Cantu hair products are unlikely to cause hair loss, as their natural oils and butters generally nourish hair. That said, issues like breakage or scalp buildup may occur if Cantu products are used excessively, or on the wrong hair type. Hair loss is more likely to be caused by genetics, styling practices, or health factors than specific product brands.
Explore common Cantu product ingredients and their effect on hair types to discover whether Cantu products really cause hair loss. Find guidance on safe usage, scalp care, and hair type compatibility, so you can make informed choices about what products to use on your hair.
Key takeaways
There’s no real scientific evidence that Cantu hair products cause hair loss. Many of Cantu’s products contain ingredients like shea butter, avocado hair oil, and other extracts and oils that aren’t known causes of alopecia. On the contrary, these ingredients can nourish and enrich your hair when applied appropriately [1-3].
However, some Cantu users have offered anecdotal and theoretical reasons why Cantu products could make your hair fall out or break off. For example, some claim these heavy oils and butters can cause unhealthy scalp build-up and moisture overload. Despite the lack of evidence, this may be why Cantu products have a reputation for causing hair loss.
So what’s the truth? Can you use Cantu products freely without worrying about hair loss? Or should you proceed with caution?
While it’s unlikely that Cantu products generally cause hair loss, they may not be good for all hair types. Cantu products are specifically designed for curly and coily hair types, so those with straight, or fine hair are unlikely to get the same benefits. In fact, some of the ingredients may be detrimental to other hair types.
But even in these cases, it’s unlikely that Cantu will directly cause hair loss. Male and female pattern hair loss are much more common than shampoo-related hair loss. And traction alopecia is particularly common among Black women, as it can be caused by tight hairstyles like braids and Bantu knots. Additionally, stress, hormone changes, and some medications can all cause or contribute to hair loss. So if you’re experiencing sudden or unexplained hair loss, it’s probably down to another cause.
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that affects a third of women of African descent who wear their hair in tight hairstyles for long periods [4]. It happens when excessive tension is applied to the hair follicles, and is associated with styles like braids, dreadlocks, and weaves.
Traction alopecia is usually reversible if you stop wearing your hair in excessively tight styles. However, maintaining damaging styles for long periods can result in permanent, irreversible hair loss. In these cases, an FUE or FUT hair transplant may be necessary to restore the hair.
If you commonly wear tight hairstyles and are experiencing visible hair loss, visit a trichologist for a diagnosis. They can help you treat and reverse traction alopecia without surgery if it’s caught early.
It’s possible for Cantu products to cause hair and scalp issues if you use them improperly, but actual hair damage is unlikely. While the heavy moisturising agents in Cantu products can do harm when used excessively or on the wrong hair types, most users won’t see enough of an impact to cause hair damage.
Cantu products contain moisturising ingredients designed to counteract frizz and dryness that can affect Black and Afro hair types. However, if used excessively, these can leave your hair looking and feeling over-moisturised; it may feel limp or heavy, or your scalp may be greasier than normal.
Too much moisture can make the hair fibre swell. When the moisture evaporates, the fibre shrinks [5]. When this happens repeatedly, it’s informally known as ‘hygral fatigue’ or ‘hygral expansion’ [6-7]. Some people worry that the heavy moisturising agents in Cantu products can contribute to hygral fatigue, but there’s no evidence confirming this.
While the concept of hygral fatigue is controversial due to limited references to it in scientific literature, researchers have described hair damage caused by swelling and shrinking of the hair cuticle due to moisture absorption [7].
However, some research indicates Black hair has a lower water swelling rate [8]. So it’s safer to use moisturising agents (like those in Cantu products) if you have Afro hair compared with other hair types.
Certain hair oils can minimise the impact of hygral fatigue by filling the gap between the cuticle cells, preventing penetration by more aggressive ingredients [6]. Research suggests saturated and monounsaturated oils like avocado oil and coconut oil are most effective here, so certain Cantu products may be helpful.
Heavy moisturising agents like butters and oils can create buildup on your hair and scalp when used too often. Buildup can clog your follicles, leading to scalp folliculitis. It can also make your hair look lank and greasy, and stop other products penetrating the hair shaft, limiting the benefits of using additional hair treatments.
Regular hair washing doesn’t always remove this residue, which is why it’s important to regularly clarify your hair with a clarifying shampoo if you use Cantu products.
There’s no evidence that Cantu products specifically damage the scalp. However, using them too often without clarifying can lead to product buildup. This can make your scalp feel itchy and lead to flaking and dandruff, so it’s important to keep your scalp clean when using Cantu products.
Cantu use a variety of ingredients in their haircare products, many of which are common cleansers, thickening agents, humectants and fragrances. But they’re best known for including natural moisturising agents in their products. So let’s take a closer look at the highlighted ingredients in each of Cantu’s haircare ranges and how they can affect your hair.
Shea butter is a common ingredient in products designed for curly hair, and Cantu products are no exception. Research indicates shea butter can help restore moisture lost to chemical relaxers [1].
However, other research has shown that butters in general can increase the force needed to pull a comb through your hair [6]. Unlike mineral oils, which lubricate your hair and reduce the combing force, butters tend to increase the hair’s resistance. This can increase tangling and knots, which may damage your hair.
So while shea butter can add plenty of moisture to your hair, it may also have some negative effects.
Avocado oil is a relatively lightweight moisturising agent that contains lots of fatty acids, making it an excellent emollient for hair [9]. It also works as an antioxidant, helping reduce hair damage caused by oxidative stress.
Avocado oil may help reduce symptoms of dandruff if you apply it directly to your scalp, though more research is needed to confirm this effect [10].
Studies suggest that guava leaf extract may help treat androgenetic alopecia (also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss), thanks to its anti-androgenic properties [11-12]. So Cantu’s guava range may be suitable if you’re in the early stages of genetic hair loss, although no studies have yet tested exactly how powerful guava leaf extract’s anti-androgen effect is when it comes to treating hair loss.
Guava leaf extract is also an antioxidant [11-12]. These properties help protect hair follicles from oxidative damage that may result in hair loss.
Grapeseed oil is a lightweight oil that’s been shown to improve glossiness of virgin, damaged, and dyed hair [13]. Additionally, early research shows that it may help treat pattern hair loss and can encourage proliferation of hair follicle dermal papilla cells [14].
While human research is needed to confirm these effects, you’re unlikely to damage your hair by applying grapeseed oil.
Biotin for hair is often touted as a great hair loss remedy, especially in supplement form. But there’s actually very limited evidence that biotin helps with hair growth in the absence of a clinical deficiency.
Topical biotin application is even less well-researched, so there’s not yet any evidence to show that using products that contain biotin oil is beneficial or harmful for your hair.
Like grapeseed and guava leaf extracts, some research indicates that rosemary oil can have a beneficial effect if you suffer from pattern baldness [15].
Additionally, rosemary oil for hair can reduce oxidative stress on your follicles and add shine, helping your hair look and feel healthy.
Many Cantu products are sulphate-free. Sulphates get a bad rap when it comes to hair products, perhaps because the most frequently used sulphates are strong cleansers that can strip your hair of its natural oils. If your hair is prone to dryness, strong sulphate-based surfactants can be detrimental, and you may be thinking about switching to a sulphate-free product.
Sulphate-free products can work well if you don’t use many other treatments, and can therefore afford a gentle cleanse. But if you have a lot of product buildup, you’re more likely to need a stronger surfactant to properly clean your hair and scalp. Note that although they have similar names and are both sulphates, sodium laureth sulphate is gentler on your hair than sodium lauryl sulphate.
Ultimately, sulphate-free products are better for those with dry hair that gets washed often. If you wash your hair less frequently, or tend to use heavy moisturising masks, conditioners, and treatments, sulphate-containing formulas may be necessary to keep your hair clean.
Given the available research, Cantu products contain many ingredients that are great for curly hair — especially if you’re looking for natural ingredients with the potential to promote hair growth.
But curly hair can benefit from other hydrating ingredients, such as argan and coconut oil. These ingredients will moisturise your hair without weighing it down or causing problems with your curl pattern. If you have extremely dry hair, heavier products like castor oil and shea butter may be helpful (but watch out for excessive product buildup).
That said, some research suggests hair oils can worsen symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis in Black patients [16]. Seborrheic dermatitis is a fungal infection of the scalp, and has been linked with hair loss in rare cases [17]. So if you’re using oils as hair shaft emollients, make sure to avoid rubbing them into the scalp.
People with wavy hair can also benefit from hydrating hair products, but these must be lightweight to keep your waves buoyant and bouncy. Avocado oil, rosehip hair oil and jojoba oil for hair can all benefit those with type 2A and type 2B hair.
If you’re browsing Cantu for wavy hair products, take a look at their weightless range, as these may be better suited to waves.
Not sure what type of hair you have? Take our hair type quiz to find out.
Cantu products are unlikely to be the cause of your hair loss. While they contain certain ingredients that may irritate a sensitive scalp, quickly lead to product buildup, or weigh down your curls, they’re very unlikely to lead to hair loss. So if your hair is falling out, it’s best to get a diagnosis from a professional trichologist.
The Wimpole Clinic is an award-winning hair transplant clinic, but we offer many non-surgical services too. We welcome anyone experiencing hair loss to book a consultation to unearth the real cause, so we can create a personalised treatment plan that gets your hair back on the front foot.
Find your nearest clinic location to get started.
Learn more about Cantu products and their link to hair health in these frequently asked questions.
It’s very unlikely that Cantu products will cause significant hairfall after one use. It’s normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day, and this is more likely to occur when you’re brushing or handling your hair. So while you may see increased hairfall when applying a Cantu product, it’s more likely to be due to natural dislodgement of hairs in the shedding phase.
That said, there’s always a chance you are sensitive to a particular ingredient, or that an ingredient could react with existing products you’ve already applied. This could lead to breakage, so it’s a good idea to perform a patch test first.
If your hair has been relaxed or undergone other chemical treatments, check with your stylist which products are safe. While Cantu products generally contain safe ingredients, any unwanted or accidental interactions could cause a lot of hair damage. So it’s best to check before use.
If you’re using heavy products on your hair, it’s recommended that you use a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup once a month or after every 3-4 applications [18]. However, if this causes your hair or scalp to feel dry, tweak your clarifying schedule as needed.
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Dr. Barry Abdelrahimsai (GMC Number 7604040) is an expert in FUE Hair Transplant surgery in London, with a full registration to practice under the GMC. He qualified as a Medical Doctor in 2017 and has been working in a variety of surgical fields until he started specialising in FUE Hair Transplant surgery in 2021 after a number of years in the fields of injectable cosmetic and aesthetic medicine.
His emphasis lies in a holistic approach towards hair loss of different causes, and his background of having both surgical and medical experience, as well as ample experience in the field of General Practice, enable him to offer evidence-based pharmaceutical and surgical treatment of hair loss. Dr. Barry is a crusader of clinical excellence and has a keen eye for detail. Over the years, aside from his special interest in treating male pattern baldness with FUE, he has developed a focus on the reconstructive management of the female brow line and eyebrow reconstruction.
The significant surge in demand for eyebrow reconstruction through follicular transplants has captured his attention, leading him to specialise in this treatment. Employing a bespoke needle rather than a conventional blade, he achieves high density and precise outcomes.
He has a proven track record of achieving exceptionally high hair graft survivability and excels in densely packed incisions, commonly referred to as “dense packing,” while maintaining a natural, mature, yet youthful appearance. Dr. Barry advocates for active patient involvement in their hairline reconstruction, encouraging them to participate in the management and customised design process. He is dedicated to empowering his patients through education and providing them with knowledge on hair loss prevention and reconstruction, aiming to enable them to make informed decisions about their treatment journey.
