How do you purchase a shampoo or conditioner for your hair?

Do you walk into the store and search for a product manufactured under a seemingly reliable brand or fetch the product that you find first? Most people would fit in the first category. Do you think falling in the first category is better than second? If so, sorry to burst your little bubble, because both of them are definitive self-destructive paths!

Have you ever been lured by a product manufactured by a well-reputed brand and eventually ended up having a terrible experience? How many of you actually go through the list of ingredients behind the packaging before purchasing a product for your hair?

We understand that reading the ingredients list could be overwhelming. There are so many names that might sound like an alien language to you. Names like Hibiscus rosa-sinensis or cocus nucifera may sound weird, but they are just hibiscus and coconut. But ingredient list often contains more complicated names than these. It is imperative to understand which ingredient would be good for your curls. Because better ingredients give better hair!

The Hair care products that we get in the market today are a mélange of chemicals and are really harmful to the natural texture of curly hair. Ahead, we shed some light to a list of ingredients that curly girls should look out for.

First let's take a look at the worst ingredients for your curls!

It is essential for curly girls to avoid harsh sulfates, drying alcohols, silicones, waxes and mineral oil as they dehydrate and destroy your hair with each use.

1. Sulfate

Sulfate is a villain to your curls! Sulfates are really harsh as they strip off all moisture from your hair and leave your curls dry. Continuous use of Sulfate shampoo would leave your curls brittle and dull, making it susceptible to breakage.

• Sodium Lauryl sulfate
• Sodium Lauryl ether sulfate
• Ammonium Laureth or Lauryl Sulfate
• Ammonium or Sodium Xylensulfonate
• Ethyl PEG-15 Cocamine Sulfate/li>
• Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
• Sodium Laureth, Myreth or Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
• TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

2. Silicones

Did you know Silicone is literally a form of plastic? Any product containing this should undoubtedly be avoided. But the sad fact is that, most of the hair care products contain Silicones in their ingredient list. Wondering why? Most companies add silicones as a cheap alternative to fight frizzy hair. They have the ability to coat the hair with an invisible layer, which provides a lot of perceived slip and shine to the hair. But in reality, this coat repels all the moisture from your hair which is every curly girl’s nightmare!

• Amodimethicone
• Behenoxy Dimethicone
• Bis-aminopropyl dimethicone
• Cetearyl Methicone
• Cetyl Dimethicone
• Cyclomethicone
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Dimethicone
• Dimethiconol
• Phenyl trimethicone
• Stearyl Dimethicone
• Trimethylsilylamodimethicone

3. Drying Alcohols

Watch out this ingredient! Because drying alcohol is exactly what its name suggests. They dry out your curls by repelling moisture from it when used continuously.

• Denatured alcohol
• Ethanol
• Isopropanol
• Isopropyl alcohol (also called IPA)
• Propanol
• Propyl alcohol
• SD alcohol 40

4. Parabens

Parabens are water-soluble chemicals and are added to different skin care and hair care products as a cheap preservative. Though they aren’t the worst for your curls, they have a tendency to dry out the hair and cause frizz.

• Methylparaben
• Propylparaben

Curl up Curl moisturizing shampoo made of natural active ingredients like Argan Oil, Chia seed extracts with a combination of vitamins and minerals, is free from such harsh ingredients and is a must buy product if you love your curls!

Let’s now take a look at the ingredients that are beneficial for you long and luscious curls!

You must be confused now! Yes, there are different types of alcohol and they have different effects on your hair. Fatty alcohol aids in nourishing and moisturising your curly hair strands. Their oily base is good for softening, thickening, and smoothing the hair. Look out for these good ones in your ingredient list; cetyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohols.

Glycerine is known for being a humectant which is basically any material that can absorb moisture. This aids in preserving moisture in your scalp and hair.

If strength, elasticity and structural aid is what you are looking for in your curls, then protein is an indisputable ingredient. It is a life saver and it negates all the damages by replenishing moisture in your luscious locks.

Want to know the secret to maintain those natural and good looking curls? ‘Natural ingredients derived from the earth minus dubious chemicals.' Some exceptionally moisturizing natural ingredients include olive oil, argan oil, shea butter, coconut oil and avocado oil.

The Curl hydration conditioner formulated by curl up made specifically for curly hair consists of ultra-nourishing properties of Argan Oil, Chia seeds and Flax seeds. The product rich in natural ingredients will aid in nourishing your beautiful curls.

It is always advisable to choose the right products with clean ingredients for your curls. Bid adieu to chemically augmented products and switch to those products enriched with natural ingredients for maintaining those happy, bouncy locks!