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Hair oil

woman applying oil into her hair

Hair oil nourishes the hair. It adds shine after shampooing, makes hair easier to comb, tames frizz, and reduces split ends. When applied before shampooing as a hair treatment, it protects the hair. Hair oils are usually blends of several oils, with a high proportion of plant-based oils.

 

Hair oil provides protection and styling assistance

If the oil is applied before washing and allowed to sit for a while, it protects the hair during washing. It prevents individual scales from breaking away from the hair’s cuticle layer as the hair swells, which would otherwise make it rough and brittle. The oil treatment forms a protective film that makes the hair easier to comb after washing, giving it a smooth surface and suppleness.

When applied after shampooing, it primarily enhances the hair’s shine and improves the manageability of unruly hair. If left on the hair, it protects against environmental factors—whether heat, UV rays, wind, cold, or dry air—as it locks moisture into the hair and forms a protective coating on the hair’s surface. By preserving moisture within the hair, hair oil can also mitigate the damaging effects of heat from blow dryers or flat irons.

In addition, many hair oils also nourish the scalp when massaged into it. Brittle, damaged hair prone to breakage benefits from oil treatment, but oily hair can also benefit from hair oil.

 

How to Use Hair Oil Correctly

  • Fine hair should be introduced to hair oil drop by drop. The oil must be applied sparingly so as not to weigh the hair down. Work two to three drops into the ends, then spread it along the entire length of the hair if desired.
  • Strong, thick hair can tolerate more oil. It can be distributed along the entire length of the hair. If only the ends are straw-like, apply the oil only to those sections.
  • Curly hair tends to be dry and lackluster. The oil coats the rough surface, adding shine and suppleness, and gently accentuates the curls’ contours.
  • Dry, damaged hair benefits from an oil treatment, even two to three times a week. Before shampooing, massage the hair oil into the scalp and along the entire length of the hair, leaving it on for at least thirty minutes or even overnight.
  • Even oily hair can benefit from oil. Based on the principle of “like cures like,” some oils, when applied over an extended period to an oily scalp and hair, can have a regulating effect on the sebaceous glands and normalize the hair and scalp.

 

Apply to wet or dry hair?

If the hair oil is applied to damp hair after shampooing, it can be easily absorbed through the cuticle layer, which is still open, and lock in moisture within the hair shaft. If you apply the hair oil to dry hair, keep in mind that heavy plant oils are less easily absorbed into dry hair and may leave an oily film. That’s why the general advice for using hair oil applies even more here: Take it slow. Rub two to three drops between your palms and distribute them over the ends. Test it on the length of your hair.

Hair oil is usually sold in drop form or in a spray bottle. The spray is practical, allowing for precise distribution on the hair, while drops—especially for testing or for application exclusively on the ends—are easy to count and let you start small.

 

The Oils in Hair Oil

Hair oils usually contain a blend of several oils. Higher-quality nourishing oils, such as argan oil or macadamia nut oil, are mixed in smaller proportions with a base oil or neutral oil. They appear first on the list of ingredients and make up the majority of the oil blend. They ensure that the nourishing ingredients spread easily. Common base oils include soybean oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, sesame oil, ester oils (such as hydrogenated olive oil esters), or caprylic/capric triglycerides. However, these should also possess nourishing properties. Therefore, they should not be silicone oils or petroleum derivatives. These coat the hair with a thin film that smooths it, makes it supple, and gives it shine, but they have no nourishing or repairing effect and have the disadvantage of being difficult to biodegrade. The active ingredient oils can also be used unmixed.

 

An overview:

APRICOT KERNEL OIL

  • INCI: Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
  • This oil gives the hair a silky sheen without leaving a greasy shine. It makes the hair supple, adds volume and texture, and can be applied directly to the scalp. It is ideal for dry, brittle, and damaged hair and reduces split ends.

ARGAN OIL

  • INCI: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
  • This oil is an all-rounder for every hair type, but is especially beneficial for dry hair and a dry scalp. It helps retain moisture, protects against environmental stressors with vitamin E, and forms a protective film thanks to stearic acid and phytosterols. It also tames frizzy, unruly hair and gives it a shimmering shine.

AVOCADO OIL

  • INCI: Persea gratissima
  • This oil nourishes hair and scalp with vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids. It is especially recommended for dry hair, as it locks moisture into the hair. It also gives hair lengths a silky shine, detangles frizzy hair, and defines curly hair.

BROCCOLI SEED OIL

  • INCI: Brassica oleracea italica (broccoli) seed oil
  • The very high erucic acid content gives the oil high oxidative stability and a non-greasy feel. Due to its emollient and film-forming properties, it is suitable in hair oils as a shine-enhancing component and silicone substitute. In studies, it proved to be just as effective as the same amount of silicone at a 5% concentration in terms of wet combability, shine, and softness. It also reduced static in the hair. It does not make the hair look stringy and can also be used on oily hair. It strengthens the structure of dry and fine hair.

CRAMBE OIL

  • INCI: Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
  • This ultra-light oil is non-greasy, conditions the hair, and reduces frizz and flyaways. It is suitable for all hair types.

PEANUT OIL

  • INCI: Arachis Hypogaea Oil
  • This rich, odorless oil is well-suited as a base oil. It nourishes dry, flaky scalps and forms a protective film around the hair.

GLYCERIN CAPRIC/CAPRYLIC ACID

  • INCI: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
  • This fatty acid ester derived from purified coconut oil fatty acids has a moisturizing effect, softens the hair and scalp, leaves no greasy shine, and is a good alternative to silicone oil and mineral oil. It is used as a neutral oil and ensures that the nourishing care oils spread easily.

POMEGRANATE OIL

  • INCI: Punica Granatum Seed Oil
  • The punicic acid it contains, an omega-5 fatty acid, has a strong antioxidant effect and strengthens the skin barrier. The oil nourishes dry, itchy scalps, repairs environmental damage, revitalizes, and protects the hair.

OAT OIL

  • INCI: Avena sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil
  • This oil is rich in proteins and lipids and is particularly recommended for damaged hair in need of repair.

JOJOBA OIL

  • INCI: Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
  • This odorless, liquid wax leaves virtually no greasy sheen and is also used as a high-quality carrier oil. It makes the hair supple and soft, has good penetrating power, provides long-lasting protection against water loss, improves combability and hair volume, and is ideal for dry hair ends.

COCONUT OIL

  • INCI: Cocos Nucifera Oil
  • The pleasantly scented coconut oil penetrates the hair particularly well and anchors itself there due to its short fatty acid chains. It imparts shine to dry, flaky hair and has a regulating effect on the hair, scalp, and hair roots. When used as a treatment for oily hair, it can regulate sebum production.

MACADAMIA NUT OIL

  • INCI: Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
  • This non-greasy oil has film-forming properties, keeps hair supple, and nourishes all hair types, especially dry hair.

ALMOND OIL

  • INCI: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
  • This nearly odorless oil has a high oleic acid content and is therefore able to reduce water loss from the hair and scalp. It keeps the hair soft, reduces frizz, and nourishes all hair types.

OLIVE OIL

  • INCI: Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
  • This rich oil contains a high amount of oleic acid, thereby reducing water loss; it is suitable for dry, brittle, and straw-like hair and can tame overly voluminous curls. Olive oil can help with oily hair when massaged repeatedly into the hair and scalp over an extended period and washed out after about ten minutes. The sebaceous glands calm down and regain balance. Hydrogenated olive oil ester is used as a base oil.

SEA BUCKTHORN OIL

  • INCI: Hippophae Rhamnoides
  • With linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and amino acids, this oil strengthens the hair structure, supports hair regeneration, makes the hair easier to comb, and smooths its surface. It is particularly recommended for dry, damaged hair.

SESAME OIL

  • INCI: Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
  • It inhibits harmful oxidation and absorbs UV rays. It makes the hair manageable, supple, and soft, adding shine as well as volume and lightness. Thanks to its film-forming properties, it makes detangling the hair easier. It is suitable for almost all hair types. It is also used as a base oil.

SHEA BUTTER

  • INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
  • Due to its moisturizing, hydrating effects and good penetrating ability, shea butter is ideal for use before shampooing. After washing the hair, it provides light UV protection. It is recommended for dry hair as well as for improving the manageability of thick, unruly natural curls.

SOYBEAN OIL

  • INCI: Glycine Max. Oil
  • This oil is well-suited as a base oil. Thanks to its linoleic acid content, it reduces moisture loss in the hair, protects against dryness, keeps the hair supple, and is suitable for all hair types.

SUNFLOWER OIL

  • INCI: Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
  • This light oil is a suitable base oil. It has moisturizing, smoothing, and hydrating properties and nourishes all hair types.

GRAPE SEED OIL

  • INCI: Vitis Vinifera Grapeseed Oil
  • This oil protects the hair from dryness and oxidative stress. It is a light oil suitable for all hair types and is used as a base oil.

WHEAT GERM OIL

  • INCI: Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
  • Thanks to its high content of essential fatty acids (linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid) and proteins, this oil strengthens the hair structure, provides antioxidant protection, and supports hair regeneration after sun exposure. It is particularly recommended for dry hair, split ends, and as a shine enhancer.

 

Hair Oils: A Growing Market Share

They make hair soft and supple, nourish the hair and scalp, and aid in styling. The plant kingdom offers a wide selection of oils for the care of all hair types. In addition, hair oils fit well into the natural cosmetics range, as they can replace silicones and mineral oils.

Cosmacon GmbH – Your partner for innovative cosmetic development

If you’re considering integrating Hair Oils into your product line, Cosmacon GmbH is here to support you with comprehensive expertise. We develop customized formulations and guide you from the initial idea to the finished product. Together, we create effective, modern cosmetics—tailored to your brand values and the needs of your target audience. Contact us!

 

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