As children, we all at some point or another have had our head massaged with oil by our mothers. It was, as they claimed the secret to a gorgeous head of strong beautiful hair. Following up as adults, we all try our very best to take care of our locks from hair masks to expensive conditioners. However, the thought of slathering on hair oil might give some the icks or worry that their strands are going to look like a greasy mess. But in an attempt to care for your hair and scalp you can’t ignore the benefits of a fantastic nourishing oil that can work wonders. It’s just a matter of selecting the right oil for your hair type.
Whether it’s hair breakage or flaky scalps you’re not just reserved to coconut oil anymore, there more choice than ever before to repair your strands and promote hair growth. Don’t get us wrong, a healthy diet is where it truly begins but a natural hair oil incorporated into your hair regimen makes a world of a difference. So if you gave up on doing your hair champi now’s the time to start again. Also, it’s the perfect way to give yourself and your hair a break. But before you run to the kitchen and start trapping bottles, keeping reading for a rundown of the best seven natural hair oils and how to best incorporate them into your hair care routine.
Scroll below for a guide that’ll help you select the type right hair oil for your needs:
1. Argan Oil
One of the most well-known hair oils this is a great lightweight oil that’s suitable for all hair types. Argan oil is extracted from nuts that grow in fruits borne on the Argan tree, native to Morocco. Also known as Morrocan oil, argan oil will do wonders for your hair. It can smooth split ends and protect your hair from frequent heat styling and the sun’s harmful UV rays. Containing a mixture of fatty acids and antioxidants it’s even a split-end saviour, sealing the cuticle and preventing further damage. Never greasy or sticky it works great on oily hair types and can be applied once or twice a weak. You can even use it on dry or damp hair and would work best as a quick anti-frizz treatment that will leave your hair soft and manageable.
2. Almond Oil
Derived from the kernels inside almonds this oil is great if you want to strengthen your strands and reduce breakage. It strengthens as well as moisturizes the locks which makes it especially ideal for dry and damaged hair types including colour-treated hair that’s struggling. Packed with magnesium, vitamin E, proteins, and antioxidants it also helps promote hair growth with intense nourishment. To get the most use out of it you can even be left overnight and rinsed in the morning for shiny locks.
3. Jojoba Oil
You’ve probably noticed this oil making its way into several hair care products over the years and for good reason. Pronounced ho-ho-ba oil, it’s in fact more of a liquid wax derived from the jojoba plant than an actual oil. It’s known to have properties similar to sebum, which is naturally produced by the human skin and scalp. This means that your scalp is more likely to readily accept it without showing any side effects.
These fats can actually penetrate the hair shaft and follicle, deeply conditioning it inside and out compared to other oils that work on moisturising only the outer layers of your strands. It does this without making the hair feel heavy or greasy. Moreover, it contains a vitamin B complex that allows it to maintain the hair’s texture, colour, and even strength. Upgrade the benefits of your daily conditioner simply by adding a few drops of jojoba oil to it.
4. Castor Oil
Coming from the castor bean this oil is packed with ricinoleic acid, which is known to help with inflammation and dandruff. It’s especially great if you have kinky or coily hair where it can help soften the strands and lock in moisture. It’s also a great choice for fighting frizz or dryness or even a scalp treatment to help blood flow and circulation. Plus thanks to its thick viscosity, castor oil can make the hair appear thicker. If you get this oil, we recommend getting the cold-pressed variety where there is no heat involved during the extraction process. Because it’s so thick it’s best to mix just a few drops with a carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil for a more even and easier application.
5. Coconut Oil
The undeniable hero and multi-tasker, what can’t coconut oil do. It has loads of benefits for the hair but also works wonders for sealing the hair cuticle to prevent frizz and split ends. Not only that thanks to its unique makeup of fatty acids, but it also helps detangle and give your locks their shine back. However, it’s a known pore clogger so keep it away from your scalp and hairline. Work only with small amounts of raw coconut oil and only when it’s warm and liquified to avoid any tangles. If you have brittle hair you want to avoid using this too often as too much protein buildup can cause the. hair to break.
6. Olive Oil
This staple in your kitchen can be fantastic to soften hair and increase shine but due to its large molecule size, it’s better to look for this in a pre-mix hair product rather than its raw form as the more refined it is the better it can penetrate the strands. This oil acts as a natural heat protectant, as well as conceals the damaged hair strands, giving a sleeker look. You also want to be careful and reserve it only for the ends of your strands only, as similar to coconut oil, it can clog pores. Moreover, if you have flaking or dandruff of any kind you want to avoid this altogether as it can make it worse by feeding the yeast on the scalp.
7. Tea Tree Oil
This is a great option if you have dandruff or dermatitis because of its anti-fungal benefits. Although, because it can be a bit strong and irritating on the scalp you want to mix a few drops with your shampoo to dilute it a bit. An ideal go-to for oily or greasy strands it can also help remove excess product buildup and improve scalp health.
There are so many choices when it comes to picking the right oil for you so if you’re still confused here are a few tips to keep in mind. First, always read the ingredient list because some labels can be deceiving. You need to know what’s included. Sometimes oils come pre-mixed with other ingredients so it essential to know what you’re putting on your scalp. Lastly, always listen to your hair. There is no one-size-fits-all formula so what works for one might not work for another. If you feel something not working for you, don’t be afraid to move on to something else.
Have you tried using particular hair oil to help your tresses get longer and stronger? What’s your favourite? Let us know in the comments below
And don’t forget to join Malini’s Girl Tribe to be a part of more conversations.