Best Oils for Natural Hair Growth and Scalp Health

Oils are a game-changer if you’re on a journey to grow long, strong, and healthy natural hair! 🌿 Whether you’re dealing with dryness, breakage, slow growth, or scalp issues, the right oil can nourish your scalp, lock in moisture, and strengthen your strands.

This guide breaks down:

The best oils for hair growth & scalp health
Which oils work best for low, medium, and high porosity hair
How to properly use oils in your natural hair routine

1. The Importance of Oils for Natural Hair

Oils serve two main purposes in natural hair care:

Sealing Moisture: Oils help lock in hydration after applying water-based products.
Nourishing the Scalp: Some oils penetrate the scalp to promote stronger, healthier growth.

💡 Not all oils are the same! Some penetrate the hair shaft (like coconut oil), while others coat the strand and prevent moisture loss (like castor oil).

2. Best Oils for Hair Growth & Strengthening

1️⃣ Castor Oil (Thicker, Ideal for Growth & Strengthening)

Best For: High porosity, dry scalp, thinning edges
Why It Works: Rich in ricinoleic acid, castor oil stimulates hair growth, thickens strands, and reduces breakage.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to your scalp 2-3 times per week and massage for 5 minutes.

2️⃣ Rosemary Oil (Stimulates Hair Follicles & Growth)

Best For: Rosemary oil is good for all hair types, slow-growing hair
Why It Works: Known to increase blood circulation to the scalp, encouraging faster, healthier growth.
How to Use: Mix a few drops into a carrier oil (like jojoba or coconut oil) and apply to the scalp.

3️⃣ Jamaican Black Castor Oil (Super Growth Booster!)

Best For: Jamaican black castor oil is good for thick, curly, or high-porosity hair
Why It Works: A thicker version of castor oil, perfect for sealing moisture and strengthening weak strands.
How to Use: Apply a small amount to the scalp, massage, and leave overnight.

3. Best Oils for Scalp Health & Moisture Retention

4️⃣ Coconut Oil (Deep Penetrating & Strengthening)

Best For: Coconut oil is good for medium to high-porosity hair
Why It Works: One of the few oils that penetrates the hair shaft, preventing protein loss.
How to Use: Use a small amount on damp hair before applying cream or butter.

5️⃣ Jojoba Oil (Closest to Natural Scalp Oils!)

Best For: Jojoba oil is best for low-porosity hair, sensitive scalps
Why It Works: Mimics the scalp’s natural sebum, helping with scalp hydration and reducing dandruff.
How to Use: Apply a few drops to the scalp after washing for lightweight moisture.

6️⃣ Olive Oil (Softens & Adds Shine)

Best For: Dry, frizzy, or damaged hair
Why It Works: Loaded with fatty acids that help soften coarse hair and boost shine.
How to Use: Use it as a hot oil treatment or mix it into deep conditioners.

4. How to Use Oils in Your Natural Hair Routine

💡 Pro Tip: Oils don’t hydrate—they seal in moisture! Always apply oils after using a water-based product like a leave-in conditioner.

Pre-Poo Treatment: Apply oil to dry hair as a pre-poo treatment before washing to prevent moisture loss.
Scalp Massages: Stimulate growth by massaging oil into your scalp 2-3 times weekly.
Sealing Moisture: Use oils in the LOC or LCO method to lock in hydration.
Hot Oil Treatments: Warm your oil slightly and apply from roots to ends for deep nourishment.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Oils

Applying Oils to Dry Hair Without Moisture: Oils seal in moisture but don’t add hydration.
Using Too Much Oil: This can cause buildup, leading to dryness over time.
Ignoring Scalp Sensitivities: Some oils (like coconut oil) don’t work for every scalp—test before using!
Not Washing Oils Out Properly: Product buildup can clog hair follicles, slowing growth.

Final Thoughts

The right oils can transform your natural hair routine, keeping your strands moisturized, strong, and healthy. Whether you need a growth-boosting oil like castor oil or a lightweight scalp oil like jojoba, there’s an oil for every hair type!

More from Mahogany Speaks to You

Why Should You Use Rosemary Oil on Your Hair?