When you want to love on your natural curls & texture, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that natural ingredients are key to the equation.
But where should you begin? Start with one of the first steps in your wash day routine: shampoo.
The right shampoo has the power to do much more than simply cleanse your curls. With the right naturally beneficial ingredients, it can do double (or triple) duty for your crown.
If you often find yourself wondering, “What shampoo should I use?,” prepare to be enlightened. Here at PATTERN, we’ve compiled a handy guide to help you decode shampoo ingredients so you can select the best shampoo for your natural hair & give your tresses a spa day at home.
#1 Shea Butter: Nourishing Your Natural Curls From Root to Tip
There’s a reason that Shea Butter is all the rage in the natural hair scene. Not only does it minimize scalp irritation, but it’s also an emollient, which means it helps retain moisture when applied directly to your strands. For best results, apply to damp or wet strands to help seal in the hydration.
Its moisturizing properties make Shea Butter one of the best shampoo ingredients when you’re after luscious, hydrated coils.
#2 Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: Gentle Cleansing & Hydration
While you may be used to applying Aloe Vera to your skin as a sunburn aid, did you know it’s also a powerhouse ingredient in curly hair shampoo? Often nicknamed the “Natural Healer” & “Miracle Plant,” Aloe Vera offers your tresses a variety of potential benefits, including:
- Helps to maintain your hair’s pH & resolve dandruff when applied to the scalp
- Effectively strips your strands of sebum (the natural oil your scalp makes) for a deeper clean without the harsh impact of chemical products
- Repairs & strengthens your strands since it’s rich in vitamins E, C, & A
While more clinical research is needed on the potential advantages of aloe vera for the scalp, the promising potential it holds makes adding this key ingredient to your wash day routine a no-brainer.
#3 Coconut Oil: Deep Conditioning for Healthy Curls
Give your curls a tropical sip by finding a moisturizing shampoo that contains Coconut Oil, a rich & nourishing ingredient your tresses are bound to love.
Unlike other oils, Coconut Oil can penetrate the hair shaft, giving your strands deep, long-lasting hydration. It can also heal protein loss, helping your locks look & feel stronger over time.
Although it strengthens strands from within, Coconut Oil can be a bit heavy for your tresses on its own, which is why it’s a good idea to find it in careful doses if formulated in your current lineup of curly hair care.
#4 Honey: Moisture-Rich Treatment for Curly Hair
Similar to Shea Butter, Honey has emollient properties, so you can count on this natural shampoo ingredient to add silky-smooth moisture to your hair follicles while it coats every gorgeous curl & ringlet.
Honey’s natural humectant properties help seal in hydration, making it a sweet powerhouse locking in moisture today & keeping it there tomorrow. This all makes Honey an ideal natural ingredient for curly hair shampoo.
While it’s suitable for all hair types, you might especially benefit from Honey hair products if your curls ever experience a dry spell, thanks to its lightweight & nourishing properties.
#5 Panthenol: Strengthens & Protects Your Curls
Panthenol (also known as Vitamin B5) is a powerful humectant that you’ll find in high-quality curly shampoo formulas. When applied to the scalp, it penetrates deep into several of the skin’s layers, offering hydration through your strands from root to tip.
By moisturizing the hair shaft, Panthenol can protect the hair fibers & prevent breakage—which any loyalist of heat styling can appreciate.
#6 Matcha Green Tea: Revitalizing Your Natural Hair
You may already integrate Matcha Green Tea into your daily morning routine when you stop by your local coffee shop. But did you know it’s actually one of the best curly hair shampoo ingredients?
That’s because matcha is chock-full of antioxidants that help fight off dandruff & maintain a healthy, balanced scalp. Promoting healthy hair growth & regeneration, matcha contains key nutrients like calcium as well as Vitamins A, C, & E to nourish each & every juicy curl.
#7 Oat Extract: Soothing & Softening Your Curls
When you’re looking to soothe your scalp & enhance your hair elasticity, you can’t go wrong with oat extract in your shampoo. When it comes to this ingredient, there’s more than meets the eye.
Not only does it have a softening effect on your strands, but oat extract is packed with antioxidants, lipids, essential fatty acids, & Vitamin E. So what does that mean for curly hair types? Breakage prevention & even more effortless shine with healthy, happy hair that stems from a nourished scalp.
Curls, Meet Your Perfect Shampoo
Caring for your tresses is easier than ever when you prioritize finding good ingredients in shampoo & conditioner for curly hair.
Whether you’re after the hydrating power of Coconut Oil or the invigorating scalp benefits of Aloe Vera, PATTERN has the right shampoo for you. Try Coconut Oil, Aloe & Honey in all in one with PATTERN’s Hydration Shampoo, or hit Matcha, Aloe & Panthenol with the Cleansing Shampoo. We craft our collection of shampoo & conditioners for curly hair with your strands in mind, containing nourishing, high-quality ingredients that embrace every curl & coil.
Craving more insights into boosting your curly hair care routine? Be sure to check out our blog to discover the top ingredients to avoid in shampoo!
Sources:
Aki Matcha. Matcha Green Tea Supports Healthy Hair Growth. Learn How! https://akimatcha.com/blogs/aki-matcha-101/matcha-green-tea-supports-healthy-hair-growth-learn-how
Byrdie. Honey for Hair: Benefits and How to Use It. https://www.byrdie.com/honey-for-hair-5181652
Byrdie. Panthenol for Hair: Benefits and How to Use It. https://www.byrdie.com/panthenol-for-hair-5223787
Healthline. Aloe Vera for the Hair: What Are the Benefits? https://www.healthline.com/health/aloe-vera-for-hair#benefits-for-hair
WebMD. Shea Butter - Uses, Side Effects, and More. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1512/shea-butter
