Use hair oil regularly if you want good hair”. it is a statement that has been passed on from generations, and something holds true in the present-day busy lifestyles too. Castor, rosemary, olive, mongria – which hair oil is suitable for your hair type and gives you stronger, shinier hair?
The simple oil is a hair care product that no matter, what your hair type is, it will give you healthy and growing hair and remains a timeless beauty secret that is no longer in the closet.
Benefits Of Hair Oil
- Controls frizz and adds shine to dull hair because of the fatty acids in the oil
- Nourishes and lock in moisture in for long periods of time for healthy cuticles
- Strengthens hair follicles and strands because these hair care products are rich in vitamins and minerals
- Improves scalp health and reduces flakiness and irritation, as they are rich in amino acids and antioxidants
- Improves hair growth and reduces hair breakage by delivering nutrients to hair follicles and improving hair elasticity
- Protect the hair from heat damage and UV harm
- Soften hair by penetrating deeply into the shaft
Selecting The Right Hair Oil For Your Hair Type
Every hair type is unique in its own way and needs different hair care products, including the oil. Straight hairs are unlikely to benefit from the same oil as Afro-textured hair. The key to have happy hairs is finding the right oil and using it correctly for maximizing its potential.
Hair Oil For All Hair Types: Coconut Oil
Why: It is the holy grail for all hair and skin types. It is rich in fatty acids and natural vitamins. Coconut oil is richly moisturizing and penetrates hair strands to strengthen and nourish hair from deep within.
Benefits: Protect hair from damage and breakage. It suits all hair types. It helps detangle the hair, making them easily manageable. It is good for hair-thinning treatment and adds a sheen to hair.
When to use it: Incorporate it in the pre-wash treatment. Apply on the strands and avoid the scalp and hairline.
Drawback: It can sometimes clog pores if left on for a long time. Coconut oil is highly reactive to temperature, and hence always warm it up in your palms before applying. If overused, it can cause protein buildup in curly hair, causing it to become stiff and prone to breakage.
Hair Oil For Thick, Damaged, Curly, Corkscrew Hair: Castor Oil
Why: Castor hair oil is extracted from castor beans and contains long-chain fatty acids and ricinoleic acid. It is thick in nature and provides nutrients and essential proteins that is needed for hair growth and moisturizing. This hair oil is also antifungal and antibacterial.
Benefits: It nourishes the scalp, fights inflammation, prevents infections on the scalp, gives thicker hair, reduces hair shedding, improves hair elasticity, and reduces split ends.
When to use it: Use it as a conditioning treatment for chemically treated, curly, thick hair 1-2 times a week.
Drawback: Overuse can cause product buildup and hair matting.
Hair Oil For Frizzy Or Straight Hair: Argan Oil
Why: Also known as Moroccan hair oil, it is rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, linoleic acid, oleic acids, antioxidants and ferulic acids. It helps lock in moisture and hydration in hair strands.
Benefits: It protects hair from damage, gives it a vibrant shine, keeps the frizz under control, and reduces dryness and brittleness.
How to use it: Take a few drops on your hands and smooth it over slightly damp hair. Argan oil for hair can also be used on extensions. You can also use it as a finishing serum after styling to give it a neat look.
Drawback: It can cause irritation to people who are allergic to nuts.
Hair Oil For Dandruff And Dry Scalp: Jojoba Oil
Why: It is a sealing hair oil which is perfect for an irritated scalp. It is a lightweight hair care product that resembles the natural oil or sebum. It hydrates the hair from inside out. Jojoba is hydrating and helps balance the sebum production. It has impeccable antifungal properties.
Benefits: Jojoba keeps the scalp moisturized and clears up irritation and dryness which causes dandruff. A healthy scalp leads to healthy hair growth.
When to use it: Use it as an overnight treatment for flaky and dry hair. Or as a leave-in conditioner to add extra moisture to damaged hair. Add a few drops to your conditioner and rinse normally.
Drawbacks: Overuse or using too much oil can lead to greasiness. Make sure you wash the hair thoroughly after using jojoba oil for overnight treatment.
Hair Oil For Reviving Dry And Dull Hair: Olive Hair
Why: Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, oleic acid, and antioxidants. It does not actually penetrate the strands but forms a protective layer around the hair shaft.
Benefits: Olive oil protects hair from UV and pollution damage. It strengthens dull hair and makes it healthy and shiny. It also helps reduce split ends and hair fall.
When to use it: Depending on your hair concern, you can use it as a leave-in serum, hot oil treatment, or hair mask.
Drawback: Olive oil is thicker, and its oleic acid can cause scalp fungus. Hence, don’t apply it on the scalp.
Hair Oil For Brittle Hair And Hair Loss: Grapeseed Oil
Why: It is rich in antioxidants and is easily absorbed into hair. Its ingredients act as a natural sealant around hair follicles. Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) lower the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – the hormone that causes pattern hair loss.
Benefits: Strengthens hair follicles, and stimulates hair cell production, leading to natural, thicker hair growth.
When to use it: Include it in your pre-wash treatment as a hair mask. Or use it as a leave-in treatment to seal in moisture after conditioning the hair. Grapeseed oil can also be mixed with other hair care products such as, conditioner and other oils. for extra moisture.
Final Thoughts
Hair oils are multifunctional hair treatment tools. For example, argan oil is good to reduce the frizz. but it can also strengthen hair. The cross-functional properties mean that when used properly the natural oils can nourish your scalp and hair without causing chemical damage.
To know which hair oils work for your hair type, experiment with a simple routine of applying warmed hair oil as an overnight treatment and washing it the next day and notice the results.
