Having curly hair can be a real pain, as many people must find the right products through rigorous trial and error. Have you ever considered adding oils to your regimen?
Since curly hair tends to be dry, oils can be of great help in the moisture category. Check out these seven different oils you can use in your curly hair routine.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO), a product native to Eastern Africa, is beneficial in treating a dry scalp, eczema, and dandruff. Additionally, massaging the oil into your scalp can encourage new hair growth.
The oil can be purchased by itself, or you can find it as an ingredient in many popular shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a well-known go-to in the beauty world from an alternative to toothpaste to a luscious moisturizer. While coconut oil is beneficial for some with curly hair, not everyone finds it to work for their curl pattern.
Whether or not coconut oil will work with your hair depends upon your hair’s porosity. Porosity is a fancy term for how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture.
If you have low porosity hair, your hair will not be able to absorb moisture very well, and as a result, coconut oil may not be the best option for you. Using coconut oil will only dry out your hair as it can block moisture from getting into your hair strands.
So, if you have high porosity hair, coconut oil will be a good option. You can use it in a hair mask before shampooing or add a little to your curls after showering.
Find information on how to test the porosity of your hair here.
Moroccan/Argan Oil
Argan oil is just another term the beauty industry has assigned to Moroccan oil. Moroccan oil is full of fatty acids, vitamin E, phenols, and carotenes. It can add shine and moisture to curly hair.
The only downside to Moroccan oil is the price tag; small bottles can cost up to $34. Of course, there is always the option to purchase a product that uses Moroccan oil as an ingredient. Just be sure the product does not contain any silicones, as silicones are known to dry out curly hair.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is no longer exclusively an ingredient in your favorite recipe. It can be used as a moisturizer for dry and damaged hair. The fatty acids found in this oil can help protect your curls from drying out.
To use olive oil as a deep conditioner, work it through your hair in sections, and let it sit for 30-45 minutes. Make sure to wash it out with shampoo afterward.
Keratin Oil
Keratin is a protein found in hair that is frequently added to hair products as protection against breakage and to add moisture and shine. While hair already contains this protein, Keratin treatments are offered at many salons. However, the salon treatments can be pricey. An option that won’t break the bank is to purchase a hair oil blend that uses keratin as an added ingredient.
Macadamia Oil
Another oil that is known to help curly-haired individuals comes from the Macadamia nut. This oil is high in fatty acids, can nourish dry hair and help tame frizz.
Check out this recipe for a hair mask with Macadamia oil as the star:
¼ cup macadamia oil
1-2 drops tea tree oil
1-2 aloe vera gel
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and apply the mixture to your hair. Use a comb to help distribute the oil throughout your hair. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil contains fatty acids and biotin, both helpful to maintaining healthy hair. The oil can be used in a hair mask for deep conditioning or even as a leave-in conditioner. If using it as a leave-in conditioner, only use a small amount, as the oil can make hair heavy.
When finding out which oil will best suit your curl type, you may find you need to test them out. To avoid unnecessary damage to your curls, you can do spot tests before applying all over. If when testing products, there is any discomfort or you experience burning or itching from the oils your best bet is to discontinue use.
If you experience discomfort, burning, or itching when testing products, your best bet is to discontinue use.
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Sources: [Allure, Healthline, Helix, It’s A 10, Stylecaster, Naturally Curly, Naturally Curly, Natural Living Ideas, Nordstrom, Ogle School, Ouidad, Self, The Debrief, Wellness Mama]
