Natural Oils

 

Essential and Carrier Oils

Essential and carrier oils are a natural girl’s best friend but how much do we really know about them? When I did my first BC, I knew absolutely nothing and them. I relied mostly on what I saw on YouTube videos to determine which was best for my hair. I then decided to do a little research on my own and discovered there are so many benefits to natural oils; benefits that go beyond it just being great for hair.

Let’s first define what essential and carrier oils are. Essential oils derive from plants, flowers, herbs, and barks. They have been used for hundreds of years to relieve infections, bruising, and various other ailments. Essential oils come in concentrated forms, and have a strong aroma; thus requiring dilution prior to applying it to the skin. Dilution can be done using water or carrier oils. Carrier oils are extracted from the fatty portion of plants. These oils are entire safe to use alone or in combination with essential oils and are vital to repairing dry, damaged hair and skin.

Essential Oils                     Benefits/Uses

Rosemary	Derived from the rosemary plant. Useful for dandruff problems and flaky itchy scalp. Stimulates the hair follicles; as a result hair, can grow longer and stronger.
Tea Tree	Great moisturizer for the hair. Helps to keep the scalp free of bacterial and fungal problems. Unblocks the sebaceous glands and encourage the flow of the scalp’s own moisturizing oils while clearing away dead skin cells.
Lavender	Good treatment for dandruff and itching, helpful in controlling hair breakage and improving hair growth. Daily massage with lavender oil has proven to help significant re-growth and gives you the results in a few months. Blends well with many other essential oils.
Peppermint	Stimulates hair follicles and increases circulation and promotes hair growth.  Leave hair soft and shiny. Non-greasy
Chamomile	Soothes the nerves and scalp. Helps to retract skin cells that have been inflamed from chemical procedures and harsh weather conditions and helps with itching scaly scalp and dandruff.
Myrrh	Great for dry hair. Helps treat dry scalp, dandruff, and underactive sebaceous gland.

 

Carrier Oils                         Benefits/Uses

Olive	Use to give hair great strength, sheen, and suppleness, especially as a hot oil treatment for dry hair. Great moisturizer for skin
Coconut	Excellent for dry hair Can be used as leave-in treatment, or added to shampoo and conditioner Softens skin with clogging pores
Grapeseed	Locks in moisture, prevents future damage to the hair, dandruff, and promotes hair growth.
Jojoba	Moisturizes the scalp and helps prevent hair loss Improves scalp capillary circulation. Promotes hair growth.
Castor	Castor oil contains vitamin E, minerals, and proteins. When used on a regular basis, it improves the condition of your hair and aid in hair growth.
Vegetable Glycerin	It is a humectants (attracts and retains moisture) Can be diluted with water or other carrier oils Great for dry, brittle, and frizzy hair
Sweet Almond	Great skin moisturizer Used on dry, damaged hair
Argon	Rich source of Vitamin E and Essential fatty acids Great when used as hot oil treatment (moisturizes hair and scalp) Improves softness of hair
Sunflower	Excellent lubricant for all skin types; even oily faces.  Contains Vitamin E, though, which helps heal skin and restore old cells.