All About Hair Oiling: The Benefits, Choosing the Right Oil, and How to Do It

Have you tried hair oiling yet? Hair oiling is a beauty practice that has been around for centuries and is rooted in Ayurveda. While it has recently gained popularity in the modern wellness movement, the benefits of hair oiling have been known for thousands of years.

Just as we use moisturisers and oils on our face and body, using oil on the scalp and hair strands can nourish and improve the condition of our hair. Whether you're new to hair oiling or a seasoned pro, this time-tested ritual can work wonders for your locks. Let us show you how and why!

What Is Hair Oiling?

Hair oiling is a treatment involving applying oil to your hair before showering or before going to bed. The premise is that massaging regenerative natural oils into the hair and scalp can bring improvements. These include making hair stronger, shinier, thicker, and softer.

In Indian traditions, this was passed down with each generation of women. It was often a bedtime ritual, usually done as a child, while these oils were lovingly massaged into the hair and scalp, which is perhaps why Indian women tend to have such luscious, beautiful, and healthy hair.

Related: The benefits of Peppermint Oil for Hair Growth & Scalp Health

Benefits of Hair Oiling

This self-care treatment is especially beneficial for those with dry and lacklustre hair, as it can help boost your locks' overall health and appearance. 

Here are a few benefits a regular hair oiling routine can offer: 

Restore Key Vitamins and Minerals
When you practice hair oiling regularly, you can bring back vitamins and minerals that get swept away with frequent shampooing. Detergent-based shampoos often strip hair of what it needs to be healthy, so try hair oiling to see if your hair looks and feels healthier.

Protection from Breakage and Damage
Once you start regularly oiling your hair, it will exude a stronger and shinier appearance. You'll see less breakage while providing a protective layer that halts damage from heat styling tools. The key is in using the right oil (more on that below!) to nourish and protect all the way to the innermost layers of each hair shaft.

Fight Frizz and Smooth Your Ends
Tired of dealing with frizzy hair and split ends? A simple solution is to incorporate a regular hair-oiling ritual into your routine. Look for oils that contain fatty acids and vitamin E to help lock in moisture and improve the strength and elasticity of your hair. Not only will this reduce frizz, but it can also help smooth damaged strands and flyaways for a polished and put-together look. Give it a try and see the difference it can make for your hair!

How Can I Start Hair Oiling?

Now THAT is an excellent question!

When it comes to applying the hair oil, it's important to take your time and treat it as a self-care ritual. In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian practice of medicine, self-massage is known as "abhyanga" and is considered an act of self-love.

If you're new to hair oiling, starting slowly and using only a small amount of oil at a time is important. Begin by combing your hair to detangle it. 

To start, just apply 3-6 drops of your hair oil and focus on the crown chakra, the energetic point at the top of your head. Massaging this area can help alleviate stress and tension from the roots of your hair.

Continue this process across your entire scalp and be sure to use gentle circular motions to stimulate your entire scalp. Remember, the key is to be gentle and avoid using your fingernails, using the balls of your fingertips instead.

Take your time to enjoy the relaxation that comes from massaging this often neglected part of your body and the ritual of nourishing your hair and scalp with oil. 

Once you've enjoyed a lovely head massage, be sure to brush the oil through to the ends of your hair.  Once it's massaged in, you can leave it for 30 minutes at minimum (if you use Indagare's Organic Hair Renewal Oil for growth, you'll want to leave it longer so the formula has a chance to help stimulate hair follicles - leaving it on overnight is best).

After letting the hair oil do its magic for long enough, you should wash your hair as usual using a natural, sulphate-free shampoo. Then, if your ends are dry or frizzy, use a drop or two more hair oil on the ends as a natural conditioner.

After the first hair oiling, you'll see how much more moisturised and smooth your hair becomes. The key is to be consistent with it to keep up the best results. Aim to repeat this process twice a week for best results.

What Oils Should I Use for Hair Oiling?

When it comes to hair oiling, not all oils are created equal. To get the most out of this natural hair care ritual, choosing the right oils is important. Camellia oil, which ancient geishas used to promote scalp health and hair growth, is a great option. Argan oil, a favourite of Moroccan women, is also nourishing and calming for both hair and skin. Other oils that work well for hair oiling include ylang-ylang, peppermint (these first two are essential oils and should never be used undiluted), sesame, and macadamia oils. Scientific studies have shown that rosemary and peppermint essential oils are particularly effective for those looking to boost hair growth and thickness.

Related article: The Best Oils for Hair Growth & Thickness

As you can see, different oils have unique benefits, and so several oils are used for effective hair oiling. However, you will get your best results if you combine them in a meticulously formulated blend - it's quite a science to get the right amount of each oil (we should know it took us nearly a year to perfect our award-winning formula!).

Indagare's 100% Natural Organic Hair Oil is a unique hair oil as it is incredibly nourishing, yet very lightweight so it washes out beautifully. This stunning 100% natural hair oil oil won the International Beauty Shortlist Awards for the Best Hair Oil in 2020 AND 2023! Given these global awards are super competitive and incredibly respected, we hope this speaks volumes about this remarkable sulphate-free organic hair treatment. 

Not only does this multi-award winning organic hair oil's meticulously formulated blend have all the phenomenal oils listed above, but it also has an oil called sacha inchi, a rare oil from the Amazon that softens, enhances the hair's natural gloss and smoothness, calms inflammation the scalp, and regulates oil production. It brings a bounty of omega-3 fatty acids to help you quench and hydrate your hair.

Our 100% natural hair oil promotes healthy hair growth, provides deep hydration to your ends, and helps tame split ends. With its divine scent and powerful blend of natural ingredients, this hair oil is a must-have for anyone looking to achieve luscious, healthy locks.

What you won't find in this hair oil are silicones which are common in many famed brands but are essentially plastics that create an artificial shine. If you want your hair to shine with the best health and enjoy lasting benefits, skip the silicones and start using pure, natural hair oils like the powerful ones in our organic hair renewal oil to get long-term results and that enviable hair you've always wanted!