Moisturisers..... What Are You All Using These Days?

[Angel of the North]

Good thread. Someone mentioned Qhemet biologics. The Alma and Olive heavy cream, Burdock Root Cream and Coco Detangling Ghee are all staples for me. I really love Uncle Funky's "thirsty curls" as a liquid leave in. Recently, I have been enjoying the 'Lavish' leave-in conditioner by Miche and the 'African Nomad Butter' by Sahel cosmetics(sold out right now but I am stocked up...I love this products)....they are added to the staples tier this year. The Hawaiian Silky gel has been my favorite "activator" moisturizer since S-Curl removed mineral oil and parabens. The new one does not penetrate my hair, but I used to follow "Sera's"(from fotki) , water, s-curl shea butter layering like clockworld before the formulation changed in S-Curl.

The main reason I stopped with Qhemet products is that, all those years ago, there were literally only 2 suppliers over here in the UK and it was very difficult to stay stocked up as they would have you reordering, on waiting lists and always sold out. I just felt that was far too much agg for hair moisturisers. This along with my experiences with Komaza were the reasons I started seeking out products I didn't have to import. In all fairness, our product selection has improved dramatically since I first embarked my HCJ. I will add that my experience with Komaza was a lot better than with Qhemet, I ordered directly from them but after taxes and international shipping costs, I just didn't feel it was worth it. I also found the products I liked for my hair were always out of stock, which presented an additional issue for me.

I didn't realise that S-Curl had changed it's formula, I restocked on a large bottle last year, is that a USA thing? Are you talking about the gel activator? The spray activator has been one of my staples for over 15 years, funnily enough because it didn't contain mineral oil and parabens. I'm surprised that you don't find that the new formula is penetrative for your hair, I would have thought that the mineral oil would create a seal that would prevent it from actually penetrating your hair shaft.

There are so many people who's hair work better with ingredients that would be considered as "nasties", at the end of the day, we have to listen to our hair and do what works for us. I've tried and tested many methods/products/ingredients over the years, I also kept a journal to note down how my hair reacted to ingredients and procedures so I really know what my hair likes.

My hair likes silicones, but doesn't need them in order to survive, I just have a personal preference to avoid them where possible. I think the only products I use with cones are the Aphogee 2 min reconstructor and multivitamin conditioner. My hair loves those products. TBH, I haven't used them in years but know that they work for me. I fully intend to reincorporate them back into my regimen now I'm getting back in the game.

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Angel of the North

The main reason I stopped with Qhemet products is that, all those years ago, there were literally only 2 suppliers over here in the UK and it was very difficult to stay stocked up as they would have you reordering, on waiting lists and always sold out. I just felt that was far too much agg for hair moisturisers. This along with my experiences with Komaza were the reasons I started seeking out products I didn't have to import. In all fairness, our product selection has improved dramatically since I first embarked my HCJ. I will add that my experience with Komaza was a lot better than with Qhemet, I ordered directly from them but after taxes and international shipping costs, I just didn't feel it was worth it. I also found the products I liked for my hair were always out of stock, which presented an additional issue for me.

I didn't realise that S-Curl had changed it's formula, I restocked on a large bottle last year, is that a USA thing? Are you talking about the gel activator? The spray activator has been one of my staples for over 15 years, funnily enough because it didn't contain mineral oil and parabens. I'm surprised that you don't find that the new formula is penetrative for your hair, I would have thought that the mineral oil would create a seal that would prevent it from actually penetrating your hair shaft.

There are so many people who's hair work better with ingredients that would be considered as "nasties", at the end of the day, we have to listen to our hair and do what works for us. I've tried and tested many methods/products/ingredients over the years, I also kept a journal to note down how my hair reacted to ingredients and procedures so I really know what my hair likes.

My hair likes silicones, but doesn't need them in order to survive, I just have a personal preference to avoid them where possible. I think the only products I use with cones are the Aphogee 2 min reconstructor and multivitamin conditioner. My hair loves those products. TBH, I haven't used them in years but know that they work for me. I fully intend to reincorporate them back into my regimen now I'm getting back in the game.

Yeah accessiblity is definitely a factor. In the US Qhemet is a lot easier to get now that they are sold by Ulta. I will have to try Komaza. I have heard nothing but good things about that brand and the analysis they used to do. The S-Curl fomula change happened near 2010. So it very well may be changed again since then to something I enjoy more. When they originally put the argan oil in there and took out mineral oil, I would just buy the original version directly from the Luster's website a few years after the new formula hit shelves. Eventually they stopped offering the original version online. I do need to revisit it to see if their current version matches what I originally loved, but hair care is so good now that when once staple goes away it is just a matter of time before identifying another.

Yeah I am one of those naturals where mineral oil didn't cause me negative impacts...the oil my hair hates is coconut oil...but it loves coconut water (go figure lol). So, as you mentioned before I do just go with what works well on my hair as long as the ingredients aren't a health hazard. Silicone mineral and sulfates have a place in my regimen...where they do the job I am after without breaking the bank.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

I have been loving AsiAm so much moisture lately and i usually put an oil moisturizer on top.

 

[Angel of the North]

I have been loving AsiAm so much moisture lately and i usually put an oil moisturizer on top.

I am actually going to try this! Funnily enough, I came in here to say so and reread your post (I've been looking up moisturisers). It's easy to get off the shelf over here now, no dramas with shipping or taxes. It's also not expensive, I wanted to try this years ago, but was probably trying to stay disciplined and work through what I already had in my stash.

I've been using Cantu for the last 4-5 years, the one I liked was discontinued (shea hair lotion), so I just started using the curl activator cream, I find it thicker/heavier, it leaves my hair feeling coated and can create build up,I have about 1 and 2/3 of it left. I'm looking for something light, creamy potentially with shea butter in it as my hair seems to like moisturisers with this ingredient.