4 Ingredients to Avoid This Season to Keep Your Locs Healthy
This season, protect your locs from the four ingredients that can cause buildup and damage. If you want to keep your locs healthy and nourished, avoiding these things during the colder seasons is key.
In this article, we'll discuss why these ingredients are so harmful and what safer alternatives you should turn to. So, let's get started and find out exactly what it takes to keep your locs looking and feeling healthy this season.
4 Ingredients to Avoid in the Colder Seasons
After reading, you will know which four ingredients you should avoid, including humectants, alcohols, cotton, and viscous oils, and why they can be damaging to your locs.
Humectants
Humectants draw moisture from the environment into your hair. While this is generally helpful in humid conditions, it can be problematic in colder, drier weather. In low humidity, humectants may pull moisture away from your hair, leading to dryness and frizz.
How to spot Humectants? Look out for moisturizers with Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, or Panthenol in them.
Alternative: Consider using products with fewer humectants or opt for those that focus on providing moisture rather than drawing it in. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, which can help lock in moisture without over-hydrating in dry conditions. The MOISTURE INFUSION is a great year-round herbal moisturizer.
Cotton
The cotton this is typically found in pillowcases and head coverings can absorb moisture from your locs, leaving them dry and prone to frizz. It can also cause friction and lead to breakage and a sore scalp due to the tangling.
Alternative: Switch to satin or silk pillowcases, or wear satin or silk scarves or bonnets to protect your locs. These materials are smoother and less likely to cause friction or moisture loss.
Alcohols
Hair products containing certain alcohols can be drying to your locs. In colder weather, when the air is already dry, alcohol-based products can make the dryness worse and lead to brittle hair.
How to spot drying alcohols? Look out for moisturizers with Ethyl Alcohol, SD Alcohol, or Denatured Alcohol them.
Alternative: Opt for alcohol-free hair products that provide moisture and hydration. These products will help maintain the moisture balance in your locs, which is especially important in dry and cold conditions.
Viscous Oils
Viscous or heavy oils, such as castor oil or olive oil, can be challenging to remove from your locs, leading to product buildup. In colder weather, this buildup can be more noticeable and make your locs feel heavy and less manageable. Also, viscous oils are magnets for lint and dust to attract to in your locs.
Alternative: Choose lighter oils or oil blends that can provide moisture and nourishment without causing excessive buildup. Avocado, Grapeseed, or Argan oil are lighter options that can be better suited for locs in colder seasons. Also checkout the MANE RADIANCE oil which is excellent oil for locs in the fall/winter season.
By avoiding humectants, cotton, alcohol, and viscous oils during the colder seasons you will help your locs maintain moisture, reducing frizz, and prevent product buildup. We believe it is essential that you adjust your hair care routine to the specific needs of your locs in different weather conditions to keep them healthy and comfortable.
