Did you hear about our recently launched Roots Hair Care Set? What really makes this delectable duo special is a treasure trove of oils and extracts used in the making, allowing your hair to bask in our carefully formulated potions that’s sole purpose is to improve the overall health of your hair. This can only mean one thing; it’s time to refresh those Roots.

Our Roots Hair Care Set includes the Clary Sage & Lemongrass Hair Wash and a multipurpose Pomegranate Hair & Scalp Treatment Oil. We’ll highlight the scientific evidence (with links!) on the effectiveness of the natural ingredients used in our hair care set. Continue on to find out more!

Hair Growth

The key ingredient of our Pomegranate Hair & Scalp Treatment Oil is pomegranate seed oil, which packs a punch of antioxidants and vitamin C to help increase blood circulation to the scalp. When there is good blood flow to the scalp, it circulates all the essential nutrients to the scalp and thus, encourages hair growth. 

Grapeseed oil contains powerful antioxidants too. In some studies, it is used as a complementary and alternative treatment (think: safe, natural and effective) for hair loss. But hey, if that fact scares you, you should know that a significant improvement by 44% of hair growth within 7 months was observed in a study among those with pattern baldness when grapeseed oil is massaged onto the scalp alongside other carrier oils such as rosemary, lavender and cedarwood - all of which can be found in our scalp and treatment oil!

Dandruff be gone!

Dandruff is caused by an oily scalp. Other times, it is due to a fungus that normally resides on the scalp and causes skin cells to multiply more quickly than usual. Dandruff can turn the skin red and scaly and produces larger flakes.

To treat this, we end up reaching for commercial anti-dandruff shampoos containing chemical agents such as selenium sulfide, not knowing that this harsh ingredient can cause allergic reactions, especially when dandruff is more severe. This leads to scalp irritation and rashes. 

We look at natural and safe methods to combat this while providing the nourishment our scalp is actually thirsty for. Pomegranate oil, grapeseed oil and lavender oil are all anti-pruritic. It basically means this trio helps soothe itchy scalps that may be caused by dandruff, psoriasis or even scalp eczema. Research has shown the successful anti-fungal properties of lemongrass oil against yeast associated with dandruff.

The extracts from Horsetail, an additional ingredient in our hair wash, is an impressive natural antimicrobial agent like the others, whereby it increases resistance to fungal infections on the scalp. Clary Sage oil as one of the few EOs in both our hair care products contribute to these benefits as well with its antiseptic properties.

Shiny and stronger hair

Every hairstylist would tell you that split ends are more likely to occur with chemically treated hair and environmental factors such as wind as well as frequent exposure to sunlight. This is due to the broken cuticle layer on top layer of the hair strand, resulting in porous and dehydrated hair.

Boosting your tresses with frequent use of penetrating oils will produce glossy locks in the long run. Derived from seeds, Sunflower oil provides a film effect and is found to absorb quickly into the hair cuticle. It helps to enhance shine and reduces friction, which prevents hair breakage. Vitamin E, known for its high lipid percentage content, helps to replace that protective layer and bring back shine. 

Besides that, castor oil contains impressive fatty acids that acts as an intense moisturizer and can increase flexibility of hair and decreases the chance of breakage with regular usage.

One such hidden gem would be the clove, a prominent ingredient in North Indian recipes and is a staple here in Malaysia producing dishes from yummy briyani to garam masala. Clove oil is nutrient-dense, containing vitamins A and C, potassium and phosphorus, when combined with other carrier oils, provide hair shaft restoration.

Another fun fact is that silicon levels naturally occurring in the human body decrease with age, resulting in hair brittleness. Horsetail extract contains a high mineral silica content, which gives sheen to strands and at the same time, improves structural integrity of the hair. 

Cease the Grease 

Struggling with an oily scalp? Nettle extract, only found in our hair wash, is not a recent discovery. It has been used for thousands of years to grow shiny, beautiful hair. It’s astringent nature calms oil production and scalp irritation.

Besides that, lemongrass oil and clary sage oil function the same way by limiting sebum produced on the scalp, and same goes with Vitamin E. When oil production is regulated, hair becomes more volumized.

As a whole, the Roots Hair Care Set contains essential ingredients for healthy scalp and hair. If you have tried out the Roots Hair Care Set, do let us know at Twitter, Instagram or in the comments below!

Early August, exciting news made its way to me at work. A Root Remedies natural hair care collection was in the works. Being the skincare enthusiast that I am, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this. 

I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t the biggest fan of natural hair care products. In the past, the natural shampoos I tried were thick shampoo bars. Getting those things to lather was an arm workout in itself…best to save that energy for the gym if you ask me!

With that being a turn off, I was quite surprised to find The Clary Sage & Lemongrass Hair Wash in a liquid form. Perhaps this would be THE product to convert me. 

With the chance to test it before it hit the shelves... thus began my natural hair care journey. 

My hair type. 

I have coloured, oily, itchy, and dandruff prone hair. Before making the change to a natural wash, I used to wash my hair three times a week. The days where I didn't wash my hair I had to rely on dry shampoo to soak up some of the oil. 

First Impressions...

The gel like consistency and pump make the hair wash super easy to use. No more arm workouts, a simple pumping motion is all it takes. I was also pleasantly surprised by how easy it lathered, half a pump and a few drops of water was all it took. 

The aroma of the hair wash is something worth mentioning. Think light, herbal, and citrusy…  Having something smell this amazing makes hair washing something to look forward to.

A day later...

A day after my first wash, I noticed that some parts of my hair felt oilier and waxier than usual. I couldn’t help but panic a little inside. A quick search online revealed a number of others who had a similar experience at first, but it had gotten better with time. What my hair was going through, was part of the Transition period. I’m not going to talk about this at length here, but you can read more about it here.

When it came to my dandruff, I noticed quite a drastic difference. I wasn’t scratching my head as much and I didn’t have as many flakes. 

Currently...

The more I used the hair wash the less oil, wax, and dandruff there was. I also noticed that my hair has a lot more volume and texture to it. It’s a wonder what natural products can do!

If you are going through the transition phase now, take comfort in the fact that this is temporary and natural. It will pass and you will be rewarded with great hair.

*update* 3 weeks later my hair has phased out of the transition and there is completely no oiliness or waxiness, just better volume and texture.

If you’re used to conventional products, taking the leap to natural products can be overwhelming. Hair products can be part of an identity, and switching it up is something many would consider carefully. For those looking to switch to an all-natural hair wash, here is a quick post on how to transition, the transition process as well as the benefits of going natural.

Bye-bye Chemicals
Conventional shampoos contain synthetic chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Phthalates. While not every synthetic is harmful, some, such as the ones mentioned, are linked to skin irritation and hair loss. Also, the natural oils your scalp produces will be stripped away by conventional shampoos. Ditching these will unclog your scalp, promote healthy hair growth, and prevent other negative side effects. Your scalp will be able to breathe and produce a healthy amount of sebum. As a bonus, natural products contain organic ingredients which are biodegradable and won’t pollute the earth. YAY to sustainable products!

Transitioning to a natural hair wash
When you switch over to a natural hair wash, there could be an adjustment or ‘purging’ period.  Your hair and scalp might behave erratically at first, it could either be too oily, too dry, or bounce back and forth between the two extremes. This is an important phase as your hair is detoxing from years of buildup of chemicals from conventional hair products. During this period, although it might be tempting, do not use any conventional products! It will undo the effects and prolong the transition period. Aside from that, here are some tips to deal with these situations.

For oily hair:
Your hair might feel oily or waxy when you start using a natural hair wash. This happens because your scalp is compensating by overproducing sebum to replace those that has been stripped away. To make the transition easier, brush your hair twice daily to evenly distribute the natural sebums produced. It also helps to rinse twice after washing your wash to get rid of excess oil.

For dry hair:
Your hair might feel dry and tangled as it is no longer coated with synthetic softening agents. Again, brushing helps as distributing the natural oils throughout your hair will alleviate the situation. Brush often and at least twice daily and your hair should be more manageable. Consider using a natural hair oil to quicken the process and give your oil a healthy shine. 

Patience is key to obtaining healthier hair. Everyone's hair is different and depending on how long, curly, thick or damaged your hair is, purging can last from a few days to over a month. It might take a little time getting used to, but once your hair is free of chemicals, your hair  (and the earth!) will thank you.

Looking for a natural hair wash? Why not try our Clary Sage and Lemongrass Hair Wash? Tell us about your experience with natural hair wash at Twitter, Instagram, or in the comments!