You Think You’re Moisturizing – But You’re Just Oiling Dry Natural Hair

When thinking of natural haircare, what first comes to mind are the mass amounts of oil, butter, and cream products. 

Each is advertised as the perfect means to moisturize curly and coily hair, promising the bounce and shine shown in ads. This misunderstanding in natural haircare leaves a gap for the curly/coily heads looking for proper hair maintenance.

The truth is, oil is a sealant, not a moisturizer. It doesn’t hydrate, nourish, or condition your hair. To truly moisturize natural hair, you need water or water-based products that penetrate the strands, not just coat them.

Without using water-based products prior to oiling your curly or coily hair, the sealant will lock in dryness or worse, block out other products and any hydration you try to put in your hair afterward.  So what should your moisturizing routine look like? Start with a water-based foundation. This could be plain water or your favorite hydrating leave-in conditioner. Even better if you find a product with aloe vera, a powerful hydrating agent.

Now, because water and water-based products evaporate quickly, you need to lock in the hydration right away. Follow up with a cream or butter that contains water as a top ingredient; this adds softness and begins the sealing process. Finally, apply your favorite oil to lock that moisture in, not to provide it.

This method is often called L. C. O, or liquid, cream, and oil. This technique makes a huge difference in how your hair retains moisture, feels to the touch, and responds to styling. There’s also the L.O.C method if you find that works better for your hair.

So remember: moisture first, oil last – don’t play with your curls!  With a water or a leave-in hydrator, oil seals the deal. If there’s no moisture underneath, then you’re wasting your time. Now love your curls and coils the right way!