The beautiful thing about hair care is that it leaves no one out. With a strong desire to transform your hair game, you can build a sustainable hair care routine that will not have you bending over yourself or breaking the bank in a way that makes you wonder if it's all worth it.

Several factors could deter one from establishing the haircare routine of their dreams. It may be an extremely busy schedule or a demanding lifestyle. The whole process of developing a hair care routine may come off as intimidating especially considering the many hair influencers of Instagram and TikTok, their complicated multi-stage routines, and numerous unreachable hair products. In addition, amid the very demanding economy, it makes sense that one would not want to break the bank to grow their hair or improve its texture. Also, many of the hair care products in the market are formulated from many different ingredients, and while their end goal may be healthy beautiful hair, some of the ingredients may not be palatable for certain skin types.

In light of all these, you may consider sticking to a DIY routine and using natural ingredients that you are familiar with. The good news is that there are so many ingredients all around us; things we pass by every day in our local markets, that are packed to the brim with properties that are essential for healthy hair. 

Here are some natural hair care products that you can easily find in your local Nigerian market that can transform your hair game with a few months of consistency. Chances are you have already come across a couple of them anytime you go to the local market to get pepper or beans but do not know how impactful they can be for your hair. 

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum is the perfect scientific name for this Indonesian spice. Because it is widely known for its powerful and comforting fragrance, it is an essential component of many perfumes.  It is also commonly used as a spice in food, for its intense aroma and deep flavor. 

Popularly known among the Yorubas as Kanafuru or Zobo pepper, clove is chock full of ingredients that are essential for hair growth. 

One of the primary components of clove is eugenol. Eugenol has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and is responsible for Clove’s cleansing and purifying effects. This makes cloves very effective in treating dandruff. Eugenol also has anesthetic properties, which help in soothing the scalp and preventing itching. 

Clove is rich in Beta-carotene, an antioxidant that protects the body from the damage of free radicals. By protecting the hair from the effects of free radicals, beta-carotene results in stronger hair. 

Clove is used for its widely known ability to stimulate hair growth in a matter of weeks. This is because it also contains vitamin K. Eugenol and Vitamin K stimulate blood flow; good circulation to the scalp and hair is a cheat code for rapid hair growth. 

It is rich in nutrients including vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium, and sodium that nourish hair follicles, stimulate hair growth and strengthen hair. 

There are many ways cloves can be used for hair care. It can be used as a hair rinse. You mix up some cloves into boiling water, then give it a few minutes to cool down. Then pour the water on your hair as the last step of your hair wash routine to stimulate hair growth and enhance the strength of your hair. You can also use the clove water as a hair spray. In this video, YouTuber Iyda Micheal shows how Clove water can be used as a hair spray regularly to stimulate growth. She applies it to her hair four to five times a week, then massages her scalp for maximum efficacy. The growth of her edges is evidence of the effectiveness of cloves. 

Clove oil is a more concentrated and highly potent formulation of clove’s many beneficial ingredients. To reap the maximum benefits of clove oil while avoiding the side effects that may come with its high concentration, it is best to diffuse it in a carrier oil like argan oil or coconut oil or use very few measured drops. 

Together with other easily accessible ingredients like olive oil, honey, and yogurt, clove can be used to make a hair mask. Clove masks can be used once or twice a week to stimulate hair growth and enhance healthy hair. 

Palm Kernel Oil

It is scientifically called Elaeis Guineensis. Palm kernel oil is obtained from the African Oil Palm tree. It is locally known as Adin by the Yoruba people. The Hausas call it Main Alaidi, and the Igbos call it Nwanu Aki. This coffee brown lightweight oil stands out for its uniquely runny liquid texture and rich scent. Because of its lightweight, this oil is well fitted for 4C low porosity hair. It easily penetrates the tight cuticles of low porosity 4C hair, serving it with the moisture it needs for growth and shine. With a rich composition of antioxidants and Vitamins like Vitamin A, E, and K, palm kernel oil nourishes the hair from the roots up, repairs hair, improves hair strength, prevents hair damage, and promotes hair growth. 

Palm kernel oil can be applied in different ways. It can be used as a daily moisturizer. It is safe to be used alone as a base oil, or in combination with other oils like coconut or olive oil. By serving moisture to your hair regularly, palm kernel oil softens hair, and results in thicker, shinier, and healthier hair.

It can be used for a hot oil hair treatment. You scoop out some palm kernel oil into a bowl and warm it to an appropriate temperature. Then apply the hot oil to your freshly washed damp hair. Apply the oil from the roots to your shaft, ensuring it is applied to the entire length of your hair. You can use a wide-toothed comb to pull the oil from the roots to the length of your hair. After this, you cover your hair in a plastic shower cap for about fifteen to thirty minutes. Then you wash off the products from your hair with shampoo. Apart from deeply penetrating your hair resulting in softer, shinier hair, this can also help straighten your hair. 

Palm kernel oil can also be used as a deep conditioner with products like shea butter, or as a hair mask when combined with products like honey, fenugreek, or avocado.  

Shea Butter 

Its scientific name is Butyrospermum parkii. It is popularly known among the Yorubas as ori. The Hausas call it Kade, and the Igbos call it Okwuma. It is a fatty substance that is extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree. 

This off-white fat is widely used by all and sundry for its alleged endless medicinal and dermatological benefits. In addition to these numerous benefits, Shea butter is also packed with tons of nutrients that are essential for good, healthy hair. 

It is rich in fatty acids, including linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. These fatty acids make Shea butter a very effective moisturizer. 

Shea butter also has high levels of vitamins A and E, which are antioxidants and help to preserve and strengthen hair. This results in conserved length and reduced breakage. 

Shea butter is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, so it can be used to treat dandruff and soothe irritated scalps. Because of its moisturizing and antioxidant properties, Shea butter promotes cell regeneration, which translates into increased hair growth. 

Shea butter has an estimated SPF of about 3 to 4, which is not a lot but is sufficient to protect the hair from the sun’s UV rays. By protecting the hair from the sun’s rays, Shea butter prevents the hair from becoming frizzy and dry.

Shea butter is suitable for all hair types, and for hair that does not easily retain moisture, Shea butter can transform your moisturizer game. It contains cetyl esters, which give it the ability to lock in moisture. Apart from that, Shea butter, because of its thick fatty nature, can serve as a protective sealant around the strands of your hair. 

Shea butter can be used alone or in combination with other oils. To reap the maximum benefits, it is best to use Shea butter in its natural unrefined state. 

Moringa 

Moringa is called Moringa oleifera. The Yorubas call it ewe igbale, the Hausas call it Zogelle, and the Igbos call it idagbole monoye. 

Like Shea butter, Moringa is widely known for its vast medicinal benefits. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, beta-carotene, and various phenolics. 

Moringa can be used to treat dandruff and irritated scalp because it contains pterygospermin; an antibacterial and antifungal. It can also be used to preserve hair color because it contains a specific pigment that coats around the hair shaft and prevents depigmentation. 

It is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E; both of which are antioxidants which help prevent hair damage. It is rich in amino acids like arginine, lysine, and methionine. Amino acids are the building blocks for cells of the body, including the cells of the hair. Therefore, Moringa can help with hair growth and hair regeneration. 

Another important component of Moringa is biotin. Biotin promotes the creation of red blood cells, and it promotes blood flow. By using it for your hair, there is increased blood flow to your scalp and hair, which is a stimulant for hair growth. It also promotes the longevity of hair cells and prevents hair loss. Moringa is rich in many other nutrients, like vitamin A, zinc, and iron, among others; all of which are beneficial to the health of your hair. 

Like many other natural products, Moringa can be used in many ways. You can use Moringa oil daily to moisturize as well as improve the strength of your hair. Or you can use it as a tea rinse on your wash day. Moringa leaves can be ground into powder which can be mixed with other ingredients like honey and avocado to make a hair mask. Or you can decide to eat Moringa in your meal. This way, you reap the benefits from the inside out, while also spreading its impact to other parts of your body.

Honey

This sweet viscous liquid produced by bees is widely used all over the world as a drug and as a food. It is also packed full of nutrients that are important for healthy hair.

It is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, among others. It has anti-inflammatory properties, therefore it can be used to treat dandruff. It has trace amounts of keratin, a protein that forms a vital component of the hair structure. By providing the hair with keratin, honey strengthens the hair, preventing breakage and hair loss. 

Honey acts as a natural conditioner, because it softens, smoothens, and detangles hair. Apart from hydrating the hair, honey is also a natural humectant; which means it draws water molecules from the air and pulls them into your hair and scalp. This helps to keep your hair moisturized, improving its texture and shine. Honey promotes cellular growth, which means retained length and increased hair growth and thickness. 

Be it as a hair mask, a hair oil, or a hair wash, honey is packed with ingredients that will keep your hair shiny, silky, and soft, and away from that dry, dull, frizzy, tangled look. 

With a little guidance, you can make your hair products from these natural ingredients which you can easily come across in your local markets. Before you dive into the process of making your products or creating a routine based on these natural products, it is important to take the time to understand your hair, it's texture, and specific needs. Also, for some of the ingredients, like cloves, it is important to do a patch test, to be sure you do not have any allergies to the ingredients. A hair care routine does not have to be a back-breaking strenuous process. Sometimes, less is more. Figure out which particular ingredients work best with your hair, and stay consistent. Remember to be patient with yourself and with your hair, because your hair journey is a marathon, not a sprint.