PEH balance – the key to healthy and beautiful hair

Are you constantly searching for the perfect shampoo, but your hair still feels dry, dull, or frizzy? The problem might not be the product itself, but rather a lack of PEH balance in your hair care routine. PEH is a simple yet effective approach to hair care based on three groups of ingredients: Proteins, Emollients, and Humectants.

When used in the right proportions, PEH balance makes your hair elastic, shiny, and healthy – without weighing it down or causing frizz.

Hair porosity – why it matters?

Porosity refers to how tightly the cuticles of your hair are sealed – and it’s one of the key factors that determines how your hair reacts to proteins, emollients, and humectants. There are three main porosity types:

• Low porosity hair
  Cuticles are tightly sealed. Hair is smooth and shiny but can be easily weighed down. It prefers light emollients and gentle hydration, and does not respond well to too many proteins.
• Medium porosity hair
  The most common type. Hair is easy to style but may get frizzy. It benefits from balanced PEH care with mild proteins, humectants, and emollients.
• High porosity hair
  Cuticles are widely open. Hair tends to be dry, dull, and absorbs moisture quickly. It loves oils, emollient-rich conditioners, and regular protein treatments.

What is PEH balance?

PEH balance means giving your hair the right amount of three essential ingredients:

• Proteins – They rebuild the hair structure. These are proteins that fill in gaps and strengthen strands from within. Especially useful after chemical treatments, dyeing, bleaching, or heat styling. Examples include keratin, silk, collagen, elastin, milk proteins, and plant proteins (like wheat or oats).
• Emollients – They form a protective layer on the hair’s surface, sealing in moisture and shielding against external damage. They leave the hair soft, smooth, and shiny. Popular emollients include plant oils (like coconut, argan, or jojoba), butters (like shea), silicones, and waxes. 
• Humectants – They moisturize the hair by drawing water from the environment. Perfect for dry and dehydrated hair. Common humectants include glycerin, aloe vera, panthenol, honey, urea, and hyaluronic acid.

PEH balance – how to tell what’s missing?

• How to recognize a lack or excess of proteins?
  If your hair lacks proteins, it may appear lifeless and limp, start losing volume, and become greasy quickly. This is a sign that your strands need rebuilding and strengthening from within.
  On the other hand, too much protein can make the hair feel stiff, brittle, and dry to the touch. It may become difficult to detangle and feel overly dry, even when you're using conditioners.
• How to recognize a lack or excess of emollients?
  A lack of emollients means your hair is hard to detangle, lacks shine, tangles easily, and may be more prone to mechanical damage.
  In contrast, too much emollient can make your hair feel heavy, greasy, flat, and give the impression that it's not fully clean, even right after washing.
• How to recognize a lack or excess of humectants?
  When your hair is missing humectants (moisturizing ingredients), it becomes dry, rough, dull, and lacks elasticity. It’s often hard to style, feels stiff, and gives off the impression of being dehydrated.
  Conversely, too many humectants, especially in humid weather, can cause hair to become frizzy, feel too light and fluffy, and even start to “fly away” or lose shape.