In the past, I have already told you here on the blog about possible alternative hair washing methods: using flour or doing the cowash .
As you may well know by now, using dyeing herbs and pampering my hair with washing and conditioning herbs has been the turning point for my hair, which I have always considered my weak point.
Today I still can't believe it when you write me to compliment you on my hair and ask me for tips on what to change in your hair care routine to regain healthy and shiny hair.
I want to specify that there are washing herbs, skin cleansers and then there are conditioning herbs.
It may happen that a cleansing herb is also conditioning as happens for example with sidr or shikakai.
cleansing herbs,
they are herbs that have the power to cleanse / cleanse the hair because they contain saponins, while conditioning herbs help to untangle the hair and can also have particular properties: sebum-regulating, anti-hair loss, fortifying…etc.
But in today's insight I want to compare the 3 cleansing herbs , which you can find on my shop, www.curavisoecapelli .
These are three powders that derive from 3 different plants, so they also have slightly different cleansing properties.
When you have to choose which WASHING HERB to use on your hair, you rightly wonder: which one is right for my hair? what is the difference between them?
The 3 cleansing herbs I will compare today are:
The SIDR
which, thanks to the mucilage it releases , has an amazing effect on fine hair, because it leaves it full-bodied and voluminous. Delicate on the skin, it is also used in dye mixes in low percentages - up to 10/15% to fix the dark pigment.
Therefore, it is also excellent as a shampoo, because it is not very aggressive on vegetable pigments.
I don't particularly recommend it on thick and robust hair, which is already full-bodied to the touch and therefore may not appreciate the effect it leaves on the hair.
The SHIKAKAI
which is a plant rich in saponins but which also has a slight conditioning power, cleanses the hair leaving it soft and silky. The powder is obtained from the pods and fruits of the dried and micronized Acacia Concinna.
It guarantees excellent results in terms of washing, softness and volume and thanks to its delicate action on the scalp and lengths it is the perfect ally for daily use.
THE ARITHA GLOW
is a blend of soap nut powder enriched with purifying neem powder and conditioning, volumizing and polishing kapoor kachli powder .
Compared to SIDR or SHIKAKAI powder, Aritha (soap nut) powder performs a greater washing activity because it contains the higher index of saponins, a natural surfactant which is released more or less intensely based on the temperature of the water it comes into contact with.
In fact, to counterbalance this property which can be a little too washing on some types of hair, I have chosen to add to the Aritha powder
- of conditioning Kapoor Kachli powder e
- of Neem powder with purifying and antiseptic properties thus creating the Aritha Glow washing mix.
Unlike other cleansing herbs, once water is added, the mixture will lather slightly as the saponins are activated.
I recommend it as a mix to anyone with a delicate, oily scalp that suffers from dandruff and itching.
DRY HAIR?
For those, on the other hand, with dry scalp and hair, Shikakai and Aritha Glow should be combined with SIDR (50%-50%) or METHI (70%-30%) , or by replacing the water with gel flaxseed to make the batter more moisturizing and prevent dryness. I advise against exposures longer than 10 minutes.
Both Shikakai powder and Aritha Glow mix burn when in contact with eyes. They have an unpleasant, bitterish taste if they end up on the lips.
All three cleansing herbs should be used on light or bleached hair only after doing a test test on a hidden strand of hair.
Among the conditioning herbs we count:
- Amla powder: (emblica officinalis) which purifies the scalp and promotes hair growth and strengthens the roots
- Neem powder: antiseptic and antibacterial, sebum regulator, fights dandruff and scalp problems
- Fenugreek powder: fights hair loss and promotes hair growth
- Kapoor kachli powder : stimulates growth and conditions the hair, leaving it full-bodied, shiny and pleasantly scented
- Orange powder: leaves hair conditioned, shiny and perfumed
I manage to have very shiny hair, thanks to the properties of the 3 washing herbs , because they are excellent for fighting dandruff and regulating sebum production. Furthermore, they clean the skin and stems without degreasing.
Personally I love to alternate them every week also based on how my skin feels without ever completely excluding eco-friendly shampoo. I advise you to always experiment firsthand to find your own balance that is good for your hair.
© Beautiful Delights
In the online shop you will find everything you need (including herbal dyes) to take care of your skin and hair in a conscious way. Click HERE to visit it!
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Rozalia & the Beautilicious Delights Team.