Winter's Hair Challenges: Taming Frizz, Static, and Dry Ends
Winter brings with it a certain crisp magic, but for our hair, it often means dryness, frizz, and static. If you add damaged hair with split ends to the equation, you might feel like a mad scientist's experiment, where your hair defies gravity and conventions, as if each strand has its own unique hypothesis.
Split ends, or trichoptilosis, occur when the tips of hair strands weaken and split into a "Y" shape. This happens because the ends of our hair are the "oldest" and often experience the most damage. Factors like frequent combing, heat styling, and chemical treatments contribute to this vulnerability. To prevent split ends, it's essential to minimize damaging practices, such as excessive heat and chemical treatments. Regular trims and using gentle hair care practices, like avoiding harsh brushing and using quality products, can go a long way in preventing split ends and maintaining healthy, beautiful hair.
When an oil treatment like the one I'm sharing today is applied as a leave-in treatment, it can help reduce friction between hair strands, preventing tangling and breakage, which are common causes of split ends. Oil-based products lubricate the hair, reduce breakage, and weigh down unruly hair, effectively managing frizz. A combination of volatile and fixed oils works best to address the issues without overly oily and heavy products weighing down the hair.
That's why I've recently concocted a hair treatment that not only pampers your locks but also leaves them looking and feeling like a million bucks. In the lab of self-care, this formula is your key to vibrant, silky hair all winter long.
Get to Know the Ingredients
Fractionated Coconut Oil (INCI: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride): Fractionated coconut oil is a non-greasy, light-textured, penetrating, and very stable emollient. It is thin and silky, with a velvety texture, making it perfect for hair care products. Since it doesn't weigh down the hair, it adds up to that healthy shine. With good oxidation stability, it is an excellent choice if heating is required in the formula.
Phytosterols (INCI: Phytosterols): In hair care, phytosterols offer the unique property of improving hair shine and significantly enhancing hair elasticity. A crucial addition to combat the harsh effects of winter, phytosterols provide an extra layer of defense against dryness, acting like a protective mantle around the hair to shield it from external influences. The film-forming phytosterols also offer thermal stress and UV radiation protection, so be sure to incorporate them into your summer hair treatment as well. For a summer formula check out my e-book Summer essentials. You can use either the powder or liquid phytosterols; both are soluble in oil. The powdered version will take some time to dissolve in the heated phase.
Cetiol Ultimate (INCI: Undecane (and) Tridecane): Cetiol Ultimate adds a silky dry touch to the treatment, ensuring your hair feels luxurious without the greasy aftermath. It is a natural-based, very light, and volatile emollient with excellent sensory characteristics, ideal for delivering a smooth and elegant texture in hair care and other products. This ingredient contributes to the overall texture, making the treatment easy to apply and distribute. It offers ultrafast spreading and a dry touch, similar to silicones. The texture of this product will not be the same if you leave this ingredient out.
Broccoli Seed Oil (INCI: Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil): An excellent emollient for dry, damaged, and frizzy hair, broccoli seed oil helps protect hair against negative environmental influences. It is high in erucic acid, making this oil very special.
Argan Oil (INCI: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil): Traditionally used in hair care worldwide, argan oil is an exquisite oil providing intensive care for skin and hair. Highly prized for its restorative and nourishing activity, it is rich in triterpenoids, polyphenols, and rare phytosterols. It acts as a hair fortifier, imparting luster and strength to the hair.
Castor Oil (INCI: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil): Another oil commonly used in hair care, especially for promoting hair growth. It is a very viscous and sticky oil, usually used in low percentages. Its unique fatty acid composition is incomparable to any other plant oil, with a high percentage of ricinoleic acid.
Aromatic Add-ins: Grapefruit Essential Oil (INCI: Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil), Vanilla CO2 Extract (INCI: Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract), Geranium Essential Oil (INCI: Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil)
Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of essential oils for use in hair care, both in repairing hair scalp and shaft damage. However, essential oils are complex compounds, and further examination is needed to understand their actions on the hair scalp and shaft. I've chosen an aromatic citrusy-floral combo that will make your hair smell wonderful, with essential oils that may have the capacity to help prevent split ends and promote hair softness.
Rosemary CO2 Extract (INCI: Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract): Rosemary extract serves as a natural antioxidant, keeping your hair treatment fresh and effective for longer. Rosemary herb is commonly used in hair care products designed to nourish the hair and add shine. Some studies suggest it has a stimulating effect on hair follicles, increasing vascular pressure and circulation in the scalp, and therefore, it is effective against hair loss and thinning.
Crafting Time!
Now to the magic crafting! Below is the full formula and manufacturing method for this lovely hair treat, requiring only around 30 minutes of your time to make your hair shine! :)
I suggest making smaller batches from 10g to 30g per bottle, depending on how you're going to use the treatment and how long your hair is.
HAIR OIL TREATMENT FORMULA:
A
Fractionated Coconut Oil 40%
Phytosterols (powder) 1%
B
Cetiol Ultimate 30%
Broccoli Seed Oil 20%
Argan Oil 5%
Castor Oil 2%
C
Grapefruit EO 0.8%
Vanilla CO2 Extract (5% dilution in jojoba oil) 0.7%
Geranium EO 0.4%
Rosemary CO2 Extract 0.1%
METHOD:
Combine the fractionated coconut oil and phytosterols, gently heating until the powder dissolves completely.
Once phase A has cooled down, add the phase B ingredients, and then add the aromatic phase C.
Stir with love and care, blending the ingredients into a harmonious potion. The scent will fully develop after a few days.
Transfer your creation into a stylish pump or dropper bottle, ready to be your hair’s best friend.
Label with name and date.
How to Use It
Leave-On Treatment:
Rub a small amount between your palms and apply to your hair ends for a silky finish. You can use it on damp or dry hair, just make sure not to overdose. Perfect for daily use, keeping your hair looking and feeling fabulous.
Pre-Wash Treatment:
Treat your scalp and hair to a pampering session before washing for extra nourishment. Massage the treatment into your scalp and through your hair all the way to the hair ends, leaving it on for at least 30-60 minutes before shampooing.
Conclusion
Enjoy the crafting of this hair treatment, and let the silky magic unfold! With carefully selected ingredients and a touch of aromatic bliss, this winter hair treatment is your secret weapon for maintaining gorgeous, healthy locks throughout the chilly season.
Indulge yourself or gift this December delight to your haircare-loving friends; last-minute gifts are at their peaks this week! :P
I'm sending much love and wishing you a healthy, joyful, and relaxed end of the year 2023!