Hair hydration and hair moisture are two terms that often times get confused or are used interchangeably. While they are both important components to keeping your healthy and happy, they have different meanings. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between the two and why they are important.
First, let’s discuss hair hydration.
According to the dictionary, the definition of hydration is “the process of causing something to absorb water”. Therefore, the key ingredient required for hydration is, of course, water. To hydrate our bodies we must consume water or drinks and foods that contain high amounts water. The consumption of water can lead to improvements our skin, hair, and overall health.
Hair hydration can also be achieved through the products that we use on our hair. Hydrating products are formulated to increase the moisture amount of water that is in our hair. This is most easily accomplished by using products that contain humectants. Humectants are ingredients that draw moisture from the air into the deepest layers of the hair. There are quite a few humectants that can be found in haircare with glycerin being one of the most common. Not all naturals take glycerin well so in a future post I will share what to look for on your product labels to help determine if it contains humectants.
So what is hair moisture?
By definition, moisture is “water or other liquid diffused in a small quantity as vapor, within a solid, or condensed on a surface. In regards to hair, it essentially refers to the presence of water in our hair. Our hair can absorb water from the air (increasing moisture) or release water from deeper layers (decreasing moisture).
However, when we use a moisturizing product we are not adding to the presence of water or increasing the amount of water in the hair, per se, but are instead locking in the moisture that is already present. The purpose of moisturizers, or products that claim to moisturize, is to prevent water loss from the hair. Since maintaining your hair’s moisture level is dependent upon the presence of water, the first ingredient of your moisturizing products should be water.
To maximize the effects of your moisturizers, make sure that you apply them to hair that is at least damp.
The bottom line
Hair hydration and hair moisture are not the same. When looking at hair products this can be quite confusing because many times they are used in place of one another.
Remember that the foundation of hair hydration is water, period. The ways to acheive hydration are through drinking water, eating foods with a high water content, and exposing your hair to water.
Hair moisture refers to the presence of water in your hair. When it comes to haircare, moisturizers prevent water loss from the hair.
To get the most out of your products, hydrate first. Make sure your hair has been exposed to and absorbs water. Then moisturize. Follow up with a moisturizer to keep the water in your hair.
Soon I’ll be sharing some of my favorite products that help me lock in the moisture!
What are some of your favorite moisturizers?
