The benefits of silk for your hair.
This month, Comptoir des Huiles is teaming up with Vénus & Gaia to share with you the right actions to adopt for beautiful hair. Vénus & Gaia is the first ethical and responsible French brand of 100% organic silk products. Silk is much more than a luxurious fabric. This material offers remarkable benefits for the health of your skin and hair. By choosing silk accessories such as scrunchies, turbans or pillowcases to complement your hair care routine, you are adopting the right actions for hair that is protected from friction, while preserving its hydration.
What is the origin of silk?
The origin of silk dates back millennia to China, where this luxurious fiber was once reserved for the nobility. Silk production is based on the breeding of the silkworm, also called mulberry bombyx. These worms feed exclusively on mulberry leaves, thus contributing to the production of natural silk fiber. Raising silkworms is an ancient practice, dating back thousands of years, and is essential to the silk industry. Today, brands like Venus & Gaia continue this tradition by offering artisanal products made from pure organic mulberry silk. Founded on an agricultural cooperative with a team of artisans, the brand is inspired by the origin of silk to offer products promoting the regeneration of skin and hair.
What are the benefits of silk for hair?
- Intense hydration: Silk is non-absorbent, thus preserving the hair's natural hydration. Unlike cotton, which can absorb moisture and cause frizz, silk keeps hair hydrated and smooth. By enveloping hair in a soft, silky environment, silk leaves hair soft and supple. This leaves hair looking silky and shiny, while reducing frizz and preserving its natural shine.
- Breakage Prevention: The smooth texture of silk reduces friction and damage to hair cuticles while sleeping. This minimizes the risk of breakage and split ends, thereby preserving the overall health of the hair.
- Support for Frizzy and Curly Hair: Frizzy and curly hair can particularly benefit from the delicate texture of silk. By minimizing friction, silk helps preserve curl definition and reduce frizz, leaving frizzy and curly hair easier to style and maintain.
How to combine the benefits of silk with your hair routine?
To take full advantage of the benefits of silk and strengthen the health of your hair, you can choose Castor oil as a hair treatment. Castor oil is a fortifying oil, which will deeply nourish, strengthen and promote hair growth thanks to its richness in fatty acids and nutrients. It also helps repair damage, leaving hair thicker, shinier and healthier.
To maximize the benefits of this oil, it is generally recommended to apply it in an oil bath directly to the scalp and lengths. Castor oil being a fairly thick oil, to facilitate its application you can also mix it with other vegetable oils such as sweet almond oil or coconut oil , or with your usual hair care products for optimal results.
Our advice for a successful oil bath:
1. In a bowl, mix a spoonful of Castor oil and a spoonful of Sweet Almond oil , until you obtain a homogeneous synergy.
2. Generously distribute the oil mixture throughout your hair, paying particular attention to the scalp. Massage gently to promote penetration of oils and stimulate blood circulation.
3. Leave the oil bath to act for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight for a deeper treatment. After the break time, wash your hair with a mild shampoo to remove excess oil (2 shampoos may be necessary).
Our advice for maintaining your hair between shampoos:
1. Gently brush your hair with brushes suited to your hair type, to avoid tangling and breakage.
2. At night, use silk night caps, turbans or pillowcases to reduce friction and preserve the health of your hair.
3. Opt for silk scrunchies to tie your hair up and opt for protective hairstyles, such as braids or buns to reduce excessive handling of hair during the day and protect it.
