Hair Serum Causes Hair Stiffness

Question

I am making a hair root nourishing serum with the following ingredients:

1 [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%87/6891-biotinyl-ghk-1000ppm-biotinoyl-tripeptide-1-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%A1-%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2.html:2otlxmt6]Biotinyl-GHK (Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1)[/url:2otlxmt6]
2.[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/anti-pollution-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B0/1299-ectoin.html:2otlxmt6]Ectoin[/url:2otlxmt6]
3.[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0/705-n-acetyl-cysteine.html:2otlxmt6]N-Acetyl Cysteine[/url:2otlxmt6]
4 [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2/74-vitamin-b3-niacinamide-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B53.html:2otlxmt6]Safe B3[/url:2otlxmt6]
5 [url=https://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/anti-wrinkle/7362-bio-mineral-fermented.html:2otlxmt6]Bio Mineral[/url:2otlxmt6] (TM)
6 [url=https://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/distilled-infused-water/6916-rosemary-water-%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C.html:2otlxmt6]Rosemary Water[/url:2otlxmt6]
7.[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%80%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2/272-copper-peptide-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%8C-ghk-cu.html:2otlxmt6]Copper Peptide[/url:2otlxmt6] (GHK)
8.[url=https://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99/7473-menthol-water-soluble-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5-%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3.html:2otlxmt6]Menthol Water Soluble[/url:2otlxmt6]
9.sandal pentranol([url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/wood-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%89-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%89/2846-sandal-pentanol-sandalore.html:2otlxmt6]Sandalore[/url:2otlxmt6])
10 [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4/89-argan-oil-virgin-organic-%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%8C-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%84.html:2otlxmt6]Argan Oil[/url:2otlxmt6]
11 viscolam

After mixing and applying to the scalp and massaging, then letting it dry, the hair feels very rough and stiff. Why does this happen?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Hair Serum Causing Stiffness

The feeling of stiffness and roughness in your hair after using the serum is likely due to the ingredients forming a film on the hair shaft as the water evaporates. While this film can help deliver the active ingredients to the scalp and hair roots, it can also affect the texture of the hair itself, making it feel less soft and pliable.

Ingredients that can contribute to this feeling include:

Viscolam AT 100P: As a thickener and binder, it creates a structure in the serum. When applied to hair, it can leave a residue that feels stiff upon drying.
Water-soluble active ingredients: Ingredients like Biotinyl-GHK, Ectoin, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Safe B3 (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide), Bio Mineral, Copper Peptide, and Menthol Water Soluble are dissolved in the water phase. While beneficial for the scalp and roots, they can also contribute to the film on the hair.
Rosemary Water: While a natural ingredient, the dissolved components can also leave a slight residue.

Argan Oil and Sandal Pentanol (Sandalore) are oil-soluble and can provide some conditioning, but in a predominantly water-based formula thickened with Viscolam AT 100P, they might not be sufficient to counteract the stiffness caused by the film-forming components.

How to Improve Hair Feel

To make your hair feel softer and less stiff after using the serum, you can consider adding a hair conditioning agent to your formulation. These ingredients are designed to coat the hair shaft, reduce friction, and impart a smooth, soft feel.

Look for conditioning agents suitable for leave-on hair products. Some options include:

Water-soluble conditioning polymers: These can provide slip and softness without feeling heavy.
Certain emollients or esters: Specific oils or esters are known for their hair conditioning properties and can be incorporated carefully into the formula, potentially with the help of Viscolam AT 100P to ensure stability.

Adding a small amount of a suitable conditioning ingredient can significantly improve the sensory feel of the serum on the hair, making it feel much softer and less rough after drying, while still allowing the active ingredients like Biotinyl-GHK, Ectoin, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Safe B3, Bio Mineral, Copper Peptide, Sandal Pentanol, and the benefits of Argan Oil and Rosemary Water to reach the scalp and roots. You might need to experiment with the type and concentration of the conditioning agent to find the right balance for your desired texture.