Hemp Conditioner

The other day I received a reader question that I have decided to try and answer. The question is “What do you think of hemp conditioner?” Well, I have heard of a line called Hempz that is sold in salons but I haven’t tried it nor do I really know very much about it. I also know that the Body Shop has a great line of hemp products that work great but smell horrid and I have sworn by the hand cream in the past. Since I know and trust the Body Shop, that is where I decided to start looking for answers. I am going on the assumption that the mechanism in which the hemp hydrates the body would work very similar for the hair.

The Body Shop states that hemp oil has a unusually high concentration of essential fatty acids to repair the moisture barrier and help it remain smooth and soft. This lien of products is meant for very dry skin so I wonder is that the same for the hair care products. I decided to begin swinging my search over to the hair care products. I found the Hempz collection on Amazon and I also discovered that Alterna has a hemp based hair collection too.

Starting with the Hempz conditioner… Here is the product description, “Hempz Hydrating Conditioner is an ultra rich lightweight formula infused with pure hemp seed oil and extract to replenish hair's natural moisture and shine. Designed for daily use to smooth, strengthen, and detangle hair without build up or added weight. This moisture balanced conditioner protects hair from the stress of daily styling and keeps it healthy, soft and shiny. Hemp seed oil is a rich source of essential amino acids and nutrients vital to keratin formation, the principal protein responsible for the structural integrity of hair.” The product from Alterna is almost exactly the same thing and here is the description, “Alterna's Hemp Repair Conditioner is infused with patented ultra-hydrating hemp seed oil and nutrient-activating enzymetherapy complex. Enriched with essential amino acids for increased flexibility, strength and shine. Fruit derived enzymes and powerful UV protectants work together to provide maximum color protection. Ideal for daily use. Formally called Enzymetherapy Hemp Seed Restorative Conditioner For Chemically Treated Hair.”

A common theme that I get from these two products and from those from The Body Shop is that this ingredient is best used in formulations for dry and damaged hair. The large concentration is essential fatty acids are going to hydrate dry, brittle hair but those with fine hair run the risk of it weighing their hair down. The fatty acids will penetrate into the hair shaft and will hydrate it and help to fill in the cracks. The hair should lay smoother after treatments with this ingredient and will better reflect the light on the surface. I would recommend this type of product only for someone with dry, brittle, and damaged hair and not someone who has fine or limp hair to begin with.