Choosing a shampoo for curly hair

Curly hair is more demanding than straight or wavy hair.
It needs intensive moisturizing and smoothing.
Find out which shampoo for curly hair is right for you.

Curly hair requires special treatment.
To know which products are suitable for curly hair, it’s important to understand hair structure.
The basic classification of hair is based on its curl.
Hair stylists and trichologists distinguish between straight, wavy, curly, “frizz“and very curly (spirals, afro).

Curls and spirals are dry by nature, because the sebum produced by the scalp doesn’t reach them due to the twist.
The more twisted the hair, the drier it will be.
They therefore need moisturizing substances.

Curly hair and spiral curls spiral curls also dislike combing and changes in humidity.
For this reason, they need substances that create a protective film, which shields the hair from external factors and makes it smooth.
So what should you look for in a shampoo for curly hair?

Also read: how to choose a (good) hair salon?

Moisturizing shampoo for curly hair

Shampoos for curly hair can perform several functions.
One of them is moisturizing, which curls really need.
What should a moisturizing shampoo for curly hair contain?

First, humectants.
Humectants are substances that absorb and retain moisture within the hair.

The most popular humectants are:

• Glycerine
• Hyaluronic acid
• Aloe vera
• Honey
• Propylene glycol

The humectants in shampoo for curly hair prevent strands from becoming dry, rough and dull.
But be careful how much you use.
Too much can transform your curls.
Humectants should also be avoided in humid weather, as they absorb water from the environment, which can turn your hair into frizz.

Shampoo for curly hair with smoothing effect

Shampoo for curly hair must not only moisturize, but also smooth and protect hair from changing climatic conditions.
Curly hair doesn’t like changes in temperature and humidity, as it starts to curl.

To counter this phenomenon, you need to use emollients, i.e. substances that form an occlusive layer over the hair.
This layer prevents water from escaping and protects your hair from the damaging effects of external factors such as heat.
Emollients make your hair smooth, shiny and soft.

Emollients include:

• Natural oils: coconut, sesame, olive
• Waxes, beeswax, jojoba oil
• Shea and/or cocoa butters
• Silicones, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethicone

A good shampoo for curly hair

A good shampoo for curly hair should contain both humectants and emollients.
By using such a shampoo, your curls will regain their balance.
Not only will they be moisturized, but also smooth and shiny.
What other features should a good shampoo for curly hair have?

First of all, it must not irritate the scalp. Shampoo manufacturers often add detergents to their products.
Detergents enable the shampoo to lather and remove sebum from the hair surface.
However, they have the side effect of drying out the scalp.

When looking for a good shampoo for curly hair, choose one that contains gentle detergents such as:

• Behentrimonium chloride
• Benzalkonium chloride
• Cetrimonium chloride
• Coco Glucoside
• Decyl glucoside
• Lauryl Glucoside

Strong detergents are not recommended, as they can not only dry out the scalp, but also the hair.
They should be avoided especially by those with curly hair, which is dry by nature.

The most common strong detergents are..:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Sodium coco sulfate
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
• Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

Shampoo and conditioner for curly hair

Curly hair not only needs to be washed with a good shampoo, but also conditioned.
What’s the best conditioner for curly hair?
What should it contain? While humectants are desirable in shampoo for curly hair, they should be used less in conditioner, as they can increase frizz, especially in humid weather.
Conditioner for curly hair should mainly contain emollients.

Also read: Dry shampoo: Can it be used every day?

Preferably Myla Bella natural oils.
People with curly hair don’t need to worry about conditioner weighing down their hair.
They can use leave-in conditioners.
If your hair is very dry and curly, you can try using a leave-in conditioner.