Hey, curlfriends! Let’s talk about one of the most essential aspects of natural hair care: hair oils. When it comes to maintaining healthy, hydrated, and luscious curls, hair oils are an absolute must-have in your regimen. Whether you’re looking to boost shine, retain moisture, or stimulate hair growth, oils can be a game-changer. In this post, we’ll dive into some of the best hair oils for natural hair, how they benefit your hair, and the different ways you can use them to maximize their power. Grab your favorite oil and let’s get into it!
Feel like your hair has been the same length forever, I’ve an Ebook that will help you grow your hair healthier, longer and thicker. Grab your copy here… Also, check out all the Ebooks,guides and journals that will go a long way in your hair care journey here.
Table of Contents
Why Hair Oils Are Essential for Natural Hair
Before we break down the best oils, let’s talk about why oils are so important for natural hair. Natural hair, especially 4C hair, tends to be drier than other hair types because the natural oils produced by the scalp have a harder time traveling down the hair shaft. The tighter the curl pattern, the more challenging it is for those oils to moisturize your hair fully.
That’s where hair oils come in. Oils help to:
- Seal in Moisture: Oils are excellent for locking in moisture after washing or conditioning your hair, helping to keep your strands hydrated.
- Prevent Breakage: By keeping your hair moisturized, oils can help reduce dryness and brittleness, which in turn minimizes breakage.
- Add Shine: Oils give your curls that extra shine and luster without making your hair feel greasy.
- Promote Hair Growth: Some oils stimulate the scalp and hair follicles, encouraging healthier hair growth.
Now that we know why oils are a must, let’s break down some of the best ones for natural hair.
These oils are the best for natural hair.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the most popular oils in the natural hair community—and for good reason. It’s a super lightweight oil that penetrates deep into the hair shaft, providing moisture from within. Coconut oil is also rich in lauric acid, which helps to strengthen hair, reduce protein loss, and promote hair growth.
Benefits:
- Deeply moisturizes and hydrates the hair
- Prevents protein loss, keeping hair strong
- Reduces breakage and split ends
- Promotes hair growth by stimulating the scalp
How to Use Coconut Oil:
- Pre-Poo Treatment: Apply coconut oil to dry hair before washing to prevent moisture loss during shampooing. Leave it in for about 30 minutes, then proceed with your wash routine.
- Scalp Massage: Warm up a small amount of coconut oil and massage it into your scalp to stimulate blood circulation and hair growth. Do this 2-3 times a week for the best results.
- Sealing Oil: After applying a leave-in conditioner, use coconut oil to seal in the moisture.
Pro Tip: If you have protein-sensitive hair, be cautious with how often you use coconut oil, as it can sometimes lead to protein overload.
2. Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)
Jamaican Black Castor Oil is a thicker, more viscous oil that is beloved for its ability to promote hair growth and strengthen the hair. It’s packed with omega-9 fatty acids, which are known to nourish the scalp and keep hair strong.
Benefits:
- Stimulates hair growth and thickens hair
- Nourishes the scalp and prevents dandruff
- Adds shine and seals in moisture
- Helps prevent breakage and split ends
How to Use Jamaican Black Castor Oil:
- Scalp Treatment: Apply JBCO directly to your scalp, focusing on areas where you want to encourage hair growth (like thinning edges). Massage it in for 5-10 minutes to promote blood circulation and stimulate your follicles.
- Hot Oil Treatment: Warm up JBCO and apply it to your scalp and hair as a hot oil treatment. Cover your hair with a plastic cap and sit under a dryer or use a hot towel to lock in the moisture for about 20-30 minutes.
- Sealant: Use JBCO as the last step in your LOC or LCO method to seal in moisture and keep your curls hydrated.
Pro Tip: Because it’s a heavier oil, a little goes a long way. You don’t need to use a lot to get great results.
3. Argan Oil
Argan oil, often referred to as “liquid gold,” is a lightweight oil packed with vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids. It’s a fantastic choice for those looking to add shine, reduce frizz, and nourish the hair without weighing it down.
Benefits:
- Smooths frizz and flyaways
- Adds a natural shine to your curls
- Provides a light layer of moisture without heaviness
- Protects hair from heat damage
How to Use Argan Oil:
- Leave-In Conditioner Booster: Add a few drops of argan oil to your leave-in conditioner to give your curls an extra dose of moisture and shine.
- Frizz Fighter: Apply a small amount of argan oil to your ends and edges to smooth frizz and flyaways, especially when styling.
- Heat Protectant: Before using heat tools like blow dryers or diffusers, apply argan oil to your hair to protect it from heat damage.
Pro Tip: Argan oil is great for everyday use because of its lightweight nature. It won’t leave your hair feeling greasy or weighed down.
4. Olive Oil
Olive oil is another heavy-hitting, deeply moisturizing oil that has been used for centuries in hair care. It’s rich in vitamins A and E and antioxidants, making it ideal for dry, brittle hair in need of some serious hydration.
Benefits:
- Deeply conditions and nourishes dry hair
- Helps reduce dandruff by moisturizing the scalp
- Softens hair, making it easier to manage
- Prevents split ends and breakage
How to Use Olive Oil:
- Deep Conditioning: Mix olive oil with your favorite deep conditioner to give your hair an extra boost of hydration. Apply the mixture to your hair and leave it on for 30-45 minutes before rinsing.
- Detangler: Apply olive oil to your hair before detangling to help the comb glide through more easily, reducing breakage.
- Hot Oil Treatment: Like JBCO, olive oil makes an excellent hot oil treatment. Warm it up, apply it to your hair, and let it sit under heat for 20-30 minutes to deeply moisturize your curls.
Pro Tip: If your hair feels super dry and brittle, olive oil can work wonders to restore its softness and manageability.
5. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a lightweight, non-greasy oil that is perfect for sealing in moisture without leaving a heavy residue. It’s rich in linoleic acid, which is known for its moisturizing and strengthening properties.
Benefits:
- Seals in moisture without weighing hair down
- Adds shine and softness to curls
- Helps to smooth frizz and flyaways
- Strengthens hair and prevents breakage
How to Use Grapeseed Oil:
- Sealant: After applying your leave-in conditioner or moisturizer, use grapeseed oil to seal in the moisture and keep your hair hydrated throughout the day.
- Frizz Control: Apply a small amount of grapeseed oil to your hands and gently smooth it over your hair to reduce frizz and add shine.
- Heat Protectant: Grapeseed oil has a high smoke point, making it an excellent natural heat protectant when blow-drying or using heat styling tools.
Pro Tip: If you have fine hair or are prone to build-up, grapeseed oil is an excellent option because it’s lightweight and absorbs quickly.
6. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is packed with nutrients like vitamins A, D, and E, making it an excellent choice for nourishing both your hair and scalp. It’s a thicker oil, similar to olive oil, and works well for deep conditioning treatments.
Benefits:
- Moisturizes and strengthens hair
- Nourishes the scalp and helps prevent dandruff
- Adds shine and softness to dry, damaged hair
- Protects hair from UV damage and environmental stressors
How to Use Avocado Oil:
- Pre-Poo Treatment: Apply avocado oil to your hair before washing to prevent your shampoo from stripping your hair of its natural oils.
- Deep Conditioning: Mix avocado oil with your deep conditioner or use it on its own as a deep conditioning treatment. Apply it to your hair, cover with a plastic cap, and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing.
- Scalp Massage: Use avocado oil to massage your scalp and promote blood circulation. This can help to stimulate hair growth and keep your scalp healthy.
Pro Tip: Avocado oil is a great choice for those with color-treated or heat-damaged hair because it helps to repair and restore damaged strands.
Hair oils are an essential part of any natural hair care routine. Whether you’re looking to add moisture, prevent breakage, promote growth, or tame frizz, there’s an oil out there that can meet your hair’s needs. From the deeply moisturizing properties of Jamaican Black Castor Oil to the lightweight shine of grapeseed oil, incorporating oils into your regimen can make all the difference in the health and beauty of your curls.
What’s your favorite hair oil? Let me know in the comments below, and let’s keep our curls flourishing together!