How to Choose the Right Henna Powder - Henna for Hair and Skin

Henna powder is one of the best ways to color hair, get rid of stubborn grays, promote scalp health, and increase the manageability of your hair.

But not all henna dyes are the same.

Because henna is a plant-based dye, it is grown organically throughout the world. So, the quality of the henna is pretty much dependent on the source from which you buy, as well as the type, your motive, and even the packaging.

If you've recently found out about henna and don't know how to choose the best henna powder, here's a breakdown of some of the things you should keep in mind.

Things to know before you buy henna

The first thing you should keep in mind is your motive. Why do you want to use henna? Is it for body art? Do you want to color your hair? Do you want to dye your sheets with it? Once you have a clear motive, the selection process will be easy.

 

 

1. Organic and Pure Henna

Organic henna is your safest and highest-quality option. This type of henna is grown without pesticides or harmful chemicals, ensuring it’s safe for both hair and skin. It’s carefully packaged to maintain freshness and is free from any artificial additives. If you want a natural and chemical-free experience, organic henna is the way to go.

How to spot organic henna:

• Look for certifications on the label, such as "100% organic" or USDA organic.

• It should be free from artificial additives or preservatives.

• Typically, organic henna has a rich green color with a subtle earthy smell.

2. Body Art Quality Henna

This type of henna is specifically designed for creating body art, such as henna tattoos. Body art quality (BAQ) henna is finely sifted, allowing for smooth application and intricate designs.

Things to check before buying:

• Ensure the henna is free from harmful chemicals like PPD (para-phenylenediamine), which is often added to enhance color but can cause skin irritation or allergies.

• Check the ingredient list; it should only contain natural henna powder, without any additives.

• Trusted brands usually label their products as "chemical-free" or "pure body art quality."

Body art quality henna is ideal for detailed designs on the skin but can also be used on hair if it’s free of harmful additives.

3. Fresh Henna

Fresh henna refers to powdered henna that is not branded or heavily processed by manufacturers. It is usually sold loose in markets or packaged in plain bags. This type of henna is most common in the Asian subcontinent but is now gaining popularity in Western countries like the USA, UK, and Canada.

What to look for in fresh henna:

• The powder should have a bright green color, indicating its freshness. A dull or brownish hue suggests that the henna is old and may not produce good results.

• Check the packaging for a production date and expiration date. Fresh henna has a shelf life of about 1 to 2 years.

• Triple-sifted henna powder is easier to work with, so check if the packaging mentions this.

Fresh henna is a great option for those who want to mix their own paste and have full control over the application process.

4. Black Henna

Black henna is a type of henna that has been chemically altered to produce a dark black or near-black stain. While it is often marketed as a way to achieve bold, dramatic designs, it is not safe for use on skin or hair.

Why to avoid black henna:

• It contains chemicals like PPD, which can cause severe allergic reactions, skin burns, and long-term damage.

• Black henna is not a natural product; it is chemically formulated and often used in the textile industry to dye fabrics.

• If you see "black henna" being sold for tattoos or hair coloring, steer clear of it for your safety.

5. Brown Henna

Brown henna, often referred to as natural or organic henna, is the safest and most commonly used type. It gives a reddish-brown tint that is perfect for both hair and skin.

Why choose brown henna:

• It is made from pure henna leaves and contains no harmful chemicals.

• It provides a natural and subtle color that looks authentic and beautiful.

• Brown henna is a versatile option suitable for hair dyeing, conditioning, and creating temporary designs on the skin.

Always confirm that the product is labeled as "100% natural" and free from artificial dyes or chemicals.

6. Henna Paste

Henna paste is a pre-mixed version of henna powder, ready to use for tattoos or hair application. It’s convenient and time-saving, especially if you’re new to using henna or have limited time before an event. It eliminates the need for mixing, which can sometimes be tricky, and is perfect for quick, last-minute applications.

Things to consider:

• Henna paste has a short shelf life, so it must be used quickly after purchase.

• Make sure it is stored properly, preferably in the refrigerator, to maintain its quality.

• Check the packaging for labels like "natural paste" or "chemical-free" to ensure safety.

Henna paste can be a good option for beginners or those looking for a hassle-free experience but always verify the ingredients.

Indian Henna Powder

When it comes to top-of-the-line henna, nothing can beat the organic Indian henna powder. The brown color and freshness of the powder is what sets it apart from the rest. The powder is available in different packaging and offers the maximum darkness you can find in the lineup.

For hair usage, it is recommended to leave the henna in overnight or for at least 8-12 hours. Indian henna powder can also be used with other herbal powders like Indigo, Amla, Reetha, Sikakai, and more.

Rajasthani Henna Powder

One of the best and highest quality USDA organic henna powder you can buy. Source from the Rajasthan region of India, this henna powder is rich in red tones and gives a darker to orange color. This premium quality henna can be used for both henna body art and henna hair dye.

However, Rajasthani henna takes a bit of time to develop. For hair usage, it takes about 4-5 hours to develop and for skin, it can take up to 3 hours. Some henna artists left their henna mixture overnight, which offers a reddish-burgundy tone the next day.

If you want to enjoy the maximum benefit of Rajasthani henna, follow the packaging guideline from the application instructions.

Yemeni Henna Powder

Another great henna powder is Yemeni henna powder, but unfortunately, it is hard to find in the market. Yemeni henna comes from Sana's region of Yemen. The dye takes 10-12 hours to develop and 3-4 hours in the application process. Yemeni henna was mostly famous for its body art quality features.

Read More: Is Henna Worth it? The Pros and Cons of Henna Hair Dye

You can still find this product in the market, but we wouldn't recommend it as it is just a mixed packaging of some other source of henna. However, if you have someone coming from Yemen or the person who's selling this to you is committed that it's the original product, then it's definitely worth trying.

Moroccan Henna Powder

The next henna in the lineup is the brown hair and body art quality Moroccan henna. The Moroccan henna comes from the western Sahara region and is easier to find in the US. This region of powder has the quickest release dye than any other henna. However, it's not so quick during the application process.

The henna tattoo design, in particular, takes anywhere from 4-6 hours to get darker. For hair, the maximum time it requires is only 2-4 hours. It is best recommended for those that want to achieve reddish-orange tones. Pairing this with indigo powder will result in a jet black color.

One thing worth mentioning here is that Moroccan henna has the lowest shelf life of any of the other regions. It is also a bit stringy.

Which henna is best to use on hair?

To rank which henna is the best, we have to encounter a lot of different things like its origin, the source, packaging, and quality. Region-wise, the most common and best quality henna comes from the Rajasthan region of India.

Also Read: How to make henna paste at home?

Now, the reason why we picked this henna is that it can be used as both henna for hair and henna for tattoos. Also, Rajasthani henna is easier to find in the market and there are tons of brands that sell this. The second henna on the list is definitely the Moroccan henna because of its rich color and fresh consistency.

From where do we source our henna?

The Henna Guys source its henna from the Rajasthan region of India. We also used to sell Moroccan henna, and the quality of Indian henna and its freshness is one of the best we’ve ever tried.

Our pure henna powder is best used as both henna hair dye and body art. We also sell USDA organic henna powder, free from any chemicals and pesticides.

Want to shop more, visit our collection page to find exciting shades of henna hair dye.