0

Don’t Believe the Hype: Why Salves & Butters Are the Real Deal for Locking In Moisture

When it comes to keeping our natural, kinky, and coily hair healthy and hydrated, the focus is always on moisture. And while there are countless products out there claiming to do the job, there’s one category of products that truly stands out for locking in moisture: salves and butters. Forget the hype around light lotions or super watery creams that promise hydration but leave your hair thirsty by the end of the day. Salves and butters are where it’s at when it comes to sealing in moisture, adding shine, and keeping curls, coils, and kinks looking lush and healthy.


Why Salves & Butters Work Best for Natural Hair

Our natural hair is unique in its need for moisture. Kinky and coily textures have bends and curves that make it harder for natural oils from the scalp to travel down each strand. This is why our hair tends to dry out faster than straighter textures, making it crucial to seal in moisture with a protective barrier.

Salves and butters are thicker and richer than most other products, making them excellent for locking in moisture and creating a barrier between your hair and the environment. Here’s why they work so well:


They 'Sit'

Salves and butters are occlusive, meaning they sit on the hair’s surface, locking in moisture for hours. This is key to preventing dryness, especially in the colder months or in dry climates.


Natural Oils and Butters Are Packed with Nutrients:

Butters like shea, mango, and cocoa butter are rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that nourish the hair, strengthen it, and improve elasticity.


Great for Long-Lasting Shine and Softness

Because they’re heavier, salves and butters keep hair looking and feeling soft longer. Unlike lighter products, they won’t evaporate quickly, so your hair stays moisturized all day.

Top Butters for Natural Hair and Why They Work

Here are some of the best butters you can use on your natural hair and why they’re so effective:


Shea Butter

Shea butter is a favorite in the natural hair community—and for good reason. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with vitamins A and E, both of which promote hair health and reduce dryness. Shea butter is also packed with fatty acids that create a strong moisture barrier, making it perfect for sealing in hydration on dry hair.


Mango Butter

Mango butter has a similar texture to shea butter but feels a bit lighter. It’s still highly moisturizing and is packed with vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins help fight free radicals and keep your hair looking fresh and strong. Mango butter is ideal if you want a nourishing butter that doesn’t feel quite as heavy as shea.


Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is a classic. It’s a bit firmer in texture, but it melts nicely when warmed between your hands. It’s great for adding a protective layer to hair, keeping moisture in, and leaving hair soft and shiny. Plus, it smells delicious!


Avocado Butter

Avocado butter is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are excellent for scalp health and hair strength. It’s soft and creamy, making it easy to apply, and is packed with vitamins D and E. This butter can also help with frizz control, which is a bonus if you’re dealing with high humidity.

Salves & Butters: How to Use Them Properly

Salves and butters work best when they’re applied as the last step in your moisturizing routine. This technique, sometimes called the LOC or LCO method (Liquid-Oil-Cream/Butter), helps to layer moisture and lock it in effectively.


Here’s a quick guide:

Start with Moisture

Apply a water-based product first. This can be plain water, a hydrating spray, or a water-based leave-in conditioner. Water is the ultimate source of moisture, so make sure it’s your first step.


Add an Oil (Optional)

Next, add a lightweight oil, like jojoba, argan, or grapeseed oil, to help seal in the initial layer of moisture. Oils penetrate the hair shaft and provide a bit of extra nourishment. This step is especially helpful for high-porosity hair.


Finish with a Butter or Salve

Finally, apply your salve or butter. This is the sealant that will lock in everything and keep your hair feeling soft and moisturized for longer. Focus on the ends of your hair, as they tend to be the driest.


Why You Should Skip the Lotions and Light Creams

While lotions and lighter creams can be great for certain hair types, they’re usually too light for kinky and coily textures. Many of these products are water-based and contain minimal oils or butters, so they may hydrate initially but don’t provide lasting moisture. When applied to natural hair, these products can dry out quickly, leaving your hair feeling thirsty by the end of the day. If you find yourself needing to reapply these products constantly, it’s a sign they’re not doing the job.


Extra Tips for Using Salves and Butters on Natural Hair

Less Is More

A little bit of butter or salve goes a long way. Start with a small amount and add more if needed to avoid weighing down your hair.


Warm It Up

To make it easier to apply, warm the butter between your hands until it melts slightly. This helps it spread evenly through your hair.


Use on Damp Hair for Best Results

Butters and salves work best when applied to damp hair, as they help lock in the moisture from the water or leave-in conditioner.


Focus on the Ends

Concentrate the product on the ends of your hair, which tend to be drier and more prone to breakage. This will help keep them soft and prevent split ends.


When it comes to natural hair, the key to locking in moisture is using products that create a protective barrier—and that’s where salves and butters shine. They provide long-lasting hydration, help with shine, and keep your curls, coils, and kinks soft and manageable. So, if you’re tired of reapplying light lotions that don’t seem to last, give salves and butters a try. Your hair will thank you for the extra love and nourishment!

Hair Boost Starter Kit

Hair Boost Starter Kit

$94.94 USD
[Step 6] Hair & Scalp Salve: HAIR BOOST 4oz

[Step 6] Hair & Scalp Salve: HAIR BOOST 4oz

$29.97 USD
Complete Hair Boost System

Complete Hair Boost System

$154.82 USD



2. Try Protective Hairstyles

Protective hairstyles don’t only guard your natural hair against the harsh winter weather, they’re also super-cute and fun to rock. Slay and keep your natural crown protected in various styles, from stylish braids to chic bantu knots and fancy cornrows.

3. Avoid winter fabrics

Unfortunately, my natural-haired friends, our hair needs to stay far away from all things wool.

The friction from wearing wool hats or beanies can thin and easily dry out hair.

Try wearing a satin or silk headwrap underneath your wool beanie for protection, or you can wear a satin-lined beanie. Your hair will thank you for it!


4. Try Sleeping in a Bonnet

Don't forget to wrap your hair up before you go to bed!

Sleeping in a bonnet will help protect your natural hair from being dried while the heater is blowing.

Additionally, a satin pillow can also lessen the damage done to your hair while you sleep.


5. Invest in richer hair butters and oils

Swap your lighter hair products (ex. summer products) for thicker, richer ones to keep your hair hydrated in winter.

Shea butter and murumuru butter are great for nourishing the scalp, while oils rich in vitamin E like argan oil and olive oil help to keep moisture locked in.

My Hair Boost Method includes all products needed to give your hair the moisture and nourishment it needs to stay strong throughout the winter season and beyond!