if these two different conditions are not a shock to your system, the material that your sweaters, hats and scarves are made from are also not kind to your hair.
While all these items can keep you warm during winter, they can pull on your afro hair, causing it to snag and result in breakage. But, all this winter drama doesn’t mean that you need to hibernate for the rest of the season! With the right gentle products and ingredients, your afro hair can still flourish during the winter months. So, here are our top 5 ingredients your afro hair will crave during this winter.
Avocado Oil
As avocado oil contains oleic acid and monounsaturated fats, it is one of the few oils that can penetrate your hair shaft and hydrate your strands rather than simply sitting on the top and just coating it. This means that you don’t have to worry about product build-up on your hair from this oil, and it won’t weigh your curls down. In addition, monounsaturated fats within avocado oil can also strengthen your hair shaft and reduce the appearance of conditions like dandruff and psoriasis on your scalp.
With this in mind, why not try our Leave-In Conditioner with Manuka Honey & Avocado Oil? Just a tiny amount of this mixture can reduce the appearance of split ends, add shine, and improve the smoothness of your curls. You can apply our Leave-In Conditioner on dry or damp hair and then comb it through your afro hair using a wide-tooth comb.
Manuka Honey
Similarly, Manuka Honey can also be used to treat skin conditions like an itchy scalp, dandruff, and dermatitis due to its antibacterial properties. It can also reduce the appearance of frizz and add shine to your afro hair as it is an emollient which can help smooth and soften your hair.
In addition, its properties help it attract water naturally, meaning that it will keep any moisture locked within your strands. This process can prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Manuka Honey works best when combined with an oil for a deep-conditioning, pre-poo, or hot oil treatment. This is why our Leave-In Conditioner is perfect for maintaining your curly hairstyle during winter, as it contains two moisturising ingredients.
More importantly, one tub of our leave-in conditioner can protect your afro hair for a long time, as you only need to use a small amount to keep your curls hydrated.
Rosewater
By containing vitamin C which stimulates hair growth, rosewater can keep your curls moisturised, especially during the winter. It is also a saviour for various scalp issues that can occur when your hair gets drier due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. For instance, it can reduce the amount of sebum on your scalp, which is helpful if your hair is prone to build up and excessive sebum production.
In addition, massaging rosewater into your scalp can help clear infections and repair damaged hair which lessens hair loss. This is because rosewater can increase blood circulation within your scalp, resulting in the generation of strands. To experience healthier afro hair, opt for our Curl Elongating Gel With Flaxseed Oil And Rosewater. This mixture gives you moisturised curls with definition and can be used to give your hair a bounce between washes.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
This oil extracted from castor beans is rich in ricinolein acid which improves blood circulation within the scalp and nourishes it. In this way, your hair is strengthened and is allowed to grow even during the harsher winter months. This ingredient in Jamaican black castor oil is also helpful for taming split ends.
In addition, as Jamaican castor oil also contains omega 6, omega 9, and vitamin E nutrients, it can offer relief for an itchy scalp or dandruff through its moisturising properties. Most importantly, as it works for all hair types, it can enhance the lustre and health of your afro hair.
Restore the shine of your natural curls during the winter with our Curling Crème With Coconut and Jamaican Black Castor Oils. Using your fingers, you can massage this mixture into wet or dry hair to provide you with hydrated waves, curls, twists or braids.
Coconut Oil
When your hair is exposed to harsh weather conditions, it can lose a protein called keratin, resulting in weaker, unhealthier hair. Fortunately, coconut oil can restore your afro hair’s health as it contains lauric acid, which can reduce or prevent the loss of protein from your strands. Coconut oil can also be used as a pre-poo treatment to the mid-section and ends of your strands 15-30 minutes before shampooing.
You can also say goodbye to frizz during the winter months, as just a tiny amount of coconut oil can go a long way. If you want to experience this yourself, try our Everyday Curl Refresh with Coconut & Jamaican Black Castor Oils. When lightly sprayed on your natural hair, this spray can give it a quick boost of moisture and prevent breakage which comes with styling dry curly hair.
It can be very easy to let the winter months take a toll on your afro hair. But, with a little bit of patience and perseverance, you can put together a hair care routine that keeps your hair hydrated with natural ingredients.