Seeing as I do what I do, hair care companies often want to send me product to review. I think it’s my job as a blogger to try out as many hair and beauty products as possible to let you guys know what’s truly a HIT and not a miss. But every now and then I’ll get an unsolicited box of products that has nothing to do with my texture or hair needs. I’ve randomly gotten all kinds of mousses and hairsprays and relaxers and hair dyes. Those products instantly go into the before-you-leave-take-what-you-want box for female guests leaving Casa Afrobella, or they’re donated to a women’s shelter.
Other products, especially those that claim to cater to natural hair, I do my best to at least try. Unless there’s an ingredient in there that I won’t use in my hair. For me, the two main two dealbreaker hair product ingredients are petrolatum and alcohol. From the moment I see those items appear in the first few ingredients on a label, I hesitate to give the product a try.
Now I KNOW this is up for debate. It’s been widely believed in the natural hair community that petrolatum (or mineral oil) is bad for your hair. However it’s a lot more complicated than the general statement that it’s bad, as Natural Chica explains in this very helpful video.
She’s an engineer and knows her science! I respect her knowledge so much.
For even MORE on mineral oil, check out Curly Nikki’s post A Closer Look at Mineral Oil, and Rules of Engagement for Mineral Oil over at BGLH.
And I DO sometimes use these items in skincare like body lotions and even some of my bath products. But I personally don’t care for petrolatum based products in my hair because it makes it look all linty and heavy and I don’t like the feel of my hair after using those kinds of products. And if alcohol is the second or third ingredient in a hair product, I’ve come to realize that will translate to dry, frizzy hair for me. It’s been a process of trial and error, but those are my two biggest product dealbreakers. I try to avoid products that include them predominantly.
Whenever I hear something’s rumored to be bad for you, I try to do the due diligence and research it. I’m happy to know that these ingredients aren’t necessarily harmful to your hair. My hair just doesn’t like them, is all.
What about you, bellas? Do you have any hair product ingredient dealbreakers? Which are yours and why?
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