Best Hair Oils for Dry Hair

Introduction

Dry hair is a plague to most people as it simply makes your locks dull, breakable, and cause a headache at styling time. And yet again, dry hair may arise from environmental causes, heat styling, or even inheritance. But there's only one guarantee-moisture is what dry hair demands. Here are hair oils, the ultimate nature-made elixirs meant to infuse shine and smoothness to parched strands.

Hair oils have a history of thousands of years: from hair castor oil treatment in ancient Egypt up to Ayurveda sacred secrets on hair care in India. And not only do they feed, hydrate the dry hair, but also protect from further damage by sealing moisture within and forming a protective layer against the elements. Among other things, we're looking at the top hair oils for dry hair, how they work, and an easy guide on how to incorporate them into your routine to get those gorgeous, hydrated locks.

1. Argan Oil: The Liquid Gold of Morocco

Named "liquid gold" by many, argan oil comes from the kernel of the argan tree. Native to Morocco, it is one of the most treasured oils in the world, thanks to its content of high amounts of fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E. It therefore works very well as an intense treatment for dry or even damaged hair.

For: Dry hair

Argan oil, on the other hand, is light yet very nourishing and thus perfect for dry hair that easily becomes frizzy and breaks off. Highly enriched with vitamin E, the oil heals the damage while still providing its natural shine without making the hair feel greasy.

How to use

Gently massage a small amount into your palms, then smooth through damp or dry hair. Concentrate toward the ends. Use a generous amount to leave on overnight and cover with a silk scarf. Rinse out in the morning.

Insider secret: Argan oil tends to be best for fine to mid-haired heads of hair since it does not weigh a fine to mid-haired head down with grease. 

2. Coconut Oil: The Old Standby

It has been used for centuries as a hair care treatment in tropical countries where coconuts are plentiful. Its length cuts it as one of the best oils to be used on hair to moisturize, and for dry brittle hair, nothing is going to penetrate like coconut oil can.

 Why you'll love it if you have dry hair:

Coconut oil literally enters the hair shaft, rehydrates it from the inside. It also contains a lot of lauric acid: Lauryl laurate contributes strength to hair, diminishes protein loss, and reduces damage.

How to use

To do deep conditioning, warm a small amount and apply to dry hair with a focus on mid-lengths and ends. Apply for at least an hour or overnight if you want something even more hydrating. Make sure to shampoo until everything is removed.

Pro-tip: As coconut oil can weigh down on finer hair textures, it is best used on medium to thick-textured, curly, or coily hair.

3. Jojoba Oil: The Natural Scalp Calmer

Jojoba oil comes from the seeds of the jojoba plant. Its molecular structure is very close to that of natural sebum produced by our scalp. It is a great oil that can be applied on dry hair, but it also soothes a parched or itching scalp.

What makes it good for dry hair:

It is lightweight and easily absorbed into both the scalp and hair, so a great treatment for persons having a dry itchy scalp besides dry hair. Jojoba oil will help you lock moisture while soothing and nourishing the skin underneath your hair.

Use it:

Massage a small amount into the scalp and apply it through your hair. You can also use it like a leave-in treatment by applying a few drops to dampened hair after you get out of the shower.

Pro tip: if your scalp can be sensitive and you have dry hair, then go with jojoba oil-it doesn't collect in the pores or cause irritation.

4. Olive Oil: Mediterranean Miracle

It has been used as something that moisturizes and nourishes for a long period, more in beauty treatments than in cooking. Moreover, this oil is rich in vitamins A and E along with antioxidants- it deeply hydrates hair while it protects them from environmental damage.

Why it's great for dry hair

This heavy, emollient oil is ideal for very dry or damaged hair: it lubricates and softens the hair but diminishes frizz and adds a natural shine. Its rich antioxidants help keep damaging free radicals at bay, which, conversely, may fuel dryness.

How to use it

Apply olive oil throughout your hair, focusing a little more on the ends and areas that are driest. For hot oil, heat the olive oil a bit, apply to your hair and scalp, and let it soak in for a minimum of 30 minutes or better yet, overnight before washing for added moisture.

Pro tip: Because olive oil is thicker than almost every other oil, it is best suited for coarse, thick, or really curly hair. Use it sparingly, if you have finer hair, so you don't weigh down your hair.

5. Avocado Oil: Nutrient-Rich Hydration

Since avocado oil contains vitamins A, D, E, and B6 along with amino acids and essential fatty acids, it surely does bring powerful deep nourishment. It is great for hair as it penetrates the hair shaft entirely, which makes it a perfect hair revival from dry and brittle hair.

Why it's wonderful for dry hair

Avocado oil not just makes hair soft and smooth but also helps to strengthen hair from the inside. Being vitamin-rich, it nourishes the scalp as well as the hair follicles, enabling the growth of healthier and stronger hair, while it prevents further dryness simultaneously.

How to use

Avocado oil can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment for 20-30 minutes on dry hair or as a leave-in conditioner, primarily for thicker and drier hair types.

Tip: Avocado oil is excellent for color-treated or chemically processed hair to give an added boost of nourishment.

6. Sweet Almond Oil: Lightweight and Nourishing

Sweet almond oil is light, has easy absorbency, rich vitamins and minerals, and comprises of vitamins E, D, B, magnesium, and calcium. This quality has made it the perfect combination for those trying to add moisture without weighing their hair too much.

It's great for dry hair because

Tones frizz and dryness, while smoothing hair. Sweet almond oil can be used to give you silky, smooth hair without weighing your hair down or resulting in a greasy residue, which is less-than-desirable for most with finer hair types.

How to use it:

This oil can be applied directly to the ends of wet hair as a leave-in treatment. Mix this with other oils for a stronger conditioning treatment.

Pro tip: Sweet almond oil is an amazing every day oil for finer to medium-textured hair because of its lightweight quality.

7. Castor Oil: The Hair Growth Stimulator

Castor oil has a bad rep for being thick and gooey, but it's actually great for encouraging hair growth. However, it's actually far better for dry hair as ricinoleic acid will deeply hydrate while encouraging healthy circulation in the scalp-this can help stimulate hair growth.

Why it's great for dry hair:

Castor oil is very thick and one of the thickest oils that can seal in moisture, and can be used to hydrate well. Prevents split ends and breakage and is safe for people with extremely dry, brittle hair.

Use:

Because castor oil is very viscous, it is best mixed with a lighter oil, like jojoba or almond, and applied to scalp and hair. Allow it to sit for at least an hour before rinsing off.

 Pro tip: Castor oil does wonders for dry, brittle hair; use very sparingly on finer hair types, however, as it can build up on those.

Conclusion

Dry hair is no longer a life sentence. The right hair oil can nourish and hydrate your hair, restore shine, strength, and softness to it. There is a solution in the rich, deeply moisturizing oils such as castor and avocado, just as there are solutions in lightweight oils like sweet almond and jojoba. Adding these oils to your hair care regimen could transform your mane, making you feel healthier and full of life.

Treat your hair with TLC and watch it thrive under the power of nature's best hair oils.