**2013 Ceramides Challenge**

DominicanBrazilian82

Well-Known Member
PART I

Welcome Ladies... Passed down to me by Ms. @halee_J, I will be your new host for the 2013 Ceramides Challenge. I strongly encourage reading the info below, if you arent already knowledgeable as to how much of a benefit ceramide rich products are to your line-up. I hope you all join me this year and experience all the joy my hair has received just from incorporating ceramides into my regiment.

HHG

Want improved moisture/protein balance? Manage porosity? Shinier hair? Stronger more manageable hair? Fortify you hair against heat/chemical services?

TRY CERAMIDES!

Whether you are relaxed, texlaxed, permed, natural, use diect heat, indirect heat, low heat, no heat, color treated, highlighted, no color; Everyone can benefit from ceramides.

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are fatty molecules that naturally occur in the hair fiber. They are the "glue' of the hair fiber that hold all of the layers together.

How do ceramides benefit hair?

Ceramides form a seal on the cuticle layer, limiting the loss of protein molecules from the hair shaft; protecting the fiber against normal wear and tear from manipulation (washing & styling), UV rays, heat and chemical services; like dye, relaxers etc. This seal also helps to keep the cuticle flat and tightly packed; they fill in gaps in the cuticle, giving shine and keeping porosity low. Over time, hair loses ceramide molecules. From heat and chemical but also just from the hair istself aging. Older and/or damaged hair contains less ceramide than newer/healthier hair. So it makes sense to incorporate ceramides to maintain hair health.

*Note: Ceramides help limit the loss of protein and help strengthen the hair fiber. However they are not proteins, nor can they replace protein in your reggie. (Some people have found they need less protein though)

Where can I find ceramides?

There are plant oils and extracts that contain plant ceramides. They function much the same as those found in our own hair. Many hair products also contain natural and synthetic ceramides.


The Challenge will run in four parts:

Part 1: January 1st –March 31st
Part 2: April 1st – June 30th
Part 3: July 1st – September 30th
Part 4: October 1st - December 31st


Challenge Rules:

1. Use a ceramide containing product at least once a week; once per session if you are really looking to reap the benefits of ceramides (session = m/s, DC'ing, pre-pooing, etc).


2. Check in and let us know how its going for you. Share your ceramide-rich products with us as you use them. We can inspire those who aren't using ceramides to finally use that leave-in all the way in the back of their stash because of the ceramide benefit.

a. What ceramide oil(s)/product(s) did you use?
b. How did you use it? (pre-poo, poo, DC, leave-in, sealing etc)
c. What benefits are you experiencing by including ceramides into your regi? Shine? Softness? Manageability?

3. Share your reviews on products you have tried, as well as any ceramide info you may stumble upon.

CHALLENGERS LIST
@Atdow71
@Lissa0821
@Rozlewis
@ScorpioRising
@cherry.a
@Americka
@halee_J
@cutenss
@NappyNelle
@BKfinest
@Babygrowth
@daae
@pelohello
@MeowMix
@bajandoc86
@auntybe
@southerncitygirl
@pinkpanther23
@silenttullip
@EnExitStageLeft
@Nix08
@lamaria211
@Lita
@Froreal3
@janeemat
@curlyhersheygirl
@ZebraPrintLover
@JulietWhiskey
@venusfly
@destinyseeker
@veesweets
@youwillrise
@NJoy
@sharifeh
@coracao
@Shay72
@Blairx0
@NowIAmNappy
@lovely_locks
@Hyacinthe
@moniq
@felic1
@HappywithJC723
@cnap
@tishsander
@Cattypus1
@EnExitStageLeft

Additional Challengers List click here!
 
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DominicanBrazilian82

Well-Known Member
Oils/extracts containing ceramides:

Eucalyptus extract
Hemp seed oil
Kukui Nut oil
Sunflower oil
Rice Bran oil
Walnut oil
Wheat Germ oil

****Ladies, please note: There is a list of oils with lipid percentages floating around, these percentages refer to a lipid called linoleic acid, which is similar to, but not the same as a ceramide. However, the presence of large amounts of linoleic acid may indicate the presence of ceramides. Linoleic acid is indeed beneficial to the hair, and can boost the the natural production of ceramides, when taken internally or absorbed through the skin. I have listed oils with 40% and higher linoleic acid below*****

Oils containing high amounts of linoleic acid; which suggests ceramide benefit:

Safflower oil
Grape seed oil
Poppyseed oil
Corn oil
Cottonseed oil
Soybean oil
Sesame oil

PRODUCTS CONTAINING CERAMIDES:

African Pride Olive Miracle Growth Oil
Alterna Thickening Compound
Aphogee Pro-Vitamin
Aubrey Organics Products
Aveeno nourish and Shine leave-in treatment
Aveeno nourish and Shine style cream
BPT Wheat Germ Conditioner
Burts Bees Baby Bee Baby Oil
Curl Junkie Repair Me
Claudie's Hair Revitalizer Growth Elixir
Claudie's Hair Revitalizer Ends Insurance
Cream & Coco Eucalyptus Honey Treatment
Cream & Coco Moisturizer
Crece Pelo Leave-In
Creme of Nature (Green Bottle/Old Formula)
Curly Kinks Curlycue Renew
Curly Kinks Polished
Curly Kinks Satin Roots
Essential Nutrients Oil
Garnier Fructis Instant Melting Strength and Repair Masque
Giovanni Vitapro Fusion Leave In Moisture Treatment Leave In
Gleau Oil
Gro Aut-Mahabhringeraj
HTGE Featherweight (Hair Trigger Growth Elixir)
Hask Cerafix
HB Castor Oil Treatment/Grease
Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil
Honey Chile Hair Love
Ion Moisturizing Treatment
Jane Carter's Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner
Jason's Long & Strong Jojoba Shampoo
Joico K-Pak Reconstructor
Kan Kanechomn Ceramide Deep Conditioning Cream
Kerapro Intense Treatment
Kerapro Restorative Anti-Frizz Elixir
L'Oreal Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Restoring Conditioner
L'Oreal Elvive Nutri-Ceramide Deep Repair Concentrate
L'Oreal Eversleek Reparative Smoothing Conditioner
L'Oreal Serle Expert Liss Starter Ionene G + Ceramide Pre-Smoothing Treatment
Lustrasilk Cholesterol
Lustrasilk Shea Butter
Lustrasilk Mango
Marie Dean Seaweed & Rice Deep Conditioner
Marie Dean Whipped Avocado Murumuru Hair Butter
Marie Dean Honey & Soy Hair Buttercream
Marie Dean Vanilla Lemon Hair Mousse
Marie Dean Green Hemp Conditioner PROLESS
Matrix Biolage Cera-Repair
Matrix Biolage Fortifying conditioner
Matrix Biolage Cera-Repair Hydratherapie
Miss Key 10 en 1 Conditioner
Mizani Therma Smooth
Motions Nourishing leave-in
Natural by Design (NBD) Sunflower Hair Mask
Naturelle Grow Sweet Honey Nectar Balm
Nexxus Aloe Rid
Nexxus Botanic Oil Shampoo
Nexxus Headdress
Nexxus Humectress
Nexxus Keraphix
Nexxus Therappe
Optimum Care Anti-Breakage Therapy Stay Strong Shampoo
Optimum Care Anti-Breakage Therapy Stay Strong Conditioner
Optimum Care Anti-Breakage Therapy Leave-in Ultimate Strengthener
Optimum Care Anti-Breakage Therapy Split End Reconstructor
Optimum Care Anti-Breakage Therapy Cream Hairdress
Optimum Care Anti-Breakage Therapy Featherlight Hairdress
ORS Hair Mayonaise (New Formula *WGO)
Phyto PhytoKeratine' Reparative Serum Leave In
Proclaim Aloe Hot Oil
Proclaim Natural 7 Oil
Proclaim Natural Olive Oil
Redken Extreme Conditioner
Redken Extreme Rescue Force
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap
Redken 07
Salerm Wheat Germ Conditioner
Satinique Products
Sedal Products
Shalmi Vadhera Coconut Alma Revitalizing Hair Treatment
Shea Moisture Baby Rub Oil
Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Mask
Shea Moisture Extra Moisture Transitioning Milk
SheScentIt Avocado Conditioner
SheScentIt Carrot and Pumpkin Seed Defrizzer Leave In
SheScentIt Honey Rinse Conditioner
SheScentIt Jojoba Hemp Shampoo
Shey Butter Oil
Siamese Twists-Essential Butter
Silicon Mix Proteina de Perla (Pearl Protein) Leave-In
Silicon Mix Conditioner
Silicon Mix Leave-in
Silk Dreams Shea What
Silk Dreams Wheat Germ Conditioner
Silk Elements Leave-In
Silk Elements MegaSilk Moisture Treatment
Skala Ceramide 3 Conditioner
Softsheen Carson Breakthru Anti-Breakage - Protecting Foam
Softsheen Carson Breakthru Anti-Breakage - Fortifying Moisturizing Shampoo
Taliah Waajid Enhancing Herbal Conditioner
Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier
TIGI Serious Conditioner

This list is evergrowing. As you ladies post what you use, I will continously update the list (a challenge for myself ).

Hope you ladies will join me!
 
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ConstantlyDynamic

Well-Known Member
I haven't been in a challenge for so long because....well I suck at them, as my siggy says :) I should start again though so I'll do Part 2 and 3 (we don't have to do the whole thing right?) because I'm planning on doing braids or twists for most of the year and I don't like putting oils etc in my braids
 

DominicanBrazilian82

Well-Known Member
I haven't been in a challenge for so long because....well I suck at them, as my siggy says :) I should start again though so I'll do Part 2 and 3 (we don't have to do the whole thing right?) because I'm planning on doing braids or twists for most of the year and I don't like putting oils etc in my braids

Feel free to join as the year progresses! I will post four different threads (although this one doesn't say Part I as it should) for each session. And maybe you might want to add a little GSO (Grapeseed Oil) or Sunflower Oil to your water bottle for refreshing your braids. Even your braids will feel softer :) Just a suggestion...
 

Lissa0821

Well-Known Member
I would like to join this challenge. I have faithfully used grapeseed and sunflower oil mixture to seal my moisture in. I also apply this mixture through out my hair the day before wash day.
 

Rozlewis

Well-Known Member
I am ready to go with this one. I have organic GSO, EVOO, and organic safflower oil. Let's do this.
 

ScorpioRising

Professional Lurker
@DominicanBrazilian82 I'd like to be added to the list and take part in this challenge, hopefully all 4 parts. I need to use up my grapeseed and safflower oils :yep:



Updated list: ETA:

Carols Daughter Hair Milk Leave In
Giovanni's Direct Leave In
Grapeseed & Safflower oil
Jason's Long & Strong Jojoba Shampoo

*Ojon Restorative Pre Cleansing Treatment
*Shea Moisture Yucca & Aloe Milk



I'll also be looking for products which contain wheat germ and rice bran oil
 
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cherry.a

Well-Known Member
Count me in!
I will be using:
Grape seed oil
WGO
Optimum Care Stay Strong Shampoo
Silicon mix conditioner and leave-in
ORS hair mayo
 

Americka

Well-Known Member
I'm in...

Aphogee Pro-Vitamin Leave-In Conditioner (wheat germ oil)
safflower, sunflower, and grapeseed oils
HB Castor Oil treatment/grease (safflower oil)
 

cutenss

Well-Known Member
I am in. I will continue to use grapeseed oil, rice bran oil, GLEAU oil, and any other ceramide containing conditioners, moisturizers, etc :yep:

Put me the list please. Where is halee_J going :sekret:
 

NappyNelle

Kinky Coily 4A, Fine Strands, WSL
I'm in once again!

I'll be using hemp seed oil, Aubrey Organics conditioners, Hairitage Hydrations pomades and butters, Giovanni Cosmetics... basically everything I'm using has ceramides and my hair has never been better. Soft, shiny, strong, and healthy... what more could you ask for? :yep:
 

BKfinest

Active Member
I would like to join. I will be alternating once a week between Miss Key 10en1 Conditioner and Silicon Mix Conditioner under a heated dryer.
 

Babygrowth

Well-Known Member
I'm in. I will be using various products from Silk Dreams, Hairitage, Shescentit, etc. I may also purchase hemp seed oil, gleau oil, and jasons vit e oil. I'm hoping these will help with health and retention. Most of these I won't start using until mid january. I will check what I'm currently using and come back with those.
 

CocoGlow

Well-Known Member

Ceramides form a seal on the cuticle layer, limiting the loss of protein molecules from the hair shaft; protecting the fiber against normal wear and tear from manipulation (washing & styling), UV rays, heat and chemical services; like dye, relaxers etc. This seal also helps to keep the cuticle flat and tightly packed; they fill in gaps in the cuticle, giving shine and keeping porosity low. Over time, hair loses ceramide molecules. From heat and chemical but also just from the hair istself aging. Older and/or damaged hair contains less ceramide than newer/healthier hair. So it makes sense to incorporate ceramides to maintain hair health.


Anyone with LOW POROSITY successfuly using ceramides?

How do you incorporate it into your regimen?

I'm asking b/c most people with low porosity struggle with opening the cuticle enough to get moisture in since the cuticles are naturally tightly packed.

Thanks in Advance :yep:
 

bajandoc86

Lipstick Lover
I'm in again for another year.

I'll be using hempseed and wheat germ oils mostly. And I have a ton of DCers that incorporate various ceramics oils.

I use the oils as prepoos and mixed into DCs. I have decided to also use wheat germ oil in an oil mix for my ends.
 
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southerncitygirl

Well-Known Member
NappyRina


use them in your reggie anyway you like. the easiest way is when you condition or moisturize & seal your hair.

here's a few examples of oils that contain moderate to high levels of ceramides:
kukui
hemp
safflower
sunflower
kukui
wheat germ
sesame

if you make an oil mix of 3-5 oils i suggest 1-3 of those have ceramides and mix with a lil castor oil and eith evoo, evco or avocado oil.

I love claudies revitalizer moisturizers for their ceramide content and consistency...my hair feels awesome! isha hair cream, quinoa-coffee balancing and balancing ends insurance are my staples. I moisturize and seal 2-5 times a week. she has sales often usually anywhere btw 20-25% off.
 

DominicanBrazilian82

Well-Known Member
I'm in. I will be using various products from Silk Dreams, Hairitage, Shescentit, etc. I may also purchase hemp seed oil, gleau oil, and jasons vit e oil. I'm hoping these will help with health and retention. Most of these I won't start using until mid january. I will check what I'm currently using and come back with those.

Be sure to let us know what you're using! I love all of those products :yep: :)
 

DominicanBrazilian82

Well-Known Member
Anyone with LOW POROSITY successfuly using ceramides?

How do you incorporate it into your regimen?

I'm asking b/c most people with low porosity struggle with opening the cuticle enough to get moisture in since the cuticles are naturally tightly packed.

Thanks in Advance :yep:

Ceramide oils (especially) are very penetrating oils. They absorb well into the shaft. I have porosity issues, but I also have a good moisture/protein balance. My hair and I are very well acquainted and ceramide oils have helped me to achieve this.
 
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