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There is not a single, one-size-fits-all way to refresh hair. Whatever your curl type, if your hair is fine, it’s going to need different attention on day 2 than those with thicker strands. However, that doesn’t mean fine-haired curlies can’t get second or third-day hair! You have to experiment to find the right products to refresh fine curly hair, but that’s part of the fun. Read on to learn how you can get the most days out of your wash.
Let’s Talk About Preparation for Fine Curly Hair
Image Source: @georgiagirlcurls
Before I get into the options for refreshing, let’s talk about prepping for multiple-day hair. A key element to refreshing fine curls is to make sure you use products with hold, like gel, mousse, foam, or hairspray. Your hair doesn’t have to be perfect on day one, but it needs some hold!
Preserving your curls well while you sleep will also help you get a great refresh. There are many ways to sleep without disturbing your hair (again, you’ll have to experiment to find the way you like best). For my short hair, I love sleeping on a satin pillowcase.
Image Source: @galhaswavyhair
Another key to a successful refresh is product application. Whether you rake and shake, use praying hands, or implement another technique for applying your products, try different ways of applying them to your hair so you can find what works best for you. The best product in the world won’t do much if your hair doesn’t like the way you apply it.
Here are a few key steps on how to refresh fine curls:
1. Spray bottle with water
Since styling products can easily weigh down fine hair, try refreshing your hair with just water. It’s easy to reapply water when you use a continuous spray bottle to get your hair damp — but not too damp (think “just got caught in a light rain” levels of moisture). Smooth down frizz with your hands and scrunch to spring up curls that have flattened or straightened out. You can also finger coil smushed curls if scrunching isn’t enough or if scrunching creates frizz. Your hair may re-form a gel cast as it dries. Wait until your hair is fully dry and scrunch out the crunch.
2. Spray bottle with a lightweight styler
Image Source: @curlsjulia
Want to add a little more hold or moisture to your second-day hair? Fill your spray bottle with a small amount of lightweight styling product or conditioner. If your hair feels dry, try a leave-in conditioner or curl milk. Your regular conditioner may work, too. If you desire a little more hold, try using more of your gel or mousse.
The amount of product you need depends on the product itself and the size of your bottle, but a teaspoon of product is a good place to start. You can always add more if desired. If you don’t want to mix the product into your spray bottle, you can wet your hair with plain water and apply a small amount of product onto your damp hair. Then smooth the frizz and scrunch and/or finger coil.
3. Water-free refresh
For some people, applying water can do nothing but create more frizz. Try emulsifying a small amount (pea-size or smaller) of a creamy product in your hands and applying it to dry hair by smoothing it downward. Focus on your frizziest spots. Then scrunch to reform your curls or waves. Make sure to avoid your roots when applying product — putting too much product close to your scalp can weigh down your hair or make it look greasy.
4. Diffusing
Image Source: @magz_lechic
If you do decide to use water in your refresh, diffusing is your friend! Water, while great for our curls, can weigh down fine hair. Even just five minutes with a diffuser can help keep your hair looking bouncy and lightweight instead of hanging heavily from your scalp.
5. Clipping at the roots
Clipping at the roots (whether or not you add water to your hair) is great for getting volume on day two, which fine hair can sometimes lack. If you use water to refresh, take the clips out when your hair is dry. If you choose to refresh without water, leave the clips in for 10+ minutes. Just make sure to take them out before you leave the house!
There are many options for refreshing your fine curls, so have some fun and experiment to find what works best for you! Remember to embrace the frizz regardless of how you style your day two curls. No one’s hair is perfect on day two and beyond, so find what works for you and rock it!
Do you have another method for refreshing your hair? Share your favorite products to refresh fine curly hair in the comments!
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
No matter how much you love your curls, you probably don’t love detangling them. No matter your curl type, there is a risk of causing breakage or hurting your scalp or just taking too dang long. However, detangling becomes a breeze with the right products and patience!
Whether you detangle before you shampoo while you’re conditioning or as part of your styling routine, one of these products is sure to streamline your wash day.
1. Oyin Handmade Oh My Glide!
Ease tangles away with this nourishing detangling spray! Cut your detangling time in half with the epic slip-in-a-bottle of OMGlide pre-styling detangler. It’s packed full of nourishing oils and plant extracts, including avocado oil and organic aloe vera.
2. Kinky Curly Knot Today
This is a favorite among curly girls for two major reasons. It keeps the frizz away and it has massive slip! That slippery elm and marshmallow root are not there for nothing. They aid in detangling like a pro without parabens, protein, or drying alcohols. This natural conditioning treatment is safe and perfect for daily use.
3. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Detangler
Glycerin, coconut oil, elm and marshmallow extract make this detangler the ultimate go-to for loosening what seems like an impossible hair knot.
4. DevaCurl Mist of Wonders Leave-In Multi-Benefit Curl Spray
Can you believe you’ll get 12 instant curl benefits with just a few sprays? Devacurl packs a powerful punch with waves, curls, and coils and a detangling formula that will help you prep, prime, and protect your hair.
5. Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Knot on My Watch
Have no fear! Your hair has its own personal Super Hero, guarding against tangles, knots and unruly, tresses! With the power of its “silky slip,” Knot On My Watch helps the comb glide through hard-to-manage hair, leaving it tangle-free and protected from breakage while restoring a healthy moisture balance.
6. Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Leave-in Treatment
Coconut water and natural oils are combined in this leave-in treatment to deeply condition your hair. It also includes the heavy hitter flax seed oil, which is packed with omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your hair as healthy as it can be.
7. The Doux – FRESH TO DEF Curl Refresher Spray
Your curls will be fresh to define with this product, which doubles as a refresher and leave-in conditioner. You can instantly moisturize, nourish, and rejuvenate curls with just a few quick sprays. The Doux makes it easy to give your curls the moisture they need with their aloe, bamboo, and grapeseed oil formula.
8. Creme of Nature Pure Honey Know-Away Leave-in Detangler
Instantly detangle and remove knots with the Creme of Nature Pure Honey Knot Aware Leave-In Detangler. It is infused with Pure Honey, Certified Natural Coconut Oil, and Shea Butter to restore moisture and repair split ends.
9. ELEVEN AUSTRALIA Detangle My Hair Leave-In Spray
If you’ve got a sensitive scalp, then this is a detangler you want to keep on hand. The pear, rosemary leaf, and yarrow extract make a nourishing blend that will condition and nourish your hair.
10. amika the wizard silicone-free detangling primer
This silicon-free, lightweight primer infuses avocado oil, sea buckthorn, and squalane to give your hair slip and moisture for easy manipulation to loosen stubborn tangles and knots. This lightweight formula will not weigh your hair down. It also works great for babies and kids!
11. Moroccanoil All In One Leave in Conditioner
When needing a leave-in detangler with strengthening properties, Morrocanoil hydrates, detangles, and provides a long-lasting softness. The argan oil, amino acids, and superfood blend provide up to 72 hours of softness and prevent breakage.
12. SEEN Leave-In Conditioner
This multitasking leave-in conditioner detangles hair while delivering lightweight hydration plus heat, pollution, and UV protection for stronger, smoother, healthier-looking hair. Vegan, Cruelty-Free, and Peta-Approved.
13. Not Your Mothers Naturals Tahitian Gardenia Flower & Mango Butter Curl Defining Cream Detangler
A luscious blend of Tahitian Gardenia Flower & Mango Butter preserves the natural curl so your hair moves with a beautiful bounce. Tahitian Gardenia Flower soothes and softens to enhance the shape of natural curls. Mango Butter reduces frizz, restores hair’s elasticity and creates shine
14. Fairy Tales Tangle Tamer Detangling Spray for Kids
For those who need help with detangling when it comes to sensitive scalps, this is gentle enough that even your kids will love it. The natural keratin extract and jojoba formula are blended with a delicious pineapple scent that will instantly calm tangles.
15. Cantu Coil Calm Detangler
Calling all coilies, this detangler was formulated especially for you. Cantu has created a lightweight detangler that softens, conditions and adds moisture, making it perfect for tangle-free styling.
16. milk_shake Leave-In Conditioner Detangler Spray
This curly girl essential is ideal for all hair types! This leave-in detangler leaves hair smooth, soft, and shiny thanks to honey, strawberry, blueberry, and papaya extracts rich in revitalizing and mineralizing vitamins.
17. Rahua Hydration Detangler Spray + UV Barrier
Rahua has become a staple in the curly community, and it’s not hard to see why. This detangler spray has a refreshing mango, passion fruit, and green tea aroma. It’s a great detangler for type 2 hair, partially due to its incredible slip. All hair types will benefit from this delicious-smelling conditioner.
18. Briogeo Superfoods Avocado and Kiwi Leave-in Conditioner
Briogeo never disappoints, and this 3-in-leave-in spray conditions, detangles, and has UV protection. It is designed to help improve hair health and gently nourish the hair while protecting you from damaging sun rays.
19. Niles and Chaz Tangles Shmangles Detangler & Curl Enhancer
If you’re looking for an all-in-one experience for your kids that hydrates, detangles, defines curls, adds sparkle, and banishes frizz. Niles and Chaz. You can smooth and stretch easily with a gentle marshmallow and okra extract blend on all textures!
20. Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray, Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner
This product line was designed to hydrate and reduce frizz for all hair textures. It is formulated to refresh curls in between wash days and detangles freshly washed hair.
21. adwoa beauty Melonberry™ Cream To Spray Hair Milk Leave In Conditioner
A cream to spray hair milk is just what the doctor ordered. Specifically formulated for easy detangling with wet, damp, or dry hair, the Kalahari melon formula gets the job done quickly for easy styling on the go.
22. MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL Detangler Spray, Sulfate Free, for Curly and Coily Hair
The name says it all. The golden milk, honey, and coconut oil instantly moisturize and nourish your curls and coils. It allows you to comb through tangles quickly and comes in a convenient spray bottle for easy application.
What is your go-to detangler? Let us know in the comments below.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Pictured: @fris.ee
Hyaluronic acid is huge in the beauty world right now. If you follow any Instagram or YouTube accounts that have anything to do with beauty, it’s likely you’ve heard of this popular ingredient. The name can be deceiving, but hyaluronic acid is actually incredibly moisturizing. There are countless hyaluronic acid serums and moisturizers for skin, but your hair can reap the benefits of this hydrating ingredient, too.
1. Use Hair Products that Contain Hyaluronic Acid
Lots of hair care brands are jumping on the hyaluronic train and formulating products with this ingredient. Kerastase has an entire line formulated with hyaluronic acid, and Kiehl’s has a conditioner meant for dry hair that contains HA. The Grow Gorgeous Hair Density Conditioner Intense is another great hyaluronic conditioner option. If you’re looking for a leave-in with hyaluronic acid, Honest Beauty has got you covered.
2. Massage Your Scalp with a Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Many find hyaluronic acid to be a great ingredient for hair growth in addition to its hydrating properties. Try massaging your scalp with an HA serum formulated for hair, such as John Masters Organics Deep Scalp Follicle Treatment & Volumizer.
Budget option
You can also use a simple hyaluronic acid serum, even if it doesn’t specifically say it’s meant for hair. A great budget-friendly serum is The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.
3. Mix in a Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Your Deep Conditioner
This is a great option because hyaluronic acid, when formulated correctly, can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. That makes it a fantastic booster for your deep treatment. Try adding a few drops of the above-mentioned serums or conditioners to your deep conditioner.
4. Refresh Day 2 Curls with Hyaluronic Acid
This option is especially great for the dry winter months, when curls need all the moisture they can get. Incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum into your refresh routine can help keep your hair healthy and moisturized, even when you’re cozied up next to the fire (or space heater”>.
If you refresh with a spray bottle, dampen your hair and then smooth the HA serum onto your curls. For your edges, try Hairfinity Infinite Edges Serum. You can also massage it into your scalp for a little day two volume or smooth it over your hair to add strength and moisture, especially for chemically-treated hair.
If your hair needs a moisturizing boost, hyaluronic acid is the way to go. No matter how you work it into your routine, you will notice the benefits of this miracle ingredient in your hair’s health. Want to learn more about why hyaluronic acid is so great? Check out this article. Have you tried hyaluronic acid in your hair care routine? Tell us what you thought in the comments!
Hair butters are thick styling products made from natural oils and butters. These products work for any kind of hair style, and they are especially suited for styles that you want to wear for multiple days. They seal moisture into your hair and protect it from damage and breakage.
1. Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Seal It Up Hydrating Sealing Butter
Is your hair having trouble receiving and maintaining moisture? Give Aunt Jackie’s Seal It Up Hydrating Sealing Butter a try. This hair butter is enriched with flaxseed, shea butter, avocado and castor oils, and honey for healthy hydration. For best results, apply to dampened hair and for a smooth, defined look.
$$AD$$2. Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter
Love rocking twists or wash and go’s? This one is for you. This butter has won a NaturallyCurly Editors’ Choice Award, and it was named one of the Best of the Best products in 2017. As an added bonus, it claims to stimulate hair growth.
3. Flora & Curl Flower Garden Hair Styling Butter
Awarded best hair butter in our 2018 Editors’ Choice Awards, this hair butter is infused with seven types of flowers. This unique blend of botanicals is designed to stimulate your scalp and strengthen your hair, and it only contains all-natural ingredients that smell heavenly!
4. Soultanicals Can’t Believe It’s Knot Butta
This black-owned, woman-owned brand has long been a go-to for coilies, so it’s no surprise that this hair butter is a favorite among those looking to make their natural hair feel soft and healthy. This product’s slip makes styling your twist-outs and wash and go’s quicker and easier.
5. OBIA Naturals Twist Whip Butter
Looking for a butter that’s a little lighter? OBIA Naturals has you covered. This butter is actually water-based, so it helps infuse moisture into your hair while sealing it in with shea, tucuma, and mango butters. It may say it’s for twist-outs, but it’s great under gel for wash-and-gos, too.
$$AD$$6. Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter
Infused with essential oils of sweet orange, lemongrass, lavender, and shea butter, this product from the Carol’s Daughter line is a great way to keep your hair in its prime condition. This hair butter is as known to help regulate oil production, stimulate circulation, and rejuvenate tired curls.
7. Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine
This butter keeps it simple with only 11 ingredients. It has an average of 4.5 stars on SHOP NaturallyCurly with 120 reviews from curlies and coilies alike, and it was one of our Editors’ Choice-winning products way back in 2013! This product is great for sealing in moisture, smoothing frizz on day two, and scrunching out the crunch.
8. Naturally Smitten Moisturizing Hair Butter
Winter weather got you down? Give your hair a boost with this honey hair butter. This organic, all-natural butter provides shine without weighing down your curls. It’s a perfect sealant for dry, brittle, and damaged natural hair.
$$AD$$Hair butters contain oils and butters that can be heavy on hair if not properly cared for, no matter your hair type. When using any of these products, make sure you monitor your hair for signs of buildup, regularly clarify your hair, and use an everyday cleanser strong enough to cleanse your hair of these butters. When your hair is properly cleansed, your strands can absorb more moisture, and these decadent hair butters can then lock that moisture in. What’s your favorite hair butter? Want to know more? Learn the dos and don’ts of hair butter.
Hair milks are lightweight leave-in styling products that provide moisture for your hair. Think of them like a cream, but lighter (kind of like real milk!”>. The texture of hair milks is thin and creamy, and they are perfect for anyone who is looking for lightweight moisture. If you’re looking for a product with hold, they will not provide that, but they do work well under gel. Lots of curlies also love them for refreshing curls on day two and beyond!
1. Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Half & Half Hydrating Silkening Hair Milk
Give life to your second day curls with Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Half & Half Hydrating Silkening Hair Milk. This product is light and great for looser, type 2 wavy hair.
$$AD$$2. Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk
Looking for a hair milk with strengthening properties? Thanks to avocado and rice bran oils, this product contains vitamin E and fatty acids that will condition and strengthen your curls while protecting them from environmental stressors. And many SHOP NaturallyCurly reviewers love it for its delicious cake-batter scent!
3. Mielle Organics Moisturizing Avocado Hair Milk
Rich with emollients and light-yet-moisturizing botanicals like yarrow extract, jojoba oil, and honey, this milk is the answer to your dry-hair prayers. It also contains some protein, so your hair will maintain the optimal protein/moisture balance.
4.Sarandipity Naturals Babassu & Papaya Leave In Hair Milk
This milk contains lots of humectants, so it will draw the moisture from the air into your hair and keep it moisturized for days on end. Babassu contains vitamin E for strengthening and phytosterols for stimulating new cell growth, so this milk is also great for your scalp.
5. Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Refresher Spray
Not a fan of the typical hair milk? Try this refresher spray by Carol’s Daughter. It’s infused with active ingredients such as agave nectar, which moisturizes and renews curls for your best second-day hair.
$$AD$$6. Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray
If you diffuse your hair often or enjoy the occasional heat style, this spray is for you. Lots of luscious oils help protect your hair from heat while conditioning and softening. Even if you are completely heat-free, your hair can reap the benefits of rosehip, argan, and coconut oils (that’s where the “rosarco” comes from”>. As with any oil-rich product, watch out for buildup and clarify your hair as needed.
7. Girl+Hair Biotin-Infused Hydrating Milk
This product comes with an applicator tip, so it’s meant to be applied directly to the scalp. It’s also great for the scalp because it contains tea tree oil, which is antifungal and can help prevent dandruff. Curlies and coilies with protective styles love this product for keeping their scalp healthy and moisturizing new growth.
$$AD$$8. Eden BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Milk
Love the smell of peppermint? Try Eden BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Milk to boost moisture and shine in your hair. Peppermint has amazing benefits for your natural hair which include relieving dry, itchy scalp, preventing hair loss, and stimulating hair growth.
9. CURLS Blueberry & Coconut Hair Milk
This product is a favorite among curlies because it is budget-friendly and widely available. If you prefer something heavier but don’t want to use a thick cream, this product is perfect because it contains coconut oil. Since coconut oil can build up (which means moisture can’t get into your hair strands”>, make sure you cleanse your hair with something stronger than a cowash.
While they may be light, these hair milks are packed with moisturizing ingredients and can be worn in any season. Whatever your curl type, there is sure to be a product on this list to nourish and define your curls! Do you have a favorite hair milk that we missed? Let us know in the comments! Looking for more moisture? Read up on how to keep your hair moisturized in the winter.
We all know the glorious feeling that comes with waking up and finding that a pesky pimple has finally vanished after days (or even weeks”> of frustration and pain. However, even when your skin is smooth again, sometimes a red or brown mark remains. I like to call them pimple ghosts, but they are actually post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These marks often last much longer than zits, and they can be pretty stubborn. Hyperpigmentation can also be a result of sun damage. Whatever the cause, there are a few important ingredients to look for when choosing skincare products that can speed up the healing process and keep you looking like the glowy goddess you are.
Image by iStock/PeopleImages
1. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most essential part of your skincare routine, and it’s especially important for treating hyperpigmentation. Even if you’re using the very best products on your skin, they are useless without sunscreen because of the damage the sun can do to our skin. Sunscreen protects hyperpigmentation marks, allows them to heal, and also prevents new sun damage.
There are two main types of sunscreen — chemical and physical. Physical sunscreens are made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and they sit on your skin and physically block the sun’s rays. I know you’re probably picturing a dorky dad on vacation with a thick layer of zinc oxide on his nose, but there are plenty of physical sunscreens formulated so that they don’t leave a white cast on your skin, even for dark skin tones. Chemical sunscreen is made with ingredients like avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octisalate, which absorb the sun’s rays and break them down so they don’t harm your skin.
There are lots of daily sunscreens out on the market. When choosing a sun protection product, make sure you get one that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays and that it is SPF 30 or higher. It is also important that you apply enough sunscreen (usually about 1/4 teaspoon for your face”> and that you are re-apply often enough (check your sunscreen for re-application guidelines”>. Sunscreen is serious business, y’all.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which means it evens skin tone by lightening those pesky dark spots. This ingredient is most commonly found in the form of a vitamin C serum, which is used before your moisturizer. There are also moisturizers that have vitamin C as a key ingredient. Most products that contain vitamin C say so on the front of the package. However, if you want to check a product to see if it has vitamin C, it will probably be listed under the ingredients as ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid.
3. Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a great ingredient to start with because it’s available in a wide variety of product types—cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers. Just like all the ingredients I’ve included in this list, niacinamide is clinically proven to help fade hyperpigmentation, no matter the cause. It is also an incredible skin hydrator, so it’ll help keep your skin plump and healthy. Additionally, it aids in skin cell production, which is essential to fading the look of brown spots.
4. Beta-hydroxy acid
Chemical exfoliation is actually gentler than physical scrub exfoliants, despite how scary the thought of putting acid on your skin may sound. There are many types of acids, and they are wonderful for evening skin tone and fading hyperpigmentation. For hyperpigmentation caused by pimples, one of the best is beta-hydroxy acid—aka BHA. It often comes in the form of salicylic acid, and it’s great for acne-prone or oily skin. It can penetrate pores to slough off dead skin and pore-clogging oil, which has the added effect of making pores appear smaller while evening your skin tone and lightening dark spots.
5. Alpha-hydroxy acid
This is another chemical exfoliant, and you may know it by its most common forms, glycolic acid and lactic acid. AHAs work on the surface of the skin, and they have been proven to help reduce the visible signs of sun damage, such as sun spots. As with all acids, just make sure you follow the package instructions for how often to use them — some are safe for daily use, while some should only be used weekly. The chemical exfoliants often come in the form of a standalone product, but there are also serums and moisturizers that contain them as ingredients. Just make sure you’re using them in a product that will stay on your skin — they don’t have enough time to work if you’re only using them in a cleanser.
6. Azelaic acid
This acid is newer to the mainstream skincare game, but it is getting a lot of hype for its many skin benefits. One of those benefits is reducing the appearance of post-acne hyperpigmentation, along with helping reduce current breakouts. Even better, this acid is incredibly gentle, so even those with sensitive skin can use it. In fact, it can help reduce skin sensitivity. It also helps unclog pores and treat and prevent bumpy skin. Since this ingredient isn’t currently used by a lot of skincare companies (the research on its benefits is fairly recent”>, it’s not as widely available as other exfoliants. However, there are a few companies, such as The Ordinary and Paula’s Choice, that make azelaic acid serums.
Another benefit of azelaic acid is that it is gentle enough that you can pair it with a mild AHA or BHA, so your skin gets the benefits from multiple kinds of exfoliation. One thing to keep in mind is that exfoliants make your skin more sensitive to the sun. No matter how gentle the acid, you absolutely must wear sunscreen over it if you’re wearing it during the daytime (but you’re already wearing sunscreen every day, right?”>.
7. Retinol
Retinol (aka vitamin A”> is most commonly known for its ability to make skin look younger and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, this ingredient is also very good at evening skin tone and brightening dull skin, so it’s a great option for treating hyperpigmentation (especially hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage”>. On top of that, it also helps clear breakouts and makes pores appear smaller. It’s basically the Swiss army knife of skincare.
Before you go bathing yourself in retinol, make sure you know how to use it properly. Start with making sure you’re using the right concentration for your skin. Retinol can be found as an ingredient in both serums and moisturizers. If you have sensitive skin, look for a retinol product with a low concentration. A high concentration of retinol is 1%, so products with around 0.01% – 0.03% retinol are best for sensitive skin. Those concentrations may sound like nothing, but studies have shown that retinol is still effective in those small doses.
When starting a new retinol product, make sure you start gradually—only using it once or twice a week—and work your way up. This rule is applicable even for those without particularly sensitive skin. Listen to your skin; make sure you stop using it immediately if you notice excessive dryness, peeling, or redness. You can still reap the benefits of retinol even if you aren’t able to use it every day. Like exfoliants, retinol can make your skin sensitive to the sun, so always follow it up with sunscreen if you’re using it in your morning routine.
8. Hydroquinone
This ingredient is controversial because it treats hyperpigmentation by stopping melanin production. It was also banned by the FDA for a short time, but that was due to improperly formulated products containing illegal contaminants having adverse effects in South Africa.
Hydroquinone is safe to use, and it’s very effective for hyperpigmentation. It can be found in specialty spot treatment gels or creams, and that’s how they should be used—only on hyperpigmentation spots. Some call it a skin-bleaching ingredient, but that’s a bit of a misnomer.
It does not bleach out the color that exists; rather, it prohibits the skin from darkening any further. Because it prevents skin from getting darker, it works very well for treating hyperpigmentation. There are people who may want to use it all over their skin for an overall lightening of the skin tone, but that is not its intended use. Beyond that, every skin tone is beautiful, and no one should feel that they need to lighten their skin. Hydroquinone should be used as a spot treatment to even skin tone, not lighten skin.
9. Time
This one can be frustrating to hear, but even when using products with these hardworking ingredients, your hyperpigmentation marks will only fade with time. When using good products, I have had some fade as fast as two weeks, but it can take 3+ months for some marks to fade.
These ingredients are all fantastic for lightening those spots, and giving you a gorgeous glow. However, don’t use them all at once—that can be way too harsh. Introduce each ingredient one at a time, and give your skin a week or two to adjust before using new products. Use some in the morning, some in the evening, or you may need to only use some a couple of times per week. The most important thing is to listen to your skin — if you slowly work these into your routine, it will definitely say, “thank you!”
Do you have a favorite product for treating hyperpigmentation? Give it a shout-out in the comments! And if you’re looking for new product recommendations, check out our Editor’s Choice 2018 Best Skincare picks!
Image by: istockphoto.com
The word “bespoke” has been everywhere lately. You may have heard it used to describe many things, from Meghan Markle’s wardrobe, to men’s shaving kits, to every single item listed on Etsy. If you’re like me, you may not be clear on what it exactly it means. I used context clues and assumed it meant “fancy” or “extremely expensive,” but what it really means is custom-made. Skincare companies have caught on to the bespoke trend, and these custom skincare brands have personalized products that will make you feel fancy while also giving you a gorgeous glow.
Source Vitál Apothecary
Alongside their extensive range of handcrafted, small-batch skin and body products, this indie beauty brand also makes custom serums with plant-based ingredients. First, you choose a base oil depending on your skin type and needs. Then you add one or two “care infusions,” with ingredients aimed at any skin problem you may be experiencing. For a few extra bucks, you can add “shots” of additional oils, with luxurious options such as watermelon seed oil, Abyssinian oil, and prickly pear oil. Finally, the most fun part — you get to name it! Source Vitál recently started making custom face masks, too. In a similar four-step process, you choose the ingredients for your custom mask based on your skin goals. Source Vitál then sends you enough ingredients for four uses, and you mix your own mask before each use so it’s fresh every time.
Rose & Abbot
Rose & Abbot currently makes one product: moisturizer. To create your custom moisturizer, you take a quiz on their website. It’s about more than just your skin. It also asks about your environment, what products you currently use, and your health and lifestyle habits. You also choose what scent you like, if any, and how strong it is. And you get to select the bottle design! Using your answers, Rose & Abbot’s algorithm creates the perfect moisturizer for your skin, and it can formulate up to 10,000 different moisturizers. This completely tailored product is cruelty-free and made with fresh botanicals.
Province Apothecary
Province Apothecary is another brand that makes custom facial serums. This brand is based in Canada, and if you live in Toronto, you can treat yourself to one of their custom facials, at which time they can also make you a custom serum. For everyone else (including us Americans”>, you can fill out an online questionnaire. Province Apothecary’s skin questionnaire is fairly in-depth. Many of the questions are short answers instead of multiple choice — it’s like taking a history test, but much more fun! The questions are about many skin-influencing factors, like your greatest skin challenges, how much time you spend outdoors, and your current skincare routine. Each serum is handmade and crafted with essential oils like apricot kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, and rosehip oil.
SkinCeuticals
Like many of the companies listed here, SkinCeuticals makes a custom facial serum. However, their serum can only be purchased in person at a medical spa or dermatologist. A skincare professional first diagnoses your skin’s needs and then compounds your custom serum, called CUSTOM D.O.S.E. This service is currently available at 22 locations around the United States, and your serum’s formula is adjusted every three months based on the season and your skin’s changes. This custom serum service is recommended for those who are looking to combat visible signs of aging and skin discoloration.
Curology
This brand’s personalized “super bottle” treatment is meant to address one specific skin issue: acne. To get your custom acne treatment, answer a few questions about your particular skin concerns and upload some pictures of your skin (no FaceTune!”>. Then you are assigned a skincare professional who formulates a custom product with ingredients like azelaic acid, clindamycin, and niacinamide. If you have any questions or concerns while using your custom “super bottle,” you can reach out to your provider at any time. And since it is a subscription product, you never have to worry about running out.
Skin Inc.
Skin Inc., a Japanese brand, makes personalized serums, along with lots of other skin care products and devices. To formulate its custom serums, it uses a quick but involved quiz about your skin, lifestyle, and genetics. For most questions, you are given a statement such as “I experience high stress” or “Dark spots?” and a slider that goes from “none at all” to “a lot.” As you complete questions, lines of various colors and thicknesses appear and change in the background, which definitely makes it seem like some real science is happening. Skin Inc.’s proprietary algorithm then analyzes your answers and formulates your customized serum.
If you’re looking to try out bespoke skincare, these brands provide a wide range of options to address all your skin’s needs. Have you tried bespoke skincare? If you’re loving personalized skincare, check out personalized haircare!
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If you have curly hair and an internet connection, you have probably seen the hype about using oils for your hair. However, with so many oils out there, it can be hard to know which one to choose, let alone what to actually do with it. You might have also heard about how oils can be not so great for your hair. So what’s the deal? Find out about the go-to oils for most curlies and how these popular oils can work for you.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is lauded as the do-it-all oil, fixing everything from dry hair to dry skin to problems in your love life. While coconut oil has not actually been proven to fix your love life, it is super popular among curlies. As Sister Scientist has taught us, coconut oil is great because its molecules can actually penetrate the hair shaft, giving your hair a boost of protein and strength. If you’d like to try it out yourself, you can leave it on your hair overnight and shampoo it out the next day. Make sure you use unrefined coconut oil — it is the least processed out of all the types of coconut oil, so your hair gets the most coconut benefits.
Olive oil
This oil is most widely known for cooking, but it’s also fantastic for your curls! The most commonly found type of olive oil is extra virgin olive oil (or EVOO, if you’re Rachael Ray”>, and this is the best kind for hair. Other types of olive oil can have chemical additives that lessen this oil’s effectiveness. Like coconut oil, olive oil can penetrate the hair shaft, so it’s another great option for a pre-poo treatment. Lots of curlies also love to mix it in with their deep conditioner as a nourishing booster. It can be great for sealing moisture into your hair too, so many curlies and coilies love it for the LOC method.
Jamaican black castor oil
This oil is derived from the castor bean, and you might be surprised to learn that it’s not actually all that different from regular castor oil. The main difference is the color — the ashes from roasting the beans are added to JBCO, and they are not added to regular castor oil. Although the differences are minimal, Jamaican black castor oil is far more popular than its regular counterpart. It is nearly synonymous in the curly community with hair growth. It is high in ricinoleic acid, which is anti-inflammatory and aids in maintaining a healthy scalp, which can help your hair grow. It is great for scalp massages, and many people use it on their eyelashes and eyebrows as well!
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil is the oil most similar to our bodies’ natural sebum, i.e. the natural oil that the scalp produces. It’s also high in nourishing fatty acids and vitamins, according to hair stylist and founder of the 30-Day Hair Detox, Aisha Strickland. Because it’s so similar to sebum, it’s perfect for nourishing the mid-lengths and ends of our hair, where our natural sebum often has troubling reaching. It’s lighter than the other oils mentioned here, so it’s especially great for wavies, or anyone who wants to reap the benefits of oils without worrying about whether or not they will weigh their hair down.
While these oils are extremely popular among wavies, curlies, and coilies alike, others warn against overuse of these oils. They can build up on your hair so that water has a hard time entering the hair shaft, and you hair actually ends up more dry. Make sure to keep an eye out for the signs of product buildup and clarify when needed. Try out some of these popular oils and find what works for you, and you’ll see why so many curlies love using oils on their hair!
There is an oil for every curly hair concern under the sun, and just about every one of them is super versatile. It’s fun to experiment with treatments and styling and find what works—or doesn’t—for you. Want to keep experimenting? Learn how to make unrefined coconut oil at home!
