How to Strengthen Your Hair Naturally

Strengthening your hair means caring for it in a way that helps preserve its elasticity, suppleness and natural resistance. In other words, it means taking steps to prevent and reduce breakage, which can hinder healthy hair growth and lead to uneven lengths.

Strong, elastic hair is healthy hair. Maintaining this elasticity is important for all hair types, from straight to coily. For textured hair in particular, it is essential for achieving well-defined, bouncy and springy curls.

Much of the hair's strength comes from the cortex, where the keratin fibres are found. This structural protein plays a vital role in maintaining the hair's strength and resilience. At the same time, it is equally important to care for the surface of the hair by replenishing its lipid layer with nourishing plant oils. This helps lubricate and protect the hair fibre from external aggressors. Well-lubricated hair is better able to retain its keratin, helping it stay stronger, smoother and naturally shinier.

Our hair is strong, but not invincible. Over time and depending on the treatments we subject it to, it can become fragile. Many seemingly harmless habits (at least at first glance) can damage it. This is the case with daily washing, overuse of hair dryers, colouring or bleaching, and excessive use of hair products—especially if they are unsuitable for your hair type.

This damage to the hair fibre usually begins with the stripping of the cuticle. The protective lipids that form a barrier around the hair (including ceramides and 18-MEA lipids) gradually disappear. It's as if the hair were left completely bare! Without its natural shield, it quickly becomes duller and drier, with the infamous straw-like effect.

The hair's keratin scales become eroded and separate, allowing various damaging factors to penetrate, like a wall with holes in it. These factors then reach the cortex, or the core of the hair. There, they threaten its strength by attacking its keratin fibre structure, in particular by breaking its bonds. At this stage, the lengths begin to break and the ends split.

Good to know: Very fragile and damaged hair may be beyond repair. Don't wait until it's too late to take action. Instead, try to strengthen your hair every day!

• Your hair seems devitalised. It has lost its softness and ability to reflect light. It seems to have thinned out, with split ends or rat tailing.

• Your hair lacks volume. This is probably because your hair is breaking or thinning towards the ends, causing an apparent loss of density.

• Your hair is difficult to style. It is knotty, very frizzy and breaks when styled. It may also tend to build up static electricity.

Precautions for this food supplement: Not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. For adults only. Keep out of reach of children. Not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have a personal or family history of breast cancer. Should be used in addition to a regular intake of fruit and vegetables to maintain carotenoid levels. Seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Take at a different time from any medication (at least 60 minutes apart). Do not take if you are currently on anticoagulant treatment. Avoid consuming more than 3 grams of added plant sterols/stanols per day. Patients undergoing cholesterol-lowering treatment should only take this product under medical supervision.

To find out more, check out our complete anti-breakage routine.

What Is the Best Strengthening Active Ingredient for Hair?

How to use: Add the strengthening active ingredients below to your homemade hair care recipes. If you prefer, you can also use them to personalise our neutral hair care bases.

Provitamin B5, also known as "Panthenol," beautifies and strengthens the hair from root to tip. It is particularly suitable for brittle, dull, and split hair. It gradually restores strength and shine without weighing the hair down or making it greasy.

Discover Provitamin B5

Phytokeratin is a 100% plant-derived active ingredient that “mimics” the natural structure of hair, which is composed of 95% keratin. Its strong affinity with the hair fibre allows it to help “repair” and strengthen the hair. It also boosts softness and shine.

Discover the Phytokeratin cosmetic active ingredient

Plant-derived ceramides are naturally present in the hair cuticle. They are key substances that help ensure the cohesion of the hair scales. Replenishing lipids and therefore protective, they help strengthen dry and damaged hair.

Discover the cosmetic active ingredient Plant-based ceramides

Keratin AA cosmetic active ingredient Ideal for damaged hair, the active Keratin AA helps restructure and strengthen the hair fibre, boosts hydration, and enhances hair shine. 100% natural origin and vegan, it is composed of amino acids derived from bio-fermentation, that replicate the amino acid profile of natural keratin. This tried and tested active ingredient can be used as an ingredient in your DIY hair care formulations.

Discover the Keratin AA cosmetic active ingredient

Oil baths to strengthen hair

How to use: These oils can be massaged into the scalp to help stimulate hair follicle activity. For best results, leave them on for 10 to 30 minutes before rinsing with a shampoo.

Chébé oil macerate: Inspired by an ancestral Chadian tradition, this macerate combines the benefits of castor oil and olive oil with those of chébé powder. This 100% natural

Discover Chebe Oil Macerate

Organic Rosemary oil macerate: Castor oil and sunflower oil are enriched here with active compounds extracted from rosemary leaves. This aromatic plant has properties that help tone and purify the scalp, particularly in cases of hair loss.

Discover Organic Rosemary Oil Macerate

Organic Fenugreek oil: This vegetable oil is a traditional ally for restoring strength and vitality to overworked hair. Used as an oil treatment, it is known to help stimulate hair growth and coat the hair fibre, while adding beautiful volume.

Discover Organic Fenugreek Oil

Fortifying and thickening plant powders

How to use: Plant powders can simply be used as a hair mask or poultice, mixed with a little water. They can also be used to make low-poo shampoos.

Organic Lalo powder: Rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins (all beneficial for strengthening hair), as well as mucilages with hydrating properties, it is often recommended for textured hair, helping to coat the hair fibre and define curls.

Discover Organic Lalo Powder Plant Extract

Kapoor Kachli powder: Rooted in Ayurvedic tradition, this powder is renowned for its powerful stimulating properties that support hair growth. It is also known to make hair appear thicker and shinier, while leaving a pleasant clean scent.

Discover Kapoor Kachli Powder

Dietary supplements to combat hair loss

How to use: Dietary supplements can be a useful way to support hair strength from within. Consider taking them during seasonal changes, periods of stress, or after childbirth, for example.

Keratin food supplement: These capsules contain Cynatine HNS®, a patented active ingredient with clinically proven efficacy. It helps improve hair strength, resilience, and shine, while reducing hair loss related to brushing. Dosage: 2 capsules per day at regular times, ideally for 3 months for optimal results.

Discover the Keratin dietary supplement

Enriched Brewer’s Yeast food supplement: Traditional brewer’s yeast, long recommended by our grandmothers, in an enriched version containing selenium-enriched yeast and B vitamins. Dosage: 1 to 2 capsules per day for at least 2 months, ideally continued for 3 months (the average duration of the hair growth cycle).

Discover the enriched brewer's yeast dietary supplement

1. Scalp massage: Gently massaging the scalp helps stimulate blood circulation, which can support healthy hair growth.

2. Avoid excessive heat: Limit the use of heated styling tools (hairdryers, straighteners, curling irons), or apply a heat protectant before use.

3. Brush hair correctly: Brushing too frequently can weaken the hair. It is recommended to use a gentle brush and detangle carefully, preferably when the hair is wet, using a wide-tooth comb.

4. Trim the ends regularly: Cutting split ends helps prevent breakage from travelling further up the hair shaft, supporting the growth of stronger, healthier-looking hair.

Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Always respect the recommended dosages. Please read the leaflet before use: some dietary supplements may not be suitable for your health condition. If in doubt, seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Be cautious when making homemade cosmetics or customising one of our neutral bases. Carefully follow the proportions recommended in our recipe sheets and customisation guides. Perform a patch test in the elbow crease before first use. Wait 48 hours to check for any skin reaction.

Nettle is one of the best-known traditional remedies for strengthening hair. This is because it contains a high amount of complete proteins, vitamins (notably vitamin C and provitamin A), minerals, and trace elements (including iron). All of these nutrients help support stronger and longer hair growth.A traditional hair lotion recipe suggests macerating 60 g of dried nettle rhizome and an equal amount of oregano in 1 L of alcohol for one month, then applying it as a scalp rub. Another option is nettle powder, which is convenient for creating a wide range of strengthening cosmetics or even dietary supplements.

Hélène Betoux is a French beauty journalist specialising in web media. Every day she writes tips, advice, and guides to help consumers choose the right beauty products. With a strong interest in natural, organic, and clean cosmetics, she analyses and shares trends and innovations in the sector.