As mentioned in the last Umthi Beauty blog, my inspiration stems both from an
understanding of the wonders of natural medicine and my own hair care issues. Focused on
creating the best hair care for natural hair, I have spent many years researching and coming
up with the ideal blend of ingredients to include in the Umthi Beauty range.
Read on as I present this run-down of the essential product ingredients.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a natural byproduct of the shea tree nuts harvested from the African Vitellaria
Paradoxa tree (also known as the ‘tree of life). It’s thought that shea butter was included as a
natural ingredient of skin balms, soaps, and shampoos as long ago as the 14th century.
However, the natural benefits have been realised more widely in recent years.
Shea butter is a real game-changer when it comes to hair and scalp health. It can make a
big difference, both in preventing and reversing the damage to hair strands. With its
combination of sealing, moisturising and softening properties, shea butter provides thorough and lightweight coverage of the hair. Featuring essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E, shea moisture shampoo also reduces dryness and enhances the hair’s natural shine.
Other shea butter benefits include:
Reduction of inflammation and irritation
Protection against environmental damage
Promotion of hair growth
Almond Oil
Almond oil is a natural extract of almond tree seeds. It is another ingredient which has long
been recognised for its healing and health properties. Although commonly recommended for the soothing of skin irritation and reduction of stretch marks, almond oil is also known to support the growth of healthy hair.
While suitable for all hair types, almond oil is best suited to the repair of dry and damaged
hair. With its surprisingly lightweight texture, it is packed full of omega fatty acids, vitamins
and minerals. They combine to effectively restore the hair’s shine and smoothness. Almond
oil is also known to enhance the hair’s strength, to limit the risk of damage when brushing,
heat styling and colouring.
Almond oil packs these benefits:
Reduction of inflammatory scalp conditions
Antioxidation for a young and healthy appearance
Treatment of scalp conditions (such as flaky scalp and psoriasis)
Aloe Vera
Grown in tropical and subtropical parts of the world, the aloe vera plant contains a thick-gel
like substance. Once-more, the benefits of aloe vera have been passed down through the
generations (the earliest recorded use of aloe vera having been traced to 2100 BC), with the
raw gel being used in the treatment of the hair and scalp.
Aloe vera is known to include 75 active ingredients such as vitamins A, C, E, B12, and
choline. And research has shown that regular application causes the hair to grow by 1
centimetre per month (significantly more than has been recorded for standard shampoo and
conditioner).
Other benefits of aloe vera include:
Reduction of itchiness and scaliness caused by Seborrheic dermatitis (SD)
Enhancement of scalp health (considered essential for hair growth)
Deep cleaning of oily hair for desirable smoothness and shine
Mango Butter
Sourced from the kernel of the mango fruit, this light and smooth butter is of known benefit to the hair and body. It features in a wide range of natural beauty products due to it’s light and smooth formula and moisturising effects. And it comes highly recommended for those with thick and coarse hair.
Research has shown that mango butter is effective in the treatment of cracked and dry skin.
The moisturising effects are also known to have positive effects on the hair and scalp, with
the natural butter sealing in the moisture and preventing dehydration. It works effectively in
combination with the shea butter, which is included in Umthi Beauty’s restorative conditioner.
Mango butter also provides these benefits:
Protection against sun and heat damage
Prevention of split ends
Preservation of hair colour
Jojoba Seed Oil
Jojoba seed oil is a wax-like substance extracted from the seeds of the Simmondsia
Chinensis plant. With the healthy benefits of jojoba oil being widely recognised during the
1970s, it has become an essential ingredient of various hair and beauty products.
While jojoba seed oil is suited to all hair types, it comes particularly recommended for those
with curly and textured hair. Packed with vitamins and minerals, it combines effectively with
ingredients such as avocado and andiroba nut for a restorative effect. It locks in the moisture
and strengthens the follicles, making it an excellent choice for the prevention of hair loss and
promotion of thickness.
Jojoba oil also has these benefits:
Natural nourishment of curls (including the hard-to-reach areas)
Reduction of flyaways and frizz
Maintenance of the scalp’s natural balance.
Choose Umthi Beauty
Realising the many benefits to hair and scalp, I’ve combined the natural ingredients to great
effect across the Umthi Beauty range. If you’re really keen to enhance your hair’s strength
and vitality then the classic trio bundle is a recommended buy.