A Word or Two About Essential Oils and Carrier Oils

Essential oils are an important part of proper Black Hair Care. Many of them have benefits that will greatly impact the health of our hair, keeping it moisturized, shiny and more manageable. I have put together a short list of essential oil and carrier oils, with a brief explanation of what these oils do. I recommend replacing any petroleum based "hair grease" product you are using with one or more of these oils. You will be very glad you did!


CARRIER OILS

Here are a few oils that are good to use directly on your hair/scalp or blend into other products or with other oils. You can also use these for hot oil treatments and get great results. Carrier oils are also great for sealing in moisture after you have used a moisturizer. (apply the moisturizer BEFORE applying the oil!)


* Sweet Almond Oil - This oil is extremely good for dry and dull hair. Contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E, as well as essential fatty acids (good fats).

* Olive oil - Olive oil is easily absorbed and conditions hair and scalp very well. I use olive oil regularly in my hair to seal in moisture and provide softness.

* Castor oil - Castor oil added to hair care products helps to seal in moisture. It also makes hair softer and is known to thicken thin hair over time with regular use.

* Coconut oil - This oil is another moisture sealer. It also smells wonderful and leaves hair feeling soft.

* Vitamin E oil - Vitamin E oil is great for rejuvenating dull, dry, and damaged hair when used regularly.

* Jojoba oil - Jojoba oil is very similar to the sebum that our scalps naturally secrete. Because of our hair's tight coil pattern, black women's hair usually doesnt receive enough sebum, which results in the dryness and breakage. Sense it is so similar to natural sebum, it is easily absorbed by the hair and scalp and provides excellent lubrication and smoothing.

* Sunflower oil - This oil contains lots of vitamins and is great at protecting your hair and scalp.

ESSENTIAL OILS

These oils are pure concentrations of certain herbs, plants, or seeds. Mostly, you will want to add these oils to CARRIER OILS and other products (like conditioners and shampoo) instead of using them directly on your hair/scalp, especially if you have sensitive skin. But some essential oils can be used directly with no problems for most people. These are only a few of the essential oils. There are hundreds!

* Rosemary oil - This oil promotes hair growth by increasing circulation in the scalp. Smells wonderful and can be used directly on the scalp.


* Peppermint oil - Peppermint oil is great for stimulating hair growth because of the tingling sensation is provides to the scalp. It also reduces itching and of course, the smell is great. Can be used directly on hair/scalp.

* Grapefruit oil - This is another oil that is good for stimulating hair growth.

* Tea-Tree Oil - This oil has a multitude of uses that are useful for your hair! It is anti-bacterial, antiseptic and fungicidal, meaning that it will free hair follicles of any bacteria and fungus that is clogging them. (Fungus in hair follicles is sometimes the reason for slow hair growth!) It blends easily with other natural oils that your body makes, so it is absorbed easily. Tea-Tree Oil also reduces dandruff, itching and any sores and lesions you may have on your skin/scalp. This oil has many more uses that I have not mentioned, so I suggest you look into it some more if you have lice, skin problems or under-active sebaceous glands. Also, you will have to add tea-tree oil to a CARRIER OIL. Using the concentrated form is not recommended. And, NEVER INGEST (drink or eat) TEA TREE OIL!



This is of course not a complete list of essential and carrier oils, but it is a good start. Try doing research on your own and learn about the different kinds of oils and what they do. Try a few and see which you like best for your hair.