There are many products marketed as natural out there. However, those products marketed as being natural often include—hidden in the list of delicious sounding fruits, herbs, and berries—the standard chemical-sounding ingredients that do the actual work of the conditioner. The "natural" part in these products is there more for marketing so they can charge you more money. Many sites put out scare tactics that man-made ingredients are bad for you, though that is often based on rumor only. This isn't to say all man-made ingredients are great, and it's important to be environmentally aware of what we purchase. I just want to make sure you are purchasing products for the reasons you want to purchase them for, not because of marketing misinformation.

Many times products marketed as natural imply that the herbs in them can heal hair in some way. This is not true. Nothing can repair hair, no matter how natural, because hair is no more alive than a wool sweater. And even if an herb could repair hair in some way, the amount of herb actually in the product is in such a tiny, watered down amount that there isn't enough present to do anything anyway, even if it could in a larger amount.

Also, herbs are often extracts that have been prepared with irritating solvents. In addition, these products often contain strong and sensitizing herbs and essential oils, (such as mint or mint derivatives like peppermint and menthol, and citrus ingredients like orange and lemon), as well as artificial fragrances—so they can smell "natural"—that can also irritate sensitive baby skin (as well as many adults' skin). And they often contain artificial colors as well.

I'm constantly looking for good products, especially ones that don't irritate sensitive skin. I recommend on the site many fine products that market themselves as natural. The one line of products I think would be especially good for children is produced by a woman who has devoted her life to researching the facts about ingredients (Paula Begoun of Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me) and cutting through advertising-speak (legally, hair products don't have to tell you the truth in their advertising. The only place they have to tell you the truth is in the ingredient list). Her shampoo and conditioner have no fragrances, colors, and are cruelty free: Smooth Finish Conditioner.

This conditioner detangles very well (please just make sure to comb your child's curls when very wet, with the conditioner in it). Though these products aren't marketed for kids, she's made sure they are very gentle so they are safe for everyone. The conditioner does tend to be a bit light, so after I comb it in, define my curls, and let my hair dry, I usually smooth a bit more on the ends of my hair (either at night or the next morning), to keep my curls clumped and calm.