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My son is 15 months old now, but I remember postpartum hair loss like it was yesterday. So. Much. Hair. In our shower drain. In the bathroom sink. Zapped off our living room carpet every time we vacuumed. Plus, after birth, my once shiny mane looked dull for weeks, and it was dry and brittle, to boot. While not many people talk about postpartum hair loss and texture changes, I’ve learned it’s actually super common.
Over the months that followed welcoming our newborn, I cycled through countless hair masks, shampoos, conditioners and serums. None were really moving the needle in the right direction (ahem, saving me from pulling balls of hair out of every drain in my apartment) – and then I randomly saw an ad for California Naturals Super Moisture Shampoo. Clocking in at only $12.38 for a sizable 20-ounce jug, it’s made a huge difference. I’m so glad I added it to my cart.
We like
- Works quickly
- Great price point
- Free of sulfates, parabens and other icky ingredients
- Smells amazing
- Fun packaging
- Large format so lasts for months
We don't like
- Doesn’t have biotin, which some may benefit from for postpartum hair thinning
- May not be suitable for all hair types
- Pump mechanisms aren’t for everyone
What My postpartum Hair Changes Were Really Like
When you have a new baby, you spend a lot of time crying. Happy tears. Sad tears. Have I watched this episode of “90 Day Fiancé” nine times already? tears. Carving out 10 precious minutes for a luxuriant shower might be some of the only solo time you have as a new mom. Needless to say, the tears flowed when I was a few days postpartum taking my first shower and noticed copious amounts of brown strands in our bath tub. Afterwards, I remember inspecting my scalp in the mirror as if it would reveal some great secret as to why all this hair was shedding. The answer, of course, was not in the mirror, but was driven by changing hormone levels that can lead to normal hair loss after giving birth. (As always, if you’re concerned that the postpartum hair loss or changes you’re experiencing aren't normal, consult with your primary care physician, OB-GYN, or another trusted healthcare professional.)
Someone would hug me to greet me hello, or my husband would kiss my forehead, and it seemed like dozens of strands of brown hair would just waft to the floor, our Dyson be damned. I knew I wasn’t alone in this experience — my bestie had given birth a few months prior and I recalled her cautionary tales of her hair falling out in clumps all too well — but that didn’t make it any easier to deal with on top of all the other rollercoaster of emotions, events and last-minute Target panic runs in my life (the Haakaa, who knew?).
On top of the postpartum hair loss, my mane-related struggles also concerned an especially dry scalp. It wasn’t flaky, per se, but it felt damaged, tight, and generally lackluster. I was dismayed to see my hair lose its shine, too, despite shampooing and conditioning daily. Since my hair was looking so dull, I even tried a fancy, mushroom-infused hair mask, but I honestly didn’t notice much of a difference. It wasn't until I tried California Naturals Super Moisture Shampoo that I finally started to see my hair regain the softness and healthy-looking shine I'd been missing.
Why California Naturals Super Moisture Shampoo Works So Well for Postpartum Hair
Let me preface this by saying I’m not someone who enjoys devoting countless hours each week to hair care. I’m a shampoo every day to every other day kind of gal, condition twice weekly, slap on a scalp exfoliation a few times a month, and call it a hair routine. I don’t use any mousses, sprays, or gels, and I rarely blow dry my hair.
Off the bat, I loved that California Naturals Super Moisture Shampoo in Summer Fig smells divine. As a new mom, your break from childcare with bath or shower time basically needs to feel like a spa session. This lightly scented formula teleported me to wherever it is in The Golden State that they grow the sweetest, most succulent figs and the smell alone instantly made me feel calmer.
But after trying at least half a dozen shampoos to address my postpartum hair woes, I was mostly delighted that after only two or three washing sessions, I saw a noticeable difference in my hair’s shine and strength. The hydrating, strengthening formula seemed to work wonders in bringing my hair back to life. Since postpartum hair is frequently drier and more prone to breakage due to hormone changes, I appreciated that California Naturals’ shampoo formula included a blend of ultra-hydrating ingredients, namely avocado oil, guava seed oil, and marula oil. (What’s marula oil, you ask? I did too. It’s a type of natural plant oil that hails from the kernels or nuts of the marula tree.) The shampoo also contains vitamin B5 (frequently called “panthenol” on shampoo labels), which seeps into the hair cuticle to add moisture and add volume.
What’s more, within a week or two of using the product, I wasn’t seeing my hair in tub drains and carpet corners, but instead, slicked back in a bouncy, full, shiny ponytail that made my heart sing. Worth noting: a shampoo won’t halt hormonally-driven postpartum hair loss, so this was likely a coincidence. That said, anything you can do to move the needle towards feeling like your hair growth cycle is closer to normal, I’ll take it. Unlike other shampoos I tried on my mad dash to hair salvation, I also was a fan of the fact that a small dollop of this shampoo goes a long way and it didn’t leave any greasy residue in your mane.
Created with 99% naturally derived ingredients, new moms will additionally like that the formula is sulfate-, paraben-, and sulfate-free, safe for color-treated hair, and made with food-grade fragrance, a non-toxic alternative to regular fragrance that is considered safe for use in products that may be ingested like toothpaste. Bonus: California Naturals is a woman-founded and led company, so you can feel good that your purchase supports such a business, that also happens to be a certified B Corp.
Two Bonus Products I Used to Restore My Postpartum Locks
We like
We don't like
Along with California Naturals Super Moisture Shampoo, I’d be remiss if I didn’t let you in on two more secrets that transformed my hair. First up, Epres Healthy Hair Conditioner ($90). While on the pricey side, and I can’t say it smells great, using this product just once or twice a week gave my hair a much-needed boost of extra shine. You can rinse it out or leave it in (I rinse out), and I firmly agree with one satisfied Amazon customer who quipped “This saved my hair!”
Then, about six months ago, I started integrating Laced Hair Care’s Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo ($46) into my routine. The peppermint scent reinvigorates me no matter the hour, and I love the soothing ritual of giving yourself a mini scalp massage as the exfoliating crystals (beads?) go to town on your head. The shampoo is sulfate- and paraben-free and keeps my scalp happy and healthy. You could probably pair this with LHC’s Conditioning Masque, but I find the shampoo coupled with the aforementioned hair conditioner pair wonderfully together, so if it ain't broke…
Parting Thoughts
I’ve been using California Naturals for about a year now and have no plans on changing that anytime soon. My hair looks as shiny as ever and my naturally straight-wavy hair is thick and full as can be. I also credit this shampoo with reducing mechanical breakage that occurs during brushing or pulling your hair into an updo since it works to strengthen your cuticle for strong, resilient hair.
Considering the dizzying amount of hair products there are on the market, just do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this effective, affordable elixir I only wish I knew about sooner. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to click reorder on my Amazon cart — my husband’s started using it, too.
Show your hair some serious love with California Naturals.
