My mother has coarse hair that is very dry, as is her scalp. She is looking for shampoos and conditioners that will help. I'm about as opposite in these respects as one can get, so I'm afraid I can't really help her find products that may work.

Mom is willing to try more "unusual" products; I have some soapwort coming in the mail, and in describing how it is used to wash she was open to the idea of in not sudsing and having to leave it on.

Right now I'd say my mother's hair is 2a-bCii. Hard to tell as she keeps it very short. She is experiencing a rather sudden hair loss and hopefully will address it with the doc at her next appointment, but would like to find something that can help with her desperately dry scalp and hair and maybe the hair loss. I will see how she feels about using EO massages for the hair loss, but I'm not too sure she would be very enthusiastic about adding yet another step to the S&C routine.

Any ideas?

Soap bars (the fave here seems to be Chagrin Valley), and a mild organic shampoo and conditioner would be my suggestions. She might also try aloe gel or juice; they are soothing and healing. Tea tree oil is also popular, but I haven't used it for the scalp, so I can't recommend based on personal experience. I have used it on skin conditions, it stings a bit, but is effective.

Maybe coconut oil or shea butter on the scalp? These are moisturizing and soothing.

What about CO washing? Or CWC?

If she's suffering from dryness, shampoo is probably going to make it worse, particularly if she's shampooing the whole length of her hair once or twice in every wash.

I don't know if my mother is quite ready to give up her shampoo yet, but CO might be worth talking to her about. Her hair is so short that I don't know if CWC would work, at least not the way I understand it. Even if she goes with CO, my problem is, she asked me for product recommendations and I'm thinking anything I would be able to knowledgeably endorse isn't going to have the moisture she needs. Right now she uses Pantene. She has used Avalon Organics (that's how I originally got into it... Mom gave it to me) but found it too drying. Just as an example of how opposite we are, *I* find the same shampoo almost doesn't have enough cleansing power. And that is why I am totally stumped when she asks me what she should use.

However, now that I think about it, I'm darned flattered that she would ask me! I must be doing something right (thanks to TLHC)

You might try ordering the wellnaturally.com base conditioners. I've been using them recently, and they're quite moisturizing. They also have relatively few ingredients, and no perfumes, which may be benificial if the skin of her scalp is getting irritated by some of the ingredients in the Pantene.

She could try mixing these into SMT, for extra moisture.

One thing I just remembered - at least a few people have reported increased hair loss when using Pantene:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=35525&highlight=Pantene+hair+loss

Another idea might be to add some honey to conditioners she finds good but not quite moisturizing enough, or to use aloe gel as a leave in.

She might try Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream, for shampoo, if she's willing to spend that much. I found it didn't irritate my CO-adapted scalp the way shampoo does these days.

I have Paula Begoun's most recent edition of her hair book, and will list some of her recommendations. I'm not listing the expensive ones, and you have to remember that you have to get the exact one she recommends, not another one in the line. They really vary from item to item. Also, you have to ignore how they're labelled, since that means little or nothing. And, of course, everyone will have a different reaction to each shampoo!

Conditioners first

Best Conditioners for Dry to Very Dry Hair that is Normal to Thick or Coarse that Cost $8 or less:

African Pride Instant Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion

bain de terre Cucumber Moisturizing Conditioner

Bath and Body Works Bio Straight & Sleek Condtioner, Relaxes Curls and Fights Frizz for a Smooth Shiny Finish

binge 2,500 Calorie, Intensive Conditioner

The Body Shop Brazil Nut Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment for Dry, Damaged & Chemically Treated Hair

Clairol Herbal Essences Intensive Blends Restoring Conditioning Balm

Goldwell Definition Dry & Porous Strengthening Treatment for Fine and Stressed Hair

got2b So Blonde Blonde Aid Intensive Hair Repair

JASON Natural Cosmetics Forest Essence Vital Conditioner

John Frieda Frizz Ease Glistening Creme, Defrizzing Conditioner, Extra Strength Formula

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner

Pantene Relaxed & Natural Intensive Moisturizing Conditioner

ProVitamin Special Effects Curls Up Conditioner

Queen Helene Placenta Cream Hair Conditioner with Panthenol

Best Leave-In Conditioners for Dry to Very Dry or Coarse Hair that Cost $8 or Less

Bath & Body Works Botanical Nutrients Leave-In Creme Conditioner, for Damaged or Color-Treated Hair

ion Color Solutions Color Defense Leave-In Protector

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Instnat Detangler with Weightless Conditioners, Formulated for All Shades of Fine, Thin Blondes

L'Oreal Nature's Therapy Heat Control Leave-In Protection Creme

Neutrogena Overnight Therapy Replenishing Treatment

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Cream

ProVitamin Special Effects Chunky Ends, Instant Split Ends Mender

Soft & Beautiful Oil Moisturizing Lotion

Soft Sheen Carson Care Free Curl Curl activator

Zero Frizz Smooth Ends Leave-In Conditioning Treatment

Now, since your mom is experiencing some hair loss, I thought using the volumizing shampoos might be useful, so those are the ones I copied.

Best Volumizing/Conditioning shampoos for Dry to Very Dry Hair That is Thick or Coarse that Cost $8 or Less

Beauty Without Cruelty Moisture Plus Shampoo, Benefits Dry/Treated Hair

ion Anti-Frizz Solutions Straightening Shampoo, Cleanser for Curly, Wavy, Frizzy Hair

John Frieda Frizz Ease Relax Total Clarity, Moisturizing Shampoo

L'Oreal Vive Curl-Moisture Shampoo, for Curly Hair

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Cream Lather Shampoo

Pantene Relaxed & Natrual Intensive Moisturizing Shampoo

I hope some of these smell good and seem to be possibilities.

Ursula, thank you for that link! I printed it off for Mom.

Zule, thanks for the info! I'm going to see which ones are locally available and get her something to replace the Pantene :)