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Summary: In this blog we detail and explore what meadowfoam is and how it works for hair. We’ll discuss what meadowfoam does, whether you should be using it in your hair care and the meadowfoam seed oil benefits. Read on to discover more about meadowfoam, where it comes from and how it can serve your tresses… 

What Is Meadowfoam?

Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) was originally developed as an agricultural crop in the 1950s and can be found in North California, South Oregon, British Columbia and Vancouver Island. It gets its name from resembling the white foam seen on the ocean when it’s in bloom. 

It’s since been discovered as a handy, effective and natural ingredient for hair and skin care products. Meadowfoam seed oil is extracted by pressing the plant’s flower’s seeds and then used in cosmetic formulas boasting impressive results…

Meadowfoam has a very similar profile to Jojoba Oil – they both have a waxy-like texture and resemble sebum; the body’s naturally produced oil which is made to moisturize the skin and hair.

What Are The Meadowfoam Seed Oil Benefits For Hair?

Meadowfoam seed oil is made up of a very high concentrate of long chain fatty acids (95%+), which makes it quite difficult for hair and skin to absorb. This makes it an emollient, meaning it creates a protective layer/seal and acts as a smoothing agent. 

This is good because this means for hair in particular, it creates a protective coat around the strands which in turn helps your locks retain moisture for a longer period of time.

Therefore, meadowfoam is particularly useful for dry and damaged hair because it can help rejuvenate and rehydrate the hair strands. It can help leave them feeling much silkier, appearing smoother and thus, makes them more manageable, without weighing your tresses down like some thick conditioning treatments can do.

By keeping the hair hydrated with ingredients like meadowfoam, you reduce the risk of hair brittleness, frizziness and dullness whilst also preventing hair from getting too tangled. Meadowfoam is touted to be non greasy and is thought to also benefits the hair’s shine!

Meadowfoam can actually help protect hair from the sun’s harsh UV rays (although it’s important to note that it cannot act as a replacement for SPF on the skin or hair). Read our complete guide on UV hair protection here.

Because meadowfoam is made up extensively of long chain fatty acids, it also makes it fairly resistant to oxidative spoiling, enabling products to naturally last longer. This means that it can support the scalp and body’s skin’s own antioxidant defences too. 

More importantly though, because of this property, it makes it a wonder ingredient for colored hair. Our hair dye fades when the color molecules begin to oxidize. This means meadowfoam can help sustain color by protecting our chosen shade from oxygen for longer, which is always ideal!

Is Meadowfoam Seed Oil Safe?

Meadowfoam is safe for use in cosmetics, based on current scientific evidence and is becoming widely popular with brands who want to boast of natural ingredients in their formulas. 

Where Can I Find Meadowfoam?

You can find meadowfoam in Cel’s Re:Gen Repair & Protect Shampoo and Conditioner which both work to repair hair damaged by coloring, heat and pollution, and protect from further day-to-day damage. It’s also located in Cel’s Re:Gen Color Revival Mousse which is a lightweight, whipped hair treatment that helps to keep color tones vibrant for longer. It works to restore color vibrancy and enriches the hair roots with moisturizing ingredients, like meadowfoam, from the comfort of your home.

In addition, many health and beauty stores sell moisturizers and conditioners that contain meadowfoam. You can even find pots of pure meadowfoam seed oil in some stores too. 

So, are you ready to try out the wonders of meadowfoam on your hair?

Related Reads

6 Incredible Jojoba Oil Skin Benefits

Castor Oil: Is It All It’s Cracked Up To Be?

Sources

Paula’s Choice

Natural Oils For Hair

Healthline

Naturally Curly