The Easy Hydrating Vs Moisturizing Hair Guide!

Last Updated on September 11, 2022 by The Blessed Queens

Hydrating vs moisturizing hair! What is the best option for your natural hair and what can you do to take better care of your hair?

Hydrating has its benefits but moisturizing has its own benefits as well so today we are diving into both of them.

The Easy Hydrating Vs Moisturizing Hair Guide For Hair That Thrives!

The Easy Hydrating Vs Moisturizing Hair Guide!

When it comes to hydrating vs moisturizing hair it’s important to understand the difference between the two.

Hydrating your natural hair Is the process of using humectants, proteins, amino acids and critical vitamins that penetrate your hair fiber infusing and improving the absorption of water and nutrients so that your hair holds and retains moisture better.

What about moisturizing?

Moisturizing Your Hair is the process of using butters and oils to coat the OUTER surface of the hair fiber sealing and locking down your hair shaft so moisture cannot get in or out of the fiber.

So first you HYDRATE your hair in order to penetrate, absorb & nourish your hair from within.

THEN you seal and lock down your hair shaft with a MOISTURIZER to keep the moisture in the hair.

HOW TO HYDRATE

In order to get your natural hair reinvigorated and replenished you need wash your hair… yeah I know long washing hours (not always tho!).

That’s the only time during the week (or month for others) when your hair is fully hydrated.

Regular hydration is super important so it’s advised to hydrate once a week by cleaning your hair and scalp which is crucial if you want to keep a clean and healthy head of hair.

It is also important to take your time; because rushing can cause unnecessary breakage which no one wants, right?

So after you’ve washed, detangle or pre-poo and fully saturate your hair with water, wash and apply your deep conditioner.

Throw on a plastic bag and a nice scarf and give your hair time for it to absorb the nutrients.

For busy Queens to hydrate your hair each week to keep moisture levels up in your hair, which make retention of moisture on the days in between that much easier.

You will notice that your hair will start thriving.

Another thing you can do is Co-washing your hair to maintain and support hydration.

Although this is a simple technique it will work wonders for your curl pattern.

For those that doesn’t like glycerin, I recommend these hydrating products for your curls that a glycerin-free like these ones:

• Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Style Setter
• Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner
• Creme of Nature Straight from Eden Natural Oil-Infused Hydrating Conditioner

How to Moisturize your natural hair

So you’ve wash and hydrate your hair and it’s moisturizing time. It’s important to implement moisture during the week.

Grab your spray bottle and your favorite products!

Start in sections, spray your hair with water so that it’s damp (not wet o!), and follow up with oil and cream of your choice.

One thing you should remember is the types of products that best suit your hair are heavily determined by your hair’s porosity level!

Do you know your hair porosity type? This video will help you out:

By doing this simple routine on a daily basis your will be able to maintain moisturized hair in between wash days.

If you get too busy simply create a refresher spray (let it contain water, aloe vera juice, a bit of your favorite conditioner) or on the other hand you can buy one you trust and use that daily.

Here are some great moisturizers that I recommend for dry hair days:

• Aunt Jackie’s Soft All Over Multi-Purpose Oil
• Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer – Coconut Cream
• Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil

How to incorporate Hydration and moisture into your current regimen

You have to do a check, if your hair feels chronically dry, wonky, brittle, rough, or just not right, or your products doesn’t seem to be working you may be facing a hydration problem.

One thing you could do is to clarify your hair and scalp and do some deep conditioning.

If suddenly you notice that your products don’t seem to work just examine the products and your processes a little differently.

Are you properly hydrating your hair? Maximum hydration can be achieved through water‐based, amino acid, and vitamin enriched pre‐poo treatments (products like watery leave‐ins and conditioners), the use of leave‐in conditioners, refresher products, and through deep conditioning.

Moisture and hydration retention can be achieved by using any number of lotions, hair milks, moisture butters, or pure butters and oils.

What about shrinkage?

So you do all the hydration and moisture and after it’s all dry and near you notice your hair has lost all it’s length! Say what?! Shrinkage!

Natural hair shrinks by up to 70% and after months or years of growing your hair out, this can be a turn-off.

Sometimes it can be hard but we need to embrace shrinkage because it is a sign that your hair is thriving!

Your hair is well hydrated and moisturized so it shrinks, yay to shrinkage!

Final Tips on Moisturizers and hydration

Coconut oil is a very effective oil type moisturizer/sealer as it is able to penetrate deep into the hair shaft.

It has a high lipid content which helps to soften the cuticles and gives your hair an amazing shine, it also aids in detangling and staying frizz free (it does the best it can).

Ideally, you should apply your moisturizer on to wet or damp clean hair otherwise it will prevent water from entering the strands if it’s an oily type.

If you have tried the LOC method (liquid or leave in, oil then cream) you have an idea.

It is actually more effective to do LCO where the leave in and cream are water based so the oil which is hydrophobic (water repelling) will push the moisture deep into the hair.

For daily hydration, a light spritz of water is enough but rosewater and aloe vera have excellent benefits for the scalp and ensure a healthy environment for new growth.

It will also protect the rest of your hair from damage.

If your hair is not that clean using oil should not be frequently because it can leave your hair feeling suffocated and provide a breeding ground for bacteria (yikes!).

when applied directly to the scalp it may disrupt the pH balance which can cause it to look more dry and flaky.

The Easy Hydrating Vs Moisturizing Hair Guide!

There you have it, The Easy Hydrating Vs Moisturizing Hair Guide!

What’s your hair growth oil mix secret weapon?

What to read next? I’ve got you, girl!

• 12 Super Hydrating Ingredients For Soft Natural Hair
• The Best Deep Conditioning Natural Hair Hacks That Actually Work!
• 8 Superb Benefits Of Hot Oil Treatment For Natural Hair!
• Is There A Hair Grease That Grows Hair For Real?

Xo, Queen