Oils that penetrate the Hair Shaft....

Have you ever found yourself drowning in a sea of hair products, including oils, but wondering why nothing seemed to work as promised?
If so, it may be because the ingredients in your hair products aren’t penetrating the shaft of your hair!!!

Oils are good for hair: they enhance sheen, protect against environmental elements plus nourish the scalp.
Oils are made of fatty-acid chains, some of which are too big to penetrate the hair shaft and hence they help in providing the much-needed protective coating they give the hair.

However, some oils actually have chains small enough to penetrate the hair to the core; thus delivering whatever benefits deep into the strand and nourish it inside out. They also help to strengthen hair by preventing damage (especially protein loss during shampoo and relaxing).

COCONUT OIL;

So far my favourite oil...
Coconut oil is one of the few natural oils that has been proven to penetrate deep inside the hair where it can strengthen from within and protect the outside.
Research (although small-scale and preliminary) shows that hair can absorb around 50-75% of applied oil...
Coconut oil (because of its chemical structure) can actually penetrate to the cortex (the inner part of hair) which can help improve its strength and flexibility.

♦This is also because the fatty acids are drawn to the protein stricture of the hair, and bind with them hence minimizing protein loss!!♦

Another benefit: coconut oil has super staying power. Since most oils and hair ingredients sit on top of your hair, they rinse off when you wash your mane. Coconut oil is "inside" your hair, so it's less likely to rinse away.
If you have dry, damaged hair and are susceptible to hair loss and breakage then you should definitely stock up on coconut oil.
※This is why most pre-shampoo oil treatments recommend coconut oil. ※

OLIVE OIL...

Also another favourite...
Olive oil is scientifically proven to penetrate the shaft of your hair. It is difficult to repair the inner most layer of your hair follicle. But putting olive oil in hair is clinically shown to repair the hair cuticle and cortex.
The hair is said to absorb about 75% of the oil applied.

♠You can boost your hot oil treatment by mixing olive and coconut oils, warm them and let them penetrate your hair and scalp. All you have to do is apply the oil to your hair and let it absorb.♠

AVOCADO OIL...

Quite rare and pricey, but it does deliver!!!
The oil is obtained from the pulp, not the pit of the avocado.
Slightly green in color due to the high chlorophyll content, Avocado oil has an avocado flavor with a hint of buttery mushroom aroma.
Avocado oil is rich in Vitamins (A, B1, B2, D and E) and Monounsaturated fats. (The good type of fat.)
Due to its small fatty acid chains it is also penetrative deep into the hair. Like olive oil, it is capable of nourishing the hair inside-out and strengthen it, plus nourish your scalp intensively!!

~If you cannot get avocado oil, simply mush up an avocado piece, add coconut or Olive oil and apply to your scalp and strands.

So far, I can only confirm on these three, but more studies are being done on most other oils.

Better yet, if you can get your hands on oil infusions, you stand to gain a lot more from your oil treatments because of the added minerals and essential elements to your scalp and hair!!!

※ check out more on herbal oil infusions and their benefits※

Related articles:
※ Healthy hair and scalp: Herbal tea rinses
※ Essential oils: What are they and their uses?
※ Herbal oil infusions: part 2: Carrier oils and their benefits
※ Tretinoin (Retin-A) and Acne treatment
※ Oily skin/Acne treatment

sources;
http://www.naturalhairrules.com/3-best-oils-for-natural-hair/
http://www.curlynikki.com/2013/05/coconut-oil-penetrates-hair.html
http://www.self.com/flash/beauty-blog/2012/04/why-coconut-oil-is-amazing-for/
http://coldpresshaute.com/category/penetrating-the-hair-shaft/

HAIRCARE - CERAMIDES

Ceramides and hair care 

Ceramides are fatty molecules that naturally occur in the hair fiber. They are the "glue' of the hair fiber that hold all of the layers together. Ceramides form a seal on the cuticle layer, limiting the loss of protein molecules from the hair shaft; protecting the fiber against normal wear and tear from manipulation (washing & styling), UV rays, heat and chemical services; like dye, relaxers
etc.

This seal also helps to keep the cuticle flat and tightly packed; they fill in gaps in the cuticle, giving shine and keeping porosity low.

Over time, hair loses ceramide molecules. From heat and chemical but also just from the hair istself aging. Older and/or damaged hair contains less ceramide than newer/healthier hair. So it makes sense to incorporate ceramides to maintain hair health.
*Note: Ceramides help limit the loss of protein and help strengthen the hair fiber. However they are not proteins, nor can they replace protein in your regimen.

(Some people have found they need less protein though).
There are plant oils and extracts that contain plant ceramides. They function much the same as those found in our own hair. Many hair products also contain natural and synthetic ceramides

Oils/extracts containing ceramides:

• Soybean oil
• Sesame oil
• Eucalyptus extract
• Hemp seed oil
• Kukui Nut oil
• Sunflower oil
• Rice Bran oil
• Walnut oil
• Wheat Germ oil
• Oils containing high amounts of linoleic acid; which suggests ceramide
• benefit:
• Safflower oil
• Grape seed oil
• Poppyseed oil
• Corn oil
• Cottonseed oil

You can incorporate ceramides as part of your regular treatments, as daily
groomer when moisturizing and sealing or hot oil or oil rinse treatments.

****
* Raw Shea butter 
* Genetics and brand names: know your medicines
* What are calories
* Enzyme depletion and food storage
****

Neem Oil infusion: How to make and its uses

Neem oil infusion

You have heard of neem or henna infused with coconut oil. We also know of amla oil, or even citrus-infused olive oil.

So, infused oils simply means that a carrier oil (olive, sesame, coconut) is combined with an herb or fruit/peels and the herb's or peels therapeutic properties (healing properties) are obtained through application on the skin. This could be therapeutic for dry skin, inclinations, insect bites, scalp issues or even hair loss.  Since the skin readily absorbs products which contain oils and fatty acids, the infused oils are a great way of getting the phyto-nutrients and vitamins A and E plus other compounds to the cells.

Health benefits of neem (oil and leaves) Mwarubaini
Both neem oil and neem leaf are fantastic skin care ingredients:
-Neem relieves dry skin.
-It soothes itchiness, redness and irritation.
-It improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections, as in acne, boils and ulcers.

One of the top neem benefits is that it lets you avoid harsh chemicals and nasty insecticides when treating conditions like
-psoriasis ,
-eczema,
-scabies,
-head lice

Neem holds many healing properties like:
anti-bacterial
anti-viral
anti-septic
anti-diabetic
anti-fungal
blood-purifying
spermicidal (should be avoided by women trying to conceive or are pregnant.)

Benefits Of Neem For Animals
Wash your dog with neem soap or a neem shampoo , and you'll discourage biting insects, ticks and fleas, ringworm, mange mites, any skin disorders or fungal infections...

Neem is just as fantastic for the skin and hair of your pets as it is for yourself. Again, you avoid nasty chemicals and harmful medications. They only increase stress for the immune system rather than helping it, whereas
neem benefits the immune system and overall health of your pet .

All these benefits can be availed through a neem oil infusion. This also provides an excellent oppirtunity to benefit from the oil itself eg olive oil will really nourish your skin. You can get the neem infusion in any health store, super market or our online store. Just don't cook with it!!!

Stay fit, stay healthy.

**
This is Serenity.
**
****
* Raw shea butter
* Ceramides
* What are calories
* Herbal tea rinses
* Rosemary herb benefits
****

Healthy hair and scalp: Herbal tea rinses

Hi again,
Very often we have to deal with dull hair or dry and flaky scalp that seems to reuse to improve no matter what you use. This issues are caused by a couple of issues we encounter in our daily activities. Your scalp could be acting up due to build-up from dust and sediments (smoke, fumes etc) that are in the polluted city airs we survive by, or you may be having an allergic reaction due to medication or even hair products and styling gels. The same happens to your hair, topped up with build-up of dirt and styling products and salts from our sweats.
One remedy many people adopt is the herbal tea rinse. Simply put, you prepare herbal tea (without the sweeteners or honey), cool the tea and use it as a final rinse after shampoo or deep conditioning/treatments.
There are many herbs that are used, and each of them will have very positive impact on your scalp, and hence your hair.

• Black Tea Rinse: Yep, strong tea (or turungi ...). Tea is known to have very powerful phyto-nutrients which help in strengthening the follicles and stop shedding. Tea is also mildly acidic and so it will give your hair a glossy finish and leave the strands stronger. Since black tea has a 'drying' effect like henna, it is best used as the rinse just before applying conditioner (treatment) and letting it sit in your hair for 15 to 20 minutes under a dryer (optional). Doing this with your routine conditioning (treatment) is bound to reduce the amount of hair you shed, and leave your hair glossier and much much stronger. A cup (or half ) will do.
• 
  
• Black coffee rinse: Regular espresso, gourmet or just plain old coffee no matter the name. The regular caffeine coffee should do the trick. Just like black tea, it leaves your hair stronger, glossier and will cut down your shedding drastically. You should use it with your conditioning treatment, especially a moisturizing conditioner. A cup (or half ) will do.

• Apple cider vinegar: ACV rinse is usually done after rinsing off the conditioning treatment or hot-oil treatment. 
• Besides sealing the cuticles, it also cleanses and clarifies, effectively helping removing residue that leads to dry and breaking hair. It also helps clarify the scalp, reducing product-related itching and flaking. It also helps in combating dandruff.. 
• It is very popular and helpful with people who use hard tap water to wash their hair. Integrating this rinse weekly leads to soft, glossy hair that stays moisturized. You will mix only a table spoon of ACV with a cup of cold water. Be careful not to add too much as it can irritate your hair and scalp when too concentrated.

• Flat beer rinse: Yes, the brown frothy waters do hold a punch of their own. Rinsing your hair once a month with flat beer (you can use fresh beer if you don't mind the foam) gives you strong, bodacious, resilient and glossy hair. It also acts as a wonderful setting lotion before blow-drying, and reduces the limp appearance after styling. Just use a cup to rinse after conditioning. Don't worry about the smell, it will go away after a few minutes.

• Green tea rinse: Green tea is very useful in controlling hair loss or shedding. You simply make the tea by brewing some green tea bags in hot water and then, let it cool. You simply pour the tea on your hair and scalp. You can use a small basin to collect the run-off tea, then rinse your hair again as you massage your scalp (if you are enjoying the massage). The tea contains compounds that will help manage hair loss, as well as shedding. As always, drinking your green tea will also give you many anti-oxidant goodies that will help in keeping you healthy.

• Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea is soothing to the scalp and gives your hair a brilliant sheen. Chamomile tea also lightens the hair a bit.

• Lemon: Lemon juice (or tea if you choose to brew ... your call!!) is also very soothing for the scalp, and it also helps in controlling dandruff and oily scalp. Too much lemon will dry out your hair, and cause lightening, especially if the hair is exposed to sunlight a lot. One lemon should be enough for a cop of water or even mixed with chamomile tea.

So, here is the 'small' list on how you can benefit from different herbal rinses. You can tweak it depending on availability or time, or how you decide to condition or treat your hair and scalp. Feel free to get Herbal!!

This is Serenity!!

****
* Rosemary skin benefits 
* Hair loss: herbs and oils
*Vitamin E and hair growth
* Carrier oils and their benefits
****

Rosemary Herb skin benefits: How to have glowing skin

The Rosemary herb has been used for very many centuries as a medicinal herb, spice and cosmetic product. It is rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins as well as having hypo-allergenic properties.
Personally, I love using the fresh herb in my stews, teas and hair rinses.There are many uses for the Rosemary herb, from convectional cooking and essential oils, and I will talk about how to use it to have healthy hair and skin.

 For glowing skin and fighting acne
The herb is mainly used through its essential oils available in the market. The oil is mainly mixed with carrier oils like castor or olive oil, or added to facial rinse product.

• Rosemary is known to have skin toning properties.
• Rosemary has astringent properties and it works to encourage blood flow to the skin. This increases nourishment and helps improve appearance a great deal. It is used in a similar way to the rose water toning rinse. 
• You simply add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to your final face rinse water. Many people use very cold water but you can use warm water too. You can also add a few drops to your bath water and soak in it for a refreshing soak after a busy and tiresome day, especially if your muscles are fatigued and aching.
• If you cant access the oil, you can simply add a stalk to two cups of boiling water(leaves and all - although you can cut them into small pieces to increase release of the essence), cover, and let it cool in the fridge, then rinse off. Or, you can add the mixture into the water in the bath tub and soak in it or use as final rinse.
• Rosemary also helps to  fight infections

• Rosemary has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and it helps reduce  and puffiness on the skin. It also helps relieve itching from insect bites and cleans up wounds really well. 
• You can add a few drops of the Rosemary essential oils to olive oil and rub on the affected area. You can also use fresh Rosemary and make Rosemary tea (just add to boiling water and let it cool while covered) and wash the affected area with it, then apply a balm or Vaseline on the area.
• Rosemary helps to treat acne.
• you can make your home-made masks, lotions and rinses which you can use to treat mild acne at your own time, or just to give yourself at-home spa treatments.
• A popular mask is the cucumber and rosemary mask:



organic face mask

• you will need a cucumber, which you will blend into a smoothie, or grate using a hand grater then mash up with  a pestle and mortar. You will then add three to four drops of Rosemary essential oils, or just throw in your fresh stalk of rosemary and mash/blend them together. Whisk an egg white and add in to the mixture. Apply on your face and leave for 15 minutes and then rinse off. This will leave you with glowing skin. It will take up to two weeks to clear up your acne and even out your complexion.

PS... You are recommended to always dilute your essential oils because they can be very strong and cause some allergic reactions.You should never consume them unless you are given a go-ahead by the manufacturer, or using the fresh herbs in food.
PS ... If you cannot get your pure essential oils, you can always infuse them with organic carrier oils. The benefits will still be maintained, and they won't be diluted. Or, you can mix your pure essential oils with organic carrier oils. If you use the essential oils straight, always exercise caution.
There are many other uses for Rosemary, from cooking to haircare.

Rosemary plant in a pot (Kenya)

Live life, Live well,
This is Serenity!!

****
* Scalp hair rinses
* Neem oil 
* Skin benefits of rosemary

****