Afro hair, with its tight curls and unique texture, requires very specific care to stay moisturized, soft and healthy. You've probably heard of hair oils as a miracle solution, but do you know which ones best nourish and strengthen this hair texture? Follow the guide!
How To Choose The Best Hair Oil For Afro Hair ?
What you need to look for first are oils that moisturize and nourish hair without weighing it down. When making your choice, pay close attention to:
- Composition: opt for natural, pure, cold-pressed oils, as they retain their essential nutrients.
- Type of oil: there are penetrating oils and sealing oils. Penetrating oils, like coconut and olive oil, penetrate the hair fiber to moisturize it from within, while sealing oils, like jojoba oil, maintain moisture on the surface.
- Moisturizing properties: Afro hair is often very dry, so opt for oils rich in essential fatty acids, such as argan oil and castor oil.
What Type of Oils Work Best For Afro Hair?
Afro hair oil should be chosen according to your hair type: fine hair requires lighter oils, while thick hair can tolerate heavier oils. Here's how they contribute to healthy Afro hair:
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Deep hydration: oils like jojoba and argan act as humectants, maintaining moisture within the hair fiber, helping to keep hair soft and supple.
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Moisture sealing: After moisturizing (with water or a moisturizing milk), applying an oil helps seal in that moisture, preventing water from evaporating. Thicker oils, such as castor oil, are ideal for sealing and retaining moisture, especially in thick, porous hair.
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Length retention and breakage reduction: Some oils, like avocado oil or provitamin B5, contain essential fatty acids and vitamins that penetrate the hair fiber to strengthen cuticles and reduce breakage. This is particularly important for Afro hair, which is often more prone to breakage.
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Growth enhancement: stimulating oils such as Rosemary and Peppermint are known to promote blood circulation when massaged into the scalp, helping to nourish hair follicles and may stimulate hair growth. Chébé oil is also reputed to redensify hair and help retain beautiful lengths.
- Protection against external aggressions: by forming a barrier around the strands, certain oils protect hair from external aggressions such as pollution, chemicals or sun exposure, which can weaken Afro hair.
8 Best Oils For Afro Hair
1. Jojoba oil
Known for its lightness, jojoba oil resembles natural scalp oils, which means it's easily absorbed by the hair fiber. Ideal for fine or slightly porous hair, it gently moisturizes.
Made with 99% natural ingredients, CHÉRIBÉ CHÉBÉ COMPLEX GROWTH OIL contains jojoba oil. Its dry texture is rapidly absorbed by the hair fiber. Fortifying and shining afro hair.
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2. Rosemary Oil
Nourishes hair follicles with oxygen and nutrients, improving scalp circulation and stimulating hair growth.
CHÉRIBÉ CHÉBÉ COMPLEX GROWTH OIL also contains rosemary oil. Ideal for strengthening the hair fiber, preventing breakage and restoring shine to Afro hair.
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3. Sea Buckthorn Oil
Bursting with essential fatty acids, it repairs damaged hair and deeply moisturizes. Ideal for edges, weakened baby hairs and thinning areas.
CHÉRIBÉ CHÉBÉ COMPLEX GROWTH OIL also contains sea buckthorn oil to help form that protective barrier against external aggressions. It also reduces the appearance of split ends.
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4. Grape seed oil
Rich in linoleic and oleic fatty acids, it deeply nourishes the hair fiber and reinforces its hydrolipidic film. Non-greasy, it easily penetrates the hair fiber: ideal for fine, dry or frizzy, damaged hair.
5. Castor oil
Castor oil is reputed to promote hair growth and thicken hair, thanks to its rich omega-6 fatty acid content. It is ideal for thick, dry hair, but its thickness can be too heavy for fine hair.
6. Coconut oil
Highly penetrating, it moisturizes deep down. However, it can cause build-up on hair with low porosity, leaving it feeling greasy.
7. Argan oil
Rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, it moisturizes without weighing hair down, making it a good option for most textures. Argan oil also helps protect wavy, curly, coily and kinky hair from environmental damage.
8. Avocado oil
Rich in vitamins A, D and E, avocado oil is particularly nourishing for thick, porous hair.
The Worst Oils for Afro Hair (Avoid These!)
1. Mineral oils and petroleum derivatives
They create a suffocating barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating deep into the skin.
2. Almond oil
Although nourishing, its weight can weigh down fine or poorly porous Afro hair, giving it a greasy appearance.
3. Olive oil (if used in excess)
Good at penetrating the hair fiber and retaining moisture, but can weigh down fine, straight hair with little texture or porosity when used excessively.
Other Things to Consider About Your Hair When Choosing the Best Oil
Hair Porosity
The porosity of the hair also influences the choice of oil. Hair with low porosity has difficulty absorbing moisture. We recommend lightweight oils such as jojoba or argan. Very porous hair, on the other hand, can use richer oils, such as avocado or castor oil, to fill in the open structure of the hair fiber.
Hair Density
The density of the hair, whether fine or thick, also plays a role: the finer the hair, the better it is to opt for light oils.
How To Use Oil in Afro Hair
Here are three effective methods for incorporating oil into your routine:
#1 L.O.C. Method (Liquid, Oil, Cream)
First moisturize with a liquid (like water or a leave-in), then apply an oil to seal in that moisture, and finish with a nourishing cream.
#2 Pre-shampoo
Apply oil before shampooing to protect hair from drying effects. Leave on for 30 minutes, then wash.
#3 Scalp massage
Massage a small amount of oil into the scalp to stimulate blood circulation and promote growth.
Other Products That Can Benefit Afro Hair
As a complement, you can complete your hair routine with highly moisturizing products that are just as light as oils.
Chéribé Chébiotic Hydrating Shampoo
Made with 97.9% ingredients of natural origin, including argan oil, this moisturizing shampoo gently lifts away impurities thanks to its creamy foam. It deeply repairs the hair fiber while adding shine. Enriched with Chébé Complex, it brings strength, length and softness to Afro hair.
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Chéribé Daily Refresh Moisture Milk
This hair milk lightly refreshes hair. It contains glycerine, which acts as a humectant, sealing in moisture at the heart of the hair fiber. Spray on damp or dry hair to detangle tangles and provide just the right amount of moisture.
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FAQ
What is the best oil for afro hair?
It obviously depends on hair texture, but overall we'd say: castor oil for growth, jojoba oil for lightness and avocado oil for intense nourishment.
Can I oil my afro hair everyday?
Yes, as long as the oil is adapted to your hair texture, density and porosity.
How can I keep my Afro hair moisturized?
Use the L.O.C. method by applying a moisturizing spray followed by a nourishing oil and cream. Unbelievably effective!
What products are best for afro hair growth?
Castor and rosemary oils, as well as serums enriched with vitamins B and E, are effective for growth.
Nourish Your Afro Hair with the Best Oils Today
If you have Afro hair, it needs special attention when it comes to moisturizing. So remember to include a nourishing oil in your hair routine. To be sure, opt for jojoba oil: its biochemical composition is close to the sebum naturally produced by the scalp, so this light oil is easily absorbed by the hair fiber. Chéribé Chébé Complex Growth Oil is bursting with it (in addition to rosemary and sea buckthorn oils, which are also very beneficial for Afro hair)!
And for your wash days, you can opt for Chéribé Chébiotic Hydrating Shampoo, which will gently lift impurities and deeply repair your hair. With this, I promise, your hair will be moisturized as never before and full of vitality!
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