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Toxic Chemicals in Shampoos & Conditioners – And How to Avoid Them
Many of the cosmetics and household products in the market contain harmful chemicals. A handful of studies has identified these chemicals present in everyday products, from cosmetics to food packaging. While many of these chemicals don’t pose too much danger in small quantities, long-term and repeated exposure can lead to more critical health issues. Here are the four common chemicals that were identified and you should be more aware of. Phthalates Food is the common source of phthalate exposure, although not intentionally added as an ingredient. Phthalate can be found on plastic tubes, gloves, and food containers and can contaminate the food that you eat. Phthalates are a class of synthetic chemicals that are known to cause hormonal disruptions if ingested or inhaled. It is colorless and odorless with an oily consistency. Scientists found that exposure to phthalates has been explicitly linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in several studies. Hormonal disruption can also affect the reproductive and immune systems, including the prenatal brain development. Known as “the everywhere chemicals”, phthalates are found in hundreds of consumer products that people use every day, including food containers, cosmetics, and personal care products. They are also found in some children’s toys, making their potential health risks a bit more concerning. According to an article on Insider, a new study published in Environmental Pollution on October 12, 2021 found that exposure to phthalates was linked to premature deaths, especially deaths caused by heart disease. The study analyzed data from more than 5,000 adults between the ages of 55 and 64. The results suggest that those with the highest level of phthalates in their urine were more likely to die earlier than expected, especially of heart-related causes. List of common products that contain Phthalates: Personal care products (like soap, shampoo, and conditioner) Food wraps and containers Detergents Household cleaners Children’s toys Furniture Vinyl flooring and wall coverings Medical devices PVC plumbing Phthalates in Shampoos Phthalates are commonly added in shampoos and conditioners to create a creamy texture. They are used as “gelling agents” to achieve a thick consistency that makes these haircare products richer. Phthalates are also used to make the fragrance of these haircare products last longer. BPA Bisphenol A, more commonly referred to as BPA, is another ingredient with similar properties as phthalates. Both make plastic materials more durable and bendable. Like phthalates, BPA is used in food containers and packaging products. It can contaminate the food or drinks put into it, especially when heated in the microwave. BPA has been linked to certain conditions like obesity, increased risk of breast cancer, and other reproductive health-related issues. Do you wonder how you can tell whether a container is likely to contain BPA or phthalates? A simple tip is to look for the number at the bottom of a plastic product or container, usually with indication of a recycling sign. Items numbered 3, 6, and 7 are most likely to contain these harmful chemicals. Parabens In our previous article “Ditching Chemical-Based Haircare Products for Healthier Hair and Ocean”, we’ve identified parabens as one of the most harmful chemicals that can damage marine life. Parabens are a group of chemicals typically used as preservatives for cosmetic and personal care products. You can find them on the ingredients list of everyday products like shampoos, soaps, body washes and the likes. The chemical paraben keeps molds and bacteria from growing in these products to prolong their shelf lives. According to researchers, even a small amount of paraben can pass through the skin and into the body, and that can cause major health problems. They found that parabens can mimic estrogen, an important hormone involved in the reproductive functions of people. In response, the body may produce less estrogen, disrupting the normal function of the reproductive system. Exposure to parabens has also been linked to cancer risk, fertility problems, and skin irritation. Three of the most common paraben ingredients to look out for are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. The best way to avoid parabens is to check your product’s ingredients and make sure none of these names are listed. Brands like ours – Shiny Leaf – have prioritized customers’ safety by making our formulas paraben-free. Other ingredients we included in the list of ingredients that are bad for marine life were sulfates, hexane, and silicones. Read the full article to find out how these ingredients affect the oceans and what are the great alternatives you can use. PFAS Similar to parabens, PFAS have been a hot topic when it comes to maintaining cleaner water and acquiring potential health risks. PFAS is short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a diverse group of man-made chemicals used in various consumer and industrial products. They can be found in water-resistant fabrics, cleaning products, paints, and fire-resistant foams. Certain types are allowed for limited use in food packaging and cookware products too. Because PFAS are slow to break down, they have the ability to remain intact in the environment. That means over time, it can result to increased levels of environmental contamination. Accumulation of PFAS were also seen through blood tests in both humans and animals. If they linger in the human body for many years, PFAS are said to cause health problems like cancer, hormone imbalances, and fertility issues – very similar to parabens. PFAS are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because of their ability to resist degradation. They are very common in products touted as long-lasting or waterproof such as mascara and other makeup products. Avoiding Chemicals in Haircare Products - We Got Your Back Here at Shiny Leaf, we create products that we use ourselves. That’s why safety, aside from effectivity, is one our main objectives. Our mission has always been to provide high-quality products that give you the best care, without compromising your health. We protect our customers like we protect ourselves and our families. Head on to our products page now and see the best products that suit your needs. We got products for hair loss, hair growth, anti-aging skincare, skin nourishment, and wellness. Our shampoos, conditioners, oils, supplements and other personal care essentials are made free from harmful ingredients. Phthalates, BPA, parabens, and PFAS are major no-nos in our advanced formulas. As a bonus guide, here’s a list of tips for keeping these toxic chemicals out of your home: Use unscented cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, and cleansers. Use glass, ceramic, wood, or metallic food storage containers. Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of preserved or canned goods. Avoid plastic products labeled as No. 3, No. 6, or No. 7. Avoid using plastics when heating food in a microwave.
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5 Promising Benefits of Saw Palmetto
If you haven’t noticed yet, one of our favorite ingredients to use in our products is saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is scientifically known as Serenoa repens, a type of palm native to southeastern United States. Ripe fruits of saw palmetto are used to make medicine and has been considered as a natural remedy for years. This herbal remedy is believed to help manage some aspects of male reproductive health, including prostate problems. We use saw palmetto in our haircare products and hair growth supplement to boost their formula. What are the benefits of this incredible ingredient? Find out from this article as we list down the top 5 promising benefits of saw palmetto. 1. Block DHT in the Hair Follicles Experts have found that saw palmetto can effectively inhibit 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into a powerful male hormone called DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT is responsible for the development of male characteristics such as facial hair and a deeper voice. Male hormones such as DHT are present in both men and women. The production of these hormones occurs in the testes (in males), ovaries (in females), and adrenal glands. They dictate the formation of the sex organs of babies in the womb and the secondary male characteristics during puberty. As men get older, DHT have other effects that can have negative impact on their appearance. DHT accumulate in the hair follicles. This blocks proper blood flow that delivers nutrients to the hair roots. Because of this, the follicles starve and shrink. If not managed, hair will start to fall out and may never regrow. Thus, men experience male pattern baldness which usually begins in their 30s, and can continue until they lose all their hair in their 50s or 60s. Saw palmetto is known to be a natural DHT-blocking ingredient. By slowing down 5-alpha reductase, saw palmetto could reduce the effects of DHT to the hair follicles. 2. Improve Prostate Health in Men Before saw palmetto was even considered as a DHT blocker, it first became a popular treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH—a condition that causes an enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland responsible for maintaining healthy sperm in men. Saw palmetto supports prostate health and can aid in preventing complications like BPH. Extracts of saw palmetto berry are also believed to help with prostate cancer. They are said to minimize the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. BPH can be uncomfortable. Men that are suffering from BPH often experience difficulty in urination even when the need is urgent. They may also feel like their bladder isn’t completely empty and can cause leaking after urination. Saw palmetto is used as a treatment to improve these urinary tract symptoms associated with enlarged prostate. 3. Help Reduce Inflammation Since the prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the passageway that carries urine out of the body, this means that enlargement of prostate can lead to narrowing of the passage and cause the following symptoms: Slowness of incontinence and difficulty in urinating. Difficulty in starting to urinate. Frequent urination. Need to get up at night to urinate Pain after urination Saw palmetto naturally carries high levels of antioxidants. It has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that help decrease inflammation, prevent damaged cells, and protect against some diseases. It is one of the best natural remedies used to decrease swelling of enlarged prostate glands. 4. Balance Hormone Levels Saw palmetto is often used by men who want to boost their testosterone level naturally. Because testosterone levels decline with age, it can affect several aspects of health and may contribute to conditions like heart problems. Saw palmetto works by preventing 5-alpha reductase from converting testosterone to DHT to preserve the amount of testosterone in the body. Regulating testosterone levels can improve sex drive or libido and help with erectile dysfunction. Since most studies on saw palmetto focus on male health, some people say that it does nothing for females. That is a myth! Saw palmetto is believed to help with PCOS or polycrystic ovary syndrome, a condition where females have higher levels of male hormones. This causes excess body hair, facial hair, acne and irregular or heavy menstrual periods. Saw palmetto works by regulating high levels of male hormones to prevent PCOS. 5. Prevent Hair Loss in Men and Women Hair loss is a condition that can be experienced by both men and women. It can be caused by various factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalance, severe stress or certain medications. Saw palmetto is often used as a natural way to balance hormone levels and fight hair loss. It is a known DHT-blocking ingredient that works by preventing the activity of 5-alpha reductase from converting testosterone into DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss. DHT causes hair loss by starting to bind in the hair follicles and then blocking the way of bloodstream from reaching the hair roots. The blood is supposed to carry the nutrients that enable the hair to grow healthy. Because of DHT hampering these nutrients from coming in, the hair strands gradually become thinner and hair follicles eventually die out and never regrow. How to Get Your Daily Dose of Saw Palmetto Saw palmetto is widely available in supplement form, making it easier to add to your daily routine. You can take supplements filled with saw palmetto berry powder and other DHT-blockers like the Shiny Leaf enHAIRgy Supplement. It comes in a small, vegetarian capsule that can be easily swallowed and digests fast in the stomach. Take it using the Wellness Tracker available on the Shiny Leaf App to help you remember when it’s time to pop the capsule. For better results, you can take hair supplements with shampoos and conditioners that also contain saw palmetto. Try our Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner, formulated with coconut fruit extract, biotin, argan oil, and saw palmetto extract for Advanced Formula for thinning hair.
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7 Daily Habits for Hair Growth and Preventing Hair Loss
When talking about hair loss prevention, the conversation will almost always follow with tips for hair growth. They are inseparable because most of the things you do to prevent hair loss will improve your hair growth too, and vice versa. These topics often pop out of your online searches once you start seeing signs of hair loss. Common signs of hair loss include frequent hair fall, hair shedding, receding hair line, and thinning crown. When these symptoms begin to affect your hair, you may feel that urgent need to do something to stop it. As the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” You want to take action to prevent it from getting worse. While there are many reasons like genetics, poor diet, stress, bad styling routine, and other external factors that can affect the rate of your hair growth and why it’s thinning, there are also practical ways you can do to help reverse it. Here are 7 good daily habits you can incorporate in your routine starting right now! Reduce Stress It is true that stress affects a person in more ways than one, and it can even be the cause of hair loss for some. Sometimes, stress can trigger conditions like alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disease of the hair and scalp that causes patchy hair loss. While stress is inevitable (we can’t completely eliminate stress in life), it can be minimized if you can identify your stressors and learn how to manage them. We know, it’s easier said than done. So here are a few tips to help you out. Tips on how to manage stress: Exercise regularly, get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day Relax your muscles by stretching or enjoying a body massage Deep breathing Take a hot bath or shower Set aside a few minutes a day to meditate, do yoga, or listen to your favorite music Make time for your hobbies like sports, reading, playing board games or doing art Hang out with friends and talk about your problems Always get restful sleep Live a More Active Lifestyle Having an active lifestyle improves your health and overall well-being. It reduces stress and puts you on a happier state of mind. Minimize the amount of time spent in prolonged sitting or just plain lack of movement. See everyday activities as opportunity to be active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical workout daily like simple walking, cycling or running. A regular, vigorous exercise gives you extra health and fitness benefits. Try sports, training at the gym, aerobic exercises, or swimming. Other health benefits of having an active lifestyle: Reduce risk of a heart attack Weight management Lower blood cholesterol level Lower risk of type 2 diabetes Strengthen bones, muscles, and joints Feel more energized and in a better mood Eat Healthy and Take Hair Supplements Bad eating habits make your body weak and affects how it normally functions. The hair growth process starts with proper nutrition that is delivered through the hair roots. The nutrients are absorbed by the hair follicles and this enable your hair to grow. Without proper nutrition, hair becomes weak and can lead to hair loss. Taking hair supplements enriched with vitamins are well-recommended to give you enough source of nutrients. The enHAIRgy Supplement is a great example. It supports healthy hair growth while blocking hair loss, with only 2 capsules taken daily. Each capsule contains essential ingredients like biotin, saw palmetto, pygeum bark, vitamin A, plus other natural DHT blockers that help nourish the hair. While taking your hair supplement, you must also stick to a healthy diet. Getting plenty of healthy fats like omega 3s can help with hair growth. Healthy fats are found in fish and nuts. They nourish hair follicles to give strands the strength and shine. It is important to avoid smoking too. Smoking increases your body’s production of free radicals. Free radicals damage your cells and can potentially damage your hair follicles and increase the risk of developing hair loss. Best food for healthy hair: Salmon Tuna Walnuts Eggs Berries Spinach Avocados Vegetable oils like soybean and canola oil Complete 8-Hour Sleep If you eat well, exercise regularly, and manage your stress but don’t get enough sleep every night, you may be undermining all of your other efforts. Everyone feels better after a good night’s sleep. But how much is enough? An adult needs an average of 8 hours of sleep to help you relax and recover. Lack of sleep may affect your mood and productivity for the day. Your energy may be down and you may show lack of enthusiasm because of excessive sleepiness. This also affects your mental condition. Thus, you may find it hard to think, remember, or process information. Chronic sleep deprivation is often associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems. How Lack of Sleep Affects Hair Loss Sleep deprivation have shown significant negative effects on the body, which can directly or indirectly lead to conditions of hair loss and thinning hair. This is because lack of proper sleep can result to higher levels of stress, which is one of the major causes of hair loss. During sleep, the body undergoes numerous activities that help the body recover and develop, including generating new cells for hair growth. Prolonged stress can have a negative impact on your appearance especially the skin and hair. Limit Heat Styling Regular buns and ponytails can sometimes get a little boring. Surprisingly, a simple concept of heat styling is a pretty easy technique that works quite well on changing the hair’s structure temporarily. Heat styling tools like blow-dryers, curling irons, and flat irons are the basic go-to’s. You can transform the shape of your hair from being curly to straight, or vice versa with the help of these tools. Rocking different hairstyles is fun and creative. But, when using these hot tools, we put our hair under direct contact to high temperatures that range at around 200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. That is too hot to burn your skin! How Does Heat Styling Do Damage? High temperature from heat styling creates cracks in the cuticle, which is the protective layer of hair. This causes the scales of the cuticle to lift, making hair more vulnerable and easier for damaging chemicals and sunlight to penetrate. Over time, this makes the hair dry, dull, and weak. Hair easily breaks. Split ends and hair fall become more frequent. If you need to style your hair by heat styling, there are ways you can do to protect your hair from damage caused by heating tools. Below are 5 tips that may come in handy. Tips to protect hair from heat damage: Moisturize and deep condition your hair beforehand Apply heat protectant serum, spray or cream If using a straightening iron, blow dry your hair first Heat-style your hair less frequently Use heating tools with adjustable switches for better heat control Indulge in a Scalp Massage Just like good soil is essential to growing luscious plants, a healthy scalp is the key for growing thicker hair. A simple way to stimulate hair growth at home is to give yourself a scalp massage. This will increase blood flow to your scalp and help deliver nutrients to your hair follicles better. We discourage using bare fingers to massage your hair because it may do more damage than good. If you have long fingernails, it could scratch and hurt your scalp. Long nails with sharp edges can also cause the hair to uproot. Instead, use a gentle scalp brush that is intended for head massage. Look for a shampoo brush that is made with BPA free material and has soft bristles. You can massage your scalp when washing your hair with your favorite shampoo. If you prefer a scalp massage with dry hair, adding a nutrient-rich oil like the Shiny Leaf Organic Coconut Oil will double the benefits. Coconut oil is known to stimulate the follicles and promote hair growth while giving hair noticeable shine. Other Benefits of a Scalp Massage Brush: Relieves stress and anxiety Efficiently removes dead skin cells and product buildup Stimulates the scalp and promotes blood circulation Helps reduce flakiness of the scalp Use the Correct Hair Products The type of hair products you apply to your hair greatly affects more than just how it looks, but its ability to grow healthy as well. Every person has hair needs that require specific type of haircare products. That’s why companies have created various lines of products that are made with formulas that work for certain hair types, color, texture, or thickness. Haircare is not a one for all – all for one type of thing. That’s why specialized products are available for particular hair issues. Examples are dandruff shampoos intended to eliminate dandruff. Purple shampoos that brighten blonde hair may not have the same effect when used for brunette hair. There are also color-enhancing hair products for reds, blacks, and other hair colors. A deep conditioning treatment may not be necessary for oily hair as it is much needed to treat dry hair. When dealing with hair loss, you can easily find DHT-blocking products to help with that. DHT blockers help target the main cause of hair loss, which is the DHT or dihydrotestosterone. Three things to consider when choosing hair products: Your hair type Your hair issues Your hair goals Consistency is Key Have you heard of the 21/90 rule? This rule states that it takes 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change. Just like any habit, these 7 daily habits for hair growth and preventing hair loss takes discipline and one hundred percent full commitment. Consistency is of course the key to reaping good results. If you will look closely, these good hair habits are interrelated and therefore create a more meaningful effect when practiced altogether. For example, having a good night’s sleep, an active lifestyle, and a head massage all help with stress management. Try to incorporate them into your daily routine. The result will be a holistic healthy lifestyle that will benefit not only your hair but your life as a whole – in mind, body and soul.
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Top 5 Ingredients That Stimulate Natural Hair Growth
You might be looking for ways you can do to make your hair grow faster. Are there any natural remedies you can use? Perhaps there are vitamins you need to take? Are there specific ingredients you need to look for in your haircare products? In this blog, we will help answer those questions. First, we will look closely on how the hair grows and then list down the 5 best ingredients for hair growth. You will also get important tips and suggestions that will guide you in your hair growth journey. How Does Hair Grow? Did you know that you were born with all the hair follicles you’ll ever have? That’s about 100,000 hair follicles right on your scalp. Hair grows from a root at the bottom of every hair follicle under the skin. The blood underneath your scalp flows through the hair follicle to supply oxygen and nutrients to the root, which enable hair to grow. Your hair grows thicker and fuller as more hair strands come out as you grow older. Hair pushes through your scalp and passes by an oil gland. Because of the oil from this gland, your hair grows shiny and soft. What Ingredients Can Help Your Hair Grow? It is true that genetics play a major role in keeping hair thick. However, several factors like the products you use also come into play. Although there is no overnight remedy that will result in instant growth, there are powerful ingredients you can find to help your hair grow faster and thicker. Aloe Vera Aloe vera, otherwise known as Aloe barbadensis, is a succulent type of plant with thick and fleshy leaves that are green to grey-green in color. It has a gel-like substance inside of them, which is very much adored in the skincare realm. Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its healing properties. It has a cooling and soothing effect when applied to the skin. That’s why it makes a perfect natural remedy used to treat sunburns and skin inflammations. Because of its soothing benefits, it is also used to treat dry scalp issues where it was found to stimulate growth of healthy hair. Most users scoop the gel out of leaves cut fresh from a live plant. The gel has a clear color and watery texture that helps hydrate the hair and scalp. Allowing it to penetrate your hair follicles helps condition and treat damaged hair. Other Benefits of Aloe Vera: Calms itchy scalp and irritated skin Promotes healing Leaves the hair soft, smooth, and shiny Strengthens and repairs damaged strands Castor Oil Castor oil is a vegetable oil taken from the seeds of the Ricinus communis or castor plant. It has a pale-yellow color with a distinct nutty smell. The texture is very thick that’s why most users combine it with lighter oils like coconut oil when used. Castor oil has a high concentration of essential fatty acids. This oil is the unique source of ricinoleic acid, which constitutes up to 90% of the oil’s composition. It carries anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that promote healthy skin. When applied to the scalp, castor oil helps stimulate blood circulation that enables faster hair growth. The healthy fatty acids of castor oil have similar characteristics to the natural oil produced in the scalp. That’s why the moisture it carries is easily absorbed by the skin. Castor oil delivers other important nutrients such as vitamin E and protein too, making strands stronger and protected against damage. Other Benefits of Castor Oil: Treatment for dry hair and split ends Lengthens eyelashes and thickens eyebrows Relieves inflamed skin and flaky scalp Gets rid of stretch marks, acne, and blemishes when applied to skin Rosemary Oil Rosemary Oil is an aromatic liquid produced from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis or rosemary plant; a medicinal plant known for its culinary uses. Rosemary is best known as a food seasoning in various dishes. Rosemary oil has been used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic benefits. It is believed to help improve brain function, relieve pain, ease stress, and reduce joint inflammation. Rosemary oil also carries antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which make it a great alternative to chemical preservatives. Rosemary oil is considered a natural DHT blocker and can be found in anti-hair loss DHT-blocking shampoos and conditioners. When applied to hair, rosemary oil is believed to help with androgenetic alopecia, a type of hair loss better known as male pattern baldness, though it can affect both men and women. Rosemary oil is hailed as one of the 5 best ingredients for hair growth because it helps prevent hair loss while it stimulates better blood circulation. This allows the hair to grow faster, thicker, and fuller. Other Benefits of Rosemary Oil: Relieves stress and anxiety Reduces pain and inflammation Enhances memory and mental alertness Promotes faster healing Biotin Biotin is also known as vitamin B7, which is one of the B complex vitamins. Its main function is to help the body convert food into energy. It plays an important role in maintaining the health of the skin, hair, and even nails. Deficiency in biotin have been associated to hair loss or scaly skin conditions. Biotin is believed to improve the structure of hair and skin. If you are experiencing thinning hair, biotin supplementation may help prevent hair loss and assist in regrowth. Biotin is available as the key ingredient in hair products like the Shiny Leaf Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner. This product cleanses the hair and scalp while giving the hair the nourishing benefits of biotin and other great ingredients included in the formula. Biotin can also be taken orally as supplements. Increased biotin intake helps stimulate keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of hair growth. Other Benefits of Biotin: Thickens hair and improves elasticity for less breakage Strengthens nails Improves skin appearance Keeps the liver and nervous system healthy Coconut Oil Coconut oil is an edible oil made from pressing fresh or dried coconut meat. This hydrating oil is naturally rich in fatty acids, which support heathy hair and skin. In the food industry, coconut oil is used as a healthier option for a cooking oil. It is believed to offer various health benefits including increasing good cholesterol, controlling blood sugar, and weight loss. It is often preferred by people who wish to boost heart health and manage their weight. The best type of coconut oil to use is fractionated coconut oil. Regular coconut oil is usually thick and turns solid at lower temperatures. Fractionated coconut oil does not solidify. It is easily absorbed to the skin and is less likely to clog pores. Because of this, fractionated coconut oil works perfectly for massage, skincare applications, and DIY hair treatments. Try mixing 2/3 cup of Shiny Leaf Fractionated Coconut Oil with 1 tablespoon of Shiny Leaf Castor Oil to create a DIY deep conditioning treatment. Coconut oil helps stimulate the scalp to promote hair growth while leaving long-lasting shine and smoothness to hair. Other Benefits of Coconut Oil: Facial moisturizer and makeup remover Hydrates hair and scalp for soft smooth hair Great carrier oil for massage aromatherapy Supports heart health and weight loss Important Tips and Suggestions Remember that hair growth is a process and trying to make your hair grow faster won’t yield results overnight. What you need to understand is that a proper haircare routine combined with the right products makes a bigger possibility for success. So, if you’re ready to incorporate these 5 best ingredients for hair growth in your hair care routine, take these important tips to help you begin your hair growth journey on the right track. Use ingredients as they are. You can use these ingredients in their natural and pure forms without alterations. Apply aloe vera gel, coconut oil, castor oil, or rosemary oil to the scalp while massaging with your fingers lightly in a circular motion. Create DIY recipes. You can combine these ingredients to make your own DIY hair treatments. This is perfect for weekend relaxation, but you can do it anytime, like when you need some personal pampering. Check out these DIY castor oil recipes you can try at home! Check the label of products. When purchasing haircare products, it’s worth taking time to look for these 5 best ingredients for hair growth on the ingredients list. We can say that 50% of the success of a haircare routine depends on the haircare products you use. Consume as food. Some natural oils are edible and can be consumed. Rosemary oil and coconut oil falls right in this category, since they can be used for food preparation. Just make sure the product you are using is labelled good for consumption. Take supplements. Biotin can be taken orally as a dietary supplement. When looking for an anti-hair loss supplement, it is good to pick a product that contains biotin, combined with other ingredients that help prevent hair loss and encourage hair growth. A great example you can try is the enHAIRgy Supplement. Lastly – stick to a proper haircare routine. Once you have figured out a routine that works well for you, stick to it religiously. Be patient. As we’ve said, nothing is instant and results don’t happen overnight. Give yourself at least 90 days of a healthy haircare routine supported by products that contain these 5 best ingredients for hair growth, then see results for yourself!
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A Trip Down Memory Lane: Looking Back to Previous Products and Their Great Alternatives
As a brand that cares, Shiny Leaf always strives to find the best we can offer. Part of our mission is to constantly search for high-quality ingredients and come up with great products that our customers need—and eventually fall in love with. Making things better is an inevitable thing for us. That’s why over the years, our collection has gone through a series of metamorphosis. In terms of packaging, ingredients, labels, and to the very product we offer. We have made conscious decisions to change things up for a better and stronger Shiny Leaf that you can trust. In our 5-year existence in the industry of natural haircare and skincare, we’ve had a series of goodbyes and hellos. We welcomed new products to our collection. And there were also a few others we had to let go and replace with better ones. Join us in this blog as we take a trip down memory lane, to look back on the previous products that were once part of our collection and the items we replaced them with. Bye Pomegranate Oil, Hello Coconut Oil When Shiny Leaf was launched in August 2016, one of our pioneer products was the Pomegranate Seed Oil. Touted as a superfood, pomegranate is a popular fruit believed to carry antioxidant-rich nutrients that account for its many benefits. It is known to help lower inflammation and improve overall health. The oil is often cold-pressed from the fruit’s seeds. It is used in cosmetic products like serums and creams. Pomegranate seed oil is best for DIY skincare recipes. It contains vitamin C, which offers regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. The good news is we found a better alternative that provides the same benefits, plus more! The Fractionated Coconut Oil is a new item in our natural oils collection. It is a lightweight oil that cares gently for your hair and skin. It has incredible hydrating and moisturizing benefits that helps in reducing fine lines and wrinkles just like the anti-aging benefits that pomegranate seed oil offers. Coconut oil is also an excellent hair treatment that stimulates hair follicles. And it also works perfectly as a carrier oil in massage aromatherapy. Bye Rose Absolute Oil, Hello Sweet Almond Oil Another pioneer product, the Rose Absolute Oil was replaced by our Sweet Almond Oil. The Rose Absolute Oil was an absolute favorite when it comes to skincare. It provides the skin moisturizing benefits with the passionate aroma of roses. The smell has a calming effect. That’s why rose absolute oil is also a staple for aromatherapy. With just a few drops, this oil can make your room smell like a thousand roses. The rose absolute oil is also super lightweight and evaporates easily. For this reason, skincare junkies wanted something richer in texture when applied to the skin. That’s why we searched an alternative. It took us a while but the wait is worth it when we finally introduced the Sweet Almond Oil in November 2020. Our Sweet Almond Oil is as heavenly as the Rose Absolute Oil. It has a sweet nutty aroma and a medium to light consistency, which feels luxurious on the skin but does not leave a greasy feeling. It absorbs fast and can also be used for a relaxing body massage. It blends well with other types of oils, so you can use it for various DIY hair and skin recipes at home. Bye Argan Oil Products, Hello DHT Blocker Set We can’t deny that our argan oil product line was a surefire hit among our customers. The line consisted of an argan oil-infused shampoo, conditioner, and argan oil in its pure form. We introduced this line as our anti-hair loss solution but it didn’t take long when we finally decided to replace it with a stronger hair loss treatment line – the DHT Blocker Set. The DHT Blocker Set includes a shampoo and conditioner, both infused with DHT-blocking ingredients such as rosemary leaf oil and asparagus cochinchinensis extract. These ingredients are far more potent than argan oil when it comes to preventing hair loss. They work by targeting hair loss at the roots—literally—because DHT blockers work on the hair follicles. DHT or Dihydrotestosterone is a male hormone that can accumulate in the hair follicles. This blocks blood flow to the hair follicles, preventing nutrients from coming in. As a result, the hair follicles starve, shrink, and fall out without growing back. The purpose of DHT blockers is to prevent this from happening. With the DHT Blocker Shampoo and Conditioner, you get the benefits of anti-hair loss in combination with the benefits of other nourishing ingredients. Our DHT Blocker set also contains biotin and castor oil, which are known ingredients to help with hair growth. So, your hair stays shiny and strong as it grows thicker and fuller. But wait, there’s more! We know you really miss the argan oil product collection. That’s why they are returning soon as a new and improved set, to be launched early next year. Bye Tea Tree Oil Set, Hello Castor Oil Super Set Our Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner Set was referred to as the anti-dandruff set of our collection. But it was in September of the year 2020 that we decided to discontinue this set to focus on improving our Castor Oil Super Set. The Shiny Leaf Castor Oil Super Set is composed of three amazing products: Castor Oil Shampoo, Castor Oil Conditioner, and the Organic Castor Oil. We made the shampoo and conditioner an even better pair together. The new formula of the shampoo contains higher amounts of castor oil for better hair growth and shine. For the conditioner, we worked on making its Hair Rescue Formula stronger by adding more hair-caring ingredients like honey extract and coconut oil. All these hydrating ingredients help with dry scalp to reduce flaking. The keratin amino acids in the conditioner also help strengthen the strands to manage hair fall. Bye ActivHair, Hello enHAIRgy Remember our ActivHair Supplement? Now, it’s called the enHAIRgy Supplement. They provide the same benefits for anti-hair loss and hair growth boost, but with significant difference in the ingredients. The enHAIRgy Supplement contains higher amounts of active ingredients known to block DHT. These are natural ingredients like saw palmetto, horsetail, stinging nettle, fo-ti root, pygeum bark, and green tea leaf. It also contains higher amounts of vitamins A and B7 (also known as Biotin). This supplement has no fillers inside and is made with a veggie capsule. It is 100% vegetarian formula, gluten-free, and digests fast in the stomach. EnHAIRgy became available for everyone on September 2020 as part of the Shiny Leaf Wellness line. Keeps Getting Better, Stronger, Shinier! The Shiny Leaf story began with a mission to provide effective and high-quality natural products that fit your lifestyle and your budget. At the same time, we didn’t want to diminish your confidence in the products that we provide. So, we always try to find a happy medium between effectivity and price, to offer you the best products that will satisfy both conditions. With every product we develop, our customers, and how it will benefit them, is at the core of our efforts. We keep improving because we want to give you the best care that you deserve. With your trust at stake, we continue to strive for what is stronger, what works better, and what helps you achieve your goals when it comes caring and loving yourself. We promise that the Shiny Leaf collection will continue it’s top of the line product offers in the years ahead.
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The Hurtful Evils of Hexane to Beauty, Brain, and Body
Hexane is a chemical that many people may not be aware of but is present in some day-to-day products we use. It has been recognized for years to cause long-lasting, even permanent, nerve damage. A large quantity of hexane is produced in the United States each year in the form of solvents. It is commonly used in different industries such as printing, shoe making, textiles, automotive, and furniture. Many consumers purchase and use products containing hexane without being aware of the health risks. It is easily inhaled and absorbed through the skin. To avoid the negative effects of hexane, it is important to understand its properties, dangers, and available alternatives. What is Hexane? The chemical formula for hexane is C6H14. It is a colorless liquid that is highly flammable and does not mix with water. It gives off a subtle, gasoline-like odor but it is odorless when pure. This industrial chemical is used to extract edible oils from seeds and vegetables. It is also used as a solvent and cleaning agent. Hexane is a significant component of gasoline. How is Hexane Produced Hexane is a common industrial chemical derived from petroleum and are commonly obtained by refining crude oil. It can be taken from many sources like gasoline, camping fuel, and many hydrocarbon-based solvents. Common Uses of Hexane Even though most consumers are unfamiliar with hexane and its adverse effects to human health, it serves a number of industrial, commercial, and household purposes. Food Industry - The main use of hexane as a solvent is to extract edible oils from seeds and vegetable crops such as soybeans, nuts, and corn. Beauty Industry – Just like in the food industry, hexane is used as a solvent for oil seed extraction used as key ingredients in natural beauty products. There are brands that use hexane to extract oils such as castor oil, almond oil, and argan oil. These oils are used for hair and skin. They can also be added to haircare and skincare products like lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. Craft Supplies – Commercial grade hexane is used as solvent for varnishes, paints, glues, rubber cement, and adhesives. It is also present in stain removers, spray paints, and craft paints. It is used as a special glue in roofing, shoemaking, and leather goods. Printing Industry – Hexane is used as a cleansing agent in printers. Textile Manufacturing – Hexane is used as a cleaning agent. Laboratory – Hexane is typically used in laboratories for extracting oil and grease contaminants from water and soil for analysis. Hazards of Hexane Now that we have identified the different applications of hexane, it is also important to understand the negative effects of hexane for you – that includes your appearance and your overall health. Beauty Hexane is not actually used as an ingredient, but as a solvent to extract natural oils used in haircare and skincare products. When contaminated with hexane, your beauty products can be harmful in the long run. Aside from inhalation, hexane can also affect you by passing through the skin. Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. It may also cause eye and skin irritation with direct contact. Brain The effect of hexane is mostly on the brain. If exposures are high and occur frequently over months or years, effects on the brain can be long-lasting and possibly permanent. The most likely route of human exposure to hexane is by inhalation. Short-term exposure through inhalation of high levels of hexane causes mild effect to the central nervous system. This may involve feelings of dizziness, slight nausea, and headache. Long-term exposure to hexane in air may cause numbness on the extremities, muscle weakness, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness. Body High levels of exposure have been linked to a medical condition called peripheral neuropathy. It is characterized by numbness and tingling in the feet, legs, and hands. The muscles feel weak and there is also a lesser sensitivity to touch, pain, vibration, and temperature. In severe cases, muscles may shrink and lead to paralysis. Hexane vapors may cause dermatitis and irritation of the eyes and throat in humans. If swallowed, hexane can cause severe abdominal pain and cause difficulty in breathing, cough, and burning of the mouth, throat or chest. Exposure to Hexane and First Aid Getting exposed to hexane and having potential health risks are common to people who are dealing with hexane in the workplace on a regular basis. Constant use of products that contain hexane can also be a point of exposure. Shoe makers, refinery workers, lab technicians, printers, construction workers, auto mechanics, and some consumers may be at risk of exposure. Because of the negative effects of hexane, it is important to know what to do in case of accidental exposure. Inhalation Hexane evaporates easily, so breathing contaminated air during manufacture and use of the chemical is the most common form of exposure. In case of inhalation of hexane, move the patient to area with fresh air. Losen tight clothing such as belt or collar. If breathing becomes difficult, oxygen should be administered. A trained person may begin a rescue breathing if breathing stops or CPR if the patient becomes unconscious. Call for medical assistance immediately. Eye Contact In case of eye contact, remove contact lenses if necessary and immediately flush eyes with running water for 15 to 20 minutes. Consult a physician before applying any ointment or taking medications. Skin Contact In case of skin contact, quickly remove contaminated clothing. Wash the affected area immediately with soap and water. Treat the area with anti-bacterial cream to avoid infections. Ingestion If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. If the patient is conscious, drink one to two glasses of water to dilute the chemical. Never give anything by mouth to a person who is unconscious or convulsing. Seek medical attention immediately. Other Safety Precautions Wear protective clothing such as cloves, safety goggles, and nose and mouth cover when working with hexane. Do not smoke, drink, or eat when within the area where hexane is present. Seek medical attention after direct exposure to hexane, especially if you experience severe symptoms. How Hexane is Regulated Now The Congress specifically identified hexane as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act. It is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Certain steps had been taken to address exposures to hexane especially when released to outdoor air. Workplaces were required to take action in order to minimize exposure of workers. Companies need some disclosure requirements for environmental releases. Safer, Effective Substitutes to Hexane are Available Water-based cleaners are good alternatives to hexane in the industries where meticulous cleaning is required. Unfortunately, despite the well-known severe negative effects of hexane, this toxic substance is still present in many consumer products we use every single day. The reason behind is mostly because hexane is cheaper when it comes to operational costs. When extracting oils from seeds, the cold-pressing method is a safer alternative. Cold-pressing means manually pressing the seeds using a mechanical press machine to extract the oils. This does not involve heat or chemicals to preserve the purity and properties of the oil. Then the oil is filtered to remove impurities. A great example is the Cold-Pressed Castor Oil offered by Shiny Leaf. It is organic, natural, and hexane-free! Stay Healthy with Hexane-Free Products Anyone can be exposed to hexane when using household products that contain hexane. It can be present in some personal care products that contain natural seed oils. Some common types of these oils are argan oil, castor oil, and almond oil. Some manufacturers of these beauty products use hexane as solvent for extraction because of economic reasons. We, at Shiny Leaf, want to ensure the quality of our products. That’s why we are confident that the natural oils we offer are 100% pure and hexane-free. We use the process called cold-pressing in order to take the natural oils from their raw materials. Cold-pressed oils are found to be more effective. They contain the highest amounts of nutrients that are beneficial for your hair and skin. The castor oil, sweet almond oil, and argan oil used in our products are very nourishing. They are certified organic and safe for all. You will enjoy using them for your daily beauty routines without worrying about the negative effects of hexane for your body and health.
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Ditching Chemical-Based Haircare Products for Healthier Hair and Ocean
Ask any haircare expert what kind of shampoo and/or conditioner is the best choice for keeping hair healthy, and they would all say the same thing: a sulfate-free and paraben-free one. And that’s because sulfates, parabens, and other chemical-based ingredients like hexane and silicones can be damaging to hair. Most of these ingredients are not only harsh, they can also irritate the scalp/skin. They can wash down our drains and end up in marine communities, causing water contamination and affecting marine life. When picking the right shampoo, the most commercially popular brand is not typically the best. With the growing awareness of the bad effects of certain cosmetic ingredients, beauty companies have become determined more than ever to discover the best sulfate-free and paraben-free formula of their shampoos and conditioners. Sulfate-free and paraben-free hair care products have become in demand and are now readily available in the market. No worries because they don’t cost a fortune. But before you make the switch, take a closer look at each harmful ingredient to understand why you should avoid them. What are Sulfates, Parabens, Hexane, and Silicone? Sulfates If shampoo ads featuring women shampooing their hair with seemingly endless foam easily wins you over, you really have to think twice. The ingredient behind that rich lather is sulfate. Rather than leading to healthy, shiny hair, using a shampoo that is not sulfate-free actually strips away the natural oils and moisture from your hair. Sulfates are synthetic ingredients based on sulfur, which is derived from petrolatum or other sources. Common sulfates found in shampoos and conditioners are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES). The main thing about sulfates is that these are detergents or cleansers that deliberately remove dirt and excess oil. But they are extremely strong that they can strip away that natural moisture, which keeps your hair shiny and soft. Bad Effects of Sulfates: Causes hair and skin to go dry and damaged in the long run On a deeper level, have the potential to cause hormonal disruption in humans and animals Can corrode and damage the hair follicles, leading to hair loss Major contaminant in natural waters Parabens An easy way to remember what parabens are for is to take note of its first letter (the letter P). P is for preservative. Parabens are most frequently used in personal care products to preserve them from growing fungus, bacteria or microbes. They are commonly found in some lotions, makeup, food, and pharmaceuticals. By knowing the negative effects of parabens, you would prefer more a paraben-free shampoo and conditioner every time you shop. Bad Effects of Parabens: Unwanted health problems such as increased risk of developing cancer May disrupt hormones in the body and affect fertility, reproductive organs, and birth outcomes Poses potential health risks to marine animals such as polar bears and dolphins Can also cause skin irritation Linked to ecological harm especially to corals Hexane Hexane in beauty products is not actually used as an ingredient, rather it is used to extract an ingredient from its raw materials. For example, natural oils taken from seeds, nuts, or vegetables may be extracted using hexane as a solvent. Some manufactures of products like castor oil or almond oil prefer to use hexane for economic reasons. To help preserve the purity of our castor oil products, we make sure that we use castor oil that is cold-pressed, certified organic, and hexane-free. Bad Effects of Hexane: Severe exposure may affect the nervous system Inhalation may cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and even unconsciousness If swallowed, may cause abdominal pain and impact the respiratory system Eye and skin contact may cause irritation Silicone Silicones are synthetic polymers – substances with properties similar to plastics and resins. They are usually added to haircare products to give hair extra shine and smoothness. There are many types of silicones and a great way to know if your shampoo or conditioner contains them is to look for words ending in ‘cone’ on the ingredient list like “dimethicone”. Because of the hair benefits of silicone, there’s little debate whether it’s good or bad. It is not necessarily harmful (because silicone isn’t a toxic chemical) but if you have a curly or wavy hair – whether natural or permed – it would be best to look for a silicone-free shampoo and conditioner. Bad Effects of Silicone: Hair gets weighed down and appear greasy Forms a layer around the hair shaft which can prevent moisture and nutrients from penetrating Quite difficult to wash off and can create a buildup over time, leading to dry and brittle hair How Bad Ingredients Can Affect Marine Life Ingredients toxic to human health eventually wind up in aquatic ecosystems. Scientists have raised awareness about personal care products like shower gels, facial washes, sunscreens, including shampoos and conditioners containing sulfates and parabens can be bad for environment. When we rinse off our hair every time we use a shampoo and conditioner, the products are washed down the drain with the water. Water waste treatment plants don’t usually break down all these ingredients and some make their way to the marine environment. This causes toxicity in water, hurting the marine ecosystem. Corals become in danger due to induced bleaching, damage, and deformation. Fishes and other water animals accumulate toxins that can impair growth, decrease fertility and reproduction, and damage their immune system. Although measures have been put in place over the years, a throng of bad ingredients are still present in everyday personal care products. It is now up to all of us to make the right choices to avoid upsetting our marine ecosystems and polluting the world’s oceans. Shiny Leaf Natural Products Do Not Contain Any Sulfates, Parabens, Hexane nor Silicone With an overwhelming number of choices for shampoos and conditioners, it’s easy to get lost and end up picking the ones that are potentially harmful. As it is always said in the cosmetics industry, “not all products are created equal.” Therefore, looking closely at the ingredients of the product is a fair step in avoiding products filled with ingredients that are bad for you and the marine life. Choose Haircare Products Made with Natural Ingredients Most brands in the cosmetics and personal care industry have taken action by releasing organic or all-natural lines. The smartest move is to choose these types of products. Just make sure to always check the label before you check out. By doing so, you can avoid buying products that contain major marine life culprits such as sulfates and parabens. Other harmful ingredients are triclosan, UV filters, and saponins. Use only products that contain certified all-natural and organic ingredients. They are caring for you (your skin, hair, and health) and they don’t harm our beloved ocean. In Shiny Leaf, we use oils and plant extracts along with other safe alternatives in creating our natural products. Oils and Extracts If you want to embark on a chemical-free hair care routine, opt for products infused with plant-based ingredients with natural hydrating properties. Great examples are castor oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, almond oil, and nourishing extracts from coconut, aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea. These are often found in silicone-free conditioner and shampoo products. They offer a natural way to nourish hair, leaving it with the same shiny look. Other Safer Ingredients Shampooing is more enjoyable when you feel the suds working through your hair and scalp. You can still get that lather that you want using a shampoo with sulfate-free formula. Usually, sulfate-free shampoos would use safer alternatives such as coco glucosides and sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, which are derived from coconut. A paraben-free conditioner or shampoo would usually contain phenoxyethanol as a much safer alternative. Similarly, sodium benzoate (and benzoic acid), sodium benzoate (and potassium sorbate) and benzyl alcohol are valid alternatives. By making smart choices, you can greatly help to care for the ocean while keeping your hair beautiful. And when summer comes, you can enjoy the carefree time on the beach because you know our marine life is healthy, safe, and protected. ALSO REMEMBER: Did you know that plastics used for product packaging such as bottles and sachets can also harm the oceans? And we all know that plastics don’t go away just like that. Plastic packaging can block water ways and can cause water pollution. It is good to know that Shiny Leaf shampoo and conditioner bottles are recyclable. Remember to do recycling in your household to help save our oceans and our planet!
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Get Idol-Worthy Hair with Korean Scalp Care Routine
The Korean 10-step skin care method has taken over the West. Many have tried this method and have attested to its effects of healthier and suppler skin. But did you know there’s a 10-step method for your hair too? The secret to healthy hair lies in your scalp. That’s the main focus of the Korean hair care routine. This method consists of removing dead skin cells and layering hydrating products. Read on more on how to get luscious tresses like your favorite K-Pop idol. What the Korean Scalp Care Routine Does for Your Hair Want to take your hair care game up a notch? Try the method Koreans use for their hair. The Korean hair care method uses an approach that’s similar to treating your complexion. This approach focuses mainly on keeping pH levels balanced when cleansing your skin and hair. To do this you’ll need products formulated for your scalp such as exfoliators, serums, and masks. What is pH and Why is it Important? pH, or potential hydrogen, is a measure used to find out if liquids are acidic or basic. This measure ranges from 1-14 with 1 being highly acidic while 14 indicating the product as alkaline or basic. Liquids with a pH level of 7 are known as neutral. Both human skin and scalp are fairly acidic. They fall within the 4.5-5.5 range. Your skin has an acid barrier that helps prevent bacterial and fungal growth. It is essential to maintain your scalp’s natural pH level by using the right products. A compound that’s too alkaline, or too acidic, opens or closes your cuticles respectively. Your hair fibers are prone to damage if your pH levels are unbalanced. The Benefits and Importance of Scalp Care Your scalp and skin are composed of the same proteins and fats. They both have oil glands that produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum spreads through your strands and keeps them shiny and moisturized. When your scalp is unhealthy, you experience dry or greasy hair. You may experience hair issues such as hair loss or dandruff. Taking care of your scalp the same way you would care for your skin keeps hair healthy. Doing this also promotes hair growth and strength. Regularly cleansing your scalp prevents clogged follicles and buildup. Applying products that protect your scalp helps prevent hair damage from external stressors, such as UV rays and chemicals. Scalp Types and Conditions You Need to Know Your sebaceous glands help determine what type of scalp you have. These glands produce an oily substance, called sebum. Knowing which type of scalp you have helps you choose the right products with the best ingredients. Dry Scalp Dry scalp usually means you have small oil glands. The sebum from these oil glands isn’t able to coat your tresses with the moisture it needs. Your hair is prone to breakage and dryness for the lack of moisture. Chances are your scalp has a high pH level or too alkaline. Look for products with ingredients that have pH levels that range from 6-7. Use a product that contains acidic ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar and citrus extracts. Oily Scalp If you have oily skin, chances are you naturally have greasy hair. Your scalp has large pores that produce too much sebum, which leads to limp hair. Excess oils mean your scalp’s pH is level is low or acidic. Some factors, such as hormonal changes and diet, are the causes of an oily scalp. Choose products with a regular pH level of 7. These hair products help rebalance your scalp and hair’s pH level. Water-based plant extracts are ideal ingredients to look for to counteract the oiliness. Normal Scalp Your hair is easy to manage if you have a normal scalp. Your natural oils are balanced, which means you have soft and shiny locks. Keeping your hair’s state is important even if you don’t have any issues. Choose gentle products to maintain the pH level of your scalp. Combination Scalp You most likely have a mix of an oily scalp, frizzy strands, and dry ends if you have combination hair. Sebum from your oil glands doesn’t spread through your strands effectively. Your scalp traps the oil and creates a greasy appearance while you have dull strands. People with curly, frizzy, or long hair usually have combination hair. For curly hair, choose products that are slightly acidic since your cuticles are already a bit open. The 10-Step Korean Scalp Care Routine You have heard of the glass skin trend, but have you heard of glass hair? The focus of the Korean scalp care routine is all about cleansing, hydrating and rebalancing pH levels. Here are the steps to follow to get shiny and manageable hair. Step 1: Do a Scalp Treatment A healthy scalp promotes the growth of soft, smooth, and shiny hair. When dirt, oil, pollutants, and dead skin cells form on your scalp, they make hair look dull and lifeless. Cleansing with a scalp treatment removes these impurities and residue. This step prevents clogged follicles and other scalp issues. Look for a product with a gentle formula. Apply a scalp treatment once a week before shampooing your tresses. Do not apply treatment every day to avoid irritating your scalp. Step 2: Lather on Shampoo After cleansing with a scalp treatment, follow up with shampoo. Choose a shampoo that contains natural ingredients. Avoid harsh chemical-based ingredients that strip off your natural oils. You want a product that hydrates your hair while keeping your scalp clean. Shiny Leaf Castor Oil Shampoo is an excellent product that works for different scalp types. It’s packed with healthy fatty acids that keep hair and scalp clean as it hydrates. This shampoo removes dirt and excess oils without stripping your hair off its natural oils. Lather on a quarter-sized amount of shampoo. Massage gently and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing. Step 3: Massage Your Scalp Massaging your scalp offers benefits for your hair. It helps stimulate follicles, which improves blood circulation on your scalp. Doing this encourages hair growth and thickness. You can use a scalp brush or your fingers. Massage your scalp in gentle, circular motions with your fingers or brush massager. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes while shampooing your hair. Step 4: Apply Conditioner Conditioning your hair is an important step after cleansing your tresses. Applying conditioner helps restore moisture to your strands. Look for a conditioning product that has natural ingredients, such as plant extracts. Take a dollop-sized amount of conditioner and apply two-thirds up from the ends of your hair. Use more if your hair feels dry and damaged. Let conditioner sit for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Step 5: Do Weekly Hair Mask Treatment Deep conditioning masks nourish and add strength to your tresses. They contain active ingredients that help strengthen and repair damaged hair. Use a hydrating hair mask if you have coarse and dry strands. For fine and oily hair, look for masks that have strengthening and lightweight ingredients. Apply a hair mask once or twice a week on damp hair as a substitute for conditioner. Leave the mask on for 15 or 30 minutes before rinsing. Step 6: Rinse Your Hair with Vinegar Apple cider vinegar has a lot of beneficial nutrients. It has antimicrobial properties that provide relief for inflamed areas in your scalp. It also helps restore your scalp’s pH levels, resulting in less frizzy and dull hair. Apple cider vinegar is ideal for different hair types as it counteracts dryness and prevents excess oil production. Mix one part apple cider vinegar and water. Rinse your scalp with the mixture after shampooing and conditioning your tresses. Massage the solution on your scalp for two minutes. Use cold water to rinse out the vinegar afterward. Do this process once or twice a week. Step 7: Apply Scalp Serum Scalp serums contain a high concentration of ingredients that care for your scalp. This hair care product repairs and moisturizes your scalp by penetrating through your follicles. They prevent dryness and excess oiliness on your scalp. Use a light and oil-free serum if you have a greasy scalp. Use a serum with a dense consistency and hydrating properties if you have dry scalp. Apply a quarter-sized amount of serum on your scalp after you shower. Gently massage the product into your scalp to let the nutrients absorb. Step 8: Apply Hair Serum Hair serums tame flyaways and add shine to your tresses. Some hair serums protect your hair from heat while you use styling tools. Water-based serums are ideal for oily hair. Serums packed with oils work for coarse and dry hair. After applying a scalp serum, place a few drops of serum on the palm of your hands. Apply serum on your hair. No need to rinse serum. Step 9: Apply Hair Mist or Hair Oil You want to prevent your hair from losing shine and moisture. Hair mists and oils create a protective layer on your hair to seal in water. Spray on some water-based hair mist if you have oily hair. Apply a few drops of hair oil if you have dry strands. Step 10: Do an Overnight Treatment Overnight treatments help strengthen and hydrate your strands overnight while you sleep. They target frizzy and damaged hair. These treatments nourish your hair while you sleep, leaving you with smooth, soft, and shiny tresses. Apply an overnight treatment on your hair before going to bed. Wear a shower cap or wrap your head in cling film to prevent any messy stains on your pillows and sheets. The key to a great hair care routine is balancing out oils and restoring moisture to your scalp. Doing this Korean 10-step scalp care routine seems intimidating at first but it will benefit your hair in the long run. Make sure to choose the right products suitable for your scalp and hair type to avoid hair issues from occurring.
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Hair-Saving Tips that Can Restore Life to Oily Tresses
Compared to dry and frizzy hair, having oily hair might be a bit more unbearable. This is not to say that frizziness is not a serious issue. It’s a frustrating hair concern many women share. However, there is a quick fix for frizzy hair – serums and moisturizing oils. On the other hand, you might need more than a handy product to solve the excessive oiliness of your hair. Oily hair lacks shine and volume, making it look lifeless. This is probably the complete opposite of your dream hair. When you have oily hair, you deal with lack of volume, dullness, and gummy hair texture. Your hair doesn’t bounce like healthy hair does. It also doesn’t shine even when it is weighed down with heavy oil. Shampooing feels like the best solution to this problem. But don’t rush to the bathroom just yet! Shampooing excessively or using harsh formulas can actually make your hair more oily. Yes, the fresh and clean feeling after you wash your hair is glorious. However, you might be doing more damage instead of solving your problem. Luckily, we have some tips that can help prevent excessive oiliness of hair to restore its volume and shine! Why Do You Have Oily Hair? Your scalp produces natural oil called sebum, which helps moisturize your hair. The oil coats hair strands to keep them moisturized all day long. If you have straight hair, it is easier for the oil to reach the entire length of hair strands. This makes your hair shinier and smoother. This is also why curly and wavy hair are more prone to dryness. The curves of hair strands make it hard for the oil to reach the entire length. The oil is only able to reach the part of hair strands close to the scalp. In some instances, your scalp doesn’t produce enough oil to moisturize hair. You can use carrier oils and leave-in conditioners to solve this issue. However, what do you do if your scalp produces too much? Find out how it happens and the best solutions you can do to prevent hair from becoming excessively oily. What Makes Hair Oily Sebum helps make your hair shinier, softer, and smoother. However, too much sebum can weigh heavily on strands, leaving your hair dull, limp, and sticky. Before you shampoo your hair, learn why your hair becomes oily to understand how you can fix it. Various factors can make your hair extremely oily. A common reason might be because you are not using the right products for your hair. Shampoos and conditioners affect how your hair feels and looks. If you use the wrong product, it can cause hair damage or in this case, make your hair oily. Products can leave residue on your hair too. Residue might weigh heavily on strands, making your hair fall limp. Here are some signs that you are not using the right product: Your hair feels gummy or rubbery even after shampooing hair. Your hair feels extra slick and oily when you rinse off conditioner from hair. You have flat roots. Your hair looks limp and dull after it gets dry. Your hair loses volume when you use conditioner. Oily hair happens when your scalp produces too much sebum too. Excessive oil production can be triggered by various factors such as habits, lifestyle, climate, and hormonal changes. Most of these causes are unavoidable. However, you don’t have to lose hope. You can still fix oily hair to make it softer and smoother again. Here are signs that your scalp is producing oil excessively: Your hair and scalp might smell like natural body odor. Your scalp can get flaky due to fungus present on scalp, which feeds on oil. It speeds up skin cell renewal and leaves layers of dead skin cells on scalp. Your scalp feels itchy or irritated. Bumps or pimples might appear on scalp. These happen when oil clogs hair follicles. 6 Common Habits That Makes Hair Oily If you have oily hair, you should learn about the common habits that can make it worse. Yes, you might have habits that make your hair oily. Below are some of these common habits and how they cause oily hair. 1. Touching Your Hair Often When you touch your hair often, you transfer oil from your hands to hair. Running your hands through your hair also distributes the oil from scalp to the rest of the strands. This leaves the entire length of your tresses oilier. 2. Shampooing Your Hair Too Much Your scalp works the same way as your skin when it comes to oil production. When they are dry, skin and scalp produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. Shampooing too much removes necessary moisture from hair and scalp, which triggers excessive oil production. This leaves your hair and scalp oilier than before. 3. Applying Too Much Hair Product Not all hair products you apply on hair are absorbed by strands. Most of these products do not absorb to the deeper layers of hair, leaving a film of oil and product residue on the surface. This makes hair oilier and heavier. Product residue can also affect oil production. They may build up on scalp and clog hair follicles, triggering excessive oil production. 4. Using Hot Water When Washing Hair Hot water is not only drying for hair. It can cause excessive oil production. The temperature stimulates sebaceous glands, making them produce more oil. 5. Tying Your Hair Often When you tie your hair, the natural oil from scalp can’t travel from the roots towards the rest of the hair strands. This causes oil buildup on a certain area of scalp, leaving your hair with uneven oiliness. 6. Using Heat Styling Tools Too Much The heat from styling tools such as hair dryer and straightening irons stimulate excessive oil production too. This leaves your hair oilier. Heat removes necessary moisture from hair as well, which further aggravates oil production. Best Products for Oily Hair It’s challenging to manage an oily hair type. However, there are tips and products that can help you handle oily hair so it gains volume and shine. Make sure that you use the best product for your hair type to keep your tresses soft, smooth, and lustrous. Below are some products you should give a try: Volumizing Shampoo – Oily hair lacks volume, which makes it look limp and lifeless. A volumizing shampoo helps your hair gain volume so it looks thicker and fuller. Volumizing shampoos make the strands lighter as they remove oil and dirt clinging to hair. Dry Shampoo – Dry shampoo comes in various forms. You can get powder or spray dry shampoos that absorb excess oil and dirt from hair and scalp. They are so easy to use and makes your hair smoother and shinier. Dry shampoo does not leave any flaky residue on scalp. Scalp Treatment – Scalp treatment products may help regulate oil production so your scalp and hair do not get oily. Most scalp treatments are deep conditioners as well, providing hydration to the deeper layers of scalp. They prevent excessive oil production by retaining hydration on scalp and hair. Texturizing Spray – Texturing sprays give your hair airy volume and smoother texture. They remove the oily and heavy texture caused by excess oil. Foam Conditioner – If your hair feels rough and oily at the same time, you can use a foam conditioner. It does not weigh heavily on strand so your locks still look full and thick. Foam conditioners coat your hair in light moisture to make them smoother and easier to manage. Clarifying Shampoo – Clarifying shampoos help remove product residue and stubborn oil from hair and scalp. They make hair shinier and give it more volume. This product is perfect for oily hair. Shiny Leaf Tea Tree Oil Shampoo is a great shampoo that clarifies hair. It cleanses hair and scalp deeply while providing hydration that can help regulate oil production. The shampoo restores volume and shine to oily hair so it becomes more lustrous. While it’s a struggle to maintain the shine and volume of oily hair, there are lots of products that can help you along the run. Make sure that you use high-quality hair products so your hair stays full of life!
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