Keratin is among the most used and advertised ingredients in hair products. But what lies behind this substance?
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousLa keratin it is a thick substance present in hair treatments. However, few know that it is a product of animal origin. Let's find out what it is for and the alternative cruelty free equally valid for taking care of our beauty.
Keratin is among the most used and advertised ingredients in hair care products. But what exactly lies behind this substance?
Index
Keratin, what is it
It is a fibrous protein consisting of long chains of amino acids within which also mineral salts and vitamins are interspersed. Keratin is of animal origin and it is found in feathers, mane, hooves and horns of different animals. We humans also produce and use keratin especially in hair, hair and nails.
Known mainly as an addition to some shampoos, conditioners or hair treatments, in reality this substance is also often used by the pharmaceutical industry to cover the gastro-resistant capsules.
To discover where other ingredients of animal origin are hidden see also:
- 10 strange ingredients of animal origin hidden in cosmetics
- 7 ingredients of animal origin that are hidden in common products
Keratin, what is it for?
In hair treatments and products, keratin is often inserted with the function of making them more smooth and silky. This happens in that this protein is rich in cysteine, an amino acid composed of various sulfur atoms that allows you to create very tight chains ensuring health and solidity to the hair. Basically the keratin chains adhere to the hair and recompact the fibers that make them up, helping to volumize them and make them stronger and in shape by acting from the inside.
This substance is also often used in treatments for i frizzy hair as it has a distinct smoothing and softening capacity.
But why is the use of keratin necessary? The problem is that often the health of our hair is put to the test from the use of aggressive products (for example dyes and bleaches) but also from pollution, from chlorine in swimming pools, from the sun, etc. There may also be internal factors in the body that make our hair more fragile, such as the intake of certain drugs, the consequences of severe stress, hormonal problems and more.
In reality, even if the products loudly advertise the presence of keratin inside, they do not always contain large quantities and even in some cases it is keratin-like proteins. If you don't want to risk it though, we present cruelty free alternatives to keratin, of sure natural and vegetable origin.
Cruelty free alternatives to keratin
For hair care we can very well avoid the use of keratin by choosing other natural products instead. The most effective are:
Linseed oil
Flaxseed oil is an excellent natural remedy that it helps to strengthen, make the hair softer and shinier. Find out here how to best use it.
Argan oil
A very precious and beneficial oil for the hair is then the Argan oil with which it can be made a compress specifically if your hair is dry and brittle. Read here all the details on argan oil and how to use it.
Amla oil
Another particularly suitable oil is that of amla. Contrasts split ends, improves dry and frizzy hair but it also helps in case of dandruff. Both on the hair and on the scalp, it should be kept on for at least an hour and can be used every week.
Soy protein
If you want to try some ready-made hair treatments look for those based on soy protein, sometimes used in combination with millet (very rich in silicon cereal useful for hair) to make anti-fall and strengthening products.
To know other natural remedies useful for hair beauty see also:
- Strengthening the hair: foods and natural remedies
- 8 Do-it-yourself natural treatments to care for all hair types
- Hair loss: 10 natural remedies to strengthen it
- Frizzy hair: 10 tips and natural remedies
Foods that strengthen hair
In addition to acting from the outside, if you really want to strengthen your hair it is also necessary help body health by eating right. A diet rich in fresh, seasonal and vital foods such as fruit and vegetables ensures vitamins and minerals useful for the well-being of the hair, obviously very important too proteins and stimulate the production of keratin by the body.
Include in your diet more often:
- Whole grains (especially millet)
- Seasonal fruit and vegetables
- Legumes
- Parsley
- Forest fruits
- Dried Fruit
- Oil seeds
- Spinach (rich in sulfur)
It is also important to promote the detoxification of the body by taking it every day much water and practicing the right amount of physical activity which also contributes to the elimination of toxins. Of one healthy lifestyle the scalp and hair will also benefit.
