As a natural with fine, low-density hair, it's easy for my hair to become greasy, weighed down and dull from product buildup. If you're a natural with fine hair, I'm sure you can relate. Natural, plant-based oils work wonderfully for natural hair care but many are too bulky for fine hair. However, there are some oils that work well for our soft strands and won't leave us looking greasy and oily. Here are 9 natural oils that are light and perfect for naturals with fine or thin hair:
1. Sweet Almond Oil
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Sweet almond oil has a lot of fans, especially those who don't like thick, heavy oils. Sweet almond oil helps the hair to remain strong and healthy, which is key to retaining length and growing healthy hair. Its a light oil that is high in protein, essential fatty acids and magnesium, all vital nutrients for hair growth. Sweet almond oil doesn't make your hair greasy and it washes out of the hair without fuss. The oil spreads effortlessly, so it's easy to use too much. It works great as a sealer to keep moisture in the hair.
How to Use: Use sweet almond oil as a natural hair moisturizer. Rub it in your scalp once a week, or add it to your conditioner and moisturizing products to enjoy the conditioning benefits of almond oil.
2. Avocado Oil
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Avocado oil works great as a conditioning oil and has a medium to light density. It is full of essential fatty acids, proteins, amino acids, vitamins and nutrients for hair growth. Most oils will sit on the hair shaft, but Avocado oil is one of the very few oils that are actually absorbed by the hair, preventing the hair from appearing greasy or weighed down. Use sparingly.How to Use: Avocado oil works very well as a hot oil treatment to restore moisture loss in dry hair. Add it to your deep conditioner for stronger, softer hair.
3. Sunflower Oil
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Sunflower oil is light and odor-less but packed with essential minerals and nutrients for your hair, including Vitamin E and Oleic Acid (Omega-9). The light oil works to strengthen the hair, prevent breakage and nourish the scalp to provide a healthy growing environment for your hair. Sunflower oil also helps your hair retain moisture by preventing water loss in the hair. The oil has also been used to treat baldness in both men and women, thinning hair, severe hair loss and Alopecia.
How to Use: Use oil directly on the hair after styling to reduce frizz. Use as a hot oil treatment, or an overnight treatment using the baggy method. Your hair will feel softer and well moisturized.
4. Argan Oil
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Argan oil is another light oil that won't weigh your hair down. It is high in Vitamin E and rich in antioxidants to help repair damaged hair. This light, non-greasy oil is also filled with essential fatty acids which work to condition and strengthen the hair without adding weight. It contains Vitamins E and F, which are essential in repairing and rejuvenating damaged hair follicles. Argan oil is safe and light enough to use regularly on fine hair.
How to Use: Add argan oil to your shampoo and/or conditioner. You can also use it as a hot oil or pre-shampoo treatment. The oil can also be rubbed on the hair and scalp, or used to seal in moisture.
5. Neem Oil
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Despite having a ridiculously overpowering odor, Neem oil is highly beneficial to the health of your hair and scalp. Neem oil has very powerful anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties which makes it ideal for treating various scalp conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, dandruff, and psoriasis. It has also been used to treat head lice. Neem oil is high in fatty acids which help strengthen and condition the hair. Neem oil also strengthens the hair, encourages hair growth, stimulates circulation in the scalp, and adds shine to dull hair.
How to Use: You can use Neem oil by adding it to your shampoo, adding it to your deep conditioner, using it as a hot oil treatment, or leave it in overnight. I would recommend washing it out of your hair before leaving the house because of its very potent odor.
6. Rosemary Oil
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Unlike the other oils on this list, rosemary oil is actually an essential oil. Like most essential oils, rosemary oil itself is very thin and should be added with a carrier oil. Rosemary oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties, and is rich in antioxidants. The oil works as a powerful stimulant for the scalp, encouraging blood circulation in the scalp and inducing hair growth. Rosemary oil has been used to treat thinning hair and is said to be effective in treating hair loss.
How to Use: Because rosemary is so light, you can add it to almost anything. Add a few drops to your shampoo, conditioner and deep conditioner, or even your styling products.
7. Grapeseed Oil
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An odorless and colorless oil, Grapeseed oil is best known for its ability to withstand high heat. Grapeseed oil is a non-greasy, light oil that is perfect for naturals with fine hair. Grapeseed oil also helps to improve the elasticity of your hair, conditions and moisturizes hair. Your hair will love that grapeseed oil is full of minerals that will support and promote healthier hair growth.
How to Use: Use grapeseed oil as a hot oil or pre-shampoo treatment for extra moisture retention. You can also use the oil for moisturizing and styling, it also helps combat frizz and can be used to beat summer humidity. Rub the oil on your hair to protect it when heat styling.
8. Jojoba Oil
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Jojoba oil is considered a wax ester that very closely resembles the sebum, or oil, that is produced by your scalp. Jojoba oil is great for moisturizing and conditioning the hair, and won't clog your scalp or weigh your hair down. It has a silky, non-greasy texture and is great for adding to your shampoos, conditioners, or adding to your hair as a sealer. Jojoba oil works well at preventing water loss in the hair, just like Sunflower oil.
How to Use: Add a few teaspoons of jojoba oil to your shampoo and conditioner. Mix with a carrier oil and apply directly to the scalp. Add a few drops to your deep conditioner.
9. Coconut Oil
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Coconut oil has anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties in addition to being packed with protein. Of all the plant-based oils, coconut oil has proven to reduce protein-loss in hair, which is needed to maintain strong, healthy hair. Coconut oil is great for using on fine hair because it is a light oil that doesn't just sit on the hair stands but is actually absorbed into the hair. Coconut oil works well for preventing hair loss and conditioning the hair, its one of my all-time favorite beauty oils.
How to Use: Add coconut oil to your shampoo or conditioner. Use as a deep conditioner, daily detangler, or rub into your scalp to combat dandruff.
If you have fine or thinner hair, what are your favorite oils to use that don't weigh your hair down?
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