5 Methods to Moisturize Natural Hair

By Toia Barry

Dryness is one of the top complaints we here from people with textured natural hair. The tighter the curl, the more prone to dryness it is. Why?

Our scalp naturally produces an oil called sebum, which normally coats the scalp and travels down the hair shaft. But the bends, curves and twists of textured hair make it harder for this oil to travel the length of our strands, causing it to be drier than wavy or straight hair. But there’s help! From finding the right hair moisturizer for your hair to creating daily healthy habits for yourself, here are a few methods you can try to help infuse your hair with moisture.

Pre-Poo

A pre-poo treatment is done to prep the hair for your wash session. It helps to protect the hair during the cleansing process by adding moisture, which will, in turn, make the hair more manageable and less prone to breakage. Mielle’s Mongongo Oil Pre-Shampoo Treatment gives the hair that additional moisture to ensure that the hair is not stripped and prepares the hair for manipulation!

Deep Conditioning

Deep conditioners and hair masks penetrate the strands to keep hair hydrated and less prone to split ends and breakage, the side effects of overly dry hair. Many do this weekly, but if you listen to your hair, you will know what it needs and when. Our Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner gives you the perfect balance of moisture and protein to restore damaged, dry strands.

Baggy Method

In this method, you’ll apply a moisturizing product – such as an organic leave-in conditioner – along with an oil to your hair, usually just the ends. You then “bag” the hair in plastic wrap, a sandwich bag, or plastic cap, letting the products sit for a few hours. The idea is that the heat create will help open up the hair cuticle and allow the moisturizing product to penetrate deeper and be more effective. The ends are usually the focus because they are the oldest part of the hair and usually the driest. A great duo for this method is Mielle’s White Peony Leave-In Conditioner paired with our Mint Almond Oil. Once you’re done, you’d style as normal without washing out the product.

The L.O.C. Method

This popular technique involves three basic steps to add moisture and retain it. Your “L” can either be the water (or liquid) of your freshly washed hair or a leave-in conditioner. If your hair is tightly coiled and thick, try our Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner! Next, add an oil to seal and proceed with a cream or styler of choice. Our Pomegranate & Honey Curling Custard is a great follow-up. You can tweak this method by mixing up the order, with the oil as your final step… it’s totally up to you!

Steaming

Hair steamers basically do two things in one step: the heat opens up the hair cuticle, allowing moisture to penetrate your strands, and steaming along with a deep conditioning treatment will help boost the conditioner’s effectiveness. You can get a similar effect by using a plastic cap with a hot towel wrapped around your head if you don’t have a steamer. This method is especially helpful for those with low-porosity hair!

Drink Water

Of course, the best way to make sure your hair is hydrated is by keeping your body well hydrated. Drinking lots of water each day will keep your scalp and follicles moisturized from the inside out. Oftentimes, a person whose hair is very dry is not drinking enough water. If you have trouble in this area, start slow by adding an extra glass per day, and work your way up to larger amounts!

Is your hair always dry? Which methods have you tried, and which Mielle organic hair care products have helped your hair stay hydrated? Which method have you NOT tried yet?