Coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil…the list of healthy oils for your hair goes on, but what exactly do these oils do and what are their differences? With an over-saturation of information, it’s easy to get confused about exactly which are the best hair oils for your specific needs.
Read on to learn about our 5 favorite hair oils and their uses to combat dryness, frizziness, and even dandruff
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is pretty much the holy grail of hair oil. It acts as a heat protectant, repairs damaged hair and breakage, helps to prevent hair loss, as well as aids in hair growth. Because of its moisture retaining properties, Coconut Oil stays inside the hair instead of evaporating, making it one of the most effective hair treatments there is.
Since Coconut Oil is loaded with fatty acids, it penetrates the hair more deeply than regular conditioners, leading to beautiful soft, silky, shiny hair – who doesn’t want that?
Note, we recommend to use organic, beauty grade Coconut oil whenever possible for best results in your hair.
How to use:
If your scalp usually gets oily, apply Coconut Oil to your hair excluding the roots. If your scalp is dry, apply onto the scalp as well. Since Coconut Oil is solid at room temperature, we recommend to heat it up and melt it a little, which will make it much easier to apply. Leave it in your hair for 30 minutes to an hour (or even longer) and rinse with a natural, organic shampoo. Repeat once a week.
2. Argan Oil
Argan oil, also known as Moroccan oil, is extracted from nuts of the argan tree found in Morocco, and will do wonders for your hair. Argan oil is jam packed with beneficial ingredients like vitamin E, ferulic acid, and fatty acids, as well as antioxidants, which fight UV rays, and hair cell damage. Just a few drops of argan oil will not only protect your hair from heat, but will nourish and moisturize it, reducing dryness, and frizziness. No wonder they call this oil “liquid gold!” Argan oil is not as greasy as Coconut Oil, so it’s perfect for more frequent use.
How to use:
Apply a few drops to your palm, rub your hands together and distribute evenly on your damp or dry hair, avoiding the roots. Apply daily for best results.
3. Castor Oil
Castor oil comes from castor beans and is great for hair growth, because it has vital qualities like vitamin E, minerals, and proteins. Castor oil also contains antioxidants, which support the keratin in hair, making it stronger, smoother, and healthier. If you get this oil, we recommend getting cold pressed (meaning there was no heat involved during the extraction process), 100% pure virgin castor oil. It offers other great benefits such as controlling hair loss, fighting scalp infections and dandruff (due to its anti-fungal properties), conditioning and moisturizing the hair, and preventing split ends.
How to use:
Castor oil is very thick in consistency, so it’s always best to mix just a few drops with a carrier oil (such as olive oil or coconut oil, for easier application. Use this mixture as a scalp treatment, put on a shower cap and leave it on overnight, if possible. Wash and rinse as usual the next morning and repeat weekly or as needed. It can also be used as a hot oil treatment.
