Does your curly hair need protein or moisture? Or both? Protein and Moisture for Dummies
If you've been taking care of your curls or waves for a while, you've probably heard of protein and moisture. But what do these terms actually mean, and how do you know what your hair needs? In this article, I’ll explain it as simply as possible, without using complicated terms.
What is moisture?
"Moisture" literally means water, but when we talk about hair care, we actually mean "conditioning": products that make your hair soft and supple. Think of conditioners, nourishing hair masks, and leave-in treatments. These products make your hair easy to detangle, soft to the touch, and less prone to frizz.
But keep in mind: more moisture isn't always better. Especially if you have wavy or curly hair.
What is protein?
Protein is the building block of your hair. Your hair consists mostly of keratin, a type of protein. If your hair is damaged by, for example, dyeing, bleaching, heat, or chemical straightening, the hair fibers become weakened. Protein products help strengthen that structure and restore your hair’s resilience.
Think of protein hair masks, protein boosters, or bond treatments like K18 and Olaplex.
What does your hair need?
This is where it gets confusing for many people. Your hair needs both protein and moisture, but in the right balance. Too much of one is just as problematic as too little.
Below, you'll learn how to identify what your hair needs right now.
Your hair needs more protein if:
Do your curls or waves lose their shape quickly after styling?
Your hair feels very soft but lacks bounce
Your hair is falling out or breaking a lot
Your hair no longer responds to hair care products
Your hair has been dyed, bleached, or chemically treated
Your hair needs more moisture (conditioning) if:
Your hair feels dry and stiff
Your hair is really frizzy
Your hair is hard to detangle
Your hair feels stiff or brittle after drying
How do you restore balance?
Many people think they just need to use more of one thing or the other to restore balance. But fortunately, that's not the case, and it's much easier to fix than you might think.
If you notice that your hair needs more protein or more moisture, the first thing you should do is: RESET. ALWAYS. Instead of making things worse by continuing to try to find the right balance, just wash your hair completely and start over. It’s much simpler, and you’re much more likely to get your curls back afterward.
How do you reset your hair? With a clarifying or detox shampoo. For my advice on which shampoo to use for this, read this blog.
After the reset, you can see and feel your hair without any products in it. That way, you can also better gauge whether you need more softness (moisture) or more bounce (protein). My rule of thumb is to always combine products with moisture and protein on your wash day. Read my blogs about care and styling for my product recommendations.
And that's really it. I'm not a scientist, and neither are most people, so let's not make caring for curly hair any harder than it is.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask them in the comments! :)
