How To Moisturize 4C Hair: Tips That Actually Work

Would you like to learn how to moisturize your 4c hair? My 4c hair stayed dry for the longest until I learnt the tricks and methods of moisturizing. These secrets are right here in this post.📢

4c hair loses moisture quickly, especially high porosity 4c hair, making it prone to dryness. And dry 4c hair isn't something we all like to deal with. The tight, subtle curls make it hard to handle, and then the breakage. All of that can end when you moisturize properly.

Check out the details below.✍️

How Do I Properly Moisturize My 4C Hair?🤔

Many factors lead to consistently dry hair. However, if it remains that way boils down to what you do. You can change that by doing what is right for your hair; pampering it with love and care.

So, how do you moisturize your 4c hair?

Some of the moisturizing methods I'll recommend are;

1. The LOC Method

This is a popular moisturizing method I discovered while carrying out research for my hair. The LOC stands for liquid, oil, and lotion. This method is usually used for wash-n-go.

Liquid

Applying any liquid of choice (water is an option) is the first step when moisturizing with this method. You can use any water-based products for this part, or even use water.

If you'll be using a product, make sure it has high water content for maximum hydration.

Oil

The next step is to infuse with oil. This helps seal in the moisture you've added to your hair. Some excellent oil choices are olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil.

Apart from oils, you can also use butter at this stage. Hair butters penetrate fast into the hair just like hair oils. Shea butter and cocoa butter are some favorites.

Cream

This is the last step of the LOC method. The cream simply seals the moisture further. But you don't have to include this in your everyday routine.

Choose a cream that suits your 4c hair. It must be light, so your hair doesn't get weighed down.

✨If you have high porosity hair, this LOC method is for you.

2. Cardi B's Secret

The 33-year-old American rapper revealed her secret to long, healthy, and hydrated hair a few years back. The secret? A DIY hair mask.

Now you can create your version and apply for hydration.

In some of her recipes, she uses:

• 1 avocado🥑
• 1 banana🍌
• 2 eggs🥚🥚
• Some tablespoons of honey🍯
• Oils (coconut oil, black castor oil, olive oil, argan oil)
• Mayonnaise

a. Prepare the mask by mashing the banana and avocado in a bowl. Add the eggs, oil, and other ingredients, then combine properly.

b. You can apply this mask to your hair generously and leave it for about 30 minutes before rinsing it out with shampoo.

📌Quick note: Use a leave-in conditioner, moisturizer, and oil after washing. Also, what the mask does is to improve hydration. Incorporating it into your routine on wash days is fine. It's not an everyday use.

3. The LCO Method

Another method that is similar to the LOC method is the LCO moisturizing method. Some people prefer to hydrate and lock in moisture in this order. They apply the liquid first, cream, and lastly, oil.

• To begin, you can use water or a water-based spray, as I've mentioned in the LOC method. A leave-in conditioner isn't a bad idea, too. It softens and hydrates the hair beautifully.
• Next, apply a cream. Creams can prevent dryness by locking in moisture. It's also the perfect product to style your hair.
• Lastly, go in with your hair oil. This is the final layering step, and it creates a barrier to maintain the moisture.

While you can use a single oil, you can also combine different oils.

✨If you have low porosity hair, this LCO method is for you.

Here is what your moisturizing routine should look like:

- Use a hair mask (on wash days only).

- Shampoo, deep condition, and condition on wash days.

- Apply a leave-in conditioner, oil, and moisturizer.

If it's not your wash day, dampen your hair with water, then follow up with the LOC or LCO method.

What Is the Best Moisturizer for 4C Hair?

Any product that contains natural ingredients and helps to lock in moisture is the best.  

These are my top picks for the best moisturizer for 4c hair (I'm currently using my third bottle of the first product).😉

1. ✅Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Style Milk

This is a leave-in styling cream that helps hydrate, shine, and add luster. The product is popular for combating frizziness and leaving the hair smooth and luscious.

Some ingredients it contains include coconut oil, hibiscus extract (like the name), neem oil, soya bean oil, and carrot root.

2. ✅As I Am DoubleButter Cream

As I Am DoubleButter Cream is another popular moisturizer. It contains ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, wheat protein, castor oil, wheat germ oil, vegetable glycerine, and jojoba oil. These ingredients are necessary for healthy and well-moisturized hair.

3. ✅Mielle Organics Avocado Moisturizing Hair Milk

Mielle's Avocado Moisturizing Hair Milk helps hydrate, smoothen, and strengthen 4c hair. Some of the ingredients it contains are jojoba seed oil, glycerin, avocado oil, and shea butter. This is good as a daily moisturizer, plus it helps with length retention.

4. ✅TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer

The TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer is a product many recommend because of its lightweight formula. The cream is very light and effective for moisturizing the hair daily. It is formulated with ingredients that help battle frizziness and dullness, leaving the hair shiny and soft.

Why Is My 4C Hair Always So Dry?

There are many reasons why your 4c hair is always dry, some of which aren't your fault. The 4c hair has a tight curl pattern that prevents natural oils from traveling down the strands from the scalp. This makes this hair type prone to dryness and in constant need of moisture.

However, you can keep it moisturized by taking proper care of it. A little mishap can make your effort go down the drain.

Some reasons why your 4c hair is so dry are👇;

- Overwashing your hair to keep it neat. This strips the hair of its oils, making it drier than usual.

- Using excessive heat.

- Using products that contain sulfate.

- Allowing products to build up in your hair.

- The weather.

- Neglecting deep conditioning.

- Not drying properly.

- Not sealing in the moisture.

What can you do? Avoid the mistakes and follow any moisturizing technique above.

Tips for Keeping Your 4C Hair Moisturized

This can be very difficult, as 4c hair can become dry easily. However, check out these tips that keep your strands moisturized for a long period.

📌1. Cleanse Regularly

Washing your hair regularly prepares it to accept moisture while removing the dirt. Although it is not recommended to wash it every day, once every two weeks is okay.

Use a sulfate-free shampoo to wash your hair, then rinse off with warm water. You can repeat this, depending on how dirty your hair is.

📌2. Deep Condition

Deep conditioning is a vital step in a 4c hair care routine. It provides a lot of benefits for the hair, including replenishing the moisture it's lost, reducing breakage and split ends, strengthening the hair, and making it softer.

Apply a generous amount of your deep conditioner to your shampooed hair, then massage it. Make sure to start from the ends, then move upwards to the root.

📌3. Wear Protective Styles

These are styles that reduce manipulation and leave your hair healthy and strong. Wigs, box braids, stitch braids, twists, and even regular cornrows are some of those protective styles that can help retain moisture in your hair.

However, make sure these styles are not too tight (it can lead to hair loss) or too loose.

📌4. Avoid Excessive Heat

The best way to keep your hair moisturized is to avoid using heat styling tools. These tools strip the hair of its moisture, leaving it dry and damaged.

If you must, make sure to use heat protectant and use the tool at a low temperature.  

📌5. Use a Hair Bonnet

Sleeping with a hair bonnet saves you the stress of battling with moisture loss and frizziness. But, you can't wear just any hair bonnet; make sure it is a satin or silk bonnet. These materials minimize friction and can protect the moisture in your hair.

📌6. Get a Good Moisturizer

The product you use affects your hair. A good moisturizing product locks in the moisture in your hair, strengthens it, and makes it smooth.

The great thing is that it can turn dry and damaged hair into healthy, moisturized hair.

📌7. Drink More Water

Do you know what we consume reflects in our bodies? As surprising as this might sound, drinking enough water helps provide moisture for your hair. You don't even need to drink too much. Just take as much as your body allows for the day.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that women should take about 11.5 cups of fluids daily. This covers water, food, and beverages.

How To Keep 4C Hair Healthy Under a Wig?👀

1. Avoid tight hairstyles under a wig

Since 4c hair is a fragile hair texture and easy to break, avoiding adding much pressure to your hair and scalp is necessary. Skip tight cornrows and opt for pressure-free flat twists and a bun to prepare your hair for a wig.

2. Cover your hair up whenever taking off your wig

Your 4c hair can get drier and drier if you don't cover it up with a satin bonnet. The friction happens all the time, which leads your hair to be dirty and dry. A stain bonnet or scarf can help retain the moisture in your hair and keep your hair neater.

3. Add the moisture to your hair

Apply leave-in conditioner to your twist or braid under the wig and distribute it evenly to moisturize your hair.

4. Take care of your scalp carefully

The scalp is where your hair grows, so it's important to take care of your hair carefully. Keep it clean and moisturized. A bit of oil work.

Final Thoughts

I hope you've learnt the different ways to moisturize your 4c hair in this post. Friends, remember that what you do, the products you use, and how you care for your hair determine if you'll have beautiful, moisturized hair.