What is the best shampoo for natural African American hair to keep it from drying out and breaking off those beautiful thirsty roots after cleansing well. How do you cleanse your scalp and hair from product buildup and dirt without stripping out the natural oils?
The main characteristics to look out for when purchasing moisturizing shampoo are as followed:
1. Alcohol-Free Shampoo – First and foremost the moisturizing shampoo has to be gentle. Safeguard your hair against losing more of its natural oil. You must therefore avoid shampoos with alcohol or its derivatives.
2. pH-Balanced Shampoo – The natural pH of your hair is about 5. To keep the outer cuticle closed and maintain the shine of your hair, you have to ensure that your hair’s pH is kept at a normal level. Look for moisturizing shampoo with a pH from 4.5 – 5.5. It should take your hair back to a stable balance. Also if the label says it has anti-static ingredients (such as trimethyl alkonium chloride or ammonium chloride) to prevent or eliminate fly away hair, it is what you are looking for. Be aware that the ideal moisturizing shampoos also contain the buffering agent sodium citrate, which is a compound that releases more acidifying ions when acidity is low and absorbs acid when acidity is too high.
3. Shampoo with Natural Moisturizing Oil – Use oil-based moisturizing shampoo to seal in water. This keeps your hair moisturized longer. Go for moisturizing shampoos that contains natural oils like jojoba, avocado, grape seed, tea tree oil, olive oil, coconut oil and emu oil. Don’t confuse natural oil with mineral oil. You should never use mineral oil-based shampoo as it causes residue build up and increase dryness and brittleness. For products for dry black hair, look for emu oil or jojoba oil as primary active ingredients.
4. Creamy Hydrating Shampoo – Clear, gel based shampoos contain a large quantity of detergent and tend to dry out your hair. Be sure you opt for the creamier type of moisturizing shampoos.
Here is a list of 10 Moisturizing Shampoos for blair hair. (Source: BlackHairDoctor.org)
I want a good shampoo for damaged hair.