Lavender Oil
Credit to KCCM http://kinkycurlycoilyme.com/
When I’m looking for a soft subtle scent, I always go for lavender. Lavender oil is known for its stress relieving properties, and it often included in spa products for that reason. Turns out the scent lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, which helps you relax. And who couldn’t use a little extra help relaxing?
Not only is lavender good for the mind, but its also beneficial for a healthy scalp and hair growth. Because lavender oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, it is helpful for maintaining a health scalp. It can be used to treat dandruff and psoriasis of the scalp. By keeping these scalp conditions at bay, your scalp is able to be rejuvenated. Lavender oil also enhances blood circulation, which will definitely improve the health of your scalp. And what comes out of a healthy scalp? Healthy hair of course!
High stress levels can lead to many common hair and scalp issues, especially hair loss and alopecia areata. What’s alopecia areata? Alopecia areata is a medical condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, usually from the scalp. Because lavender oil is naturally helpful in reducing stress, it can be used along with other stress relievers to reduce the risk of hair loss or alopecia arreata. A relaxing scalp massage with lavender oil can help cure insomnia and improve sleep quality, and it relaxes you and helps you get rid of anxiety. This in turn helps control hair loss, as insomnia, stress, depression are among the common and probable causes of this problem. When we get enough sleep and have mental peace, this ensures that hair loss stays in control.
Wondering how you can incorporate lavender oil into your hair care regimen?
Add 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil per 1 oz. of your favorite carrier oil. Carrier oils include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and even olive oil. Use the lavender-infused oil for scalp massages and hot oil treatments. Massage into the scalp and let it set for 15-60 minutes for shampooing for a great pre-poo treatment that helps with dandruff or itchy scalp. If you keep using it regularly, you will start noticing its benefits within a few weeks or months.
Avocado Oil
Credit to BGLH http://blackgirllonghair.com
Avocado Oil is rich in essential fatty acids that strengthen the hair and keep it moisturized, and the vitamin E it contains also conditions and moisturizes, while the proteins in avocado oil can fortify your hair.
Applying avocado oil directly into your hair not only keeps the hair strong and beautiful, it is also beneficial if you are experiencing dandruff or scalp psoriasis. Avocado oil acts as a natural sunscreen, and helps to protect your hair and scalp from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
From ScAmazon: Avocado Oil is an excellent natural face and body moisturizer and can also be used for massage. In addition, it can be used as a hair conditioner. Our De La Cruz® Avocado Oil is 100% pure and contains no preservatives, fragrances or artificial color.Avocado oil contains sterolins, which are reputed to reduce age spots, help heal sun damage and scars. It is the sterolins help to soften the skin and imparts a superior moisturizing effect. Avocado oil is an ideal ingredient to include when formulating for people with dehydrated, sun or climate damaged skin, as it is an extremely good moisturizing and nourishing compound, assisting in the regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin. In a study done at the Department of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 1991, it was found that avocado oil significantly increases the amount of collagen in the skin - which normally is under attack as we grow older. Avocado oil is easily absorbed into deep tissue, and with its wonderfully emollient properties, makes it ideal for mature skins. It also helps to relieve the dryness and itching of psoriasis and eczema. Directions: It depends on what you will use it for. Please read our tips and tricks below to get some great ideas on its usage! Tips and Tricks: Apply it as a hair conditioner during your bath or shower. It adds more shine to your hair. Spice up your relationship with this natural oil that is nicely absorbed by the skin. Perfect for that sensual massage.
Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor
Credit to http://castoroil.org
Jamaican black castor oil has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a wide range of maladies, from curing skin problems to easing aches and pains. The dark nutrient rich oil is obtained from pressing castor beans. The oil produced is used as a hair treatment to repair damaged hair and also to encourage hair growth. Jamaican black castor oil moisturizes, thickens, softens and makes hair more manageable and it is an excellent way of treating the hair before straightening.
Vitamin E Oil
Credit to http://www.nenonatural.com/
Vitamin E helps to grow hair! The exact mechanism of how it does this is not known but it nonetheless has been shown to:
Improve hair growth
Prevent hair loss
Prevent split ends
Help to heal heat-damaged hair
From ScAmazon: The vitamin E family is well known throughout the world for its antioxidant capabilities. Antioxidants help protect and nurture skin by neutralizing free radicals from environmental pollutants and toxins. Regular use of vitamin E on skin has been shown to aid in the prevention and repair of skin tissue damage. Use to soften skin, maintain moisture balance and to reduce the appearance of scarring, wrinkles and stretch marks.
Argan Oil
Credit to BGLH http://blackgirllonghair.com
Women in Morocco have been using argan oil for generations to achieve more youthful, healthy skin. It reduces inflammation and redness, improves hydration, and can even been used to treat scars and acne.
You can also use argan oil as a hair treatment for deep conditioning or as a pre-styling product-it restores shine to hair and helps mend split ends. It’s packed with twice as much Vitamin E as other oils so it’s also amazing for your nails and cuticles.
ScAmazon: Argan Oil - 4 oz. Our 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil has no additives and no preservatives. Our 4 oz comes in a quality amber glass bottle. The Argan Tree, Argania spinosa from Sapotaceae family and grows only in Morocco. The trees can live from 150-200 years. For centuries traditional cosmetic products produced from Argania spinosa have been a well kept secret known only to Berber women in Morocco and used to protect skin, hair and nails from the harsh, dry weather conditions. Argan oil is believed to be one of the rarest oils in the world. To produce Argan oil for cosmetic use, freshly harvested kernels from the fruit of the Argan tree are pressed and filtered through an organic cotton sieve, to extract the aromatic oil. The Argan oil is easily absorbed by the skin. This form of Argan oil is used for the treatment of dermatologic disease (acne, etc). Argan oil extracted by this method is used in Aromatherapy. In Europe, Argan oil has been used in the Aromatherapy industry for a long time, but for some reason it is not well known in the United States. Argan oil has almost twice as much vitamin E or a-tocopherol as olive oil and it is much richer in linoleic acids. Its anti-ageing properties, due to high levels of vitamin E and saponins (which soften the skin), are well documented. Tocopherols are very important to human health because of their anti-oxidant actions and free radical scavenger affects. In traditional Moroccan medicine, Argan oil is used for the care of the body and face to counteract the effects of age or weather. Argan Oil is a rare nut oil, made from the kernels of the Argan Tree, native to Morocco. Argan Oil is easily absorbed by hair, skin and nails. Argan Oil is suitable for dry skin, and it's been traditionally used for skin problems, including eczema and psoriasis. Argan Oil is also great for hair, especially dry or damaged hair.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is great for preventing dandruff, promoting hair growth, moisturizing, strengthening hair, thickening hair, and preventing damage.
Safflower Oil
Safflower oil protects hair, nourishes hair follicles, moisturizes, and stimulates blood circulation to promote hair growth and thickness. And it is extremely beneficial for natural as well as dry chemically treated hair.
Grape Seed Oil
Credit to http://oilypedia.com
The benefits of grapeseed oil for hair
They are the following, according to the books by Janice Cox (“Natural Beauty at Home“) and Zoe Diana Draelos, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology of Wake Forest University of Medicine (“Hair Care: An Illustrated Dermatological Handbook“) and the study on aromatherapy and (Archives of Dermatology, 1998):
Grapeseed oil restores the cell membranes of a scalp, strengthens hair roots and reduces brittleness in hair, thus grapeseed oil treats hair loss.
Grapeseed oil eliminates hair loss through lowering the level of hormone dihydrotestosterone.
Grapeseed oil is good for hair cuticles which get smooth and sealed; the oil prevents the splitting of hair-ends.
Grapeseed oil retains the natural moisture and softness of hair.
Grapeseed oil gives a fine sheen to hair.
Regularly usage of grapeseed oil for hair solves the problem of dandruff.
Grapeseed oil can be used as a heat protector for damaged hair.
The reason for all these benefits is the rich composition of the oil. According to Wikipedia, its main features are high amount of Omega-6 (linoleic) fatty acid, of strong antioxidants (procyanidolic oligomers) and of Vitamin E. These constituents have significant regenerative, moisturizing and nourishing properties.
From ScAmazon: 100% Pure Sensitive Skin CareLight Silky Moisturizer All Skin TypesCondition:Sensitive skin in need of an all natural moisturizer and protection from premature aging, without clogging pores and causing breakouts.Solution: 100% Pure Grapeseed Oil is a light, odorless oil with mild astringent and emollient properties. This versatile oil contains numerous essential fatty acids including Linoleic, Oleic, Stearic, Palmitic, Myristic and Lauric. Its rich, silky texture is perfect for soothing away dryness and irritation and is suitable for all skin types since it won't clog pores or cause break-outs. Grapeseed Oil is perfect as a base for lotions, and it's mild enough to use as a conditioner for all hair types.
Credit to http://www.naturallycurly.com
Horsetail is a member of the Equisetaceae family. The type used in cosmetics and shampoos most often is Equisetum arvense L. Horsetail has many colorful folk names including scouring rush, corncob plant, horsetail grass, shavegrass, pewterwort and bottle brush. The Latin root equus, meaning horse, and seta, which means bristle, come together to form part of its botanical Latin name. Its common name “horsetail” refers to the herb’s thin, branchlike leaves which in some ways are similar to the hair of a horse’s tail. It is called scouring rush because the durable plant can be used as a natural scouring aid for pots, pans and pewter, as well as in refining some forms of art as a natural sandpaper.
Horsetail descends from the huge, tree-like plants of the Paleozoic era some 400 million years ago. Closely related to ferns, horsetail is a non-flowering weed found throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It is perennial plant, with hollow stems and shoots reminiscent of asparagus.
To prepare horsetail for use, the young shoots are harvested in the early spring and dried; it is also tinctured or even eaten, prepared like asparagus. As horsetail dries, silica crystals form in the stems and branches, lending the herb its scouring ability. Later in the year, horsetail levels rise significantly and then it can be an irritant to the kidneys.
Horsetail has a venerable history in Herbalism traced back to ancient Rome and Greece where it was used to stop bleeding, heal ulcers, hemorrhoids, wounds and to treat tuberculosis, anemia, as well as kidney ailments. As a traditional European folk remedy, horsetail has been used as a diuretic to reduce swelling and fluid retention. Horsetail is approved by the German Commission E as a diuretic. Horsetail is used to treat bladder infections and incontinence as well as bed wetting. This is because internal use of the herb reduces the urge to urinate. Horsetail is used to treat osteoporosis, kidney stones, urinary tract inflammation and as a topical wound healer. Horsetail has been recommended by some herbalists as a treatment for tumors and certain cancers.
Check out these CurlMart products that contain horsetail:
Kinky Curly Curling Custard
Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz
Curl Junkie BeautiCurls Leave-in Hair Conditioner
Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Smoothing Conditioner
Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment
Horsetail: the Health and Beauty Aid
Key to our concerns here with naturally curly hair and skincare treatments is the silica and minerals contained in horsetail. Horsetail stems are imbued with ample silica and silicic acids; in fact, it contains the most silica known in the plant kingdom. Silica forms collagen, a protein found in the skin, bones, cartilage, ligaments and connective tissues. Silica also helps bind protein molecules to many tissues in the body. The silica content helps strengthen weak, brittle, damaged hair, giving it vitality and shine with regular use.
There is a high mineral level as well including potassium, selenium and manganese. The saponins and flavonoids it contains help the skin regenerate, improving elasticity of skin and hair, promoting hair growth. Since bone, hair and fingernails require high mineral levels, horsetail is taken as a tea, tincture or applied topically as shampoo, conditioner, soak or healing balm. As a healing balm, it is used in many treatments for pattern balding.
Those with very dry hair should take note: Horsetail has a powerful antiseptic property which means excessive use could further dry out your hair. On the other hand, the astringent herb helps eliminate excessive oiliness for those with oily scalps, and also aids in removing styling product build up. Used in shampoo and conditioner horsetail is a useful remedy for dandruff, eczema, psoriasis and other troubling skin ailments. Because it promotes circulation, horsetail assists in nourishing and strengthening hair follicles.
Using Horsetail
Many shampoos, conditioners and hair growth aids contain horsetail extract. To create your own hair rinse:
2-4 teaspoons dried horsetail
Cup of boiled water
Add the horsetail to a cup of boiled water (still hot but not boiling). Let steep 15-20 minutes; strain; cool. Rinse through hair and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and style as usual. You can also strain and drink this tea warm 2-3 times per day with honey. Taking the tea internally is believed to help the hair, skin and nails the same way as applying topically.
Contraindications
The German Commission E monograph suggests using only 6 grams of the herb per day for internal use. Excessive topical use can cause dermatitis. A 2 teaspoon tincture can be used (10 ml), 3 times per day. Horsetail is generally considered safe provided the Equisetum arvense species is used. Equisetum palustre, for example, contains toxic alkaloids that are well-known livestock poisons. Horsetail is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing. Certain drugs may interact with horsetail as well. The crude form of the herb may destroy the B vitamin thiamine unless it is refined in a way to prevent this from happening.
Glycerine Vegetable
same as above
Glycerin is an alcohol, known also by the chemical names glycerol and 1,2,3, propane triol. It can be obtained via hydrolysis of naturally occurring plant or vegetable fats (triglycerides) or via chemical synthesis from petrochemicals. It is a conditioning alcohol similar to other conditioning alcohols, but it has three very hydrophilic hydroxyl (-OH) groups as opposed to a single one. Because of this, glycerin is far more water soluble than some of the other conditioning alcohols such as lauryl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol.
Glycerol has been used for many years in cosmetics and personal care, and has been found to be a remarkable moisturizer for the skin and hair. In fact, new studies have shown that it has amazing abilities to actually aid in repair and regeneration of skin cells.
Glycerol
Chemical structure of glycerol
Glycerol obtained from naturally occurring fats is a product of chemically breaking down triglyceridesinto their fatty acid components. Triglycerides are fat molecules comprised of a glycerol backbone with three arm-like appendages of fatty acids bound to the glycerol via an ester linkage. These three fatty acid chains can all be the same exact molecule (such as stearic acid), or can all be different from one another (one stearic, one lauric, one palmitic – for example). Hydrolysis of the ester bond results in the production of glycerol and three fatty acid molecules.
Glycerin
Glycerin can come from multiple natural sources because triglycerides can be derived from animals or vegetables. Some examples of vegetable sources would be coconut oil and shea butter. Typically, if you are purchasing glycerin, the label will say if it is from a vegetable source of glycerin. However, a multi-ingredient finished product may not disclose the source of glycerin (animal, vegetable, or synthetic) unless it is a marketing point for the brand.
Synthetic glycerin has received some publicity as being a potential health hazard, and many consumers prefer to avoid it. It is typically produced from the starting material epichlorohydrin, which is a toxic chemical that is classified as a probable carcinogen. Of concern is the presence of trace remnants of epichlorohydrin or another potentially carcinogenic contaminant such as 1,4 dioxane. So, while synthetic glycerin provides the same benefits to your hair as glycerin derived naturally, there may be sufficient risks associated with it to warrant choosing only vegetable or animal-derived glycerin.
Properties of Glycerin:
Glycerin is an alcohol and is soluble in water and also in other alcohols. It is insoluble in oils, but is able to dissolve many oils and can be used as an emulsifier for adding oils into a formulation. In its pure form, it is odorless and colorless, but has a sweet taste. It has a thick viscosity and is clear, so it is frequently added to formulations for its moisturizing and viscosity-modifying properties. Adding it to a formula is an inexpensive way to impart a thick, velvety texture to a product, a property typically valued by consumers. It is a highly effective moisturizer and humectant for skin and hair. Its thick viscosity and high boiling point are what make it an effective curl-definer and frizz minimizer (in the right climate).
Glycerin is a relatively small molecule compared to many moisturizers, and it contains three hydroxyl groups. This high molecular density of hydrophilic groups makes it an extremely hygroscopic molecule that absorbs water from its surrounding environment. It does this to such a high degree that it will raise a blister if applied in an undiluted state to the skin. If it were applied to hair in such a concentrated state, it could strip all of the moisture from the interior of the hair.
However, when used in a diluted form, glycerin can be a great moisturizer and humectant for the hair. Care should be taken to use it in environments of moderate humidity. If the climate is very hot and humid, glycerin will absorb a lot of moisture from the air and cause the hair to swell, raising the cuticle and disrupting curl pattern, creating coarse, frizzy hair. In weather that is extremely dry, glycerin will seek out moisture from your hair and actually dehydrate it, which can cause damage and breakage. Read more about this.
Concerns and precautions
Many heat-styling techniques can generate sufficient heat to boil the water inside the hair shaft, which can cause terrible breakage. One way to prevent or minimize this problem is to coat the hair with an emollient that seals in the moisture and that does not transfer the heat from the appliance to the hair as readily. Unfortunately, glycerin conducts thermal energy pretty efficiently (it transfers heat readily to the hair), especially when compared to silicones, proteins, and polyquaternium conditioning ingredients. For that reason, use glycerin sparingly and in combination with a more insulating and protective moisturizer when using any sort of heated drying or styling treatments.
One of the biggest concerns I have seen expressed about glycerin is that it might remove or strip color from the hair. Many people with chemically dyed hair avoid it almost unilaterally. The truth of the matter is that glycerin is a reasonably good solvent for many types of molecules. It can dissolve and grab unbound dye molecules that are easily accessible near the exterior of the hair.
This is relevant in a few different cases. Users of permanent chemical dyes should exercise some caution in the initial days following processing. Hair that has been freshly colored with a permanent chemical dye is susceptible to loss of some colorant molecules because the cuticle may not have completely re-sealed. However, it is not cause for concern after the first washing because the colorant molecules have penetrated into the cortex of the hair shaft, the cuticle is sealed, and any excess on the surface is washed away.
Users of semi-permanent dyes or colors notorious for being short-lived (such as shades of red) may be wise to be extremely cautious regarding the use of glycerin in their hair. This is because these types of dye molecules are too large to penetrate the hair and reside predominantly on the exterior of the hair shaft. Glycerin can easily dissolve and remove these colors and accelerate the inevitable fading process.
To Sum it Up
Glycerin is a water-soluble conditioning alcohol and is an extremely effective moisturizer and humectant. This means that all the usual things to be aware of regarding humectants, curly hair, and the weather are applicable when using glycerin.
Its viscosity and clarity make it a great ingredient to give definition to curls and to smooth the fly-away hair.
Use it in combination with another conditioning agent if planning to use heat-styling methods.
Do not use glycerin right after using a permanent dye on the hair, and consider avoiding it if you use semi-permanent or red color on your hair.
Jojoba Oil
Credit to http://blackhair101.com
The debate is whether jojoba is the king of the carrier oils. Many scalp related problems are caused by a hardened build-up of sebum that clogs the hair follicles and may cause some types of scaling. If this hardened build-up is not removed, it can eventually obstruct the hair follicle’s ability to function properly, jojoba rapidly penetrates down to the scalp and hair shaft, and readily loosens and dissolves this hardened build-up. The scalp and hair follicles are left clean and free to continue their normal function. Jojoba is great for all hair types and has an ability to inhibit excess activity of the sebaceous glands making it the perfect choice for people with oily scalps that still need conditioning. Likewise it can be used for dry hair as it helps to moisturize your hair properly.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint Oil: helps to stimulate blood flow to the root of the hair. This is very important for hair as it helps the hair to receive proper nourishment. This in turn will lead to hair growth. That tingly feeling when peppermint oil is felt on the scalp is actually the stimulation of blood flow to hair. For all other uses, carefully dilute with a carrier oil such as jojoba, grapeseed, olive, or almond oil prior to use.
Rosemary Oil
Is another oil which doubles as a fragrant oil and an essential oil. The oil is derived from the rosemary plant and is very useful for dandruff problems and flaky itchy scalp. Rosemary oil stimulates the hair follicles; as a result hair, can grow longer and stronger. For all other uses, carefully dilute with a carrier oil such as jojoba, grapeseed, olive, or almond oil prior to use.
African Shea Butter Cream
Credit to http://www.curlynikki.com
What is Shea Butter?
Shea butter is a natural conditioner for hair. It is produced from the Shea-Karite tree nut, which is a native tree found in the tropics of East and West Africa. It provides extraordinary moisturizing properties and is therefore known as “mother natures conditioner”.
It’s been utilized for decades in areas of Africa not only for the hair but also because of its skincare and therapeutic qualities. It has been utilized in restorative healing burns and injuries, to get rid of surgical marks, dermatitis, and stretch marks.
Benefits of Shea Butter
Sooth Irritated Scalp
Shea butter has been used for centuries to sooth dry itchy scalp or dandruff on African Hair. It’s also a great source to provide moisture for dry or damaged hair. It is usually utilized like a foundation for health-related creams, and it has been believed to possess anti-inflammatory qualities. It absorbs easily into the scalp and it does not clog the pores. It provides moisture from the roots on down to the ends. It is therefore extremely beneficial to hair that is relaxed, colored, or heat-treated.
Sealant for the Hair
Black hair has the tendency to be dryer than any type of hair due to the texture. The natural sebum from the scalp has a hard time sliding down the shaft to the ends because of the bends or coils of black hair. Shea butter is frequently found in curly hair treatments because of its emolliating qualities. This makes it excellent for locking in moisture without leaving your hair greasy and heavy. Since it aids in fastening moisture into hair it’s fantastic for keeping your hair protected against the weather.
You can use it alone or you can add it to your favorite conditioner to give you extra moisture. It’s also a great additive for shampoos and hair creams.
Protection Against Heat
Shea butter does not sit on the hair, instead it absorbs into the hair strand/shaft without leaving a greasy or heavy feel. However it does coat the hair shaft so that it is protected against damage from the heat tool being passed along the hair.
Shield Against UVS
Shea butter is believed to have a low amount but sufficient SPF to protect your hair against the damage from ultra violet rays of the sun. This is definitely beneficial for processed or color treated hair.
Softener for Hair
Shea butter is great for softening hard brittle hair. It’s an excellent moisturizer, and therefore offers that advantage for dried as well as fragile curly hair.
Is all Shea Butter the Same?
There are two types of Shea Butter refined and unrefined. Unrefined Shea butter means it has more of its natural goodness. One of the reasons shea butter is refined is to eliminate it’s natural aroma which may not be liked by some. However the odor does absorb fairly quickly. If you want to use an unrefined Shea butter with less of an aroma, its been recommended to use Shea Butter from Uganda or East Africa. It cost slightly more, but it is also known for being able to make your hair a little softer and it’s slightly better at moisturizing.
From ScAmazon: Pure Shea butter is coveted throughout Africa for its natural skin care benefits. Several great benefits of Shea butter are: Use as a shaving cream for a smooth silky shave, stretch mark prevention during pregnancy, fights the effects of aging, repairs rough damaged skin, treatment of dry skin, eczema, minor burns, pain relief from swelling and arthritis, improves muscle relaxation and stiffness, sunscreen, due to its rich content of vitamins E & F, Treats dark spots, skin discolorations, blemishes, diaper rash and as a hair conditioner.
Uses of tea tree oil
A renewed interest in natural substances has increased the availability of tea tree oil as a home remedy, and has also inspired research into its composition and beneficial properties. While it should never be taken internally due to potential toxicity, it is fantastic for topical treatment at home of-
dandruff
hair growth
acne
ingrown hair
superficial wounds
bug bites
thrush
athlete’s foot
fever blisters
Properties
antibacterial
antifungal
antiviral
anti-inflammatory
antiprotozoal
antioxidant
Tea tree oil also acts as an anti-oxidant. It has been established in several preliminary studies that MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is susceptible to topically-applied tea tree oil. Additionally, it is being studied for its potential use a treatment in some forms of cancer. While those are all rather lofty applications for tea tree oil, it also has benefits for personal care and cosmetic use.
For your scalp
The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil enable it to be very effective in the treatment of acne, with fewer undesirable side effects than benzoyl peroxide. This is excellent news for those who suffer from this problem on their body, face, or scalp. It can also be used to treat areas of ingrown hairs or infected follicles caused by shaving. As an antifungal agent, a shampoo or scalp massage oil that contains tea tree oil helps get rid of dandruff and cradle cap. Tea tree oil is an effective solvent for sebum and other dirt or oily buildup on the scalp and hair, so it can be used to help provide a clear, clean surface that can absorb moisture and conditioning products more readily. Additionally, scalp massage with tea tree oil can help stimulate blood flow and reduce inflammation in the follicular cells, which may help enhance hair growth. It is very important to dissolve tea tree oil into another oil medium prior to applying it to the skin and hair though, as it can be very irritating and drying when used in its undiluted form.
For your hair
Based upon its properties, tea tree oil is a viable solution for those with dandruff, itchy scalp, and problems with sebum buildup. Preparing a solution that is no more than 5% by weight of tea tree oil and massaging it into the scalp and hair may provide excellent benefits. It can be dissolved into a conditioner, shampoo, or a carrier oil such as olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. While there is no definitive proof that it helps stimulate hair growth, it does seem likely to provide the optimal environment for scalp and follicular health, when applied occasionally in the proper concentration. Remember that it is an effective solvent of oil, which means it can be stripping and drying if used too often or in too strong of a solution. (Never use it straight!) Using it as an occasional clarifying agent for hair that is predominantly conditioner washed or that may have buildup of styling product on it is may also provide some benefit and make it easier to rehydrate and condition your hair. So use sparingly, and to good effect!
Compared to other oils
How does tea tree oil differ from other botanical oils often used for hair and skin care? Botanical oils, such as coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, and almond oil are obtained via the pressing and mechanical extraction of the fats within the fruits from which they are procured. These fats, called triglycerides, are large molecules comprised of glycerin with three medium chain fatty acids bonded to it. The hydrophobic nature and physical structure of these oils enable them to behave as excellent lubricants and emollients for hair and skin. Tea tree oil is an essential oil, which is obtained via steam distillation, fractional distillation, or solvent extraction of the leaves or stems of a plant. The resultant product is a mixture of volatile organic compounds that have distinctive smells and useful properties, but which do not have the structure to act as lubricants or emollients for hair or skin.
Tea tree oil specifically is made up of dozens of constituents, the majority of which are terpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their corresponding alcohols. Terpenes and sesquiterpenes are a large class of naturally occurring compounds with strong medical relevance, as touched upon briefly in the previous paragraphs. In addition to their medicinal properties, some (such as limonene and linalool) are used as fragrance additives in cleaning and cosmetic products. The major component in tea tree oil is the monoterpenic alcohol terpinen-4-ol, which comprises anywhere from 30-48% of the oil. Many of the complex benefits of tea tree oil have been attributed to this species. Some of the components of tea tree oil are toxic or irritants though, which is why it should not be ingested and should be diluted when applied topically. Several cases have been reported where tea tree oil exhibited estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties, so for this reason, frequency of use, concentration of tea tree oil in the product, and surface of area of coverage may be important factors to keep in mind.
Origin of Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a distinctively pungent essential oil obtained from the needle-like leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant that grows in wet, marshy areas of New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. It has long been prized by the indigenous Aboriginal people of Australia for its properties as an anti-infective and antifungal agent. Commercial farming of tea trees (so-named by British explorer,Captain James Cook, circa 1770) began once the medicinal properties of tea tree oil were studied, documented and published by Australian chemist, Dr. Arthur Penfold in the 1920’s). Subsequently, it became a common household remedy in Australia, and later was included as an indispensable tool in the medical and first aid kits for Australian soldiers during World War II. Demand for tea tree oil declined once antibiotics became widely available in the post-war era, and academic research focus also drifted toward more ‘modern’ topics.
Shea oil is the liquid form of shea butter and they both come from the nuts of the shea tree. The natural fatty acids in plant oils make them more water soluble than mineral oil and dimethicone which means they don’t create an effective “moisture gate”. Water will evaporate from your hair faster when you seal with shea oil (or butter) compared to mineral oil or dimethicone. However, of all plant oils, shea can trap the most moisture because it contains allantoin, a unique natural component that helps keratin cells hold on to water molecules. Shea oil will help your hair retain moisture but it’s less effective and more expensive than dimethicone and mineral oil.
Edit- Here's what I've came up with. I can't tell you what they are because I don't want to be responsible for anybody losing their hair or other complications. I didn't make much as I'm only testing these out.
I'm providing this here, to give you guys ideas on how to make your own shampoo, conditioners and other beauty products. I have other oils such as canola, soy oil, left over almond oil, aloe vera, extra virgin olive oil, honey and I plan to get chamomile and wild flowers oil(got them). I love Black soap and have been using it a lot lately. This soap has created a glow in my skin and it's a lot better than any other soap I've ever used. I don't use ethnic shampoos and conditioners anymore, after spending so much money on them, they don't work nor are they worth it. I stick to another ethnic group's products, as well as what I make for myself.
