Some hair oils, such as castor, avocado, argan, coconut and macadamia, help keep hair healthy, shiny and soft, because they contain vitamin E, omega 3 and mineral salts with moisturizing, nourishing and antioxidant action.
Hair oils can be used alone or together with other products, being applied only to the ends or, in some cases, they can also be used on the scalp.
To strengthen and maintain hair health, it is also recommended to wash your hair with cold or warm water and maintain a healthy diet, including foods rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Check out the foods recommended to strengthen your hair.
Top hair oils
The main oils recommended for hair are:
1. Castor Oil
Castor oil helps to moisturize, reduce split ends and dryness in weak, brittle, damaged and dry hair. Discover other benefits of castor oil.
This is because this oil contains ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid and vitamin E, nutrients with moisturizing, nourishing and antioxidant properties that help maintain hair hydration, preventing water loss.
How to use: You can use castor oil on your ends, applying a few drops to the ends of your hair. This oil can also be used in hydrating masks, mixing 1 teaspoon of castor oil with 2 tablespoons of moisturizing cream and applying it to the hair strands.
2. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a great natural treatment for dry hair as it contains fats, vitamin E and essential oils that hydrate and improve hair shine. Check out all the benefits of coconut oil.
How to use: To hydrate, simply apply this oil to strands of hair while it is still damp, leave it to act for 20 minutes and then wash your hair normally. This hydration can be done twice a week to obtain best results.
3. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is rich in vitamin E, catechins and omega 3, nutrients that fight free radicals and reduce water loss, strengthening and improving hair hydration and softness.
How to use: Apply a few drops of avocado oil to clean hair and scalp and massage with your fingertips. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash your hair normally with shampoo and conditioner.
4. Argan oil
Argan oil is great for use on dry, chemically treated and damaged hair as it has moisturizing properties, leaving strands silky, soft, shiny, hydrated and frizz-free. Learn more about argan oil.
This oil is rich in vitamins A, D and E, antioxidants and fatty acids, nutrients that act on the structure of the hair strand, nourishing the strands effectively and lastingly.
How to use: This oil can be used pure, as a finisher, applying directly to clean, dry or wet hair strands.
5. Macadamia oil
Macadamia oil is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and omegas, making it a good option for hydrating hair, reducing frizz and preventing the appearance of split ends. Learn more about macadamia oil.
How to use: Macadamia oil can be used for nighttime moisturizing and, to do this, simply apply this oil to dry hair, strand by strand, massaging well. Then, wrap your hair in a cotton fabric, such as a t-shirt, or a satin cap, to protect your bedding.
When you wake up, you should wash your hair normally with shampoo and conditioner, and let it dry naturally.
6. Sweet almond oil
Sweet almond oil can be used to hydrate and improve the shine of dry and brittle hair, as it is rich in vitamin E and vitamin A. See other benefits of sweet almond oil.
How to use: To use this oil, simply apply a few drops of sweet almond oil to the entire length of your hair, strand by strand, massaging well. Leave to act for 20 minutes and then wash with your preferred shampoo and conditioner.
7. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil can be used to stimulate hair growth and also to combat dandruff and oiliness, due to its antifungal, stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties.
How to use: To use this oil, you can dilute 5 drops of rosemary oil in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (coconut, avocado or castor) and apply directly to the clean scalp, massaging well with your fingertips and leaving it to act for 15 minutes. Afterwards, simply wash your hair normally with shampoo and conditioner.
8. Tea tree oil
Because it has antifungal and antimicrobial action, tea tree oil is effective in treating dandruff and seborrhea, improving scalp health, relieving itching and promoting hair growth. Learn more about tea tree oil.
How to use: To obtain the benefits of this oil, simply dilute 5 drops of tea tree oil in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (coconut, castor or avocado). With clean hair, apply this mixture to the scalp, massage well with your fingertips and leave it to act for 20 minutes. Afterwards, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Recipes with hair oils
Oils can be used on the hair alone or together with other products to enhance their effect.
1. Anti-dandruff herbal shampoo
Vinegar and eucalyptus, rosemary and tea tree essential oils have antimicrobial properties and help cleanse and treat the scalp.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar;
- 15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil;
- 15 drops of rosemary essential oil;
- 10 drops of tea tree essential oil;
- 60 mL of natural, unscented shampoo.
- 60 mL of water.
Preparation mode:
In a pot, mix the vinegar with all the oils and shake well. Then, add the natural shampoo and water, and shake again until a homogeneous mixture is formed. With wet hair, apply this mixture to the scalp and strands, massaging well. Leave to act for 5 minutes, rinse and apply your preferred conditioner.
2. Honey plaster
Honey, egg yolks and almond oil create a nourishing and hydrating treatment for damaged hair.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of honey;
- 1 tablespoon of almond oil;
- 1 egg yolk;
- 3 drops of rosemary essential oil;
- 3 drops of lavender essential oil.
Preparation mode:
In a pot, mix the honey, almond oil and egg yolk well. Then add rosemary and lavender essential oils. Moisten your hair with warm or cold water and apply this mixture to your hair, massaging well with your fingers, then cover your hair with a plastic cap, leaving it to act for 30 minutes. Afterwards, wash your hair well with shampoo and conditioner.
3. Shampoo for hair loss
This natural shampoo with vegetable and essential oils stimulates hair growth.
Ingredients:
- 250 ml of natural shampoo without aroma;
- 30 drops of rosemary essential oil;
- 30 drops of castor oil;
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil.
Preparation mode:
Mix the natural shampoo with the oils in a plastic bottle. Moisten your hair and apply a small amount of this shampoo to the scalp, massaging well and leaving it to act for about 3 minutes. Afterwards, rinse well with water and use your preferred conditioner.
