As you all know I’m in the process of overhauling my hair regimen, transitioning into a more simple and natural regimen. I’m specifically focusing on the ingredients I use on my hair. For a while now I have been meaning to do this since I have noticed that my regimen consisted mainly of cones, mineral oil and many other sinful ingredients known throughout the hair world.
In the short run my hair has benefited from these ingredients at least superficially I feel. But in the long run that may not be the case. Lately my hair has gotten very limp, weighed down and just plain lifeless. Dryness and keeping up with moisture has become rather tricky especially while air drying. I strongly suspect it’s my regimen and most of the products I have been using for the past year. So I decided to go on a silicone and mineral oil free regimen.
I mainly want to keep “cones” and mineral oil as far as possible from my hair and here’s why:
Silicones:
What’s good about it: Temporarily mends split ends, detangles, provides shine and manageability, keeps frizz at bay and gives appearance of healthier shinier hair.
What’s bad about it: Cones tend to coat the hair which is what tames frizz, giving the appearance of shiny healthy hair. However, this coating causes buildup on the hair which eventually blocks out moisture.
How to recognize cones: Recognizing silicones in hair care products can be rather daunting but taking a few seconds and familiarizing yourself with cones and their names you should get it right in no time.
A silicone ingredient typically ends with -cone, -conol, or -xane. Examples include: dimethicone, dimethiconol, amodimethicone, cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, and trimethicone. Source
My hair tends to like cones especially when rollersetting and with styles that require heat. Lately I have been air drying and the results are not the same at all. I find that cones provides my hair with a quick fix especially with straight styles that requires heat. As opposed to my curls and air dried hair which ends up dry requiring more moisturizer especially My Ors Olive oil daily moisturizer, which leads me into Mineral oil.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oi is derived from petroleum and like cones, coats the hair which in turn builds up on the hair, blocking out moisture. It basically just sit on the hair providing no true benefit to the hair. I have to admit I hav been in denial for a bit. Mineral oil is the second ingredient in my beloved ORS olive oil which I moisturize daily with. The thought of it just sitting on my hair as opposed to truly moisturizing is killing me. It’s best to keep mineral oil based products away from the scalp since it clogs pores as well, hindering new hair growth while promoting dandruff. A lot of my favorite Dominican deep conditioners contain this ingredient like Nacidt avocado, olive oil etc!
I’m not knocking these products, if anything my hair has grown a lot in the year since using these products, questionable ingredients and all. Remember that every hair type is different. The time it take for you to notice any cone buildup can take months while other hair types instantly feel the buildup by using products with these ingredients. One way to rid or keep you hair at bay of cone buildup is by using a sulfate based shampoo or clarify often, since it’s hard to rid the hair of cone buildup without a detergent based shampoo.
I’m going to try sticking with this cone free/sulfate free all natural regimen. I’m curious to see if my hair will bounce back at least to some decent thickness. I also have been getting bored with my routine so hopefully this new venture will keep me interested. Here is a sneak peak of some of the things I’m buying to start my natural regimen.
Silicone free and ultra thick and moisturizing. I will use this as a base for my deep conditioners.
Black strap molasses. I take a tablespoon of this every morning for my anemia. But I find that my hair will like this as well.
So remember if you are going to use cone or mineral oil based products make sure you pay attention to build up especially if you are using a sulfate free shampoo, since it’s hard to rid the hair of cone buildup without a detergent based shampoo. Sulfate based shampoos help, but remember they also dry out and strip the hair of moisture. So it’s all about paying attention to your hair’s needs and of course balance.
My new hair regimen wish list is coming to life as well as my recipe stash, I’ll have a post on that soon in the mean time check these helpful links out.
Black Hair Media: All About Cones
Black Hair Media: List of Cone free Conditioners
The Natural Haven: Mineral Oil
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