Your journey towards maintaining healthy curls starts with choosing the right shampoo. Caring for curly hair may seem time-consuming and overwhelming, but with the right knowledge and patience, it can be extremely rewarding!
People with curly hair tend to experience dryness on their strands and on their scalp. If you are suffering from the same issue, you might be wondering why this is a common problem for people with curly hair.
This is because of the spiral shape of your curly hair. Sebum, the scalp’s natural oil, keeps your hair moisturized. With curly hair, sebum can’t be evenly distributed from your scalp to the strands as the spiral shape of your hair makes it difficult for sebum to travel down your strands.
Curly hair tends to be drier due to its unique structure and the way it interacts with natural scalp oils.
The spiral shape of curly hair makes it harder for sebum, the scalp’s natural oil, to travel down the entire length of the strand. This means that while the scalp might receive some moisturization, the ends of the hair remain dry. Additionally, curly hair often has raised cuticles, which can release moisture more quickly. Other factors, such as harsh haircare products, environmental conditions, and the natural friction between curls, can also contribute to the dryness experienced by many with this hair type.
The Difference Between Regular Shampoos and Curly Hair Shampoos
Regular shampoos are typically formulated with harsh ingredients such as detergents and sulphates that aim to eliminate dirt, debris, and product buildup. Regular shampoos tend to strip the hair from its natural oils, which can make your curly hair even more dry.
On the other hand, shampoos formulated for curly hair are more moisturizing and gentle as they aim to define and maintain your curl pattern.
Additionally, regular shampoos tend to contain silicone which helps smooth out frizz for straight to wavy hair types. However, this can have the opposite effect on your curls and weigh down your hair.
When looking for shampoos for your curly hair, look out for nourishing ingredients such as jojoba oil, aloe vera, and shea butter to strengthen and hydrate your dry locks.
The Best Ingredients for Curly Hair Shampoos
When shopping for shampoos for your curly hair, it’s vital to consider the following ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin.
These three powerhouse ingredients have exceptional moisturizing properties and significantly help in nourishing your curls.
Shea butter is a natural ingredient sourced from the nuts of the shea tree. It’s rich in fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin E, which moisturizes the strands and scalp, relieves itchiness, prevents split ends, and strengthens your hair follicles. The mild nature of shea butter makes it suitable for people with sensitive scalp as well.
Unlike most oils that just sit on the surface of your hair, coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft efficiently. This wonder ingredient is great for curly hair as it helps replenish protein loss, improving your hair’s moisture retention and making your hair bouncier, shinier, and stronger over time.
Glycerin is a humectant that helps maintain the hydration levels in your curly hair. It works by drawing moisture from the air and locking it into your hair strands. It also provides a protective layer over your hair, reducing split ends and breakage.
Overall, these three ingredients are essential in curly hair shampoos as they make your hair healthier and shinier and give you more defined curls.
Ingredients to Avoid for Your Curly Hair
Now that you know which ingredients to look for, it’s time to discuss the ingredients that you must avoid: alcohol, silicones, and harsh ingredients.
Alcohols come in different types, such as fatty alcohols, which can actually help with hydration, and drying alcohols that can strip your hair of its natural oils. When looking at the ingredients for curly hair shampoos, watch out for ingredients such as isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol, as these are extremely drying and can damage your hair.
Silicone is a synthetic ingredient that is added to shampoos to give your hair a smooth, glossy finish. Although it can make your hair look healthy temporarily, over time, it can prevent your hair from receiving moisture and other essential nutrients.
This is because silicone coats the hair shaft and can weigh your curly hair down, leading to loss of volume and curl definition.
Harsh detergents such as sulphates are also another harmful ingredient that can damage your curls in the long run. Although sulphate and other harsh detergents promise to deliver effective cleansing as they remove dirt and product buildup, they can also strip your hair from your scalp’s natural oils, which can lead to dryness
Our Top Shampoo Picks for Curly Hair
We’ve curated a list of shampoos that are not only free from harmful ingredients but also contain the essential elements your curly hair needs. From moisture-rich formulas to protein-infused solutions, these picks are backed by expert opinions, customer reviews, and in-depth research.
Here are our top picks for curly-girl-friendly shampoos:
Mixed Chicks Sulphate Free Shampoo 10oz
For those struggling with frizz and dryness in their curly hair, Mixed Chicks Sulphate Free Shampoo offers a targeted solution. Designed to cleanse without stripping, its sulphate-free formula ensures that your natural oils are preserved, contributing to more manageable, healthier-looking curls.
The inclusion of Panthenol, also known as Pro-Vitamin B5, provides additional moisture and helps improve hair elasticity. Wheat Amino Acids further fortify the hair strands, making them more resilient against breakage.
This shampoo contains a blend of nourishing oils like Olive, Avocado, Sweet Almond, and Sesame Seed. These oils are packed with essential fatty acids and antioxidants that not only moisturize the hair but also protect it from environmental damage, leaving your curls soft, shiny, and well-defined.
Love UR Curls Shampoo
One of the most challenging things about managing curly hair is keeping your scalp clean while also ensuring that the ends of your hair are moisturized. Love Ur Curls’ shampoo addresses this issue effectively. It not only cleanses your scalp and strands but also infuses them with much-needed moisture and shine.
The shampoo contains Glycerin, a powerful humectant that attracts moisture from the air and locks it into your hair, making it ideal for those looking to elevate the health and appearance of their curls.
The formula is enriched with Shea Butter and Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, both of which are known for their nourishing properties.
Shea Butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins that deeply moisturize and condition the hair. Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that not only hydrate but also strengthen the hair, making your curls look vibrant and healthy.
DevaCurl No-Poo Original
Unlike traditional shampoos, DevaCurl’s No-Poo original ditches harsh ingredients and SLS/SLES sulphates, which results in a non-lathering cleansing experience which is great for curly hair. Although this may not give you the same squeaky-clean feeling that lather shampoos provide, it is actually a good experience for your curly hair, as it leaves your scalp hydrated and fresh.
This no-lather shampoo contains ingredients like Grape Seed Oil, which is rich in antioxidants, and Coconut Oil, a well-known moisturizer, so your hair is in for a nourishing treat. Including Glycerin and Hydrolyzed Corn Starch adds an extra layer of moisture retention, making this product a hydration hero for your curls.
To wrap up, managing curly hair doesn’t have to be a daunting task. The key lies in selecting a shampoo that’s formulated to address the unique challenges of curly hair. We’ve sifted through countless products and ingredients to present you with shampoos that not only cleanse but also nourish, hydrate, and fortify your curls.
Whether you’re battling frizz, dryness, or breakage, there’s a shampoo out there tailored to meet your curly hair’s unique needs. Armed with this knowledge, you’re well on your way to transforming your curls from lacklustre to luminous.
At The Curl Ambassadors, we encourage our clients to embrace their beautiful curls by offering expert advice, affordable curly hair products, and services. Visit our salon, and we’ll give you a personalized assessment and recommend hair treatments and services that will bring life back to your curls!
