I'm not sure when the last time was that I wrote about hair-related things. For awhile, I had been on the no-shampoo routine. I really like the idea of not putting weird chemicals on my head, but the new routine just didn't work for me. I couldn't get consistent results. One day my hair would look and feel awesome, the next day, not so much. And as my hair got longer, the problems were amplified. So I started using shampoo again. I read that it is the lauryl & laureth sulfates that are really bad. So I figured I would avoid those (which means spending a bit more on shampoo) and call it a day.
Except that that didn't really work either. The routine was definitely more consistent. The one thing I am really glad for is that ever since I did the no-shampoo thing, I have continued to not wash my hair on a daily basis. That was a seriously awesome decision. However, the yes-shampoo decision does not quite seem to be working for me either. I keep trying different shampoos, but the main problem is that I have a very sensitive scalp. And everything I use dries my scalp out like mad.
So my latest idea is that I will use regular, non-sulfate shampoo and conditioner, and then finish with an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse. Pouring diluted ACV on your head can be scary for your eyes, but it makes my hair and scalp feel really quite awesome. Then I got to thinking about the rest of my dry skin. Usually after a shower, my face is SO dried out that I have to put mounds of moisturizer on within 5 minutes of getting out of the shower. I have stopped using soap on my face altogether, because I learned that drying out my face even more is anti-helpful. So secretly, I was thinking, hey this ACV that is running down my face (and back... I always have a dry back after a shower. Hopefully that isn't too much information.) is probably helping the situation! And then yesterday, I read on a blog that using ACV as a facial skin toner is a new thing. The cool kids are intentionally doing what I was doing by accident.
The thing I am wondering about is the comment that blogger maid about the ACV needing to be raw. They also posted a picture of Bragg's. Which makes me think that my Shurfine ACV is sub par. I don't really know, but I am pretty sure I can't spend any time looking this up today. Anyone (ahem, Allison?) have any words of wisdom on the difference between raw and not-raw (cooked?) ACV?
maid? really??
ReplyDeleteand I thought I got enough sleep last night...
Ah yes, Bragg's would love for you to buy their raw ACV. Actually I would recommend it as well, since that is what I typically use. And my hair/scalp seems better using that than the filtered super clean store brand. But then again the Bragg's bottle also says you should drink a tall, refreshing glass of ACV every day! So gross.
ReplyDeleteAnother option for your dry scalp: tea tree oil. When I get my baking soda ready before a shower, I put a few drops of pure tea tree oil in there and rinse with that. The tea tree also does wonders for dry, itchy scalp.
And the ACV is WONDERFUL as toner. It's what people used as toner before chemical toners came into production (just as it was the original hair conditioner). I like to use a green tea ACV recipe, since the green tea has a ton of anti-oxidants that are good for skin and it helps to "cut" the brutal astringency of the ACV. Good luck!