The Zealous

The Zealous is a resource page for individuals who are particular with the products they use for their hair and scalp. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have strict regulations for cosmetic products, so it is up to the manufacturer and consumer to create, or select, products with "safe" ingredients. However, as a consumer, it is very possible to be unfamiliar with, or have no idea, which ingredients to look for. This page is dedicated to raising awareness and helping the consumer make informed decisions.

Black Women for Wellness

According to Black Women for Wellness, black women are overexposed and under protected in the world of beauty. They go on to say that black women are sold products with ingredients that are harmful to our reproductive and respiratory health. Their Wellness Beauty Justice Initiative is dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of black women and girls. They advocate for regulating harmful chemicals in beauty products and empower individuals to make informed decisions. To learn more about the resources they offer and the information they share, visit www.bwwla.org.

Cellphone Apps

Did you know that there are apps in your App Store to help you make informed decisions about what you use and consume? Although there are several to choose from, these are two that I personally recommend:

Think Dirty - This app is designed to understand labels and the ingredients in the products you use. Essentially, they help you decode ingredients to make safer choices by teaching you about potentially toxic ingredients in your skincare and cosmetic products. All you do is scan the barcode of the product(s) you use, or are considering purchasing, and Think Dirty will instantly deliver an easy-to-understand product rating and ingredients analysis.
Yuka - While Think Dirty solely focuses on your skincare and beauty products, Yuka is an app that focuses on skincare, beauty, AND the foods that you consume. It's no secret the role food plays in the health of our hair and scalp. Yuka helps you make informed decisions on the foods we consume and teaches you about potentially harmful ingredients in them. Similar to Think Dirty, all you do is scan the barcode of the product(s) you use, or are considering purchasing, and Think Dirty will instantly deliver an easy-to-understand product rating and ingredients analysis.

Extensions

Extensions, whether synthetic or human, play an important role is the aesthetic of beauty for black women.

Other Factors

There are several factors, that affect the health of your hair and scalp that should be taken into consideration in addition to the resources mentioned above.

Diet
Stress
Medications