Healthy Hair starts with Healthy scalp and the very common issue now a days is hair fall and dry scalp. The reasons could be many but the main and important reason is due to chemicals in our hair care products and the oils we apply. Natural oils sourced from coconut, almond, argan, offer a green care for your hair. The use of natural oils are good for your overall health and the environment too since it reduces exposure to harmful chemicals. Natural hair oils are simply oils—which are appropriate for use on hair or skin— that are not processed, they don’t contain any other ingredients, and they are left in its natural state.
The oils that have the ability to penetrate hair are those that can get into your hair shaft and moisturize from the inside out. Few oils that can penetrate the hair shaft are coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oils. However, all penetration is not created equal. In other words: Some of these oils penetrate the hair shaft much deeper than others. For example, coconut oil contains short-chain fatty acids. The molecules that make up this chain are small enough to be deposited into the hair’s cuticle. This is mainly one of the reasons people reach for coconut oil over any other oil. Avocado and olive oil penetrate the hair shaft ever so slightly as their molecules are a little bigger than coconut oil, but they’re still good moisturizers and make great deep conditioners as well.
Oils that sit on top of your hair and don’t get into the shaft simply coat the hair strand. This kind of oils are great because they can be used as a heat protectant, they also lock in the moisture that penetrating oils have deposited into your hair. These oils are composed of unsaturated fats (and big molecules) that don’t easily enter the hair shaft causing these types of oils to sit on top of the hair. Oils like jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, castor oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil just to name a few are all oils that coat the hair shaft. These oils are great for adding luster to the hair and smoothing the hair shaft as well.
Here are some of the many benefits of using natural oils in your hair care routine.
- Stimulates hair growth and Nourishes hair
- Combats dry scalp and dandruff
- Helps prevent and remedy heat and styling damage
- Adds shine
- Better for the environment
- Reduces exposure to chemical and other non-natural ingredients
Knowing your hair’s needs and the types of oils that work best is always helpful.
- Dry, dull hair: coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil
- Dry scalp: jojoba oil, lavender oil, lemongrass oil
- Damaged hair: coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil
- Hair loss: sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, lemongrass oil
- Dandruff-prone hair: jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, lemongrass oil
- Slow-growing hair: coconut oil and sweet almond oil
Things to Consider When Using Natural Oil on Your Hair
Once you have decided to add all-natural oils into your hair care routine, there are a few things to consider.
Use high-quality, minimally processed oils. Whenever possible, use organic, all-natural oils. These types of oils retain their natural levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and do not contain any chemical or non-natural ingredients or additives.
Check out the ingredients. Be sure to read the label to check that there are no hidden chemicals or unnatural ingredients. Sometimes oils that claim to be natural contain ingredients, such as perfumes or additives, so always be aware of what you are buying.
Consider your hair type and needs. Every hair type is different, and it may take you a while to figure out which oil is best for your needs. What oils are good for your hair may not work well for another person, and vice versa.
Be sure not to use too much. Since oil is greasy, you should use it sparingly. Always wash your hair thoroughly with a quality, alcohol-free natural shampoo after any hair treatment containing oil.