Hair oil is one of those hair care products that are versatile and effective. If it’s frizz you want to tame, shine you need to add, or healthy growth you want to encourage; hair oil is great for achieving all this. But with numerous available options, how would one choose the best hair oil for their hair type? Don’t worry- we have you covered. In this ultimate guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the right hair oil for your hair type.
Know Your Hair Type
Understand your hair type before venturing into the world of hair oils. Hair is different from person to person and the right oil depends on a few key aspects, among which are texture and thickness, the porosity of your hair, and other issues you might experience like dryness, frizz, or damage.
Hair Texture
- Straight Hair: Usually smooth and sleek, straight hair can sometimes look limp when weighed down with too much product.
- Wavy Hair: Wavy hair has more body and volume, but it may also have the potential for frizz and dryness.
- Curly Hair: Curly hair usually becomes dry and may need a lot of moisture and nourishment.
- Coily Hair: Coily hair is very dense and heavy; therefore, heavier oils are often required to prevent dryness and breakage.
Hair Thickness & Density
- Fine Hair: Fine hair tends to get weighed down fast, so you will require lighter oils that give your hair nourishment without making your hair greasy.
- Thick or Coarse Hair: Thicker hair types can use quite heavy oils that provide deep conditioning as well as moisture.
Hair Porosity
It refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. Porous hair is hair with high porosity, whose strands tend to really absorb hair oil, while low porosity hair tends to resist moisture.
Determine Your Hair Needs
Now, reflect on what your hair needs. Do you want to fight frizz? Do you want to shine? Is it about the health of your scalp or maybe increasing hair growth? Based on your hair condition, you can pick oils that target those areas.
- Dryness: For dry and brittle hair, the only way is deep hydration.
- Smoothing Frizz: Oils that will smooth out hair may tame flyaways and keep frizz under control.
- Hair Growth: Some oils stimulate hair follicles and stimulate healthier and stronger growth.
- Scalp Health: Your scalp itself is very important to have healthy hair, and some oils nourish and balance this area.
With all these in mind, choose the right oil for your hair type and needs.
Now that you have decided on your hair type and needs, it’s time to discover the best oils for them.
For Fine Hair:
If you have fine or thin hair, you should use light oils that will not weigh your hair down. Search for oils that are hydrating and shine without being too heavy.
- Argan Oil: Argan oil is ideal fine hair due to its light consistency, as it does not weigh hair down at all and adds shine and moisture.
- Jojoba Oil: The oil is almost identical in composition to the natural oils from your scalp, which makes it perfect for moisturising without weighing hair down.
- Grapeseed Oil: Grapeseed is another very light oil that is rich in antioxidants, perfect smoothing hair and preventing breakage easily.
For Thick or Coarse Hair:
If you have thick or coarse hair, your strands can handle heavier oils that provide deep moisture and nourishment.
- Coconut Oil: This oil is rich in fatty acids that penetrate deeply into the hair shaft and help reduce protein loss. Therefore, coconut oil is a great oil for thick, coarse, or damaged hair.
- Castor Oil: Thick and rich castor oil helps promote hair growth and thickness. It also makes it an ideal oil for dry hair by locking in moisturisers.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is a thick moisturiser that just works its magic on thick hair, leaving it softer and easier to manage.
For Curly or Coily Hair:
Those with curly or coily hair are more likely to experience dryness, so it is crucial to use oils that give them enough moisture and nourishment.
- Shea Butter: While technically a butter, shea butter is commonly used like an oil due to its moisturising and softening abilities for curly hair.
- Avocado Oil: Rich in vitamins and beneficial fats, avocado oil is amazing for hydrating and bringing shine to both curly and coily hair.
- Baobab Oil: High in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, baobab oil seals in moisture and reduces frizz for curly hair.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right hair oil is about balancing nourishment and your hair’s texture and needs. If you want to control frizz, promote hair growth, or restore moisture, there’s an oil for that. Start by understanding your hair type, consider your specific concerns, and choose oils that complement both. With a little trial & error, you’ll discover the perfect oil to help your hair look and feel its best. Happy oiling!
