Lets look at some examples
Living Proof has a popular hair serum called Satin Hair Serum that boasts of being free of oil and silicones and will cut your styling time in half while adding smoothness, manageability and natural movement to your tresses.
It is made with Isododecane (solvent used to enhance the spreadability of a product), Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate (emollient), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient and thickening agent) and Isoamyl Laurate (Conditioner, naturally obtained from esterification of lauric acid).
Another popular serum is Oyin Handmade Shine and Define Styling Serum and its first six ingredients are Water, Organic Flax Seeds, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf juice, Sea Vegetable Complex, coconut oil* and Castor seed oil.
Two “serums” with vastly different textures, ingredients and even purposes as Oyin’s serum is a holding styler and Living Proof’s is designed to give smoothness without frizz but full of movement.
Both are considered serums but with such huge differences in ingredients and uses it stands to reason that Sister Scientist is truly on to something.
Oyin though, seems to have more natural ingredients which curlies tend to gravitate towards and this is as such this is a highly popular item among naturals. If it were up to me I would pick Oyin’s serum over Living Proof’s serum but that is just because of the ingredients.
It is important to look at the back of the bottle or container to gain as much knowledge as possible and have more power over your buying dollars. Without the science, the stigma associated with serums is superficial since a serum can be anything to any manufacturer and possibly have any ingredient a company wants to add.
This just solidifies our need to check out the ingredients before assuming the worst or even the best about a type of product and it would seem that serums are being misjudged for no valid reason.
I love the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter* Restorative Finishing Elixir with its superb blending of oils* and controlling of frizz but if I want more glazed or slicked down look I would try the Oyin Handmade Shine and Define Styling Serum for that dramatic effect I sometimes desire.
When I hear the word serum I no longer associate it only with a facial product but understand it can be for my tresses too.
Sometimes we got bogged down by terms, words or phrases and forget to look at something with open eyes and an open mind. So give the serum a try and see if it benefits your tresses before you knock it because at the end of the day, isn’t it about what your hair responds to that truly matters?
Do you have a favorite serum? Do you use serums or thinking about trying one? Comment below and lets talk about it.
Andrea Angie Tater says
Something bloody yuck!!!!
Sabrina Richmond Perkins says
They are actually pretty good if you give them a try.
Andrea Angie Tater says
I will I’ll try the Amla oil
Andrea Angie Tater says
Some magic potion that I can’t afford.
Sabrina Richmond Perkins says
Aw, don’t say that!
Andrea Angie Tater says