Natural oils can be a great addition to your hair care routine. There are many different types of oils that can be used to make your hair shinier and healthier. Read on to find out about some of the best hair oils for your hair and why you should use them in your routine.
Babassu Oil
Babassu oil is derived from the babassu palm tree that is native to South America. Many parts of the tree have been used for medicinal purposes, including the oil. It is favored for its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.
The hydrating qualities of babassu oil can be of huge benefit to the hair and scalp. It can be an effective hydrator to both dry hair and a dry scalp, similar to coconut oil. However, it is more lightweight than coconut oil and less comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores and leave hair greasy. When hair is saturated with moisture, it will look shinier and healthier.
Babassu oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, which help to heal and protect the hair and scalp. It can soothe the scalp and reduce damage from environmental stressors, helping to keep both the scalp and the hair healthy.
You can find babassu oil in all kinds of hair care products. Because it can help to hydrate dry and brittle hair, including dyed hair, it can be effective in a conditioning hair color, to soothe hair that has been damaged through bleaching and coloring.
Olive Oil
Many people may be more familiar with using olive oil in cooking, but it can be an effective hair care product too. Olive oil is a powerful moisturizer and is often used as a conditioner for hair. It can work best on thick hair and hair that has undergone a lot of chemical processes, such as perms or bleaching.
Olive oil contains squalene and oleic acid which can help to prevent spilt ends as they increase the elasticity of the hair strands. It can also reduce hair breakage, which can result in thicker, fuller hair.
Olive oil will coat the hair strands with a protective layer, which can help to reduce damage from heat styling. It can also smooth hair that has become brittle, making it sleek and shiny.
Olive oil can be found in many hair care products, such as conditioners and hair masks. You can also use it as a weekly treatment, by applying one to two tablespoons of olive oil to damp hair, wrapping it in a towel and leaving it to sit for half an hour. You can then rinse it out with water and you’ll find nourished, conditioned hair.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is derived from the argan tree, which is native to Morocco. It is used for all sorts of cosmetic purposes including for the skin and the hair.
When applied to hair, argan oil is a great hydrator. It has smaller molecules than some other types of oils, so it can be more easily absorbed into the hair strands. This helps to soften and moisturize hair. It can help to make dry and brittle hair sleek and shiny, by smoothing the hair cuticle.
Argan oil also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, which can help to soothe and protect irritated scalps. It can also boost hair health and reduce damage from environmental stressors, as well as heat styling.
Argan oil can be particularly effective when used as a serum. You can apply serums to dry or damp hair to keep the strands sleek and nourished. Some argan oil products can be heavy but some are more lightly formulated. You can look for the best formulation for your hair type – those with thicker hair could benefit from a heavier argan oil but those with thinner hair could find the lighter formula doesn’t weigh hair down and leave it limp.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a popular hair oil, but it may be better for those with thicker hair, as it can be quite heavy. However, it is a great moisturizer for hair and can be super effective at moisturizing dry and brittle hair.
Coconut oil is full of fatty acids, which helps it to penetrate the hair and nourish the strands. This can help to repair damaged hair, smooth the hair cuticle and leave hair smooth and shiny. Unlike some other oils, which can evaporate from the hair strands, coconut oil is better at staying inside the hair, helping to keep it hydrated for longer.
Coconut oil can also help to soothe a dry and irritated scalp, helping to repair the skin barrier. However, if you have greasy roots, it can be best to avoid putting coconut oil on your scalp, as it is a heavy oil and can make your roots greasier.
Coconut oil can be found in many products but can be great as a regular hair mask. You can also apply it directly to your hair before or after washing to help keep it nourished and hydrated.
