Women of Ethiopian and Somali descent are known to use a homemade mixture called literally called ``hair butter'' made of whipped animal milk (milk is made of fat/oil and water) and water to maintain their hair, with excellent results.
Fros don't absorb as much moisture as our caucasian cousins' hair, added to this the structure of our hair (curls and kinks, and increased density) means that nutrients often don't travel along the length of our strands as well as we'd like.
A good way to keep your hair moisturized during the week is to spray it with some water and a light oil like jojoba or grapeseed to get it damp then twist it, put on a shower cap and sit under the dryer for a bit, maybe 15 minutes or use a steamer then let it dry with the twists in.
Jojoba Oil: The Best Oil for Type 4C Hair
Composed of 99% natural ingredients, CHÉRIBÉ Chébé Complex Growth Oil contains jojoba oil. Its dry texture is quickly absorbed by the hair shaft. It repairs, stimulates growth, and makes type 4C hair shine.
Porosity matters.
If you have low porosity hair, your hair has a tight cuticle layer and struggles to take in moisture. This could be why your hair feels dry! Use heat when applying moisture (steam, warm water, or a heat cap) to open your cuticles. Don't over-apply product or be heavy-handed.
Coconut oil can have many benefits for your hair and scalp. It is used to relieve dandruff, restore luster to dry and damaged hair, tame frizz, and protect hair against styling damage. It is safe to use on all hair types.
Use the LOC method
The LOC method is the best way to keep 4C hair moisturized since it involves hydrating the hair with a water-based product, sealing it with oil, and finally closing its cuticles with cream to lock in moisture.
Using a daily conditioner and a leave-in conditioner combined with a deep conditioner or oil treatment once a week is a good routine for keeping hair hydrated.
It's the most basic yet essential moisturising agent for those delicate ringlets, so recommend your curly client sprays water through their hair daily for an instant hydration boost. For extra nourishment, they could also use a leave-in conditioner, like Elements Renewing Leave-In Spray Opens in a new tab.
With Shea Butter and Tamarind extract
Black soap is the ultimate African moisturizer for keeping the skin nicely hydrated while balancing oily to combination skin.
High porosity hair has a more open cuticle layer—making it easy for moisture to get in but hard for it to stay in. Low porosity hair has a more tightly bound cuticle layer, making it tough for moisture to get in at all. And medium porosity hair is—you guessed it—somewhere in between.
While it's generally safe to oil your scalp regularly, doing it daily may only be necessary for some and could lead to product buildup. It's best to listen to your hair's needs and adjust the frequency of oiling accordingly, typically aiming for 1-3 times a week.
How and when you choose to use coconut oil is up to you - most people apply coconut oil to the ends of wet hair after a shower, and then apply a small amount to dry hair as a finishing treatment or as a heat protectant before styling.
If your hair is thin or gets greasy easily, you can skip the scalp so the oil doesn't weigh your hair down. Allow the coconut oil to sit on your hair for 20 to 30 minutes after application. If your hair is very dry or porous, you can leave it on longer; some people like to use it as an overnight treatment.
Black hair tends to be on the dry side—when you wash it really frequently, it becomes even more dry and likely to break. To keep your hair clean and protected, dermatologists recommend washing your hair once a week or once every 2 weeks. If you exercise a lot, feel free to wash your hair once every 5-7 days instead.
Think of a protein treatment as a special care pack for the hair. Whether delivered through a salon service or haircare product, the protein-rich formulas typically contain keratin and collagen proteins to rebuild and support the hair's natural protein structure.