Top 5 Best Natural Oils for Your Hair
Natural oils have been a well-kept secret in hair care for ages. Your favorite hair influencers often showcase their long, lustrous hair on social media, and one reason behind their healthy hair is the use of natural oil for intense nourishment. Oils have become a common hair care staple due to their ability to repair, nourish, and revitalize all hair types. They contain plenty of beneficial ingredients like antioxidants and fatty acids.
Whether you have brittle hair, want to increase hair volume and length, or need to cure some scalp issues, read on to discover the best natural oils for your hair care.
Coconut Oil
What it is: Just as the name implies, coconut oil is derived from coconuts and has gained considerable popularity for skin, hair care, and even for cooking – add a dash of coconut oil to your smoothie can bring a unique twist to the taste. This sweet-smelling oil is made by pressing the fat from coconut.
Why it works for your hair: Coconut oil is packed with fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, which works wonders for hair health. It has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an excellent shield against environmental damage. It is commonly used to soothe dandruff, reinstate the shine of dry and damaged hair, control frizz, and protect hair from styling damage. It is safe to use on most hair types.
Tip: When shopping for the best coconut oil for hair, choose unrefined, chemical-free virgin or extra-virgin oil to fully enjoy its benefits.
Jojoba Oil
What it is: Jojoba oil made its first appearance in cosmetics and food in the 1970s and since then, it has progressed to be a sought-after oil, thanks to its moisturizing nature. It is enriched with sebum-like properties similar to those found in the scalp, so it can be applied to hair without creating greasiness, clogging pores, or weighing it down.
Why it works for your hair: Jojoba has been proven to work wonders for your hair. It stimulates circulation in the scalp, nourishing and strengthening the hair follicles to grow – and this promotes hair growth and thickness. It is rich in many vitamins and minerals that specifically nourish hair, including vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, copper, and zinc.
Argan Oil
What it is: Argan oil is a rich, nourishing oil used in cosmetics and haircare products. It’s made by cold-pressing unroasted kernels from the Moroccan argan tree (Argania spinosa). It’s an oil that’s loved worldwide for its hydrating and smoothing properties.
Why it works for your hair: Argan oil is a true powerhouse of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E, which deeply nourish and moisturize the hair. Not only does it strengthen the hair follicles, but it also boosts shine and manageability, making it a popular ingredient in hair care products. For extra hydration, you can also use argan oil as a deep conditioning treatment.
It’s particularly beneficial for dry and damaged hair, as the fatty acids and vitamin E provide an intense moisture boost. The essential fatty acids in argan oil help to strengthen hair strands, reducing breakage and improving overall hair resilience.
Tea tree oil
What it is: Tea tree oil comes from steam distillation of the leaves of the tea tree. It is traditionally used to treat acne and various skin and hair infections due to its ability to kill bacteria. Studies have shown that tea tree oil has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory.
Why it works for your hair: Tea tree oil is a natural remedy for several health issues, including dandruff and hair loss. It has been proven to be effective in reducing dandruff caused by seborrheic dermatitis – a common skin condition that causes an itchy and flaky scalp.
Applying a small amount of diluted tea tree oil to the hair shaft helps prevent the buildup of chemicals and dead skin, keeping your hair healthy and moisturized. This regular use helps to maintain normal hair growth and prevent hair fall.
Olive Oil:
What it is: Olive oil comes from olive fruit and may offer numerous health benefits as it is high in healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Like coconut oil, olive oil can penetrate deep into hair’s fibers.
Olive oil has conditioning properties due to its high content of monounsaturated fats. Research suggests that when applied to hair, body heat helps the oil penetrate deep into the hair shaft, leaving a thin layer on the outside. However, it is important to use it sparingly to avoid an oily and heavy look.
Why it works for your hair: Because olive oil is super moisturizing, it can save your hair from weather-related dryness like harmful or sunny weather. Scrunching a few drops of olive oil into your hair can also help keep curls smooth.
How to Use Natural Oils for Hair the Right Way
There are many different ways to introduce oils into your hair-care routine. To keep your hair healthy and moisturized, you can try the following tips:
- Add a few drops of your shampoo or conditioner to your hair before washing it.
- Apply several drops of oil to the ends of your damp hair before blow-drying or styling.
- Slightly heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil, massage it into your hair and let it sit for half an hour before shampooing or rinsing.
As a general rule, leave-in treatments are better suited to those with thick or dry/damaged hair, while a pre-shampoo treatment may be more helpful to those with fine hair.
Try out Elan’s range of hair care products specially formulated with essential oils that promote hair growth, add shine, repair, and induce overall healthy hair. Click here to explore.