Finding the best products for your hair can be difficult. A basic understanding of a few famous ingredients is a great way to find products that work for your hair without having to actually try them.
Before jumping into different oils and their purposes, there are two types of oils to look at:
Carrier oils: vegetable/nut/seed derived oil (often odourless) are often used to transport or carry the scent and properties of an essential oil.
Essential oils: extremely concentrated scent, contain specific therapeutic benefits and are normally extracted from plant sources.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil can easily be used by all hair types thanks to being light and non-greasy. Coconut oil is one of the few oils that can actually penetrate the hair shaft. There are several types of coconut oil available, but go for the extra virgin is always a great choice.
Olive oil
This multipurpose oil is a staple in many hair care regimens. Not only is olive oil a great pre-poo and hot oil treatment option, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) works wonders to seal moisture in and can add a kick to your conditioning routine too. If you have finer hair you may want to use just a small amount in order to not weigh the hair down.
Castor oil
Castor oil is heavier oil great for tighter coils. Castor oil can be great for sealing moisture into your hair. A little goes a long way and too much can leave your hair heavy and weighed down.
Grapeseed oil
This light and moisturising hair oil works great to strengthen each strand, increase manageability, and can also be used to combat dry dandruff and dryness.
Jojoba oil
Closely matching the sebum (your hair’s natural oil) jojoba oil is a great staple in your natural hair care routine. This hair oil can be used to balance oil production at the scalp. Jojoba is also non-greasy and gives your hair a healthy shine, making it great for all hair types.
Sweet almond oil
This light, all-purpose oil is great for all hair types and offers many benefits to all types of textured hair. Sweet almond oil does a great job at sealing in moisture, which is why many gels/foams have it as an ingredient.
Avocado oil
This super nutrient rich oil is heaven for thick-haired curlies. It’s filled with natural nutrients like amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, avocado oil can help strengthen hair. Since this oil is heavy and slightly oily, it is ideal for thicker or more tightly coiled strands.
Argan oil
This rare oil has quickly become a staple in the curly hair community for its moisturising properties. It is easily absorbed and very nourishing. For curly girls, argan oil helps w9ith manageability and can also strengthen the hair. It can be pricey to buy on its own, but not to worry! You can find it in many curly hair products.
Rose oil
Rose oil is ultra lightweight, making it suitable for finer hair types. Rose oil strengthens hair at the root, protects against frizz and adds shine.
Where to go from here
Oils are an amazing ingredient because they offer benefits important for curly hair and are often universal in the hair types that they offer benefits to.
