Hair Balm: Coconut Primrose

 What Is Your Hair Type?

In my youth, I had pin-straight hair and was envious of friends with wavy and curly hair. But those friends were jealous of my straight hair! Whether your hair type is straight, wavy, curly, coily, or somewhere in between, your locks are beautiful. 

In the same way that understanding your skin type is important for creating an effective skincare routine, determining your hair type can play a huge role in helping you to reach your hair goals.

Hair type has 4 major categories: straight hair (type 1), wavy hair (type 2), curly hair (type 3), and coily hair (type 4). These 4 types of hair are further categorized into A, B, and C subtypes creating 12 total categories.

The best way to determine your hair type is to see your hair in its natural state. By simply looking at your hair you can recognize some obvious characteristics. The next time you wash your hair, allow it to air-dry without any styling or hair products. This will help you to define the natural shape or pattern (texture) of your hair. For example:

• If your hair dries straight without a bend or curl, then you have straight hair (type 1).
• If your hair dries with a slight curve or “S” shape, then you have wavy hair (type 2).
• If your hair dries with a defined curl, then you have curly hair (type 3). This type of curly hair has springy ringlets or corkscrew curl patterns, but is not as dense as coily hair.
• If, as your hair dries, it shrinks to form tight curls or dense spirals, then you have coily hair (type 4), which is often called a "natural" hair type. This hair type is more fragile and prone to breakage than others, requiring a more specialized hair care routine.

It is important to remember that most people do not have just one type of hair. They often have two different hair textures on various parts of their head.

Each of these hair textures will need special care and attention to enhance its natural best characteristics. Also, even though two people share the same natural wave, it does not mean they possess the same exact hair type. You are unique!

Hair Density vs. Hair Texture: Not the Same Thing

The terms "thick hair" and "thin hair " can be confusing. You can have dense fine hair — meaning lots of thin strands packed together — or coarse hair that’s sparse — fewer thick strands spread farther apart.

Hair Texture: The Thickness of Each Strand

The texture of your hair is determined by the thickness or diameter of an individual hair strand. There are 3 basic categories:

• Thin or fine
• Medium
• Thick or coarse

To determine your hair texture, use a single strand of hair and compare it to the size of a piece of typical sewing thread.

• Fine hair is thinner than a thread
• Medium hair is similar in width
• Coarse hair is wider.

Thin hair does not style very easily. Medium hair is relatively easy to style and can hold curls for a longer time period. Thicker strands are very easy to curl, but because they are less pliable, they can be difficult to style or hold their shape.

Texture is what determines how your hair feels between your fingers and how it responds to moisture and styling.

Hair Density: How Much Hair You Have on Your Scalp

Hair density is the number of hair strands per square inch of your scalp.

• Low density: Fewer hair follicles per inch — the scalp may show through.
• Medium density: Moderate coverage with a little scalp visibility.
• High density: Many strands growing close together — hair looks full and voluminous.

Density affects how hair looks overall, how hair will react to certain products, and how well it will hold different hairstyles. People with low-density hair often do better with lightweight products, while high-density hair may need richer formulas to coat every strand.

What Is Hair Porosity?

Porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb moisture as well as hair products. You can easily determine the porosity of your hair with a simple experiment.

• Place a single strand of hair into a bowl of water.
• Does the strand sink to the bottom? If yes, it has high porosity, which means it is soaking up a lot of moisture due to gaps or tears around the cuticle..
• Does the strand sink, but only a bit? If yes, your hair is absorbing just enough moisture to keep it healthy and well-balanced.
• Does the strand float above the surface of the water? If yes, your hair has low porosity, which means it does not absorb moisture easily.

It seems like hair with high porosity would be well hydrated all the time since it can easily absorb moisture easily. However, due to the gap areas around the cuticle, the hair also loses moisture very easily, which can result in hair that is dry, brittle, frizzy, and prone to breakage.

On the other hand, that flattened cuticles of hair with a low porosity actually blocks moisture from being absorbed into the strands. Since hair care products are not readily absorbed, product buildup on hair strands is often a problem. Hair care products should be applied sparingly while hair is still damp so product is more easily absorbed and distributed.

To keep your hair healthy and nourished, it is important to develop a haircare routine that includes proper hydration. Knowing your hair type is crucial, as it helps you choose the right products for straight, wavy, curly, or coily/kinky hair.

How To Use Chagrin Valley Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Concentrate

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is well known in natural hair care for its gentle acidity. When properly diluted, it can help balance scalp oil, remove buildup, and restore shine and body to the hair. ACV works by smoothing the hair cuticle, which can help reduce frizz and improve manageability.

ACV Dilution Guidelines

Because our rinse is a true concentrated vinegar infusion, it must be diluted with water before use.

A gentle starting dilution is about 2–4 tablespoons of vinegar per 16 ounces (2 cups) of water. This range works well for most hair types and provides a good balance of effectiveness and comfort.

Suggested starting dilutions per 16 oz or 2 cups of water:

• Very sensitive scalp or first-time users: 1 tablespoon ACV
• Mild rinse: 2 tablespoons ACV
• Normal maintenance rinse: 3–4 tablespoons ACV
• Oily hair or heavy product buildup: up to 5–6 tablespoons ACV

Start mild and gradually increase the strength until you find the balance that works best for your hair and scalp.

Directions for a Whole Head Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Never use undiluted vinegar on your hair.
Our rinse is pure ACV and must always be diluted. Undiluted vinegar can be too harsh for the hair and scalp and may cause irritation or dryness.

Organic, raw, unpasteurized vinegar appears cloudy and may contain sediment at the bottom. This is the “mother,” a natural component containing beneficial enzymes and nutrients.

• Shake the ACV concentrate before use.
• Add 16 ounces of warm water to a squeeze bottle, spray bottle, or measuring cup.*
• Add the proper amount of vinegar concentrate based on your hair type and mix.*
• After shampooing, pour or spray the rinse through wet hair.
• Avoid contact with the eyes.
• Massage gently into the hair and scalp, paying attention to the ends.
• Allow the rinse to sit for a couple of minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with cool water to help smooth the hair cuticle.**
• Towel dry.

The vinegar scent will fade as the hair dries.

For long, thick hair, the recipe can be doubled.
For short, fine hair, the recipe can be halved.

Container Type:
Using a squeeze bottle or spray bottle requires much less ACV rinse than pouring the mixture over your head from a measuring cup. A premixed vinegar solution will last about one week without refrigeration.

To Rinse or Not To Rinse:
Some people find that leaving a small amount of ACV rinse in their hair improves conditioning and detangling. Since ACV is acidic, you will need to experiment to determine what works best for your hair and scalp.

If you have very sensitive skin or are simply trying a new product for the first time, we always recommend doing a patch test.

For external use only. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Best if used within 9 months of opening. 

Common Questions About ACV Hair Rinses

Is an ACV Rinse Safe for My Hair?

When properly diluted, apple cider vinegar is generally safe for most hair types. It can be particularly helpful for those experiencing product buildup from oils, styling products, or frequent use of dry shampoo.

How Often Can I Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse?

Hair needs vary widely. You may need to experiment with both dilution and frequency to find what works best for your hair type. As a general guideline:

• Dry hair often prefers weaker dilutions and less frequent use
• Oily hair may tolerate stronger dilutions and more frequent rinsing

Do I Still Need To Use Conditioner?

There is no universal answer. Some people find that ACV rinses provide enough smoothing and detangling on their own. Others prefer to apply conditioner lightly to the ends of the hair. Experiment to see what works best for your hair.

Are Vinegar Rinses Safe For Color-Treated Hair?

Opinions vary widely. Some believe vinegar may remove small amounts of color due to its acidity, while others feel that smoothing the cuticle may help preserve color.

We recommend doing a strand test on a hidden section of hair before regular use.

A Natural Addition to Your Hair Care Routine

An apple cider vinegar hair rinse can be a wonderful addition to many hair care routines when used properly. It is especially helpful for those who use Natural Shampoo Bars, helping remove residue and leave hair feeling light and refreshed.

Support the health and beauty of your hair with natural shampoo bars and an ACV rinse—and your hair will shine with thanks.

🍎 Explore & Learn More: Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Benefits & How to Use Them

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve is a USDA Certified Organic Company

The most important consideration in any business is its customers. Today's world of misleading claims, false advertising, and simple deception, often leaves consumers trying to discover the truth about personal products and their ingredients.

• We want our customers to know that we are committed to transparency in everything we do.
• We want our customers to know that when we say "organic," we mean it.
• We believe that in becoming a USDA Certified Organic company, our customers do not have to wonder if we really use certified organic ingredients or if our organic products are truly organic.
• So we choose to be a certified organic company and abide by the strict standards required for organic certification.

Some of my favorite products are made with ingredients that just do not exist as certified organic. Why? At this time there are no standards created for ingredients specifically used in the personal care product industry. Organic certification of personal care products is based on the organic food standards set by the National Organic Program of the USDA.

But since we are a certified organic company, we are required to submit documentation that even our "non-organic ingredients" were produced without the use of toxic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge, or irradiation.

Why Did We Become a Certified Organic Company?

What Do All of the Organic Labels Mean?

Organic Soap Labeling

Why Do Some Products Melt in Warm Weather?

We do not use synthetic stabilizers or waxes, so our delicate natural products packaged in glass jars and metal tins are sensitive to temperature changes.

While shipping during warm weather seasons presents a real challenge to our natural skin care company, we accept the challenge in order to maintain our standard of natural and nourishing skin care. We hope you agree.

During warm weather, products may soften or even melt as they sit in warm mail trucks, mailboxes, or on front porches.

The quality and healing properties of our products are not affected by melting.

On very sunny or warm days, BEFORE opening the jars or tins, place the items in your refrigerator for a few hours to allow them to harden, just in case they have melted in transit. If you open items, especially those in tins, to check if melting has occurred, they may spill and make a mess!

What To Do About Melting

Cream Deodorants

If you think that your balm-like deodorant is melted or runny, BEFORE opening the jar, pop it in the freezer for 10 - 15 minutes. As it begins to harden give it a stir (so that the solids do not sink to the bottom) and place it back in the freezer until firm!

Sometimes a cream deodorant can melt during warm transit and then slowly re-solidify before you receive it. This melting and slow cooling can result in a grainy feeling. If your deodorant feels grainy, simply melt it, mix thoroughly, and place it in the refrigerator until solid.

Since the stick deodorant are made with more beeswax, they are less sensitive to an increase in outside temperature.

Whipped Body Butters

Place a melted body butter in the refrigerator until firm.

Our hand-whipped process adds tiny air bubbles that increase the volume, just like whipping cream. If a whipped product melts, the air bubbles collapse and the volume is decreased.

So, although the jar was filled to the top initially, there will be less volume in the container (since it has deflated) and the container may actually look half full.

After cooling a melted Whipped Butter will be the consistency of our body balm and is still a great moisturizer.

Sugar Scrubs

If a Sugar Scrub melts, the oil may separate out a bit. Give it a good mix and place it in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes. As it begins to harden up give it another stir to disperse the sugars and place it back in the refrigerator. Once it's solidified and mixed it will be great to use! Again because it is a whipped product, the container may have less volume when the whipped butters melt.

Read more about melting products and what to do in our blog "Natural Skin Care Products Melt In Hot Weather."