TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Should You Use Hair Oils On Natural Hair?
• What Is The Difference Between Moisturizing And Sealing Oils?
• Moisturizing Oils for Hair
• Sealing Oils for Hair
• How To Introduce Both Moisturizing And Sealing Oils To Your Routine
• Do Oils Make Your Hair Grow?
• Extra Hair Moisture Sealing Tips
• Related Products
Curly hair is one of the driest of all hair textures — it’s an expert-backed fact. Hair that is thicker and curlier is more prone to hair breakage and dryness as a direct result of curly hair’s shape. Curly hair has a curved pattern while coily and kinky hair has a zigzag shape with the tightest curls. Because of this, the natural oils from the scalp have a difficult time traveling down the entire hair shaft. This is why those with straight hair are more prone to greasy hair since the natural oils can flow down the strands freely without interference from twisted hair .
Regardless of hair type, you could still have an oily scalp, however, that doesn’t mean the ends of your hair will also have that same natural oil nourishment. That's where the use of concentrated hair oil steps in. Here, we’re sharing a guide on everything you need to know about the different natural oils including the best hair oils for coily hair and curly hair.
Should You Use Hair Oils on Natural Hair?
Short answer: Yes, absolutely. Textured hair care is all about putting moisture back into strands that might not get enough in the first place. As previously noted, curly hair is one of the driest of hair types making it in need of constant moisture. When added to the hair, a moisturizing oil will fill strands with those added nutrients the oil promises. A study found that if you don’t use any hair care products, your hair will find moisture elsewhere including the humidity in the air and that can lead to frizz.With that being said, there is such a thing as using too much oil, even if your hair is thirsting for moisture. Hair oil can be applied daily depending on your specific texture and hair concerns, more on that ahead.
What are the Best Oils for Hair?
In the world of concentrated natural hair oils, there are numerous to choose from which can make picking one difficult. To start, there are two main types of oils you should know about — moisturizing oils and sealing oils. Some oils, according to research, are thinner than others and can actually penetrate the hair to provide moisture, while others serve the sole purpose of sealing in moisture. Both are beneficial to dry hair, but it’s important to know which you’re working with.
If you’re overwhelmed with all the different individual oils out there, consider picking up a pre-blended product like the Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil that’s formulated with nourishing ingredients like olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, castor oil, and more. This hair oil can be applied to the scalp and strands to strengthen all wavy, curly, and coily hair types.
What Is the Difference Between Moisturizing and Sealing Oils?
Moisturizing oils are thinner in consistency and give hair the most hydrating benefits as they actually seep into dehydrated strands. To do this, research discovered that the molecules that make up oil have to be small enough to penetrate the hair to replenish moisture and boost hair's health. A few oils that can do this include coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil.On the other side of oils are hair sealants like castor oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil — which are just as important. A sealing oil isn’t capable of penetrating the hair or offering moisture. Instead, they serve as a way to lock in that hydrated goodness when layered over hair that’s been nourished by other hair care products, including moisturizing oils.
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7 Common Ingredients for Hair Oil
The beauty of using one of these common hair oil ingredients is its multi-use abilities. Not only can these ingredients nourish hair, but they can also tackle skincare concerns such as eczema when used topically, confirms a 2016 medical study. If you decide to use the same oil on your hair and face, make sure it’s a pure formulation without other ingredients that might not be safe for the skin or hair. Whether you use a pre-mixed hair oil or you’re looking to use a concentrated product, scan the ingredient list first to determine if one (or more) of the below common ingredients already made it into the formula.
Coconut Oil
A hero ingredient amongst the bunch, coconut oil can be used on the hair, face, and even teeth — per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) — for added benefits. Multiple studies, including one from the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, confirm that coconut oil products can be helpful in preventing hair damage due to protein loss. It is a powerful nutrient that provides moisture to the scalp and hair with the results being shiny, nourished strands.Not any random coconut oil will work for your coily hair though, you’ll want to get an unrefined extra virgin coconut oil — it’s the least processed formula and ideal for helping replenish moisture in dry hair. It’s actually one of the few oils that can both penetrate to add nutrients and seal around the hair, to lock it all in. Coconut oil is also great for highly porous hair like a target="_blank" style="color:#f09" href="https://www.carolsdaughter.com/blog/hair/hair-care-tips/4a-hair-care-tips.html">4A,4B, and 4C hair, which soaks up the product but doesn’t necessarily hold moisture very well. The natural proteins in coconut oil help fortify the gaps to better seal in moisture and ultimately prevent hair damage.
Olive Oil
Another ingredient you can find in a kitchen pantry, olive oil is a moisturizing oil similar to coconut oil in penetration powers. Used in different cultures for its nourishing powers, the use of olive oil in hair care and skincare has been a home remedy for generations, according to Olives and Olive Oil in Health and Disease Prevention (Second Edition).While coconut oil and olive oil are both thick, the latter is smoother in consistency, which is preferred by those who are picky about texture. Olive oil sinks well into strands that have been freshly washed and conditioned to lock in the proteins from the olive oil and other hair products. Once absorbed, it softens the hair, making it easier to detangle and shine on the surface.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is a fatty acid that is popular in hair care products for its regenerative properties. Chock full of antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin D, avocado oil is high in nutrients to deeply moisturize your scalp and influence growth. You’ll find this oil already infused into the many shampoos, conditioners, and a target="_blank" style="color:#f09" href="https://www.carolsdaughter.com/blog/hair/hair-care-tips/best-hair-treatment.html">styling treatments that you probably currently use because of how well it works with other ingredients. Try a hair care product that’s formulated with avocado oil like the Hair Milk Curl Defining Butter which nourishes hair to control frizz, define curls and soften strands.Jojoba Oil
Another popular oil for thinner or finer hair is jojoba oil. Jojoba has been the subject of numerous studies that confirmed the hair-loving benefits we want from an oil. If you have dryness or flaking at the scalp that has you scratching every few minutes, apply a few drops of jojoba oil to soothe irritation and condition the scalp. Since it's a sealant, jojoba oil is not too heavy and works well as a scalp treatment and on the lengths of hair.Protect your scalp and add shine at the same time with jojoba oil in a lightweight formula like the Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Hair Sheen. Formulated with shea butter and jojoba oil, this shine spray adds moisture and boosts sheen on dry hair and protective styles to refresh strands without the weight of an oil.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
On top of being a great moisture sealant, Jamaican black castor oil has a reputation for helping hair reach new lengths. While there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, there are plenty of women who credit this thick oil for helping them combat shrinkage that leaves tight curls looking shorter. If you’re interested in incorporating this sealing oil into your routine, consider lightly coating your strands one to two times a week with a dedicated oil. Be sure to wash strands thoroughly when using castor oil for hair as its honey-like thickness can leave hair matted if you use too much at one time. For a simplified formulation, try an infused product, like the Goddess Strength Fortifying Shampoo with Castor Oil, which cleanses hair while adding moisture to strengthen hair, making it less prone to breakage.Argan Oil
Argan oil is another hair ingredient that penetrates the hair to add moisture that’ll help repair damaged, frizzy hair. According to the NCBI, argan oil is readily found in Morocco and used in Moroccan cultures for its skin and hair benefits. When formulated within shampoos, the oils target damaged hair follicles to improve its strength, resulting in softer and thicker hair.Grapeseed Oil
If your coily hair routine is several products long, consider using grapeseed oil to seal everything in without fear of having greasy hair. This lightweight oil will sit on top of strands to keep moisture in without weighing them down. The linoleic acid in grapeseed oil isn’t naturally produced by our bodies, so adding it topically can help control water loss in hair and ward off hair loss, according to a study by the University of Athens. It also has a high resistance to heat, so you can try applying it to damp hair as a heat protectant if you diffuse or ever blow out your curls .How to Introduce Hair Oils to Your Routine
Before using any new hair ingredient, check your current hair care routine to see if one or more of the oils is already in your regimen. Then, addressing your current hair needs, select a hair oil or hair oil serum that’ll work best for your coily curls based on the above oil descriptions. After shampooing and cleansing your hair as normal you can start adding nourishing hair products, like oils, to your strands.While you can layer hair oils to reap all the benefits — moisturizing oils first, then sealing oils — you can also reach for products that contain a combination of both. Try the Born to Repair Reviving Hair Oil with Shea Butter, which conditions and detangles strands, making it the perfect product to add moisture while defining curls. Infused with jojoba, coconut, and olive oil (along with other nourishing oils) this multitasking oil helps fight visible damage to leave curls and coils stronger and smoother, without weighing down hair.
Do Oils Make Your Hair Grow?
There are a lot of conversations online and in the beauty community about hair oil’s impact on hair growth. However, there is no directly linked scientific evidence to prove that hair oils can make human hair grow. Hair oils can influence the strength of hair to prevent hair breakage, which in return can help hair retain its length. But it doesn’t directly affect hair growth. The ultimate purpose of hair oil is to add moisture to dry hair to keep damage at bay, encouraging healthier, longer hair.Next Up: How to Moisturize from Your Strands to Your Toes
Initial Publication Date: 24 Nov 2021
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