Kate Blanc Cosmetics Cold-Pressed Castor Hair Oil, 2-Ounce

Taking care of your hair is the best way to keep it healthy, but even with regular washing and conditioning, men and women still experience dry, dull or thinning hair. Hair oils can help increase moisture and shine; some of these products claim that they can also promote hair growth. The oils contain vitamins and fats that can replenish hair stripped from washing. The practice of hair oiling has been used in India for centuries and has become more popular in the U.S. in recent years; many people do it often and swear by it.

You have several choices for hair oils, including coconut, olive, argan, biotin, avocado, sweet almond and castor. Most can be used on the skin and scalp to provide moisture, treat blemishes, and smooth things out. Castor oil has been around forever and is a multi-purpose vegetable oil extracted from castor beans. It’s rich in fatty acids that retain moisture, and you’ll also find it in store-bought lotions; buying the pure oil is a natural alternative to these.

Argan oil is processed from the kernels of Moroccan trees and has become popular more recently. It contains fatty acids and is a good treatment for coarse, frizzy or brittle hair. Biotin is different because it’s basically B7, a water-soluble vitamin found in foods like almonds and sweet potatoes that plays an essential role in hair, nail and skin health. But no matter which oil you choose, get one that’s 100% natural and undiluted for the best results.

To use hair oil the traditional way, apply several drops onto your scalp and massage gently with a circular motion. You’ll need to cover your hair with a shower cap or towel and leave it overnight. The next day, shampoo your hair, rinse well and condition it like usual. You can add a bit more of the oil as a conditioner, but only a little bit unless you want it to look oily.

• Hair oils can prevent dryness in the winter and frizziness in the summer.
• If you want your hair to grow, massage the oil into your scalp, not your tresses.
• You can dilute pure hair and skin oils with carrier oils like grapeseed or avocado if they irritate the skin. Many of the larger bottles and containers already have carrier oil in there.
• To protect your hair from chlorine, wet and condition your hair before swimming in pools. Wash, condition and oil afterward.