The Magic of Aloe For Your Hair
Aloe (or Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, if you want to be exact!) is a plant that we have utilized to create many of the cleansers, conditioners, and styling products found in our natural haircare line. And we aren’t the only ones who love it! The ancient Egyptians called it the “Plant of Immortality,” and Alexander the Great even conquered an entire island just so he’d have access to their supply of aloe plants!
Most people think of aloe as something used on the skin after a sunburn, or as a tasty drink that offers antioxidant benefits, but it actually offers many amazing benefits for the hair as well- especially if your hair is curly!
Dandruff and The Scalp
Because of its soothing properties due to the many vitamins, minerals, and other healthy compounds aloe contains, it offers many benefits to your scalp. Studies have shown that it can reduce the itchiness and discomfort associated with Seborrheic dermatitis (better known by its other names of cradle cap and dandruff).
Hair Follicles
Researchers are finding that aloe is able to increase blood flow to the scalp, and also has the ability to help deliver both oxygen and nutrition to the hair follicles. While no hair products have been proven to accelerate the normal rate of your hair growth (which can vary from person to person), you can slow down your hair growth if you suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Aloe contains over 75 active ingredients, including vitamins A, C, E, B12, amino acids, and zinc, all of which contribute to a healthier head of hair.
Moisturizer
Because aloe is so high in water and contains so many beneficial nutrients, it is an amazing component of many moisturizing products on the market today.
Repairing Damaged Hair
Zinc, which is found in aloe, has been shown to help repair damaged hair. So not only will you get the moisturizing properties of aloe to keep your hair shiny and gorgeous, but you also may be repairing hair damaged by heat, dryness, and all the other pollutants your hair is exposed to on a daily basis.
Hair Loss
Ancient cultures used aloe as a treatment for hair loss, and while modern scientists are still working on linking the efficacy of commercially available hair products to preventing hair loss, they have shown in studies that vitamin B12 (found in aloe!) can prevent hair loss from occurring. Maybe the Sumerians, Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, and many other ancient cultures were on to something?
Premature Greying
Research has linked deficiencies in vitamins B12 and folate to premature greying, and while there haven’t been studies on specific haircare products to prevent this, aloe does contain both B12 and folate, so it may be beneficial.
We have only scratched the surface of the many benefits that aloe can offer, but perhaps now you can understand why we find it to be an important component of our organic cleansers, moisturizers, and styling products for curly hair!
You can test these products out for yourself with our Deluxe 5 Piece Starter Kit (https://www.rawhairorganics.com/collections/starter-packs/products/raw-curls-starter-kit-3-deluxe-5-pack).