Tired of flyaways ruining your favorite hairstyles? Wish there was a way to mend split ends and protect your hair from damage caused by excessive styling? We have a solution for you: hair oil.
Hair oils can visually enhance the look and feel of your hair by deeply conditioning and restoring essential moisture. They are the perfect pick-me-up for your hair, creating that smooth-to-the-touch feel you crave.
If you plan to add oil to your hair care routine, here's everything you need to know about how to use hair oil.
What Makes a Good Hair Oil?
When shopping for hair oil, make sure it provides your hair with more than just a temporary shine and works to restore the essential nutrients and moisture to improve the elasticity and strengthen the individual strands.
You need a hair oil that helps you reach your long-term hair goals, and that means being mindful of the ingredients and ensuring your chosen oil contains nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to benefit your hair.
Here are some of our favorite hair-loving ingredients to look for:
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that can stimulate hair growth, maintain a healthy scalp, and combat damage from free radicals. Without antioxidants like vitamin E, free radicals can cause oxidative stress, leading to premature signs of aging. When used in hair oil, vitamin E can also improve hair strength and help you achieve soft, vibrant, and healthy-looking hair.
Sunflower Seed Oil
Sunflower seed oil contains a powerful blend of vitamin E and oleic acid and is often a key ingredient in hair oils due to its nourishing properties. Sunflower seed oil can also help to visually soften and add shine to hair.
Squalane
Squalane is a plant-derived humectant, meaning it naturally attracts water. Hair oils use this saturated oil to help your hair retain moisture and achieve shine and smoothness.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is an ultra-hydrating antioxidant packed with fatty acids and vitamin E. Known for its nourishing effects, argan oil can revitalize and mend dry/split ends and reduce signs of damage.
Castor Oil
Castor oil contains a rich blend of essential fatty acids and natural anti-inflammatory properties that hydrate hair strands and soothe the scalp.
Which Ingredients to Avoid
On the flip side, there are also ingredients you should avoid. Too many chemicals or irritants in product formulas can dry out your hair and cause more harm than good. When learning how to use hair oil, always read the ingredient labels and keep an eye out for the following:
Parabens
Parabens are commonly added to beauty products to stop the formation of bacteria. However, many studies link parabens to cancer and other diseases, so when looking for hair oils, shop for products with clear labels that indicate they're "paraben-free."
Sulfates
Sulfates are common cleansing agents added to hair care and beauty products. While they may help eliminate product build-up and excess oil, daily use can also dry out your hair and lead to a dry, itchy scalp, split ends, and breakage.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil isn't inherently bad for your hair because it can detangle, smooth, and moisturize. However, this oil is less beneficial than other hydrating haircare ingredients. Mineral oil is only effective in the short term; to mend split ends and prevent more damage, look for products containing coconut or argan oil.
Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances may smell good, but they aren't necessarily good for your hair. Many synthetic fragrances contain additional chemicals not clearly labeled on the ingredient label, and these can lead to scalp irritation. To avoid this, always choose fragrance-free hair oils and products.
How to Use a Hair Oil Like a Professional
If you want to use hair oil like a professional, there are a few tips to help you get the most out of the product.
Choosing the right oil: Whether it's coconut oil, rosemary, or The Hair Oil from Augustinus Bader, there are various hair oils available, each with unique benefits. When looking for hair oil, consider your unique hair concerns and how you can benefit.
Always apply to damp hair: Apply hair oil to wet or towel-dried hair after completing your daily or weekly hair care routine. This provides deep hydration and allows the product to penetrate the hair shaft more effectively.
Don't go overboard: If you use too much oil, your hair will feel greasy or weighed down. Use a few drops and apply evenly throughout the lengths of your hair for the best results -- we promise it's enough!
Massage into the scalp: When applying a natural oil to your hair, massage your scalp to ensure your scalp gets the same benefits as the ends. Some hair oils are formulated for ends only, so always read the directions before use.
Use as a heat protectant: Hair oils are a great protectant to use before blowing your hair or styling it with your favorite hot tools.
Use as a styling tool: After styling, you can leave most oils in your hair as a heat protectant or a finisher. This method will help you achieve the soft shiner look you desire.
Be consistent: Hair oils work best when used regularly and consistently. Use hair oil at least 2-3 times a week for best results.
Why Oil Your Hair?
If you struggle with frizz or dryness, you can benefit from learning how to oil your hair. Hair oils contain high concentrations of vitamins and nutrients that penetrate deep into the individual hair strands and protect against damage and dryness. With regular use, they can also combat frizz, enhance shine, and help you maintain your hair's natural luster.
Hair oils typically work for all hair types. Whether you have a head full of beautiful curls or pin-straight hair, you can benefit from the nutrients in the formulas. Many people incorporate hair oils in their beauty routine because they:
● Protect against heat damage caused by over styling
● Prevent breakage
● Improve the visual appearance of split ends
● Combat frizz and flyaways
● Hydrate dry ends
● Adds enhanced shine
● Detangles and smoothes the strands
Hair Oil Vs. Hair Oiling: What's the Difference?
It's important to note that hair oil isn't the same as hair oiling. Hair oiling is the process of massaging natural oils into your hair from the scalp to the ends. Typically, you allow the oils to sit on your head for 20 to 60 minutes and then wash it out in the shower. In terms of frequency -- depending on your hair type and what natural oil you choose, once a month is sufficient for best results.
Incorporating hair oil into your hair care routine 2-3 times a week as needed can work wonders for your hair. The beneficial formula typically contains a blend of leave-in oils applied from mid-length to the ends of your hair, and there's no need to wash the oil out.
How to Remove Hair Oil
When learning how to oil your hair, there are several steps to remove the oil from your hair. After you've oiled your hair for 20 minutes to an hour, jump in the shower and continue with your everyday hair care routine. Greasy residue in your hair shouldn't be a problem unless you apply too much product.
Common Mistakes When Oiling Your Hair
Oiling Overnight
When learning how to oil your hair, it may be tempting to wear the oil in your hair like a hair mask. However, using an excessive amount can clog your pores, leading to irritation and scalp inflammation.
Hair Oiling Oily Hair
If your hair is already oily, the last thing you want to do is add fire to the flame. Hair oiling can lead to even greasier hair, so be careful!
Too Generous
Going overboard with natural oils can dehydrate your scalp and produce excess oil. Use just enough oil to cover your roots and the rest of your hair. (Trust us, you'll still see results).
Results to Expect
Regular use of hair oil as part of your hair care routine can yield numerous worthwhile benefits. You can expect to see an improvement in the overall visual health and appearance of your hair, as well as experience:
● Hydrated and nourished hair: Hair oils penetrate the hair shaft and provide deep conditioning, making your hair more manageable, hydrated, and less prone to breakage.
● Shinie, soft, and smooth hair: Hair oils can combat dry, frizzy hair and tame flyaways, leaving your hair with a soft, silky touch and extra shine.
● Less split ends: Hair oil is ultra-hydrating and nourishing, and this can heal split ends and hydrate the dry parts of your hair. While oil may not reverse the damage, it can prevent further damage.
● Improved hair texture: The extra dose of hydration will help enhance your hair's natural luster and texture.
These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg when using hair oil. Every formula is unique, so expect different results depending on your product.
Adding a Hair Oil to Your Routine: Summed Up
Hair oiling benefits your hair but is not your only option. You can get the same weekly results with The Hair Oil without over-oiling or sitting with oil in your hair for an hour. Our ultra-restorative elixir can instantly improve the look and feel of your hair, and using it 2-3 times a week can combat visual signs of damage, control frizz, and heal split ends.
Commonly Asked Questions
How often should I oil my hair?
We recommend using The Hair Oil 2-3 times a week as needed. Any more than this will strip your hair of its natural oils.
Should my hair be wet or dry before applying hair oil?
Apply The Hair Oil to dry or towel-dried hair. Use 1-3 drops on your fingers and run the product through your hair from the mid-lengths to the ends.
How long should I leave in the hair oil?
You can leave hair oil in your hair all day or use it as a protectant against styling tools, heat, and other environmental aggressors. If you're oiling your hair with natural oil, leave it in for 1-2 hours max. Wearing the oil in your hair overnight can clog your pores, leaving your hair greasy.
Does oil help repair damaged hair?
The Hair Oil can help combat visual signs of damage, mend split ends, and reduce breakage. It can also improve the overall visual appeal of your hair and strengthen individual strands. During our 12-week clinical trials, participants reported that The Hair Oil reduced broken and damaged hair by 93%.
