Essential oils are the multitasking miracles that stand toe to toe with just about any beauty woe. In fact, we can guarantee that at least one of your friends swears by coconut oil for her hair, skin and nails. The benefits are never-ending, so why not?
We’re still crushing on the all in one product, too. So naturally, it’s the star ingredient of the hair product from this month’s BeautyBox: Earth’s Nectar Coconut Curls. The part moisturizer, part heat protectant is basically heaven in a jar that will do everything from detangle curls to aid in extension removal for every texture.
And because coconut oil is loaded with fatty acids and antioxidants, it’s also a prime product for boosting hair health overall. Long story short: you’re bound to be obsessed after one use.
It may not have the same notoriety as coconut, but by year’s end, you may be a convert. Palm oil is available by the jar in most health food stores if you want to use alone.
In the meantime, keep reading for a quick lesson on how to treat the most common hair disasters with other essential oils.
Thinning Hair/Edges
A telltale sign that your hair needs some TLC is thinning edges and/or strands. There’s a bevy of ways to alleviate hair loss, but the quickest and easiest option is almond oil because happens to be rich in all of the nutrients that directly affect healthy growth: zinc, magnesium and calcium.
If you don’t already use products (like Coconut Curls) infused with it, soak your strands in heated almond oil once a week for added moisture. Alternatively, you can also ingest almond oil by swapping with your go-to cooking oils. Keep in mind that it may slightly alter the taste of your food.
The ESSENCE Ultimate Natural Hair Dictionary
Color-Treated Tresses
Maintaining healthy hair is a slippery slope once you’ve grabbed the box dye. Its ingredients—which typically include hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and parabens—are toxic enough to cause scalp irritation, hair loss and a host of other side effects.
You can avoid all of this by adding jojoba oil to your daily hair routine. The all-American ingredient is derived from a shrub that grows in the southwest and it’s basically the twin sister to sebum, oil our skin naturally produces.
Out Of Control Frizz
Frizz doesn’t discriminate; we’ve all fallen victim to it. Unlike gels, which tend to flake and discolor strands, argan oil is just as good at taming flyaways without drying out the locks.
Argan is also a godsend for heat-damaged hair since it contains vitamin A and vitamin E, both of which are directly responsible for cell reproduction and nourishment. Use it as is or heat it up for a deep conditioning treatment.
Brittle Breakage
If your hair is prone to split ends or incapable of holding in moisture, it’s time to get acquainted with marula oil. The all in one beauty product is extracted from the nut inside the marula fruit, which can be found in West and South Africa.
The cruxes of its benefits lie in the fact that it carries more antioxidants than any other oil, making it a strong contender against harsh weather. In short; the lightweight formula will hydrate, restore and shield your strands without weighing them down. Consequently, those with finer hair may consider this a viable replacement for heavier product options.
Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
Dry Scalp
Oftentimes, hair woes have less to do with the strands and more to do with the scalp. If you suffer from extreme dandruff or a skin disorder like eczema, try integrating tea tree oil into your regimen. It contains a ton of terpenes, oils that kill bacteria and fungus, and its disinfectant properties will clear pores on the scalp. If you’re not already using a shampoo infused with tea tree oil, massage into your scalp before and after shampooing. It will cure the itch and feel amazing.
Ladies, what is your go-to essential oil? Let us know below!