Are you addicted to slip? You know…slip! Our hair tends to be dry and the older it gets--or further from wash day--the dryer it gets. Curly or coily hair tends to curl or coil around itself and create tangles or knots (yes, knots) when dry. Many of us are always on the hunt for products that will properly coat the knots and tangles and allow them to glide through with a comb or our fingers easily and without much friction. Slip just describes how slippery a product is and that’s usually conditioners with some natural oils.

Slip is a curlies best friend but what makes up the BEST slip? There’s an actual science to it and it’s more than what’s the most popular or the most expensive. It’s what’s in the makeup of the product. Here are a list of ingredients we see every day on the back of bottle and jar and as we skim over them do we really know what they do and how they give us the best slip possible? Now, it’s time to see what makes all those products work so well.

Fatty Alcohols

Hopefully by now you know that not all alcohols are bad for your tresses or can cause dryness or frizz. Fatty alcohols are larger alcohols and are characteristically derived from natural sources. Because of their larger carbon count they tend to be oilier or referred to as “fatty”. They are often used in hair and body products as an emollient and make the hair smooth by forcing the cuticle to lie flat and have a smoother surface. They also are used in some hair products as thickeners.

Popular fatty alcohols and which popular products you can find them in:

Stearyl Alcohol

An emollient derived from stearic acid which is derived from vegetable fatty acids. Mop Top Daily Conditioner is great at restoring moisture to dry, frizzy hair.

Cetearyl Alcohol

A blend of natural emulsifiers derived from vegetable or corn oil. Curl Junkie Daily Fix Cleansing Conditionercleanses without drying or stripping the hair.

Cetyl Alcohol

Derived from vegetable oils like palm or coconut. Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner locks moisture in and hydrates the hair shaft.

Vegetable-Derived Oils

Vegetable-derived oils or vegetable oils are derived from the fatty portion of a plant but in the hair world they are more known as carrier oils. They are often times used to dilute essential oils and although not as potent as essential oils they still can offer therapeutic benefits. They are used in natural creams, butters, lotions, body oils, and hair products to because they are superior moisturizers, strengtheners and nourishments to hair.

Popular vegetable oils and which popular products you can find them in:

Olive oil

An oil pressed from ripe olives and doesn’t contain chemicals. Helps in preventing hair loss and contains antioxidants that promote a healthy hair and scalp. It also strengthens and soothes out the hair cuticle.

Aubrey Organics White Camellia Conditioner is rich in vitamins and will deep-condition and protect your curls.

Jojoba oil

Considered an oil but really a liquid wax that’s extracted from the seeds of a shrub in the Southwest region of the United States. Great for all hair types and promotes hair growth. Very similar to sebum so it’s naturally safe to apply to hair and skin and it’s a great moisturizer.

Curl Junkie Beauticurls Argan & Olive Oil Daily Hair Conditioner is great for detangling and moisturizing and perfect for all hair types.

Avocado oil

An edible oil pressed from the avocado or the king of the hair fruits. It’s full of vitamins like A, E and D and potassium and is amazing for deep conditioning treatments.

Jessicurl Aloeba Daily Conditioner allows you to get the just right of moisture without weighing down your curls. Lightweight but a moisture powerhouse.

Vegetable-Derived Butters

Very similar to vegetable oils but the butters are fixed vegetable fats that are solid at ordinary or regular temperatures but usually melt at or below body temperature.

Shea Butter

Off-white fatty substance from the nuts of the African Shea tree. Not a conditioner but rather a sealer that will seal in the moisture you need to keep your hair moisturized.

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo heals dry, damaged hair, and promotes growth and strength.

Cocoa Butter

A pale-yellow fatty substance extracted room the cocoa bean. High in Vitamin E and rich in minerals and has been used in hair conditioners for years. It increases the resilience of hair and adds volume.

As I Am DoubleButter Cream Rich Daily Moisturizer is a rich emollient blend of organic oils and vitamins and add softness, shine and manageability.

Mango Butter

The fatty acid that’s cold pressed from the mango seeds and the mango originates from southern Asia. It’s great for nourishing hair and scalp and has moisture sealing properties like most butters.

Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade contains a massive blend of oils, butters and vegetable waxes is a superior humectant and protectant for your hair while adding high sheen and serious moisture.

Hydrolyzed proteins

Proteins that have been hydrolyzed just mean the chemical compound has been split into smaller units through the hydrolysis process. This makes them easier to be absorbed into the hair shaft. They increase hair’s ability to retain moisture and impart gloss to damaged hair.

Hydrolyzed Silk proteins

Derived from one of the strongest fibers in the world. Forms a crystalline protective barrier around hair strands and improves hair’s elasticity.

Ouidad Curl Recovery Ultra Nourishing Cleansing Oil is a nourishing cleansing oil envelopes the hair shaft to rebuild and protect it from damage and retain moisture and shine.

Hydrolyzed wheat proteins

A protein derived from whole wheat that is moisturizing and conditioning to hair.

Curlisto Repair Styling Cream is a leave-in conditioner that will add shine and softness while warding off breakage and dullness.

Hydrolyzed Soy proteins

Water soluble protein derived from soy that strengthens and mends the hair fiber while increasing the hair’s ability to hold moisture. It will add shine and smooth out the hair shaft.

U R Curly Tight Curl Enhancer will rejuvenate your curls, coils and waves with this alcohol-free, rich with glycerin and soy protein curl enhancer that will work hard at conditioning your hair.