Desert cactus and flowering plants have evolved to survive some of the toughest environments on earth. Over the eons their hydrotropic tendencies and advanced metabolism enable them to thrive despite extreme temperatures and conditions. More importantly for hair care, their metabolites enable the production of uniquely beneficial phytochemicals such as polyphenos, betalains (high power anti-oxidants), tocopherols (such as Vitamin E), anthraquinones and many others. Native Americans and North Africans have long understood and incorporated these natural ingredients in hair and skin treatments and conditioners.[i] [ii] Researchers at Desert Botanicals® have studied such use and developed products combining them with supplemental vitamin nutrition, aminos and the latest in high tech ingredients to create luxurious, premium hair care solutions and—coming soon—skin care products. Below you will read about the 5 most common unmet hair care needs and what Desert Botanicals can do to provide you with an unsurpassed personal care experience.
The Natural Desert Oils We Use
Desert Botanicals uses the finest, responsibly sourced natural ingredients. In addition, we source locally whenever possible. Among our primary ingredients:
Aloe Vera
Aloe is commonly known for its soothing qualities to the skin, especially for treating sunburn. However, it also makes for an excellent hair care ingredient due to its high loading of phytochemicals and nutrients including polymannans and lectins.
Prickly Pear (also known as Opuntia)
Since ancient times, Prickly Pear has long been a food staple of the indigenous peoples of the Southwest. Prickly Pear is richly laden with polyphenols and betalains, plus valuable minerals (e.g., potassium and magnesium) and vitamins C and B. Desert Botanicals is one of the only companies to leverage the benefits of this remarkable succulent in hair care products.
Argan
Native to North Africa, Argan has long been widely acknowledged as a beneficial ingredient in personal care products. With an oxidative resistance higher than olive oil, it is very high in y-Tocopherol which has strong chemopreventive properties.
The Big Five Hair Challenges
Challenge #1. Managing Frizz
Desert Botanicals SonoranShine™ Featherweight Conditioner is especially formulated to balance moisture enhancing natural desert cactus with protective high-tech silicones specifically engineered for hair protection and enhancement. As a primary ingredient, Aloe Vera is composed of long chain polysaccharides that act as humectants forming lightweight films that retain moisture and hold, especially in dry, hot climates. Preventing dryness not only strengthens hair but, more importantly, prevents breakage. Prickly Pear nourishes the cuticle and provides oxidation resistance to protect the cuticle. Each oil was selected and added in precise ratios to maximize hair protection without making hair heavy or greasy. In addition, we added silk amino acids with excellent moisture binding abilities. Silk aminos are known to penetrate into the upper layers of the skin and through the hair cuticle into the hair shaft resulting in improved flexibility and manageability of the hair creating a soft and natural appearance.
Challenge #2. Achieving Shine
Jojoba Oil plays an especially important role here, as an extremely long-chain wax ester it is highly reflective producing a shimmering, vibrant look. People will notice your hair and wonder why it looks so appealing. Additionally, panthenol (vitamin B5) is included to add further shine, while strengthening hair and slowing hair loss.
Challenge #3. Protecting Color Treatments
Coloring your hair is one of the most expensive things you can do, so why lose that desired color quickly? Color treatments typically use an oxidative process to set the color, so additional oxidation can weaken pigmentation bonds. Argan oil with its natural carotenes, phenols and tocopherols has strong anti-oxidants and easily coats the cuticle to provide excellent oxidation resistance. Prickly pear oil takes things to the next level with its super-antioxidative betalains! Our lightweight, but durable, lipid coating creates a resistant barrier to oxygenation and other damaging processes.
Challenge #4. Dandruff Prevention
If you’re currently not suffering from dandruff, why risk it? Work and family stress weaken the immune system. While Desert Botanicals doesn’t sell a pharmacological grade dandruff treatment, all of our products’ natural oils have excellent anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.[iv] [v] [vi] [vii] Our formulas’ low viscosity enables them to reach the scalp and prevent Malassezia fungus and harmful bacteria from growing, making it significantly less likely you’ll experience unsightly dandruff.
Challenge #5. Preventing Thermal Damage
The smoke point for Argan Oil is 420°F (216°C), while Jojoba Oil has a similarly high temperature resistance. These long chain molecules easily wrap around the cuticle providing excellent thermal protection. In addition, we add lightweight, high-tech silicones specifically engineered for exceptional thermal and chemical resistance. Desert Botanicals products protect your hair even under the most grueling conditions.
Conclusion
Desert cactus and flowering plant oils are ideally suited to meet the big five hair challenges people face today. However, oils can’t get the job done alone, especially if someone wants to display a high-volume, lightweight, non-greasy look. Desert Botanicals sources the highest-grade natural oils available and combines them with silk amino acids and other cutting-edge technologies to create a luxurious, premium hair care experience. Whether it is reducing frizz or preventing damage to the hair and scalp, look to Desert Botanicals to meet all your hair care needs!
References:
[i] Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/79122-Simmondsia-chinensis
[ii] Optunia (Prickly Pear) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opuntia
[iii] Polymers, “Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity” by Heba Gad, Autumn Roberts, Samirah Hamzi, Haidy Gad, Ilham Touis, Ahmed Altvar, Osama Kensara and Mohamed Ashour (May 2021).
[iv] Journal of Conservative Dentistry, “Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Aloe vera and its Effectiveness in Decontaminating Gutta Percha Cones” by Prakash P Athiban, Bikash Jyoti Borthakur, S. Ganesan, and B. Swathika (Jul-Sep 2012).
[v] Biological Research, “A Review on Plant Importance, Biotechnological Aspects, and Cultivation Challenges of Jojoba Plant” by Jameel R. Al-Obaidi, Mohammed Farouq Halabi, Nasser S. AlKhalifah, Shanavaskhan Asanar, Abdulrahman A. Al-Soqeer and M. F. Attia (August 2017).[vi] https://www.healthline.com/health/argan-oil-for-skin#:~:text=Argan%20oil%20has%20both%20antibacterial,at%20least%20twice%20per%20day.
[vii] Hindawi: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, “The Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Potential of Opuntia Extracted Oil from Tunisia”(April 2019).
