Amla Oil: The Oil That Your Hair, Skin & Nails Need This Fall
Listen, I know we all say that Black doesn't crack. Still, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be proactive about maintaining our melanin on a regular basis. Personally, the older that I get, the more interested I've become in oils that come with a myriad of all-natural beauty benefits. And while sweet almond, grapeseed, avocado and rosemary are my personal faves, something that has been piquing my interest more and more is amla oil.
If you're not familiar, amla is another name for Indian Gooseberry which is a fruit that's super rich in vitamins C (antioxidants) and E (moisturizer and healer), tannins (which are astringents) and phytochemicals (which reduce the signs of aging). This combination is causing amla to become another top-tier oil for a myriad of reasons. So, let's take out a moment to explore just a few of them, so that you can treat yourself to some amla oil in the very near future.
How Amla Benefits Your Hair
It strengthens hair. When our hair is dry and brittle, that eventually leads to breakage. Thanks to the Vitamin E that's in amla oil, your hair can remain moisturized in between wash days. This is good to know during the colder seasons when sometimes hard winds and dips in humidity tend to take a real toll on your hair's cuticles and weaken them over time.
It slows aging down. As we get older, our hair ages like anything else. A sign of this is definitely going grey. This is another benefit that comes with alma oil. Because it has off-the-charts levels of Vitamin C and phytochemicals and those help to nourish hair follicles and prevent premature greying, this is another reason why you might want to give it a shot if you're starting to notice a white strand or two popping up (check out "This Is How To Naturally Treat Premature Greying" for other tips on this as well).
It's great for your scalp. If something that you struggle with is either dry scalp or scalp inflammation, this is just one more reason why amla oil can be really good for you. For one thing, it's got anti-inflammatory properties that can help to bring your scalp some real relief. Another thing that's cool about amla oil is it's able to regulate how much sebum your scalp produces. As a bonus, the tannins in amla have astringent compounds in them that can help to keep dandruff at bay too.
Amla Oil Hair Hack: If you've never pre-pooed before, it's basically a process that consists of applying oil to your hair before shampooing it in order to make your hair easier to detangle while preventing your shampoo from removing some of the natural oils that your hair needs in order to remain soft and moisturized after cleansing it. Using amla as your pre-poo is awesome. Just apply it to your unwashed damp hair, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then shampoo and condition as usual. You should notice immediate results by doing this.
How Amla Benefits Your Skin
It contains anti-aging properties. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen which can lead to sagging skin along with fine lines and wrinkles. The antioxidants and phytochemicals in amla are amazing at stimulating the production of collagen so that your skin remains youthful looking for a longer period of time. Also, since Vitamin C is able to reduce hyperpigmentation as it protects skin from UV damage, you can be confident that amla is working to be a "shield" for your skin, every time that you use it.
It exfoliates. Something else that Vitamin C has in it is ascorbic acid. This is great to know because it can help to remove old and dead cells from your skin so that your skin appears healthier and more radiant-looking. Skin is definitely better off when you exfoliate it 2-3 times per week.
It deep conditions. If your skin has a rough texture, it itches or, when you pinch your skin (like your cheek or the back of your hand), it doesn't snap right back, these are signs of dry skin and possible dehydration. Amla oil is great for this as well because it contains highly hydrating properties.
Amla Oil Skin Hack: One of the best ways to apply amla oil to your skin is to use it as a "sealant" after you get out of the shower (check out "How To Turn Your Showers Into A Tranquil DIY Spa") or bath (check out "Did You Know There's A Right & A Wrong Way To Take A Bath?"). That way, the oil can deeply penetrate and provide you with benefits for hours on end.
How Amla Benefits Your Nails
It softens your cuticles. I don't know about you, but I absolutely loathe hangnails. Well, did you know that one of the main causes of them is dry skin around your cuticles? By rubbing some amla oil directly onto your cuticles, no less than three times a week, you are helping to soften and seal your cuticles so that your cuticles don't peel and hangnails don't occur.
It has antifungal properties. If for whatever reason, your nails are prone to fungal infections, some more good news about amla oil is it's got potent compounds that help to reduce bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. I've even read that some people use it as a supplemental remedy for yeast infections.
It helps them grow. When nails are well-hydrated and there are no infections around or in them, of course, they are able to flourish. By mixing amla with myrrh oil (which also deeply moisturizes cuticles and strengthens the nail bed), you are well on your way to having long, stronger, and healthier nails, no doubt.
Amla Oil Nail Hack: If you're someone who gets your nails professionally done, make sure to apply a few drops of amla oil to your nails and cuticles before your appointment. Again, it will help to soften your cuticles while also protecting your nails, especially if your appointments consist of drilling, filing, or applying nail tips or gel polish.
How to Find the Best Amla Oil for You
If all of this just gassed you up to get a bottle of amla oil, quick, fast and in a super hurry, just keep in mind that not all amlas are created equal. Make sure that whatever brand you go with is free of synthetic fragrances and preservatives and that if you decide to buy it online you go with a brand that comes highly reviewed. Oh, and if the oil happens to be mixed with other oils (which is semi-common), settle for nothing less than the kinds that are organic and cold-pressed.
If you're so new to amla oil that you'd like some assistance in selecting a brand that is just right for you, the site Beautified Designs published a list of 15 different ones. You can check it out here. Here's to a fall season of unbelievably soft and radiant hair, skin, and nails, sis. Enjoy!
Featured image by Getty Images
Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Exclusive: Koryn Hawthorne On Her Miraculous Love Story: ‘I Was Never A Girlfriend’
Gospel singer Koryn Hawthorne has used her voice to let the world know about what God can do, and now the Season 8 finalist of NBC’s The Voice is sharing a miraculous act that led to her engagement.
The Praise This actress shared in an interview with xoNecole that prior to becoming engaged to her partner, Hunter Register, she passed over one particular title on her way to becoming a fiancée.
“I was never a girlfriend,” Hawthorn, 26, tells xoNecole.
“We've known each other since we were kids, so we just kind of always had this distant friendship. We would hit each other up on social media, and [I] slide up under things that he was posting,” she says. “We ended up hanging out together, and when we hung out, it was an instant immediate connection from all fronts. I think we just knew from the first day that I don't want to spend a day apart from you.”
Koryn Hawthorne On Her Miraculous Love Story, New Album, & More
She continued, "And yeah, we probably were boyfriend or girlfriend after — am I delusional? Then we were engaged a few months later.”
The Grammy-nominated singer, who became engaged in November of 2023, went on to share what her experience has been preparing to become a wife, exploring the personal growth, challenges, and emotions experienced throughout the process.
“It's a journey, I'm not gonna lie,” she says. “Relationships, in general, are hard, and whenever you think about marriage, is just different from being boyfriend and girlfriend because if you piss me off, I could just go,” she shared. “But marriage is an actual commitment. It's a partnership. It's a ministry.”
Hawthorne, 26, and Register, 27, were childhood friends growing up in Louisiana and sealed their love during a weekend getaway in New Orleans last fall.
For the gospel star, marriage involves more than lovely-dovey aspects, emphasizing how her relationship has allowed her to grow, mature, and learn valuable lessons through love.
“We were supposed to get married in May, but like for us to be mature enough to be like, ‘You know what? No, let's take the necessary time to make sure that we're fully prepared for this commitment such a beautiful thing,” Hawthorne reflected.
“It's a learning curve for sure, but our preparation for marriage would have been the only thing that brought this out of me. It's hard and it's scary at times, but it's God's purpose and His plan for our lives.”
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Featured image by Dia DipasupilGetty Images
