The 5 Hair Products You Must Have In Your Beauty Kit

By Ghazal Alagh, Founder Mamaearth

The pressures of modern living can really take a toll on our hair and skin. Long hours in an air conditioned office, long commutes through polluted areas, and erratic eating and sleeping patterns all contribute to a bad hair day that never seems to end. So we end up changing our hair products constantly or spending tons of money on the latest hair spa at the salon. But the secret to good hair care simply lies in doing a few good things consistently. Which is why you need to have these 5 essential hair products at all times; together they are designed to give you better hair health in a long-term, sustainable way.

1. Hair Oil that works on your roots

Remember the time when your mum or grandma would make you oil your hair everyday and send you school? Much as you might have resented it back then, chances are it was also the time when your hair was at its healthiest. Oiling your hair once a week is the key to good hair health in the long run. It’s important to remember that oil should be used sparingly, mainly to nourish the roots and scalo. Makes sure you avoid mineral oils and paraffin oils as these tend to make your hair greasy and lifeless in the long run. Instead go for oils that are rich in triglycerides and work like the scalp’s natural sebum. Mamaearth’s Root Restore Hair Oil, for instance, contains almond, rosemary, and evening primrose oils, giving your roots and scalp that all-important hydration without making it over-greasy.

2. Mild, daily-use shampoo

While this may seem obvious, many people tend to go wrong when it comes to a basic hair product like shampoo. One common mistake people make is constantly switching products in the hope that they can find something more suitable for their hair. The other is using shampoos that are very harsh on the hair in the long run. Unfortunately, most shampoos available in the market today have a liberal dose of chemicals that strip away the oils produced by the scalp, leaving the hair dry and brittle.

Given the kind of pollution and daily commute we have to deal with, most of us end up shampooing our hair at least 3-4 times a week and it’s important that we use a shampoo that is mild enough for daily use and has plenty of natural products that heal the hair and not destroy it. Mamaearth’s Happy Heads shampoo is a great example because it has ingredients like biotin, natural protein, and Amla that replenish hair health instead of depleting it.

3. Hair tonic for regrowth

This is a must-have for anyone who’s dealing with a hair fall problem. A good hair regrowth tonic can be applied to the scalp everyday by massaging it into the scalp with your fingertips. You can usually start seeing results within 6-8 weeks. A hair tonic is a good idea whether you have a severe hair loss issue or want to control  mild hair fall. Of course, a tonic is only safe for daily use if it primarily contains natural ingredients that are good for the hair over the long-term. Mamaearth’s Pro-Growth hair tonic, for instance, has Korean Red Ginseng as its primary ingredient. This natural ingredient helps hair grow faster by stimulating the scalp.

4. Deep conditioner for frizz-free hair

Most of us have subjected our hair to some form of colouring and styling treatments over the years. Even if you’re one of the few who hasn’t, the pollutants in our environment are bad enough to do severe damage. A deep conditioning treatment is a must every time you shampoo, especially if your hair is dry and prone to split ends. Mamaearth’s No More Tangles Conditioner contains natural moisturizers like Avocado, Shea butter, and milk protein that condition your hair in a holistic and sustainable way.

5. Wide-toothed ancient neem comb

You can use all the right products for your hair and then undo all the good work by using a regular, plastic comb. Wooden combs are so much better for your scalp. The natural wooden fibers condition your hair while you comb, by coating your hair with the natural oils from your scalp. The wide-toothed combs also tend not to pull or break the hair as you comb it. Plus, if you have dandruff due to a dry scalp, using a wooden comb will normalize the oil production and eliminate the dandruff.

Most of us want our hair to look “wow” and feel great but we’re often not ready to make the disciplined effort it needs to get there. Luckily, our hair has a natural intelligence and capacity to repair itself. All we need to do is replenish it with the right products. Saying no to toxins and sticking to natural products will go a long way in maintaining good hair health over a long period of time.