Yucca Extract is Nature’s Best Natural Cleanser—Here’s How to Use it in Your Hair Routine

First, what exactly is yucca?

Yucca is a plant that is native to Mexico and found in warmer regions of the southwestern United States—not to be confused with yuca, the starchy, edible tuber of the cassava plant. This plant has been a natural skincare essential in the Native American community for generations thanks to its ability to turn into a natural soap (hence its nickname "soap root").

Here's how it works: When yucca leaves and yucca roots are smashed, the liquid excreted contains a high amount of saponins, natural surfactants as well as natural antiseptic properties. These effectively replace the sulfates and harsh chemicals found in traditional shampoos. It's a totally all-natural option that not only thoroughly cleanses the hair but also offers a variety of impressive benefits for your strands.

Benefits of Yucca for Hair

Aside from acting as a natural cleanser, getting rid of dirt, build-up, and grime, yucca shampoo has a number of other benefits for those luscious locks.

1. It can reduce inflammation.

Suffering from irritations like dandruff or psoriasis that may be be causing itchiness? Research has shown that yucca has impressive anti-inflammatory benefits, which can help to soothe the scalp. For a natural scalp treatment for these types of irritations, you might consider adding a few drops of tea tree essential oil to your yucca shampoo and allowing the homemade formula to soak into the scalp like a hair masque before rinsing.

2. It may help promote hair growth.

Another common benefit associated with yucca shampoo is hair growth. While there is no hard science to directly back up this claim, yucca has been shown to stimulate blood flow in the scalp, which may ultimately result in a healthier scalp, therefore creating ideal conditions for hair growth.

It's also high in folate (vitamin B9)—studies have shown vitamin B9 deficiencies may be linked to hair loss and premature greying. So while yucca won't cure baldness or magically fill in sparse spots, it may optimize your scalp to create as much healthy hair as possible.

3. It's strengthening and protective.

Yucca contains high levels of antioxidants such as vitamin C which are able to neutralize free radicals, fight oxidative stress, and support the strength of your hair. Research also shows that yucca is also able to protect against sun damage, which can cause hair to become dry and brittle.

Which hair types can benefit from yucca?

Yucca extract is recognized as a safe ingredient by the Environmental Working Group, showing almost no links to allergies or toxicity. Unless you have known allergies, it's a good choice for all skin types and hair types, particularly those with sensitive or irritation-prone skin. It can also be a great choice for those with natural hair and curly hair who are looking to steer clear of sulfates, which can significantly dry out their hair type and disrupt their curl pattern.

How to Use Yucca for Hair

If you're interested in using yucca in place of your current shampoo or incorporating it into your hair care routine a few days a week, you can either create a yucca shampoo from scratch or reach for shampoo formulas that are already formulated with the ingredient.

For those interested in creating some DIY yucca shampoo, here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Snip off a few long leaves of the yucca plant at the base. Rinse the leaves, then lay them out on a flat surface. Using a mallet or even just a rock, begin to smash the leaves. This releases saponins (those natural cleansing agents).

Step 2: Once it's been smashed from end-to-end, you'll notice that the leaves have turned a richer shade of green. Pull the leaf fibers apart and ball them up in a bowl.

Step 3: Add a little bit of water to the smashed yucca fibers in the bowl. You'll start to notice that the plant begins to create a lather, much like traditional shampoo. To extract as much of the "soap" as possible, squeeze and squish those hydrated fibers with clean hands until the water becomes super sudsy.

Step 4: Once you've extracted as much of the natural soap as possible, put the homemade shampoo through a fine-mesh strainer or a cheesecloth to filter out all the fibers.

Keep in mind that while this natural solution is referred to as "shampoo" it won't have the same texture as traditional shampoos. Instead, it will be more similar to soapy water.

Step 5: Now it's time to wash! Since this shampoo has a thinner, more water-like consistency, it can be a good idea to pour the yucca shampoo into a clean, empty squeeze bottle or any bottle with a narrow tip. This way you can apply the formula directly to the roots and massage it thoroughly throughout the rest of the hair as it drips down.

Don't feel like DIYing your shampoo? Try one of these formulas that blends yucca root with other nourishing ingredients instead: 

1. CEREMONIA Champú de Yucca & Witch Hazel Shampoo

This clean hair care brand is all about creating formulas rooted in Latinx heritage. Here, yucca is paired with ingredients like witch hazel, aloe vera, castor oil, Babassu oil, Cupuacu butter to boost shine, strengthen and reduce frizz—all without the use of silicones, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

2. SHEAMOISTURE Yucca & Plantain Anti-Breakage Strengthening Conditioner

Want to weave yucca into your conditioning routine? This fortifying formula detangles and smoothes hair cuticles to reduce frizz and improve the appearance of split ends. In addition to featuring yucca extract, it also includes organic shea butter, vitamin C-rich plantain, and omega-3 fatty acid-pack baobab oil.

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