Indians have been trusting oiling techniques for massaging the scalp and offering nourishment to hair for centuries. Earlier, we only had coconut oil to the rescue and every household had a bottle of coconut oil. It has been a popular choice among women and men as it is versatile and highly beneficial. Over the years, we started using different types of oil for hair such as castor oil, olive oil, Vitamin E oil and more. For me, coconut and olive oil had been my go-to choice for keeping my hair healthy and shiny. Here’s my experience with both the oils and the brands that I trust for coconut and olive oil.
Coconut Oil
It is one oil that I have been using since my childhood days. Most of us were exposed to coconut oil by our elders. It is a great oil for nourishing your scalp and promoting healthy and lustrous hair. A good thing about coconut oil is that it is not very sticky and even a mild shampoo can help in getting rid of the oil and stickiness. Coconut oil is not only helpful for getting shiny hair but also for repairing rough hair and split ends. It strengthens the hair cuticle and tames frizz. When the hair is nourished and repaired, it leads to lesser breakage. Coconut oil also helps hair from environmental damage. Even for home remedies, coconut oil is a good choice. Some people swear by the benefits of mixing onion juice or camphor with the good old coconut oil to fight scalp-related issues such as dandruff. It acts as an ideal host to other ingredients.
My top choice for coconut oil brand has been Parachute since childhood. There are different variants of coconut oil such as Jasmine but the regular one is the best oil for me. Patanjali also offers coconut hair oil which is pure and is a powerhouse of coconut benefits. It is a little thicker in consistency and nourishes the hair well. The Patanjali coconut oil is free of chemicals and hence it can be used for cooking as well. It vouches for the purity of the oil. I liked the Patanjali coconut oil but came back to Parachute simply because of easy access and availability.
Olive Oil
I was introduced almost 8 years ago and it changed my hair care routine forever. Olive oil makes for a great choice for hair nourishment. It has a little thick consistency which is best for repairing your dry and rough hair when applied regularly. Even if you apply olive oil for an hour or two before shampooing, you will achieve smooth and soft hair that is shiny and tangle-free. And tangle-free hair means lesser breakage. Olive oil has a calming and soothing effect on the scalp. It is enriched with antifungal and antibacterial properties that promote a healthy scalp and hair growth. It unclogs the clogged hair follicles and moisturizes the hair well, treating dryness and frizz. It reduces dandruff and scalp irritation. It is considered a great remedy for treating coarse, dry, and frizzy hair. It promotes hair growth along with offering them healthy and voluminous appearance. It is safe for colour-treated hair as well. Such hair tends to be dry and frizzy and olive oil can help fight the dryness.
If you are suffering from excessive dandruff, avoid applying it for long hours. The application of olive oil once or twice a week is sufficient. For a deep nourishing treatment, you can add Vitamin E capsules to olive oil. Though you can find several olive oil brands today for hair such as Forest Essentials, Plaum, Mama Earth, Vadi Herbal, Urban Botanics, and more, I still trust Figaro. It is a brand that offers pure olive oil which can be used for cooking. Hence, it can be trusted for application on hair due to its purity and authenticity. Some of the beauty care brands mentioned above offer extra virgin and cold-pressed oil. You can try them to see for yourself but for me, Figaro is a clear winner. It is available in different sizes and even a small bottle with last you as you need only a small amount.
My Verdict
While coconut oil is good for hair growth and nourishment of the shaft, olive oil is best for its moisturization and reparative abilities. Olive oil is better at preventing hair fall and acts as a natural conditioner promoting shinier hair. If you have dryness due to colour-treated hair, olive oil will nourish your hair well. Though I like applying coconut oil and can vouch for its benefits, olive oil has an edge over coconut oil for me. It can be on the expensive side comparatively but it is worth every penny.
Some Tips for Applying Hair Oil
- The hair oil should be applied only on the scalp and not on the hair length. It’s only the scalp that needs nourishment and not hair. They only attract dust when oiled.
- It is sufficient to oil the hair once or twice a week. You don’t need to apply hair oil daily.
- Massage the oil with gentle hands on the scalp. Massaging roughly would lead to hair breakage. Try using your fingertips for massage.
- Keeping the oil overnight is a myth. You only need to oil your scalp for an hour or two before shampooing. Leaving it for 30 minutes is also sufficient.
- During the winter season, you must avoid applying hair oil often or for long hours especially if you are struggling with dandruff. Excessive oiling will increase the dandruff issue as it feeds on oil.
- Always consider using mild shampoos that don’t rip the moisture off the hair and scalp. It is all the more important to use a gentle shampoo during winter as it is a dry season.
- Just like anything else, excess of anything is bad. Apply hair oil in moderation.
- Always choose the right oil based on your needs.
- Wrap the head after oiling with a warm towel so that oil gets absorbed well.
Do share your experience with both oils and which one you find better. Ans is there a better brand that you have used?
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Personally, I prefer coconut oil for my hair. I have been using it since I was a kid, almost everyone in my family does it. The thing I like about it is the moisturizing it provides and also reducing frizziness. Although it is a bit heavier in texture and some may find it too sticky. If you have fine hair, olive oil might be a better option.
I been using coconut oil on my hair since I was a kid. It makes my hair shiny and helps with split ends. I tried olive oil about 8 years ago, and it really helps with my dry, frizzy hair. It makes my hair soft and less tangled. I like both oils, but olive oil works better for me, even though it’s a bit more expensive. For coconut oil, I use Parachute brand, and for olive oil, I trust Figaro.