To consider using grown up stuff on my kid?

[Raadi]

My 10 year old daughter’s hair seems to be like straw the minute... very dry. I was looking at hair products in Superdrug the other day and was considering getting her some stuff that seemed more geared towards adults. Before I do that, is there any reason why I shouldn’t? Or do you guys have any advice for any products I should buy? (For the record, her diet and water consumption is pretty good).

If she's over 3 years old with no allergies, then you can use anything on the market. Is it curly hair? Curly hair is prone to dryness. I'd opt for something natural since her skin and hair are different from adult skin and hair. I'm a formulator and I work with cosmetic chemists. I've also got a house full of people with all kinds of curly (dry) hair. Dryness is caused by unbalanced sebum (oil) in scalp and hair follicles. Made worse by air pollution, hard water, swimming, towels and hats, etc etc. . . Try using a plain or blended oil (argan, sesame, camellia are all great - you can find these on eBay or Amazon, not in most high street shops) in scalp and hair 2x per week. Slick back in ponytail and leave on for a few hours before "washing." I'd recommend a conditioner rinse rather than any shampoo. Hair will rebalance over a period of a few weeks.

Oh wow! Thank you so much for all of these replies. Her hair is mostly straight with a wave. I am off to buy the three minute miracle today! (With shower cap!) Great advice x

DC has curly hair, which I know needs a trim, and is 5. We’ve started to use Moroccan hair oil over the past few weeks on their hair as it makes it more manageable, and the curls defined but not greasy. I think it’s all trial and error when you’re looking after a texture different to your own.

Our hairdresser advised me to start using an adult conditioner for my six year old son’s dry hair. We just use a lower chemical type.

Try ditching the shampoo completely.
Just wash hair using conditioner - there is plenty enough surfactant in conditioners to cut through any dirt & grease.

Aussie Miracle Moist range is excellent. Shampoo and then their three minute miracle conditioner afterwards. I use that once a week and then their normal conditioner every other time.

The Aussie Miracle Oils are miraculous I am always getting compliments on my hair nowadays and that is the thing I have changed and use it after every wash - around £10 although often on offer so check mysupermarket.com for comparisons - but you don't need much at all so lasts months

I gave up on the kiddy stuff when dd was about 5 or so. Brushing her hair was an absolute ordeal and it just wasn’t cutting the mustard.
I use L’Oréal Extraordinary Oil shampoo and conditioner and it is a whole world of better. It smells heavenly as well.

Try argan oil, put it in after washing and wrap in a turban towel and sleep with it in over night.

Thanks again, all. Kateemo, just reread your post ... some fantastic advice in particular there . Thank you so much for that .

There is a difference in baby and adult products. I think parabens (can’t remember exactly but did research it years ago) are banned in products for babies. Interestingly they are banned for adults too in some more progressive countries but the UK thinks it’s still fine to use known carcinogens on adults, just not kids. Might not have the chemicals correct but I am sure that there IS a difference between baby and adult shampoo.

I've always used my shampoo and conditioner on my daughters hair.

They’re the same, if you read the back of johnsons baby shampoo v dove men/body/hair/face there is very little difference.

Don't use shampoo with curly hair unless there's a specific need (e.g. got mud or paint in it; had a particularly sweaty day).

Let water rinse it for 1-2 minutes. Put in conditioner. You can get something general like Pantene; if you can't find the curl or repair version, the color protect version is also very moisturising. Rinse thoroughly. While hair is still wet, add a product like Deva Curl Supercream, work from root to scalp.

Garnier hair food is v good, can use as a mask or normal conditioner or leave in. I like the banana one

SimonJT, the ingredients list may look the same but the formulations in terms of concentrations, ratios and quality of ingredients may differ.

My 9 year old uses the same shampoo, conditioner, body wash and toothpaste as me. She also has her own hair product to use before blow drying as she has very fine hair that gets tangled/matted very easily. I just use it on the lower half so nowhere near her skin.

I've got long thick curly hair and have had pretty much all of my life. I used to scream blue murder when my mum was brushing it after the bath until my gran bought me adult shampoo and conditioner when I was about 5 or 6, much better for tangles. Curly girl method doesn't work for me (not using shampoo) I persisted for months and it made my hair look awful and dull. Aussie products are good, Garnier hair food works well as a mask, but I generally use a lush shampoo bar

I've used adult shampoo on ds 5 hair since he was around 2,no problems

I use my friendly soap shampoo bars on DD who is 3 and her hair is amazing now. Since using them it's become longer, smoother and doesn't need washing as often.

The transition period wasn't quite so easy for me!

The child/baby shampoo is really mild and has the same pH as eyes so it doesn't sting. That's the only difference. My two were on adult shampoo from about age 4/5

I’ve used Aussie on my DD’s hair since they were about 3/4. Absolutely fine and makes it lovely and soft. Child shampoos and conditioners are often a gimmick.

I never used baby products

Does she swim? That's what dried my DS's hair out, not wearing a swim cap or rinsing it out straight after.

Garner have some new conditioning masks that are really nice, the banana one smells lovely. Big tubs for about £7 usually, on offer in tesco at the moment for £3.50.

Don't think I ever used baby shampoo on mine