This article was originally written by Kyra Nicole, CEO and Founder of Kyra’s Shea Medleys, LLC on July 9, 2015. Click here to see Tumblr article. Unless otherwise stated, all information and images provided in this article are for informational and educational purposes only!
NO, WE DO NOT ADD WATER!
We have received emails and questions from many people asking why water is not an ingredient in any of our Butter Creams. Most have been told that if a hair or skin product does not contain water, then it is not a moisturizer. Well, we want to answer your question in more detail by helping you understand the characteristics of the raw, organic ingredients we do use in all of our products.
It is definitely true that water is the best natural moisturizer for our hair and skin. You probably already know that adult human bodies are made up of approximately 50 to 70% of water and that we need water to survive. Here are some of the benefits of water:
- Vital nutrient to the life of every cell, including our hair and skin cells
- Regulates the temperature of our internal body by sweating and respiration
- Forms saliva, which helps us to break down our food
- Metabolizes carbohydrates and proteins and transports to our bloodstream
- Helps to flush our bodily wastes, mainly through urination
- and more!
Okay, now that the biological lesson is over, let us explain why water is not an active ingredient in any of our organic Butter Creams. We understand that most hair and skin companies, small and large, add water to their products. We understand that you have probably seen a post on Instagram or someone’s blog about using moisturizers that has water as one of the first five ingredients. WE GET IT! However, the following reasons explain why Kyra’s Shea Medleys chose not to incorporate water:
1) Water can be the most moisturizing and most drying of your hair and skin.
Wait that is an oxymoron. How can something be both moist and dry? Imagine your hair getting washed or your skin during your shower. They probably feel extra soft, more manageable, and smoother. Now, imagine your hair after the wash, but did not apply a conditioner, or your skin after the shower, but you did not put on your favorite Butter Cream. I bet they will begin to feel dry, ashy, and rough. Why did this happen? Water is quickly absorbed, so if you don’t follow with another stronger moisturizer and/or sealer, you will end up with crunchy hair and sandpaper skin! Any of our Butter Creams will serve as the “stronger moisturizer and/or sealer”.
2) Water is a cheap filler in hair and skin care products.
Usually “water” is one of maybe three natural ingredients in these hair and skincare products, and unfortunately, that water is predominately used as a filler. In other words, fillers are cheap ingredients that help spread the product out and fill up the jar or bottle you buy from the store at a ridiculous price. The other ingredients are most likely chemicals and other harmful substances that many people cannot understand but think it “sounds” important because it is written in its scientific terminology (INCI names). Kyra’s Shea Medleys, unlike the rest, uses only wholesome plant-based and organic ingredients in every jar of our premier Butter Creams. NO FILLERS, NO PRESERVATIVES, NO ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS, NO NONSENSE!! Just pure Shea Butter Creams!
3) We add ingredients with water consistency, yet more benefits.
We decided to include two special fundamental ingredients in all of our Butter Creams that have the same liquid consistency as water, but way more benefits for your hair and skin!
a. Aloe Vera Juice – Aloe Vera Juice actually has a very high water content (about 99%) and is just as hydrating as water. This natural and soothing emollient also has over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide, and fatty acids. It has commonly been used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes for over 5000 years as it is known to heal topical skin conditions (i.e. burns, psoriasis, seborrhea, bug bites, and relieves wound pains) and hair issues such as dandruff and hair loss. Aloe Vera Juice is a natural moisturizer and detoxifying conditioner.
b. Witch Hazel – Witch Hazel is a natural antioxidant, astringent, and moisturizer that deeply penetrates the hair shaft, skin cells, and cuticles. It reduces inflammation and bacteria build up, combating everything from dandruff, itchy and oily scalp, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Witch Hazel is a topical treatment for bruises, sores, swelling, abrasions, rashes, bug bites, sunburns, dark circles, and more!
I hope you all understand a little more why we decided not to incorporate water into our Medleys. We only want you to have the best products that can be used on BOTH your hair and skin! We want every penny you spend to be more than worth it! We believe in providing Safe, Healthy, Effective, and Affordable (S.H.E.A.) Butter Creams…BOTTOM LINE! Of course, we will always recommend that you continue to use water in your hair and skin regimens, and here are a few.
KSM WATER RECOMMENDATIONS
Below are some of our recommendations on how to incorporate more water into your natural hair and skincare regimens:
1) DRINK water daily!
As mentioned, our bodies need water to survive. They actually say we should drink half our body weight in ounces of water per day, but if you do not, at least do the 8 cups per day. Drinking water keeps your skin youthful, soft, supple, combats skin disorders like psoriasis, wrinkles, and eczema, and helps to detoxify your body. Drinking water keeps your hair soft, naturally shining, and looking youthful as well!
(Side Note: Did you know we can live longer without food than we can without water? Not suggesting for anybody to try this, though; it just shows us how important water is to everyone’s well-being).
2) EAT foods with high water content!
Many tend to overlook the fact that our daily diet affects our hair and skin. In addition to drinking more water, we definitely need to eat more vegetables and fruits, as they have the highest water content! Such vegetables include cucumber, iceberg lettuce (I add spinach and romaine to my salads), celery, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, baby carrots, green peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower. Such fruit includes watermelon, star fruit, strawberries, blueberries, grapefruit, cantaloupe, pineapples, pears, cranberries, oranges, and raspberries. Eating these foods and using KSM Butter Creams will have your hair and skin smiling!
3) Detangle and style your hair while WET!
One of the 10 commandments of natural hair care is to detangle and style your hair while wet, especially if you have very coarse hair. This allows for less breakage, more growth retention, and softness as it is a much faster and smoother process. Now, it is not always necessary to drench your hair as if you are washing it, but at least keep a spray bottle with you! We are absolutely sure that 9 out of 10 Naturalistas have a spray bottle filled with water or water and something else (i.e. olive oil, conditioner, etc) and a wide tooth comb in their hair station. Of course, every head is different and no one knows you hair like you do, so do what you think is best.
There are definitely more advice and tips on how to include water into your daily regimens, but I do not want to overwhelm you with an essay! Unless, of course, you don’t mind! JK! Please leave a comment and/or ask any question you may have on hair and skincare. I will do my best to answer everyone!
