I Washed My Hair With CBD Shampoo and Conditioner and It’s Never Been Softer

Photo: Getty/ Christopher Robbins
I have curly, color-treated hair, which means that finding products that properly nourish my strands is usually a struggle. I've tried countless combinations of oils, serums, and sprays to mixed results, and can never quite get my hair to look as healthy and hydrated as I'd like. After replacing pretty much every other aspect of my beauty and wellness routines with CBD products over the last few months (seriously—is there anything this stuff can't do?), it was only a matter of time before CBD made its way into my hair-care rotation.

While I'm intimately familiar with the way CBD works with skin (its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help with everything from acne and rosacea to muscle soreness, which is why it's become so overwhelmingly popular as of late), I wasn't totally sure how these properties would translate to hair care. "CBD integrates naturally with the body’s endocannabinoid system which helps to regulate dry hair and scalp conditions, among other functions," explains Jennifer Negron, a Florida-based stylist and international educator who works with EMERA, a new brand that offers CBD hair-care products.

According to her, CBD oil contains all 20 known amino acids, and is rich in vitamins including A, B, C, D, E, magnesium, potassium, and essential fatty acids like omegas 3, 6, and 9. "These powerful nutrients improve moisture retention, help form collagen, which nourishes and strengthens scalp tissue, and improves hair elasticity and strength, and allows hair follicles to expand faster, encouraging healthy hair growth," she explains. "Overall, CBD in hair care helps improve the integrity of hair, while adding moisture, shine, smoothness and silkiness." Well, sign me up!

I washed my hair with the EMERA Nourishing CBD Shampoo and Conditioner (each, $25), which both had a mint-meets-eucalyptus scent that immediately relaxed me and made it feel like I was showering in a spa. The shampoo offered up a surprisingly satisfying lather, and the conditioner slipped easily through my strands—two things that I've admittedly struggled to find with natural hair-care products. In addition to CBD, the shampoo and conditioner combo is made with avocado, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils to up the hydration factor.

I went through the motions of heat styling, and was immediately taken aback by how soft my hair felt—I could seamlessly run my fingers through it, which is no easy feat with curls like mine. My highlights, which have been fading fast since I got them done two months ago, looked particularly bright, which was likely thanks to the lemongrass that's infused into the products. When I went out that night (for the first time in f-o-r-e-v-e-r, because, #JOMO), I was seriously feelin' myself.

The most noteworthy thing I discovered about the products, though, is that they have serious staying power. I'm currently on day three of my CBD hair (don't you dare judge me), and it still looks—and, weirdly, smells—freshly washed. I haven't had to use a single spritz of dry shampoo, which is a definite first for me.

While I loved the CBD products for my thick, coarse hair, Negron notes that the ingredient can really work for anyone. "The collagen in CBD plumps up the hair diameter, giving hair a thicker, fuller appearance," she explains. " It's also great for dry, brittle hair because of its moisturizing benefits, but oily hair and scalp conditions can benefit as well, because the CBD soothes and nurtures the scalp, and stimulates healthy hair growth. "

While CBD is a fairly new addition to the hair-care ingredient game (only a few other brands including Prose, CBD Daily, and Eco Natural offer it), based on my personal experience with the stuff I have no doubt it will be a shower mainstay in no time.

Navigating the world of cannabinoid beauty can be complicated—here's what you need to know about the difference between "hemp" and "CBD." And one other amazing use for CBD oil in your beauty routine? On your feet

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