What’s the Best Protein for Hair?

By Jenell — February 28, 2012

Interesting article from NaturallyCurly.com

Protein is beneficial for fine hair and for damaged or porous hair, and is used in many deep conditioning treatments. But with so many different types of products that contain protein for hair, which one one do you choose? These are tips for choosing the right protein hair product for your hair.
Look for hydrolyzed proteins in rinse-off products. These can penetrate hair and add strength and shine.
Collagen is helpful in improving hair elasticity.
Keratin is thought to be strengthening and improves manageability.
Wheat protein adds strength and helps retain moisture.
Soy protein and other plant proteins also have moisture-attracting (humectant) qualities.
Silk protein tends to soften hair.

KCCM: I’ve never paid attention to which proteins were in products or how my hair responded to specific proteins.

So I picked I took a peak at some of my favorite products to see which proteins were in them.

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie has silk protein in it.
Design Essentials Curl Stretching Cream has keratin and silk in it.
ORS Hair Mayonnaise has egg protein in it, I don’t believe this falls into on of the 6 options above.

So I know for sure my hair likes silk protein.

Take a peak at some of your favorite products, Which protein does your hair like or not like?

You might also like:

Feed Your Hair: Kiwi Seed Oil

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About Author

Jenell Stewart, formally known as BlakIzBeautyful is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Kinky Curly Coily Me. Jenell has a MS in special education and dedicates her time to educating and uplifting women with kinky, curly, coily hair. She big chopped on March 26, 2010 and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.

View all Jenell posts.

Cnjackson15

i my hair love love love protein. shea moisture ive been using since i decided to go natural and i will never stop using it….
- http://kinkycurlycoilyme.com/ Jenell : BlakIzBeautyful
  
  I love it too!
Apw0789

Where can you buy these shea moisture products?
- http://kinkycurlycoilyme.com/ Jenell : BlakIzBeautyful
  
  Shea Moisture is sold at Target and Walgreens
http://twitter.com/LaTissaChaNelle LaTissa ChaNelle’

My hair doesnt like the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, but LOVES the Shea Butter Masque.,,,sooo maybe silk protein isnt for me…
Monique Bennefield

I have been using Shea Moisture since the very beginning. I went natural March 27,2011, and SM I believe has been a large contributor to my hair growth. I love SM.
http://www.coilybella.com Tinuke Wilson

my hair got protein overload from the enhancing smoothie
- natural sunshine
  
  I looked at the products I use and NONE of them have protein in them. lol I usually perform a AVC Rinse to build up protein in my hair. I also really want to try the Shea Moisture Deep Conditioning Masque and the Shea Moisture Exilir! So far I have the Restorative Conditioner and I love it! (:
- Tanya (lanicert)
  
  This is interesting. can you explain more? My hair is so so about the CES. It is soft after it’s dry, but right when I first apply it, it feels stiff and a bit tough. I don’t like that.
  - http://kinkycurlycoilyme.com/ Jenell : BlakIzBeautyful
    
    CES??
    - Tanya
      
      Sorry. CES=Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
    - Tanya
      
      Sorry. CES=Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
http://twitter.com/#!/rarerosebomb rarerosebomb

I just tried their raw shea butter conditioner yesterday and i love it.

thathaitiangirl.com
JasmineSavage

I just started going natural. On my way to get dreads. Nervous but excited. I just started using the Shea Moisture last week. I love it already. I just need to get all the other products.
- http://kinkycurlycoilyme.com/ Jenell : BlakIzBeautyful
  
  Shea Moisture products are great. They have something for everyone.
  - JasmineSavage
    
    I see. I saw your first video. My hair is that short now but my hair eats up moisture and I hate always putting something in it all the time. What can I use?
    - http://kinkycurlycoilyme.com/ Jenell : BlakIzBeautyful
      
      You have natural hair. You have to give your hair what it needs and put aside things you “don’t like doing”.
http://twitter.com/IamNads Nadine Stewart

This is interesting. I was just discussing on another post how I did a protein treatment (Palmer’s Coconut Oil Protein Pack) and panicked when it made my hair dry, hard and crunchy, so haven’t ever done another one since. However, this article made me take a look at the products I’m using and seems proteins are ingredients in the Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab range anyway. Does this mean I’m okay with my moisture/protein balance? I may not do protein-specific DC’s but my hair is still being exposed to protein anyway, right?