Like you I have learned that many over-the-counter oils/butters/cremes/moisturizers didn't do a thing for me. These products often just sat on top of my hair and made it feel greasy, even grimy. I discovered that water is the absolute BEST moisturizer ever!!! Additionally, I learned that adding vegetable glycerin to water helps my hair to retain moisture for days!!! Vegetable glycerin is a natural humectant meaning that it attracts water molecules - so once the water itself dries out the glycerin is still attracting water molecules from the air
I like to mix 1 part water with one part glycerin OR 2 parts water with 1 part glycerin. I put this mixture in a spray bottle and use as a daily spritzer. Sometimes I even like to add a few drops of essential oils, especially rosemary!
Although I'm not a huge fan of oils, I have found that natural oils such as jojoba, almond, avacodo, apricot, and grapeseed do a better job of penetrating my strands. This is because the molecules in these oils are some of the only ones small enough to enter the hair shaft. Any of these oils can also be added to the water/glycerin spritzer to help seal in the moisture. All of these oils (including the glycerin) can be purchased at your local health food store or online.
However, from time to time there are a very few OTC products I like and the best of those is S-Curl.
I have Very Course, Extremely Dry Natural Hair. I am a true 4B
I above suggestions have worked great for me!! They make my hair so soft... As a child I never thought that I could have soft managably cottainy hair like this. Over time these mixtures have made a huge improvment in my hair, I love it
I haven't tried them yet, but you also might want to consider some of the products made with natural ingedients sold by ladies on the internet. I hear that there are quite a few good ones, I can think of any now but I will post some later. Hope this helps
P.S. Try doing an internet "search" for humectants and glycerin...
AND take a look @
www.nappturality.com - lots of great info and support for naturals...