Natural oils for natural hair are perfect for sealing moisture into the hair shaft. Most oils don’t have the ability to penetrate the hair shaft, instead they lay on top of the cuticle, coating just the outer surface. For this reason oils are great for sealing in moisture in the form of water or a water-based product like a leave-in conditioner. Naturals who moisture and seal at least every other day will notice an increase hair retention, softness, strength and sheen.
Convinced? Great! Now here comes the fun part. Picking a natural oil that your hair responds best to. Oils vary in thickness, smell and nutritional value. Here are 6 we here at Curls Understood love the best.
Argan Oil
This Moroccon oil has grown in popularity among naturals over the last couple of years but it has been popular in its place of origin for centuries. Its lure is its high quantity of vitamin E – twice as much as other oils – and it has the power to add shine and mend split ends. This oil is small enough to penetrate the shafts of our hair so it increases elasticity. Lastly, it’s non-greasy consistency makes it easy to apply.
Avocado Oil
Full of essential fatty acids, avocado oil is perfect for strengthening hair – thanks to the protein. The nutrients such as vitamins A, B, D, and E are excellent for moisturizing, conditioning and improving shine. If you’re experiencing experiencing dandruff or scalp psoriasis, avocado oil is particularly beneficial as it’s excellent at moisturizing the scalp.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil promotes hair growth by thickening and strengthening the hair. The saturated fatty acids and vitamin E promote hair growth and even prevent breakage. Also great for tackling dandruff, coconut oil is heaven-sent for your scalp. Many naturals have found that adding it to their deep conditioners or using it for hot oil treatments helps add shine and softness to their hair.
Castor Oil (Jamaican Black or Regular)
Jamaican Black Castor Oil is unrefined and therefore rich in nutrition. It’s processed differently from regular castor oil and has proven to be effective in increasing blood flow to the scalp and nutrition to hair follicles. It’s also excellent for treating damaged, dry, and brittle hair. Regular castor oil acts as a humectant, so it attracts and locks moisture into the hair shaft. The consistency of this oil is quite thick so it’s excellent for preventing thinning.
Jojoba Oil
Most closely matching our hair’s natural sebum (the oil secreted by your scalp), Jojoba oil can be used to balance oil production and aid with overproducing glands that cause oily hair. As an emollient, it fills in cracks that are on the surface of the hair cuticle therefore repairing hair damaged by heat/styling. One downside is jojoba oil is high-in-demand and low-in-supply hence the heavy price tag. But once you get it, it’s shelf life is indefinite!
Olive Oil
Perhaps the cheapest and easiest to find, olive oil is a great multi-purpose natural oil. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) works wonders to seal moisture and also has powerful antioxidants that can help fight hair loss. Not only is olive oil a great pre-poo and hot oil treatment option, finer haired naturals can add just a small amount without fear of weighing their hair down.
Find all these oils in health food stores or online. We love the NOW brand. Be sure to pick oils that are pure and NOT processed. Look out for our upcoming article specifically on Essential Oils.
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*Photo Credit: Akilah Hughes
