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How To Use Hair Oil: The Ultimate Guide

 

Spend a few minutes on TikTok and you’ll see countless, buzzy products that can work wonders for your hair. But sometimes, it’s best to stick with a tried and true favorite. In this case, we’re talking about hair oil. Long before the dawn of influencers—though you’ll still find plenty of TikToks about  the product—hair oil has been used to nourish and nurture strands. “Oils play a big part in protecting your hair and having a healthy scalp,” says Raven Hurtado, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

However, hair oil may be intimidating to some, since it can be tricky to use. To answer all of your questions about the magical multitasker, we turned to pro stylist Raven Hurtado, who knows the ins and outs of hair oil and how to use it as part of a haircare routine.

10 Questions About Hair Oil – Answered

1. What Are the Benefits of Using Hair Oil?

The perks are plenty! “Hair oil nourishes your scalp and hair and also stimulates hair growth while adding vitamins and nutrients to strands,” Hurtado says. It seals the cuticle down and strengthens your hair, contributes to a healthy scalp while keeping it hydrated, prevents flakes, and will also smooth down any unwanted frizz.

2. What Should You Look For in a Hair Oil?

“In a hair oil you want to look for ingredients that are moisturizing and hydrating for the scalp and hair texture,” Hurtado says. This could differ by hair type and needs so do your research first.

3. What Types of Oils Are Best For Hair Growth?

There are a range of types of hair oils and they can be used for different reasons. For example, Hurtado explains that vitamin E oil is great for boosting scalp health and stimulates hair growth. “Coconut oil is good because, depending on your hair type, it absorbs quickly into hair, adding moisture, and healing breakage,” she says. “Argan oil protects your hair from heat but will also nourish and moisturize. Additionally, it reduces dryness and unwanted frizz. Shea butter is also moisturizing and works great with coarse texture, as it seals moisture into the hair and leaves it soft.” 

Unsure what each of these ingredients can do for your hair? Check out our blog to learn more about:

• The benefits of grapeseed oil 
• The difference between argan oil and castor oil
• How rosemary oil can support hair growth
• The applications of rose hip oil

4. How Much Hair Oil Should You Use?

A key part of understanding how to use hair oil is knowing how much your tresses need. This depends on your hair length and thickness. To avoid overdoing it, you should apply a small amount to start. You can then add more oil to achieve your desired result if necessary.

5. Should You Apply Hair Oil to Wet or Dry Hair?

The answer depends on what you are trying to achieve, such as adding shine or deep conditioning. “There are different ways to use hair oil,” Hurtado says. “If you’re applying it to wet hair, your scalp has to be clean. You can use it as you would a hair mask. If you’re applying on dry hair, you can apply oil on the ends of hair to add shine.”

6. What Is the Best Way to Apply Hair Oil During a Hair Treatment?

“If you’re using it as a deep conditioning treatment, the best time to apply hair oil is an hour before you shampoo,” Hurtado says. She breaks down how to use hair oil as a treatment:

• Step 1: Apply the oil in the palms of your hands and massage into the scalp.
• Step 2: Distribute the oil down to the ends of your hair.
• Step 3: Once you’ve applied the oil, you can wrap your hair in a towel or use a shower cap.
• Step 4: When you’re ready to rinse out the oil, shampoo and rinse thoroughly, then condition your hair as normal.

For an even deeper treatment, another option is using hair oil as an overnight mask. Apply it before bed, leave it on while you snooze, and shampoo your hair the next day.

7. How Often Should You Use Hair Oil?

“You should use hair oil two to three times a week, depending on how often you shampoo your hair,” Hurtado says.

8. What Is a Common Mistake People Make With Hair Oil?

You really can have too much of a good thing. “People sometimes use oil every day on the scalp, which can cause product buildup and clog pores,” Hurtado says.  Be sure not to overdo it with your dosage.

9. What Hair Tools Can You Use With Hair Oil?

“You can use a comb to distribute the oil throughout the scalp,” Hurtado says. “You can also use your hands for an even application.”

10. Can You Use Hot Tools With Hair Oil?

“If you want to use a hot tool, choose an oil that is a heat protectant and has a high smoke point such as argan oil, shea oil or grapeseed oil,” Hurtado says.

Get the Right Hair Oil For You

Hair oil is a multitasking powerhouse when it comes to maintaining hair health. You can use it as a deep conditioning treatment or as a styler to smooth down any unwanted frizz you may have. Prose takes the guesswork out of choosing the right ingredients by creating a custom hair oil for your unique needs. Just take our hair consultation to get started.