Of all the categories of beauty products out there, hair is arguably one of the most important. You only have one head of hair, and when things start to go awry, it can be difficult to restore the health of your hair. This is why it’s so important to pay attention to the ingredients in your hair products. Doing so will not only help you get gorgeous hair but help you maintain the integrity and health of your hair as well.

If you feel overwhelmed by the number of products available for purchase, you’re probably not alone. There are so many options to choose from, and it can be confusing. Here are five tips for buying the right hair products if you want healthy, beautiful hair.

Buy Based On Your Needs and Hair Goals

Before shopping for new products, you have to understand your hair type. If you have thick, frizzy hair, your needs and goals will be different than someone with thin hair, for example. Someone with thick hair might be best off purchasing hydrating shampoo and conditioner along with defrizzing products. On the other hand, someone with thin hair might benefit from a thickening shampoo and conditioner or perhaps even a hair loss treatment.

Every hair type is different and each person is going to have different hair concerns. This impacts the products that you purchase. While one person may need to restore the health of damaged hair, another person may want to buy volumizing products. Assess your hair needs and hair goals before you shop for products so that you know what you’re looking for.

Look For Natural, Nourishing Ingredients

After determining your hair type and goals, it’s time to hunt down the right products for you. While shopping, you might notice the countless products that are available for purchase. Even if you’ve narrowed it down based on your hair type, there can still be an overwhelming number of options. This is when it becomes important to look at the ingredients.

Using products with bad ingredients can have disastrous consequences. But, when using products with quality ingredients, you’ll notice a huge difference in the way your hair looks and feels. Look for products with natural ingredients like coconut oil, honey, and aloe vera. The biggest ingredients to avoid are sulfates. Sulfates strip the hair of the natural oils that it needs to stay healthy. As a result, hair becomes brittle and frizzy. Sulfates can also fade the color of hair faster.

Make Sure it Fits in Your Routine

While some may struggle to find even one hair product they love, others may have the problem of overbuying. With so many new brands out there and fun, tempting packaging, it can be hard not to try everything. But beware — too many hair products can cause buildup and make styling more difficult.

When purchasing a hair product, make sure you understand the benefits and its exact purpose. Also, don’t buy something that you already have and don’t need. Think of every product that your hair routine needs; shampoo, conditioner, styling products, etc. From there, choose what works best for you and stick to it. Adding products to an already solid haircare routine is unnecessary and can hurt your hair more than it helps it.

Consider Your Scalp Type

Many people get so caught up focused on healthy hair that they forget about their scalp. The two go hand-in-hand because scalp health affects hair health. If you aren’t properly caring for your scalp, it can lead to numerous problems. Your hair products won’t be as effective, your hair may not grow, and you might acquire hair and scalp diseases.

Fortunately, there are many hair products available on the market that are good for both the hair and the scalp. This way, you can kill two birds with one stone. However, if you feel that your scalp is extremely dry and itchy, it may be worth investing in a scalp treatment. These products are specially formulated to hydrate and soothe dry, itchy scalps.

Purchase High-Quality Hot Tools

When it comes to hair products, what you put in your hair isn’t the only thing to consider. Styling tools such as blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons are also part of the mix. When searching for hot tools, there are a few things to consider. A few of the most important factors to look at are temperature, size, and material.

Look for a styling tool that has many different heat settings. If you aren’t able to control the temperature of the tool, those with brittle hair may end up damaging it further. Or, worse, they may end up burning their hair off. Size is also important. Someone with long, thick hair may want a two inch barrel curling iron, whereas someone with thin hair may prefer a one inch barrel. Lastly, consider the material. Ceramic vs. titanium, for example, is important to consider. Ceramic is best for those with thin, fragile hair. Titanium tools are better for those with thick hair.

The health of your hair is not something that you should take lightly. Your hair is individual to you and requires unique treatment. What works for someone else may not be what works best for you. Once you find the right lineup of products, you’ll love the way your hair looks and feels. Start caring for your hair the right way, and you’ll see how healthy and beautiful it can be!