Essential Nutrients You Need for Healthy, Shiny Hair

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Luscious, thick, shiny strands are what dreams are made of. Luckily, you can achieve the hair you’ve always wanted.

Commercial hair products contain ingredients and empty promises of making your hair shinier. Yet, not all of them include the proper nutrition your hair craves. If you want healthy, shiny hair that makes others jealous, you must ensure you feed it the essential nutrients and minerals. 

Healthy Hair Starts With Quality Hair Nutrition

You have nearly 100,000 hair follicles on your head — about 90% are in the growth phase. As such, your hair must have the proper amount of vitamins, proteins and minerals to ensure adequate growth. 

There are several components necessary for healthy, shiny hair. Naturally, attaining such locks starts with quality nutrition. Some of the vital nutrients for healthy hair include:

• B vitamins
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Biotin
• Iron
• Zinc

In addition to enhancing your hair’s shininess, many essential nutrients improve hair growth rate and strength — a lifesaver for hair loss or brittle strands due to endocrine disorders, poor gut health, hormonal imbalances and nutrient deficiencies.

Many people use supplements to up their intake of essential nutrients for their hair. Many vitamins can boost your hair’s health and length. You can find vitamins specifically made for hair health, or even look into vitamin IV therapy for your next spa treatment. 

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7 Natural Ingredients for Healthy, Shiny Hair

Eating a well-balanced diet with the necessary nutrients for healthy hair is crucial. However, you can apply some ingredients directly to your hair for ultimate shine. Avoid commercial products and use natural ingredients to make your hair strong and glossy. You probably already have the following seven ingredients in your pantry — convenience at its best for the healthiest locks.

1. Honey

Honey is a centuries-old ingredient for healing and regeneration — Cleopatra used to bathe in milk and honey. At the same time, women also relied on it to eliminate blemishes in Ming dynasty-era China.

Loaded with antioxidants and antibacterial properties, honey locks in moisture and restores follicles, making your hair smoother, more elastic and shinier. The best way to use honey is to combine it with some water to make it less sticky, then massage it into your scalp, leaving it for two minutes before rinsing. You can also add some honey to your favorite shampoo or conditioner. 

2. Coconut Oil

You probably already use a commercial hair product containing coconut oil — a common ingredient for hair health and shine. However, there are other ways to get the most out of this natural antioxidative ingredient high in vitamin E.

Vitamin E provides damage control for the scalp, enabling blood circulation and nourishment for regrowth. It also has soothing and hydrating properties to make your hair glossy.

You should first warm coconut oil in your hands — from solid to liquid — and use it in moderation to avoid weighing your hair down. Some ways to use coconut oil for shiny strands include the following:

• Prewash your hair with coconut oil for 15–30 minutes before showering — doing so will prevent your hair from taking in too much water and avoid dryness.
• Use a bit of natural coconut oil instead of your regular conditioner.
• Run a drop of coconut oil over dry hair to prevent frizz.

You can also create a hair mask with coconut oil, leaving it overnight to smooth out excessively damaged or dry hair.

3. Coffee

This trick may not be suitable for blondes — coffee can stain your hair brown if you’re not careful. However, for brunettes, adding some fresh brew to your conditioner will leave your hair looking shiny and gorgeous.

Studies also show caffeine may stimulate hair growth by 19% by promoting cell regeneration. Therefore, applying coffee to brittle hair may strengthen and help it grow back faster.

You’ll want to brew a bold cup of coffee. After your usual shampoo routine, mix your conditioner with one to two tablespoons of coffee and run it through your hair. 

4. Argan Oil

Many people use argan oil to moisturize their skin. However, you can also use it to make your strands glossy.

Like coconut oil, argan oil has ample vitamin E with hydrating effects, adding shine, elasticity and protection against hair breakage. Although you can use regular argan oil on all hair types, it is especially effective for curly or thick textures. However, a lighter version is available to avoid weighing down thinner hair.

Use argan oil as a finishing serum after drying and styling your hair. You only need a couple of drops to reap its rewards. Warm the oil in your hands and apply it to the top, bottom and sides of your head. You can use a comb to pull the oil through.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Few ingredients have the same powerful effects as apple cider vinegar on hair health. According to hair experts, its antibacterial properties encourage cell regeneration and cleansing of the scalp. It also locks in moisture for greater shine.

People with dandruff will also benefit from apple cider vinegar, which eliminates the fungus that grows on the scalp. If you use many hair products, it removes residue that could leave your hair dry and damaged.

Apple cider vinegar is a cost-effective solution for optimal hair health. Simply add one part vinegar to two parts water in a bottle. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual, towel dry your hair and apply your apple cider vinegar mixture. Allow it to sit before rinsing it with cool water.

6. Avocado Oil

Like other natural oils, avocado oil coats your hair with monosaturated fats, locking in moisture and preventing dryness. It also contains numerous essential nutrients for healthier locks overall.

Use avocado oil to give yourself a scalp massage or create a hair mask. Warming the oil in your hands and massaging it into your scalp helps eliminate flaky skin or dandruff. Allow it to sit before washing it out with your shampoo products for the best results.

An avocado oil hair mask is slightly different — mash an avocado in a bowl with one egg yolk and a tablespoon of honey. Mix the ingredients and apply to damp hair, leaving it for half an hour. Afterward, rinse the mixture well and style it as usual.

Of course, adding avocado oil instead of your usual conditioner has excellent effects on dry and damaged hair. It’ll also make it much glossier. Simply shampoo your hair, add a small amount of avocado oil through your strands and rinse thoroughly for the best results.

You Can Have the Hair You Always Wanted

Hair health comes down to nutrients. If your strands look dull and stringy, you could use natural ingredients at home to give them life again. Everyone deserves a full head of healthy, shiny hair — especially you.