It’s very easy for hair to become dry or brittle, especially when the weather changes. That is even truer if you spend a lot of time outdoors, more specifically in the pool or ocean. Not to mention the fact that harsh hair care products can damage hair, increasing the risk of hair loss, breakage, and frizz. Fortunately for you, the homemade hair oil treatment in this article can help nourish the scalp and promote healthier hair.
One of the great things about this hair oil treatment is that it is an inexpensive way to promote healthier hair, no matter your hair type. You can even use this product on children to help make hair more manageable! It can make hair easier to brush without irritating the tenderest of scalps. Let’s take a look at the ingredients to see why this treatment is a notch above the rest.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is known for its culinary applications, but it also has a long history of use in cosmetics. According to historians, Ancient Greeks used olive oil to make body care products, including salves, soaps, and massage oils. Researchers note that olive oil can be particularly beneficial for people with brittle hair strands. Several studies indicate that hair treated with olive oil is less prone to damage than hair not treated with olive oil. Olive oil also works to enhance the hair’s resilience, making it stronger and easier to detangle without breakage.
Coconut Oil
In 2022, researchers conducted a study that tested the effects of coconut-based hair oils on human hair damaged by regular washing. Study authors concluded that coconut-based hair oils were able to reduce that damage. Researchers attribute this to the lauric acid content in coconut oil. Lauric acid is a type of saturated fat that may protect against protein loss, particularly keratin. Dyes, bleach, shampoos, and other styling products can damage hair, making it appear dull or fragile. Coconut oil contains triglycerides that are able to penetrate and interact with the hair cortex. In doing so, coconut oil can help reduce the amount of water hair absorbs, which limits daily damage.
Honey
Honey has both humectant and emollient properties, making it an excellent moisturizer for your hair. Humectants bond with water molecules, which works to add moisture to dry strands. Emollients help smooth hair follicles, helping to add shine to dull-looking hair. Because honey contains 0.5% protein, it may help restore weak and brittle hair strands. Protein treatments are very popular in modern hair care routine, considering that keratin is an essential protein that adds structure and strength to your hair.
Epsom Salt
Believe it or not, Epsom salt can benefit more than sore muscles or skin issues. According to researchers, Epsom salt may help cleanse the scalp by removing impurities, toxins, and excess sebum. By detoxifying the scalp, you unclog hair follicles, which can help improve nutrient absorption and promote hair growth.
Hair Oil Treatment
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Epsom salt
- 1-2 drops essential oil of choice (optional)
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients (except the essential oil) to a bowl and use an immersion blender to combine. If you do not have an immersion blender, you can place the ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat and whisk as the ingredients warm up.
- Add the essential oil to the mixture and whisk well to combine. Transfer the mixture to a glass jar and store in a cool, dry place.
- When ready to use, shake well right before application. You can also warm it up in a microwave for 30 seconds or so to ensure the ingredients are fully liquified.
- Massage the treatment into your hair and scalp, put a shower cap on, and leave the oil in your hair for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the oil off in the shower and shampoo out.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
