Humectants are ingredients used to promote water retention in your curls by drawing moisture from the air. The result? Soft, bouncy curls that retain their shape and are less likely to break. Between 1 and 10 °C (35 to 50 °F) is the optimal ‘dew point’ (the temperature at which air is saturated with water vapor) for curly hair. Colder than this and the humectants may draw moisture out of your curls causing dryness and breakage!
Finding the right balance with humectants
Humidity
In humid conditions at 15°C (60 °F) and above, humectants can actually attract too much water in the air and have a reverse effect causing frizz, fluffiness and result in your curls losing their shape. This is when you should apply a styling product with anti-humectant properties that doesn’t absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
Curve ball: Effective anti-humectant products usually contain silicones (generally not good for curly hair) as it coats the hair and doesn’t allow moisture to penetrate. Thankfully, with the power of science and nature combined, there are natural alternatives for these that we have used in some Trepadora products.
To keep it simple (and to even forget the term humectant altogether), please follow the Trepadora routines below based on the weather!
For warm and humid days we recommend
Cleanse
Start with a clean and purified scalp. You want to remove all the environmental pollution and excess natural sebum (not all of it) by cleansing with the Goji Berry Mint Reviving Hair Rinse.
Condition
For warmer and more humid conditions we need to use a natural anti-humectant like coconut oil so that it locks in moisture. Condition with the Coconut Almond Detangling Conditioner and rinse thoroughly.
Style
All of the styling products in the Trepadora range use glycerin (a humectant) to draw in moisture and create the ultimate stronghold cast. We recommend using either the Papaya Slip Taming Potion, Bamboo Ginseng Curling Glaze or layer these products for the ultimate resistance to humidity.
Awesome fact: Papaya Slip Taming Potion Uses the ingredient sebacic acid copolymer. This is a biodegradable vegan liquid that mimics the properties of silicone emollients (but without the aggressive buildup that silicones cause). This makes it a significant plant-derived alternative to dimethicone and a perfect styling product to resist the high level dew point, *high five*!
For cold and dry days we recommend
Cleanse
Cleanse with the Goji Berry Mint Reviving Hair Rinse or if you prefer a non-lathering cleanse try the Hibiscus Pink Cleansing Clay-Wash.
Condition
Deep condition with the Quinoa Repair Deep Conditioner or apply it as your regular rinse out. The plant-derived Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Panthenol and sorbitol are classic humectants that pull moisture from the air and keep your curls looking lucious and bouncy making this your perfect cold weather companion.
Style
Every gel requires anti-humidity benefits otherwise it just wouldn’t work as a styling product. So, If your curls are particularly thirsty or damaged then we would suggest applying Babassu Quench Leave-In Curl Primer as a moisturising base and then layer the Açaí Berry Fix Defining Gel with either the Papaya Slip Taming Potion or Bamboo Ginseng Curling Glaze.
Important to note Adding this extra layer of moisture will lessen the overall hold of your chosen styling gels so it is worth testing this to find the right routine that works for you.
Between wash days
Smooth a pea size amount of Miracle Maca Moisture Balm over your curls to refresh. Emulsify in your hands first then smooth and scrunch in.
To ensure that you have all of your curly needs available on wash day, why not try our Curl Reviving Kit which contains four of our Trepadora favourites in a convenient 50ml travel size.
