My current moisturizing pre-poo treatment was inspired by the Moisture-Drenched Pre-Poo*. Ms. Chicoro’s recipe calls for three ingredients: 1/2 cup Aloe vera juice or gel, 1-2 Tablespoons of your favorite oil and 1/4 cup of coconut oil. I have been using about a half cup of Aloe Vera Juice and 2-3 Tablespoons of Wheat Germ Oil for my moisturizing pre-poo. And I’m loving it. I put the two ingredients in a spray bottle, shake it up and spray away. What makes this pre-poo extra special is that I can notice a clear difference in the way that my hair feels while it is in my hair and after rinsing it. I can just tell that it has truly received the moisture and my hair cuticles have sealed it in. A part of me wants to try this pre-poo combination on its own as a co-wash. …I haven’t tried it yet but I will. I’m waiting for a day where I have time to rewash it in case it ends up being a bad idea. But when I get around to it, I’ll come back and share my results. But in the meantime, let me tell you a little about Aloe Vera Juice and Wheat Germ Oil.
Just as the original recipe proclaims these two ingredients together are super moisturizing.
- Aloe Vera Juice. Aloe Vera Juice has the consistency of water and its very moisturizing. While generally aloe vera juice is often described as alkalizing to the body it’s actually acidic (just like lemon juice). This is why when applied to our hair it closes the cuticle/outer layer* of the hair strands locking in moisture simultaneously leaving the hair with more shine and smoothness. And when it is applied to the scalp it encourages growth by removing dead skin cells that can clog your pores.
- Wheat Germ Oil. Wheat Germ Oil is a part of the ceramide family and has been one of those items that I knew would be perfect for my hair. When the recipe above called for your favorite oil, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to give wheat germ oil a try. Just like the aloe vera juice it closes the cuticle/outer layer, but wheat germ oil acts more like a glue filling in the areas on your hair strands that are lacking due to (heat, chemical and manual) damage. And it’s not as strong/strengthening as a protein, but it does restore the hair’s natural strength, elasticity, shine and softness minimizing any damage that it has incurred.
Together these two ingredients have been an immediate hit for my chemically relaxed and high porosity hair. And I’ve used it with every shampoo wash day since last November, so it’s been battle tested. But as much as I love this pre-poo and these ingredients read the disclaimer below to see why you may not want to try this pre-poo.
*IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: If you have low porosity hair, you will likely NOT like this pre-poo, especially the aloe vera juice. The cuticle/outer layer of low porosity hair is already closed tightly. And the items you use in your regimen should not further encourage your cuticle layer to close. You should be more inclined to use ingredients that are actually alkaline so that they can open/raise your cuticle layer to allow more moisturizing ingredients and products to penetrate deeply into your hair strands.
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I will definitely love to give this a try. Considering that it’s like using water and oil, do they mix well together ?
You’re right, Dr. Fromsky. They do not combine well, but the oil bubbles do spread out throughout the spray bottle. However the majority of the wheat germ oil gets sprayed onto my hair at the end after the aloe vera juice is gone. The original recipe states that you should add the aloe vera juice/gel and your favorite oil to a bowl and then dip your hair into the bowl. That sounded messy that’s why I opted for the spray bottle.
This looks like a great combo. I may test it out but I don’t have wheat germ oil. I may try it with hemp seed oil, which also has ceramides.
Thanks, DontTouchHair. Hemp seed oil would be a good substitute.
Sounds like it is doing very well with your hair, do you use wheat germ oil to scalp massage and seal your hair as well?
Hey Becca, I have only used the wheat germ oil with this pre-poo.
So for low-porosity what combo can one use?
It’s often recommended that you use things like baking soda and soap bars to make your hair more porous (and receptive to moisturizing ingredients) if you have low porosity hair. Here are two bloggers that talk about low porosity hair more: http://therootproblem.blogspot.com/2013/01/low-porosity-hair-moisture-miracle.html
http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/moisturizing-low-porosity-hair.html
This sounds really interesting. I’ll wait for a further review from you before I try it
Thanks, Tomes.
Nice post looking for to you trying it on a cowash day.
Thanks, Michelle.