6 Ways to Use Hair Oil Without Making Your Hair Greasy

One of the best hair products for all hair types — besides a good shampoo and conditioner — is an oil for hair that adds nourishment and shine. Hair oil is one of those commonly used styling products that offers many benefits for different hair types, textures and thickness. There are several types of oils to choose from that offer different results to tackle frizz, flyaways, damaged hair and more concerns. 

Whether you apply it as a treatment before hopping into the shower or use it to help tame frizzy hair, one thing’s for certain: Hair oil can serve many purposes in your hair care routine. If you’re ready to learn more about hair oil and its benefits, keep reading for six easy and clever ways to use oil for hair for a healthier mane. 

What Oils Are Best for Hair?

For the most part, the oils that you put on your hair derive from naturally found ingredients that are sometimes used in the kitchen, in skin care products and (of course) in hair care products. According to the International Journal of Trichology, a few popularly used oils for hair include coconut oil, almond oil, castor oil, argan oil and olive oil. 

These oils offer many benefits that are great for all hair types, however keep in mind that not all oils work well on the hair. Some oils that are used in cooking (like canola oil) tend to leave hair feeling and looking extra greasy, resulting in product buildup or an itchy scalp.   

How to Use Hair Oil

Hair oils are one of those magical hair care products that have many uses. Maybe you’ve used hair oil in the past to add shine or combat frizziness, but there are several more ways to use this item that you may not have thought to try. Below, discover six ways to use hair oil to amplify your hair care routine. 

1. As a Pre-Shampoo Treatment

You put your hair through a lot; everything from water quality to heat styling to frequent hair dyeing can leave your strands feeling dry. Try using hair oil as a pre-shampoo treatment to help moisturize your hair before washing, which can help your hair retain its natural oils. Simply apply hair oil to dry hair and massage the product into your strands to lock in moisture and hydration. With the oil in your hair, shampoo your hair and rinse both products thoroughly before continuing with your conditioner.

2. To Add Lightweight Shine

Introduce shine to your hair whenever it’s starting to look dull with a lightweight hair oil that’ll leave hair with a subtle sheen but not a greasy look. Instead of piling on products that may weigh down strands while adding shine, use a lightweight hair oil like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Sheer Oil to revive lifeless hair and add nourishment to dehydrated strands. The formulation of sunflower, olive, jojoba, coconut and rosemary oils work together to renew and refresh all hair types, resulting in a softer and shinier mane. 

3. To Detangle Curly Hair

If you have curly hair and never tried using hair oil let this be your sign to start. Hair oils work wonders on curly and coily hair types, especially when it comes to detangling. Apply a few drops of oil into your palms before massaging the product through your hair. Then, use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle hair and apply more oil in extra knotty spots as needed. Another detangling tip for curly hair (and all hair types): Start at the ends and lengths of your hair and gently work your way up to the roots. 

4. To Tame Frizz and Flyaways

If your hair poofs up as soon as you step outside — especially when the weather is humid — you’re definitely not alone. Frizzy hair plagues us all from time to time, but thankfully, a hair oil can help tame that frizz. Try applying one to two pumps of hair oil to dry hair to help smooth frizz and hair flyaways. Apply the hair oil to the lengths and ends of your hair to avoid having a greasy scalp. your scalp   naturally produces oil (called sebum) so your roots don’t need extra oil unless they’re particularly parched. 

5. To Protect Against Split Ends

Although getting a hair trim is a no-fail technique for getting rid of split ends, you can still help protect your strands by using hair oil as part of your regular hair care routine. Hair oil can also help prevent future split ends from forming since it can keep hair hydrated and nourished. Put it on wet or dry hair — whatever you prefer.  

6. For Hair Prep Before Using Heat

A lot of the time your hairstyle is only as good as the products you prep your hair with. And — you guessed it — using hair oil is a great way to get your strands ready for styling. Simply apply a dime to nickel-sized amount of product onto dry hair, mainly on the lengths and ends, in addition to a heat protectant. Then, use your flat iron or curling iron as usual. You can also add hair oil to damp hair right after washing and before blow-drying to make your at-home blowout look smoother and shinier. 

Another heat protectant option similar to hair oils are hair serums that do a similar job while also taming frizz. Try L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In which protects all hair types from heat damage up to 450 degrees while the added castor oil softens hair to minimize frizz and flyaways. 

 Next: How Do You Fix Tangled Hair?

Photo: Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris