Hair care: Women over 40 told the 3 'most promising' ingredients to look for in conditioner - promote softness and elasticity
While regular trips to the salon can certainly boost your barnet, the importance of an at-home hair care routine must not be overlooked.Knowing how to shampoo and condition properly is particularly key, with experts stressing the importance of choosing the right products and learning how to apply them for maximum benefits.GB News spoke exclusively to OnSkin's cosmetologist-aesthetician, Valerie Aparovich, about how to take your locks from lacklustre to luscious. The expert focused on those over 40 as they navigate ageing concerns, claiming that the secret to great hair could lie in three conditioner ingredients: coconut, argan and olive oil.Look for conditioners that are 'enriched with plant oils' to 'lubricate and nourish' hair shaftsGETTY IMAGESValerie said: "While various factors can contribute to the hair getting dry and dull, such as environmental stressors, unhealthy lifestyle habits, a poor hair care regimen or harsh styling and dyeing techniques, this is also a condition that commonly develops with age. "Over time, oil secretion in the scalp gradually decreases, which means the hair from the roots gets less natural nourishment and moisture. "Accompanied by hormonal changes and reduced production of hair-colouring melanocyte cells, the hair structure can change significantly, resulting in increased dryness, dullness, brittleness, frizziness and thinning."The expert advised using a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo that does not "strip" the hair and rinsing this out with lukewarm water, as high temperatures can "exacerbate dryness".When it comes to conditioner, Valerie stressed that this should be used every time you wash your hair.She said: "Not only is this product designed to reduce frizz and improve detangling and combability, it also tightens back the cuticle scales that recede from the hair shaft during shampooing, restoring the hair's protective layer and helping keep moisture in. "Look for formulas enriched with plant oils as they help lubricate and nourish hair shafts and are shown to fill the gaps between the cuticle cells, preventing aggressive substances from penetrating inner hair levels and reducing breakage." Valerie advised women over 40 to look for three key ingredients, revealing that coconut, argan and olive oil are "three of the most promising oils with science-backed benefits".She explained: "Besides their moisturising and antioxidant capacity, coconut oil can help reduce protein loss; Moroccan argan oil promotes hair elasticity; and olive oil provides hair softening and anti-fungal effects."The hair experts at John Frieda confirmed the benefits of coconut oil. As well as helping to prevent protein loss, it repairs and conditions damaged hair, provides deep moisturising and reduces frizz.As for argan oil, in addition to promoting hair elasticity, it offers deep hydration, strengthens and protects the hair, controls frizz, adds shine and soothes scalp irritation. When used before heat styling, it can even "act as a protective barrier and reduce heat damage".According to the experts at Harley Street Clinics, additional benefits of olive oil include moisturising properties, improved scalp health and "tonnes of shine".LATEST DEVELOPMENTSIncorporate coconut, argan and olive oil into your hair care routine to boost your barnetGETTY IMAGESValerie also recommended investing in a good leave-in conditioner, serum, cream or spray. These should be applied after washing and before styling.The expert advised that these should be "packed with moisturising ingredients like natural oils, fatty alcohols and hydrolyzed protein to enhance your hair's smoothness and fullness". She said: "Protein compounds are especially beneficial conditioner ingredients for damaged hair as they help temporarily mend split ends, promoting a neater appearance between washes."Before investing in a new hair care product, it's always advisable to consult an expert beforehand, as they can provide tailored advice.It's also important to use oil as directed on your specific product: slathering it all over your scalp in large quantities can clog pores and make your hair look greasy.
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