How to Oil Your Hair the Right Way: 6 Must Know Tips

Have you heard of hair oiling? If you’re on the same side of #hairtok as us, you’ve probably stumbled across videos of women talking about oiling their hair. 

It’s a common practice, particularly in India and among those who follow Ayurvedic medicine. But what is hair oiling, and what does it actually do? People have turned to this practice to help hydrate hair strands, prevent breakage and split ends, and support blood flow to the scalp. 

For those whose scalps are seriously prone to dryness and irritation, hair oiling might seem like a tempting solution. And while scalp hydration is a worthy cause, as scalp professionals, we have to ask the tough questions: Is hair oiling safe? And are there ways to get the same benefits without applying oil directly to the scalp? Our scalp’s skin is sensitive. Without proper care and nourishment, our hair strands can suffer. If you’re looking to encourage hydration and help to restore the bonds that protect your hair cells, some of the principles of hair oiling can help, but it’s important that you approach this practice with your scalp’s health in mind. Otherwise, you can do more harm than good. Keep reading for an overview of the practice of hair oiling, plus tips to get the same benefits safely, from a dermatological point of view.

So now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about how to oil your hair right, getting these same benefits, but ensuring you’re not putting your scalp in harm’s way. 

There is some misinformation out there about what kind of oils you can and should put on your scalp. While essential oils like rosemary oil, coconut oil, and lavender oil can be very helpful in cleansing and balancing your scalp, we would never recommend placing these oils directly onto your scalp unless they are part of a professionally formulated scalp care product. 

The skin on your scalp can be sensitive just like any other part of your body. Applying raw or virgin oils directly to the scalp can lead to irritation and itching, especially if they are improperly dosed. It can also clog pores and impact the health of your hair follicles which can impact hair growth and strength in the long term. 

If you’re looking to reap the benefits of these specific oils, opt for professionally formulated products that include key natural and essential oils on the ingredients list, and have been tested for direct, topical use. Jupiter’s entire line of scalp care products include specially selected oils along with proven active ingredients to ensure you achieve a balanced, healthy scalp safely and effectively.

Our Restoring Serum includes essential oils paired with niacinamide and the powerful active ingredient Zinc Pyrithione so that your scalp reaps the benefits of these natural oils while also addressing oil production between washes.

It still can be a great, soothing self care exercise that can help your hair get hydration and support circulation to the scalp. And if you really think about it, choosing a product that’s been tested and is cleared for use is perhaps the best self care of all.

For an oil-based scalp or hair treatment to work best, it’s important to apply it to a clean scalp and cleansed locks. Your hair can be dry or damp, but it must be cleaned for the hair strands to absorb the product you’re applying fully. 

Our best advice before using an oil-based product is to wash hair, lightly dry it with a microfiber towel, and gently detangle it. By detangling your hair, you’ll prevent knotting and friction while the product is in your hair, which would be counterproductive to what you’re hoping to accomplish.

Be especially gentle with your hair and scalp when applying any product. Use a wide tooth comb to ensure any product applied to your hair strands is evenly distributed, but take care not to pull too much. 

Once you’ve applied the product, you can gently and loosely twist your hair into a small bun. Remember to go easy on your hair strands. There should be no undue tension on your hair. When applying product to your scalp, gently massage it in with your fingers by creating an L shape with your hand. Light exfoliation will increase circulation to your scalp, helping to encourage hair growth, but too much exfoliation could irritate and damage your hair follicles. 

Some people recommend sleeping with hair oil to give your hair strands as much time as possible to reap their benefits. We think you’re better off washing it before bed time, unless the product is specifically designed for overnight use. In that case, we’d recommend sleeping with your hair in a silk scarf or bonnet to protect your hair strands from breakage and keep any oils off your pillowcase. If you’re not doing an overnight treatment, give your hair at least one hour with the product in it. Natural ingredients need some time to work their magic. Relatedly, when it comes to frequency, there are no rules. Try it once or twice a week and see how that feels before doing it more often.

When you watch hair oiling videos, you’ll often see people heating up the oil before applying it. We would caution you against that. Heating a leave-in treatment can change the chemistry of the ingredients and can potentially do damage to your scalp. Applying hot oil, hair care products, or DIY masks to your scalp is extremely dangerous and not recommended. Remember, your scalp is especially sensitive. Hot substances can do real damage and will totally negate the benefits of treating your hair in the first place.

As always, we’d recommend doing a test patch before using a new product. Topical allergies can surprise us sometimes. Apply a bit of the product to your arm and wait an hour to see how your skin reacts. If you see any redness or experience any itching, don’t apply it to your scalp. Trust us.