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Is Glycerin Curly Girl Approved?

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Is Glycerin Curly Girl Approved? Glycerin is actually recommended in the Curly Girl Method as one of the ingredients to look out for in your conditioner. This is because it helps to keep curly hair moisturised and hydrated by drawing moisture from the atmosphere and holding it in the hair.

There are however times where you may want to avoid glycerin if you have curly hair. This includes if you are in either a very dry or very humid climate.

In dry and hot conditions, where there is little moisture in the atmosphere, glycerin will actually draw moisture from your hair into the atmosphere, leaving the hair dry.

On the flip side, very humid climates have the opposite effect. In these conditions, glycerin can draw too much moisture from the atmosphere to the hair, leaving it big and fizzy.

This post looks at all the benefits of Glycerin for curly hair, and whether it is safe for you to use it in the Curly Girl Method.

Is Glycerin Curly Girl Approved?

Is Glycerin Curly Girl Approved?

What is Glycerin?

Glycerin (also known as glycerol) is a humectant that keeps the hair hydrated by attracting moisture from the atmosphere. It is often used in skincare products to draw moisture to the outer layer of the skin, and make it look dewy and hydrated.

A study from 2016 showed that Glycerin was the most effective humectant at increasing hydration in the top layer of the skin. It also helps to strengthen the skin barrier, and soothe a dry scalp.

Glycerin is also used to strengthen the hair and make it less likely to break. When using glycerin in haircare products, it works best in moderately humid climates.

Is Glycerin Allowed in the Curly Girl Method?

Yes. Glycerin is allowed in the Curly Girl Method. Below is an exert from Curly Girl The Handbook where you can see that vegetable glycerin is actually a recommended ingredient to look for in your conditioner.

Is Glycerin Allowed in the Curly Girl Method?
Exert from Curly Girl The Handbook by Lorraine Massey

Is There a Difference Between Glycerin and Vegetable Glycerin?

No. Glycerin or Vegetable Glycerin is usually the same thing. In most cases where only “glycerin” is listed on the label, it is vegetable derived. Vegetable glycerin is less expensive than animal glycerin, and more available to manufacturers. Glycerin from animal fat is rarely used in hair care products.

Is Glycerine Good for Curly Hair?

Glycerin can help to moisturise curly hair and reduce frizz, but remember that Glycerin works best in moderately humid climates.

If you are in a dry climate where the atmosphere is drier than your hair, glycerin will actually draw moisture from your hair into the air around you.

On the other hand, if you are in a very humid environment, glycerin can draw too much moisture from the air into your hair, making it look big, frizzy and puffy.

Does Glycerin Make Curly Hair Frizzy?

It can do, yes. If you are in a high humidity environment, glycerin can draw too much moisture from the atmosphere and hold it in your hair. This then leads the hair shaft to swell and expand and your hair becomes fluffy, big and frizzy!

Which Brands Make CG Approved Products?

You can find a list of curly girl approved products, from different brands, at the links below. I hope this information helps you find the right CG approved products for your own hair.

Posts From Other Beauty Blogs

If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy the following posts from other beauty blogs that I follow and trust.

Naturally Curly

Byrdie

Curly Nikki

Mane Addicts

Is Glycerin Curly Girl Approved?