Black natural hair is the most sophisticated and beautiful type of hair that anyone can have. You, as a black woman with natural hair, want to take care of it by using the best organic oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil and olive oil to prevent breakage and get the most out of your beautiful locks!

Every once in a while, it’s fun to change your hair and experiment with different looks. Natural hair is great because it’s healthier for your hair and scalp than processed hair care products, but with so many oils out there, how do you know which one is right for you?

Hair Goals/Needs

It might be tempting to reach for whatever oil is trending at the moment, but it’s more important to consider what nutrients your unique hair needs and what exactly you’re trying to achieve. Oils are not created equal. For example, coconut oil is great for penetrating the hair fiber to repair damaged hair and help to reduce the loss of protein.

If you’re striving for stronger, sleeker hair, she says that olive oil has the potential to strengthen, moisturize, and smooth. Another favorite of here is jojoba, which closely mimics the sebum from your scalp, softening and adding luster to dull hair while regulating dandruff and treating a dry scalp. Of course, don’t be afraid to do your research and get specific.

Porosity

Don’t just rely on texture alone to make your hair choices porosity plays a major factor too. For low porosity hair, lightweight oils that easily penetrate the cuticle are best (think jojoba oil). For high porosity hair, heavier oils that reduce frizz (like coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil) are ideal.

Styling

Will you be wearing your hair straight, curly, or in a protective style? Your hair will need different types of oil in each of these states. For straight styles, heat protectant should be your #1 priority to protect the integrity of your hair. For curly styles, focus on fighting the frizz and keeping your ends juicy and hydrated. Protective styles? It’s all about the scalp! Keep a different oil on hand for each choice.

Whether you’re a naturalist who prefers the LOC method (Liquid, Oil, Cream—in that order) on wash day or the LCO method (Liquid, Cream, Oil) like myself, it’s clear that oils are an essential part of a healthy natural hair regimen.

The right oil can serve as an emollient and an occlusive to lock in water to prevent natural hair from losing moisture. Since textured coils and kinks can prevent scalp oils from traveling down the entire hair shaft, it’s important to incorporate hair oils to ensure adequate hydration from root to tip.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the hardest-working emollients in the game, with a reputation for being great for nails, teeth, cooking, and of course, your hair. There are many ways to apply coconut oil, and one of the most effective is to use it as a mask. (source Koz JAMEEL)

Unlike many other oils, it penetrates nicely through dry hair,3 so try letting your hair bask in all of its nutrients for 20 to 30 minutes before your wash routine, or use it to revive dry ends between washes.

Black Castor Oil

Jamaican Black Castor Oil, often referred to as JBCO, has become a favorite in the natural hair community for its reputation for growing damaged edges and bringing thinning hair back to life. Fair warning, though, its texture is incredibly thick, so you’ll want to use it mindfully to prevent your hair from feeling sticky and weighed down. It’s one of the go-to oils for natural hair types.

(source Think Shea)

Unlike many other oils, it penetrates nicely through dry hair,3 s It helps to combat dryness and adds moisture to the hair. It’s also known to strengthen hair and stimulate hair growth. It’s also great for alleviating scalp and skin conditions such as itchiness and dandruff.

Moringa Oil

If you’re looking to load up on antioxidants, consider giving marula oil a go to for those with dry, brittle hair will reap the most benefits from this nutrient-rich oil, and it has heat protectant qualities that make it a go-to for heat styling.

(source Nguvu Sheacare)

Users also love that it absorbs quickly, so it won’t leave buildup on your scalp. Do you struggle with dry skin as well? This product doubles nicely as a face oil.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is like a cooling medicine for your scalp, but as an essential oil, it should always be mixed with a carrier oil to ease its potency.5 Insert this scalp treatment that marries tea tree oil with charcoal and biotin, for hair that is healthier and stronger from the root. (source BKNATURALS)

In a Briogeo clinical study, 100% of participants said they had less flakiness and 95% experienced a less itchy scalp. To summarize, the odds are definitely in your favor for noticeable results.

Neem Oil

Packed with antioxidants that prevent hair loss, Neem oil is the nature’s cure to all hair and scalp problems. (source [Skin Gourmet]((source BKNATURALS)

Wondering how to use Neem oil for hair? Here’s what we recommend - Dilute equal parts (50/50) of Neem Oil with Sweet Almond/Sesame Oil and gently massage the oil directly into the roots of the hair and scalp. After allowing it to work for 30 minutes, cleanse your hair with a Natural cleanser or water.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is great for your body from the inside out, and for many, it is the key to healthy, hydrated hair. (source Think Shea)

We love this oil blend from because it’s sourced from organic avocados and it packs on the moisture while being light enough for daily use without tons of build-up. It’s also a great source of amino acids and vitamins B and E, resulting in hair that has less frizz and more shine.

Boabab Oil

Did you know baobab oil has amazing benefits for the hair? It is rich in vitamin e and fatty acids which moisturise dry hair and nourish the hair follicles. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to protect the hair and scalp from the ageing effects of free radicals. (source Skin Gourmet)

Wild Growth Hair Oil

There are no frills or influencer campaigns around this growth oil, but it has a strong reputation for doing one thing well for the past 30 years: growing your hair. (source MaiyaMuna’s Skin and Hair Care)

It has been known to deliver serious results for thicker and longer hair. Ingredients include coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium, to name a few. The oil is quite fragrant and thick, so you’ll want to go easy on the application when using it once or twice a week. For those with finer hair, try the lighter version.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is trending, but it’s worth the hype for its versatility and easy absorption into the hair and skin. It’s a liquid crystalline wax that closely resembles the sebum that your skin and scalp naturally produce, making it an ideal choice for replenishing what shampoos and cleansers strip away. Beyond its reparative and antioxidant qualities, jojoba oil is also praised for reducing the look of everything from acne to stretch marks.

Known for being close in molecular size to the natural sebum produced by the scalp, jojoba oil is rapidly absorbed into the skin. Hairstylists consider it to be one of the best sealants as it locks in moisture, resulting in silky lengths without the heavy or weighted feeling some other oils leave behind.