Natural oils are a significant and necessary part of healthy hair care. They have a variety of benefits that are important to hair growth because they provide the slip and protection our hair needs to maintain its moisture and prevent breakage. Oils can be categorized in many ways but for the purpose of this post, the two categories we will use are penetrating oils and coating oils.
Penetrating oils
Put simply penetrating oils are those that have the ability to enter the cortex of the hair shaft and as such tend to be great as pre shampoo treatments aka prepoos. They also prevent too much water from entering the hair shaft which is ideal for those with high porosity hair. Coating oils on the other hand don’t have the ability to enter the hair shaft. These are best used during the styling or moisturizing portion of the hair regimen.
Coating Oils
These oils on the other hand don’t have the ability to penetrate the hair shaft and remain primarily on the surface of the strands. They are high in polyunsaturated fats which cannot be absorbed by the hair shaft. They help to seal in whatever the shaft has in it, this could be water or hydrolyzed protein.
With that said, here are the best 6 oils to use for your hair whether you are natural or relaxed:
1. Coconut o – Penetrating
Once coconut oil enters the hair shaft it actually has the ability to patch and protect the hair from the inside out. It is light in weight and non greasy and one of the highest recommended oils for promoting healthy hair. It’s an excellent conditioner, helps prevent protein loss, prevents dandruff and is wonderful for scalp massages too.
2. Olive Oil – Penetrating
This is a light oil that also penetrates the hair shaft. The main benefits include sealing, reducing split ends, strengthening hair from the inside out, and conditioning. Olive oil can be added to shampoo to protect the hair from getting stripped and it is also great as a prepoo.
3. Avocado Oil – Penetrating
Comprised of beneficial nutrients such as vitamin A, E and D, protein, copper, magnesium, iron, folic acid, and amino acids, all nutrients that are vital for hair growth, avocado oil conditions the hair and helps with moisture retention too.
4. Castor Oil – Coating
This is a heavy oil that is one of the best sealants because of its structure. It conditions the hair giving it the strength and resilience it needs to stand up to daily care. It promotes hair growth, seals moisturize into the hair, tames frizz and it also makes hair appear thicker with consistent use.
5. Grape Seed oil – Coating
This is popular as a carrier oil for essential oils*, in other words you can add any strong essential oil that may need to be diluted to grapeseed oil*. Grapeseed oil* is used to nourish the scalp and prevent dandruff and it also contains vitamin E and linoleic acid. Grapeseed oil can also be used as a natural heat protectant* due to its properties. Still, don’t rely on it alone for your heat protection needs and instead use it in conjunction with a commercial heat protectant*.
6. Jojoba Oil – Coating
The structure of jojoba oil is the closest to the makeup of the sebum that is naturally produced from your scalp. This makes the oil highly superior for nourishing the scalp and strands. It has anti bacterial properties which keeps the scalp and hair healthy.
That’s it for the oils but here is a bonus roundup of essential oils* and their benefits to your hair and scalp:
Basil Oil
Promotes hair growth by improving scalp circulation.
Chamomile Oil
Effective at treating dandruff due to it’s strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Lavender Oil
Great as a scalp treatment for hair growth, it can prevent lice and also helps reduce scalp inflammation and dryness.
Clary sage Oil
Improves hair growth in much the same way as lavendar oil*, it improves hair strength and is also used in the treatment of dandruff.
Lemon Oil
The citric acid in the oil prevents the hair follicles from getting loose hence reducing hair fall. It encourages under active sebaceous glands to get active at producing the right amount of sebum.
Peppermint Oil
Used to combat dry hair, promotes hair growth, prevents hair loss and is also antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.
Rosemary Oil
It promotes hair growth by stimulating scalp circulation, slows graying of the hair and minimizes dandruff.
Tea Tree Oil
This is an effective treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands
Is Shea Butter not considered an oil? Please educate me.
Even though it behaves like an oil in the sense that it can effectively seal in your moisture, it is actually a very heavy butter. There is Shea oil that you can purchase that is pretty much an oil. – hope that helps
Thank you, thst does help
I am suffering from Alopecia…start using Castor oil in Nov 6, 2013…I co wash, deep condition…hot oil treatment…very little fine hairs are growing in my crown…what suggestions do you have that help my hair grow back…I am 60 yrs old…Thanks
I am suffering from alopecia it in the crown what can I do for growing thanks
what kind of oil is that???
I use them all but Grape seed is one of my staple oils
Coconut oil is new to me..I will try it
Coconut oil is my fave. Natural organic. And it smells sooooooo good lol
I use coconut & castor oil. Just ordered rosemary oil for greys & avocado & almond oil.
Tea tree oil, organic jamaica liquify coconut oil, organic sweet almond oils, organic jamaican black castor oil.
Latorria I have castor oil… doesn’t help. Think ima go across tha water & start there. This Crowder is rough! Lol
Olive
coconut.tea tree/jojoba my fav
Hi i mix coconut oil and olive oil is that ok to do…and is it ok to mix a number of oils such as castor oil and grapeseed oils in also i actually would love to mix about 8 oils into one container
Coconut and olive oil are amazing. I also like safflower oil after days without moisturizing.
at the moment i use jbco, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and grape seed oil….im thinking about trying advocado oil
I use Coconut, Castor, Olive, and Sweet Almond..my hair absolutely love Castor.
Where to buy all these oils at
Great use indian hemp but not happy with the waxiness tangles my hair.
Castor, almond, olive and coconut oils for me.
Olive oil does nothing for me
Argan oil pure works great for me
Sweet bran oil is amazing!! Add cayenne pepper and it helps stimulate hair growth
Little known fact: coconut oil is best for treating psoriasis of the scalp as well.
@tamiko Ross. You can buy pure oils on amazon.
Coconut Oil, Castor Oil and Olive Oil is what I use
Argan oil n Virgin Shea Butter
Love it
I used to use coconut oil, but I was using the bad kind you buy at pharmacy, not the organic kind that has nothing but pure coconut that you can buy In huge tubs at a natural grocers. I noticed the difference right away !
And you can use it to cook too :3
I use olive oil, coconut oil, aragon, macadamia oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil!
A lot of the oils can also be bought in stores like Whole Foods
very nice information to know!!!!
Coconut, balsam, grapeseed, shea butter all natural, jojoba oil, Aloe vera oil all natural great for skin as well
I have very course and nappy curl hair .. what oil will do best on my hair??? Any Suggestions???
Information please!!
I use a mixture of olive, JBCO, Avocado, sweet almond, jojoba and Vitamin E. My hair loves that mixture.
Ahhh I am doing well. I have all of these oils and more n my cabinet!!! I notice a positive difference in my hair. Softness, manageability, shine and absolutely no breakage.
I get my oils in whole foods & food for less.
thank for the info nice to know when will you be getting it ?
and you have to still oil her scalp all the time, not just sometime and not just putting on her hair. and her hair must still be shampoo and conditioned all the time. and done all the time also. Love U hugs & kisses
I would like to try
Does this work for people who has dreads?
good—–
Castor Oil is working wonders here!
Use raw shea butter and mix in hemp oil, argan, jojoba. Just found on ebay organic oils you can order in any size you want. I am getting hemp, coconut & babassu (new to me so I googled it) They say it is better than coconut so I may just order the hemp & babassu.
What is good for all natural very thin hair I have Lupus and what’s is also good for washing and conditioning I have been natural for a year now and I have chunks of my hair come out when I wash and condition it. plz help
question do u mix the oils or use seperately
I love Olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil
Hi my daughter’s are half native American and half African American. There hair is very fine and straight at the roots but curls, abd coils up on the ends. I’m trying to find a good regimen promote growth, as well as seal in moisture. I recently was told that u could mix a oil in with there moisturizing hair dress creme.. is that a good regimen.. I would like to start with the jojoba oil since I’ve
already introduced it to their hair.. im open to all suggestions. However please be mindful that my twin daughters are 2 years old.. thanks in advance!!!!!
Alana Douglas-Glasgow I mix mine with raw Shea butter..but I also add to my castle peppermint shampoo. You have to read up on the oil you want because some are carrier oils and those you would normally mix with something else. Then find what works for your hair. I been also daily dabbing flax seed and hemp in the top of my head.
Don’t forget argan oil! I love the one from pro naturals!
How do I apply caster oil in my hair cause the oil is very heavy ?
Hi, How do I stop or control graying hair?
You may want to check with Chinese women. There is an herb that they drink ( smells unpleasant) that is suppose to prevent grey hair. I know it works; but don’t have any more info. sorry.
I am eager to find out more about “tree-branch-loks”. I was told by a girlfriend that this is a style of loks whereby your hair looks likes branches of a tree with leaves ! It’s happening in Los Angeles. Can someone please send me a photo or tell me more. I have sister-loks and love them; but if I can design them in tree branches with leaves; that would be fantastic.
I use coconut oil almost daily (5-6 days a/wk). Avocado a few times a/wk well. Olive oil tends to work better on one of my girls’ hairs than coconut oil does (less protein maybe)…. My JBCO bottle has been catching dust for several months, but I am thinking of using it as of today, as a final sealant. Sounds good. These oils are my fave. But coconut oil hands down works in retaining length. I have been able to grow my hair to waist length as a result!
Oooh, I would love 2 see a pic of ur hair! Idk if I would like 2 grow out my hair that long(sounds like a ton of maintenance 4 me to deal w/ day-in & day-out, lol). Btw, do u have natural or relaxed hair? Also, I have a 3 yr-old w/ thick, curly hair(she’s in between 3b – 4a hair type) that has extremely dry hair w/ frizzy ends. The oils that u use on your daughters’ hair can be used to combat my issues, right?lol If not, what do u suggest? Thanks for letting us know what oils u use(will def. try the coconut oil for sure)!
Very informative.
Jazy
When I do my loc i use three oil,coconut,argan,and jbco.
Why didn’t black seed oil make the list? Just wondering.
Excellent info – thx
I use an interesting mixture and drink cod liver oil , my hair is great.
I have focused on Ovacado Oil and my Hair is thick and strong.