Firstly, let’s touch on what causes dryness and what you should either be avoiding or tossing in the bin after you read this! Some of the more obvious causes, of course, is excessive colouring, bleaching or chemical straightening and curling (perms). These treatments will almost always strip hair of its natural oils, breaking down the necessary proteins in your hair follicles that keep it healthy, or open the hair cuticle so far that it can’t fix itself (just Google over-bleached hair to see that in action). These treatments are best done in a professional environment, but damage is unavoidable for the most part, so space out your appointments and make sure you go to someone who knows what they’re doing!
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – can damage the hair, make it brittle, and increase frizz.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – can fade your color and strip your strands of natural oils.
- Parabens – known to be harmful, used as a preservative to prevent bacteria from growing in cosmetics and shampoos
- Sodium Chloride – is mainly there to make the consistency thicker, can make an already-sensitive scalp dry and itchy, which can eventually cause hair loss.
- Polyethylene Glycols (PEG) – derived from petroleum that is often contaminated with byproducts.
- Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) – reduce surface tension so water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients can blend together. In 1998, The European Commission banned DEA in cosmetics because of potential links to cancer.
- Formaldehyde – a preservative, if you’re wondering what to look for, a common one in shampoos is quaternium-15.
- Alcohol – has a drying effect, and the higher up in the ingredients list they appear, the more alcohols the product contains.
- Synthetic Fragrances – irritate the skin and scalp, which can lead to hair loss.
- Synthetic Colors – to make a product look nice, come from petroleum or coal-tar sources, all of which come with harmful health effects. Synthetic colors will normally go by FD&C or D&C combined with a number.
- Dimethicone – silicone that stops moisture and nutrients from coming in and instead collects dirt and residue. It can clog the pores on the scalp and cause skin irritation.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine – although it’s derived from coconut oil, it can have negative effects like skin irritation, allergies, rosacea, and eczema.
- Triclosan – was banned from being used in antibacterial soaps in 2016 but is still allowed in toothpaste, shampoos, and deodorants. It’s a chemical antibacterial agent known to cause hormone disruptions, which can lead to cancer and affect fetal development, among other things.
- Retinyl Palmitate – a known skin irritant that can cause peeling, scaling, redness, and itching.
Yikes! Always check what you’re buying. If you want softer hair, read the ingredients on the back of the bottle. Yes, it’s a few extra minutes of your time, but it’s all worth it in the long run when you have the hair texture you want! Most friendlier brands will boast their benefits or what they don’t include in their product, but do be sure to always double check.
Because milk has a thin, liquid-y consistency, put one cup of milk along with one tablespoon of honey into a spray bottle and mist it onto the hair. Leave in for 10 to 20 minutes after shampooing (in place of conditioner). Rinse out with warm water for shiny, smooth results!
Then there’s bananas and olive oil. Banana hydrates and moisturizes dull, damaged, dry hair, as it’s rich in vitamins and minerals (such as potassium) that can strengthen the hair and balance the pH of the scalp, and olive oil is rich in healthy fats and vitamin E, which can make the hair look more shiny and sleek. It can also moisturize the hair and heal damage that can cause breakage and split ends.
To make this hair mask, use one ripe banana and one tablespoon of olive oil. Blend or mash the banana until it becomes a lump-free puree. Add the olive oil and continue mixing the two until it becomes a creamy, frothy hair mask. While in the shower, apply the mask throughout the hair and scalp with fingers. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it out.
All the best!
Shop Now!
- Sale!
Natural Deodorant Malaysia | Happy Pits Deodorant Balm
RM59.99RM40.99 - Sale!
Sensitive Skin Natural Deodorant Malaysia
RM69.99RM42.50 - Sale!
Natural Deodorant Spray | Anti Odour Body Spray – Skin Brightening Deodorant
RM49.85 – RM95.00 - Sale!
Deodorant Powder Malaysia | The Dry Shower Deodorant (Remove Foot & Body Odour)
RM45.00RM40.95 - Sale!
Australian Pink Clay Mask Malaysia | That Gorgeous Face Mask
RM45.99 – RM79.00 - Sale!
Bye Bye Dark Eye Circles | Aurora
RM49.00RM40.95 - Sale!
Natural Face Cleanser Malaysia | Golden Elixir Face Cleanser
RM49.99RM39.99 -
Growth Booster Hair Tonic
RM89.99
Read More Here!
Why Do I Have Uneven Underarms?
Unevenly toned underarms can be caused by a wide range of things and are actually more common than you might think! Though they can cause embarrassment, an uneven underarms are nothing to be ashamed of and have a lot of common causes (along with a few rarer ones), so...
Picking the Right Products for YOU!
Picture this: You’re standing in the store, staring at the rows upon rows of skin care products, trying to decide what you want to pick up and take home. It can be a little overwhelming, right? Being faced with so many choices for so many different things. There’s an...
Ceramic Spoons Give the Best Facial Massages?!
In 2018 there was a sudden rise in the popularity of using facial rollers for skin care. We’re sure you’ve seen a Jade Roller or a Gua Sha stone once or twice, maybe in the hands of a favourite beauty influencer, or on the shelf at Sephora. They’re oftentimes seen...
Deep Diving into the Australian Pink Clay Mask
When asked about a miracle cure for skin, many people think of Australian Pink Clay. Coming in many forms, this clay is a supposed solution for any and all skin types, boasting healing properties for acne, the ability to melt blackheads and clogged pores away and even...
The Nasties: What You Should Avoid in Your Deodorant
Commercial deodorants are bad news for the health of your underarms, but why exactly is this? The nasties that we refer to when talking about antiperspirants are the type that clog pores, damage skin and stop the body from the natural process of sweating - but some of...
Tips and Tricks for Your Best Skin
Skin care can be tough. Finding your skin type, picking a good moisturiser, knowing how often to use a cleanser or a face mask or whether it’s necessary to exfoliate can be a chore. We for one understand the struggle! But don’t be disheartened, we’ve collected a few...
7 Ways to Cure Boredom Blues
Bored at home? Running out of things to do? Got no ideas on something to start on? Never fear, Hello Natural Co is here to cure your boredom blues and give some (hopefully helpful) suggestions on things you can do while you’re stuck in your house! 1 - Watch Something...
Dry Shampoo – Worth the Buy?
Now I don’t know about you, but once upon a time I heard whispers surrounding dry shampoo and all the possibly nasty things it can do to your head and hair. It honestly terrified me and made me never want to use a dry shampoo for fear of seriously damaging my hair. It...
Top 5 Products for Hello Natural Co Beginners!
So you’ve heard the whispers, huh? You’ve heard the name ‘Hello Natural Co’ being thrown around, maybe you’ve seen a signature pink label or caught a glimpse of a product on a friend’s shelf, perhaps you’ve stumbled upon our website or Instagram page... Now you find...
5 Ways to Recycle Your Natural Deodorant Pot!
You've been so wonderful this year, that we want to return the favour! We all know that recycling and being kind to the earth is the current trend, one we'd honestly like to see stick around, and so we've come up with a few fun and exciting ways to recycle...