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If you want strength
Ceramide
What is it: A complex lipid or fatty oil found naturally in the hair
What it does: Holds cuticle cells together to protect the inner structure of the hair
Product Pick: Soft Sheen Carson Break-thru Anti-Breakage System, $6.99, drugstores nationwide.
Dimethiconal Methionine
What it is: An amino acid
What it does: Protects the hair shaft and fortifies the cuticle
Product Pick: Nexxus Y Seum Younger Looking Hair Treatment, $20, 800-444-NEXXUS
Triamine Complex
What it is: A patented formula containing the same 19 essential amino acids found in our hair
What it does: Protects hair from styling damage by fortifying cuticles and detangles and conditions without weighing down the hair
Product Pick: Joico K-Pac Strengthening Tonic, $13.95, 800-80-JOICO
If you want Conditioning
Avocado Oil
What it is: A triglyceride (natural fat, similar to those found in our body) that is easily absorbed by the hair and scalp and is rich in vitamins A,B,D and E.
What it does: Lubricates the hair and scalp
Product Pick: Burt’s Bees Avocado Butter Hair Treatment, $9, burtsbees.com
Horsetail
What it is: An herb containing calcium and high levels of amino acids
What it does: Strengthens and conditions
Product Pick: Hairobics Hair and Scalp Leave-In Conditioner, $19.99, hairobicsallnatural.com
Stearly Alcohol
What it is: A fatty alcohol with emollient and moisturizing properties
What it does: Keeps hair hydrated
Product Pick: Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Nourishing Conditions, $3.99, drugstores
If you want Moisture
Jojoba Oil
What it is: An oil with a molecular structure small enough to penetrate the hair and scalp
What it does: Moisturizes
Product Pick: Barry Fletcher Liquid Moisture, $14.50, barryfletcherproducts.com
Panthenol
What it is: A vitamin
What it does: Gets inside the hair shaft to keep the cuticle moisturized
Product Pick: Luster’s Pink Oil Moisturizer, $3.99, drugstores nationwide
Shea Butter
What it is: A fat obtained from the fruit of the Karite tree
What it does: Moisturizes and nourishes the hair and scalp
Product Pick: L’occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Conditioner, $17, usa.loccitane.com
If you want Shine
Cyclomethicone
What it is: A silicone (synthetic compound principally derived from sand)
What it does: Adds gloss while preventing dryness
Product Pick: Organic Root Stimulator Jojoba Oil Maximum Shine Hair & Scalp Moisturizer, $4.99, drugstores
Mica
What it is: A mineral
What it does: Enhances Shine
Product Pick: Toni & Guy Shine Junkie, $15.99, 800-295-8596