By Chinwe of Hair and Health
Avocado oil is one of the better oils to use on our natural hair since it contains a high amount (approximately 72%) of monounsaturated fatty acids โ which is higher than most other oils, including coconut and grapeseed. Want to know how to use it? Here are 12 ways:
1. To enhance a moisturizer. Monounsaturated oils may readily penetrate into the hair strand [1]. Additionally, oils with a slight polarity tend to have an affinity for the cortex [2]. Because avocado oil has these two characteristics, it may easily penetrate into the cortex of the hair strand, which few oils can do. Thus, it has the potential to enhance your current moisturizer. Try mixing the oil with your store-bought product or into your homemade whipped butter.
2. As a carrier oil. Avocado oil penetrates the skin fairly easily when compared to some oils, such as olive or almond [3]. It is also moderately low on the comedogenic scale (i.e., not as clogging as some other oils such as coconut). Because of these qualities, it can make a great carrier oil for your essential oils.
3. To moisturize your scalp. Avocado oil is nothing like other oils which leave a greasy film on the surface of the skin. It readily melts into the epidermis, thus making it a useful option for moisturizing a dry scalp.
4. To add slip to a deep conditioner. Not all deep conditioners have a natural slip and this can be annoying for some naturals. Try adding avocado oil, which has just the right consistency to create the lubrication you need. Additionally, since avocado oil might readily penetrate into the hair shaft, you may have an added bonus of increased elasticity!
5. For an enhanced pre-poo treatment. For the same reasons as stated in #1 and #4, you may want to try incorporating avocado oil into your pre-poo treatment. Mix it with your favorite conditioner or with other oils, like coconut, which has been shown to protect the hair from damage due to swelling and de-swelling during the washing process [1].
6. For finger detangling. Many oils generally make great natural detanglers. Avocado oil in particular, can lubricate and create slip without a super greasy feel. This not only means less damage while detangling but also less of a greasy mess! Use it alone or mix it with other oils, if you like.
7. As the โOโ component of your L.O.C. method. The โOโ (or oil) component of the L.O.C. method consists of using an oil that will later be sealed by a cream (the โCโ component). It is ideal to use an oil that can penetrate into the cortex rather than just sit on the cuticle layer. Avocado oil may be what you need!
8. Or as the first โOโ component of your L.O.C.O. method. The first โOโ (or oil) component of the L.O.C.O. method is a penetrating, or moisturizing, oil. Again, avocado oil may be what you need here. (This is to be distinguished from the last โOโ component in the L.O.C.O. method, which stands for a heavier โsealing oilโ that provides a barrier against moisture loss. An example is castor oil.)
9. On your ends before undo-ing twists or braids. Prior to undo-ing your twists or braids, it helps to apply an oil to the ends of your hair in order to ease the process and minimize breakage. Avocado oil is great because it is non-greasy and has a faint (rather than strong) scent. It provides the lubrication you need without impacting your hairstyle.
10. To enhance a โcheapyโ conditioner. Do you have a cheap conditioner that could use a little more slip and moisture? Avocado oil may be the answer.
11. To massage your edges. For those who are in need of a good massage oil for your edges, I would highly recommend avocado. (Jojoba oil is ideal but it is relatively expensive. Avocado oil is a great substitute.) Again, it penetrates the skin without leaving a greasy film and is not as comedogenic (or clogging) as coconut oil, for example. That could mean less forehead acne!
12. To refresh a style. There are two great benefits to using avocado oil for refreshing a style: 1) it will not harden the style (like coconut oil can do on a cold day for some naturals) and 2) it can provide a bit of shine without weighing down the hair (like castor oil does for some naturals). A little oil also goes a long way.
Sources:
[1] Ruetsch, S. B., Kamath, Y. K., Rele, A., Mohile, R. B. (2011), Secondary Ion mass spectrometric investigation of penetration of coconut and mineral oil into human hair: Relevance to hair damage. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 52: 169โ184.
[2] Hornby, S. B., Appa, Y., Ruetsch, S. and Kamath, Y. (2005), Mapping penetration of cosmetic compounds into hair fibers using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 27: 299.
[3] Valette, G., Francois, M. T., Sobrin, E. (1963), Absorption percutanee de diverses huiles animals ou vegetales. (English trans.: Percutaneous absorption of various animal or plant oils.) Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae, 38:710โ6.
Ladies, have you tried avocado oil? How do you use it?
Wait, thereโs a loco method now?
Itโs probably something People already do but now itโs being named like itโs something new.
Sometimes I really wish I didnโt discover natural hair this way.
All these keywords and abbreviations is making it more stressful. It also means websites have the exact same content or use the exact same phrases. But Iโm still glad they are around though. Itโs helping loads of people!
Thank you for this article Chinwe. I spend a fortune on organic butters and oils. I want to try narrowing it down to 3 or 4 and now Avocado oil will definitely be on that list.
I eat avocados for breakfast. I donโt need it in my hair directly lol Iโm trying to keep great skin and if, through ingestion, it helps the hair then Iโm winning!
If i only use avocado oil on my 4 c hair, itโs feel very dry. Before i put this oil on my hair, i moisturize it with a mix of water and glycerine.
I love avocados! I use the oil in my oil mix, and I like adding it to my deep conditioner. I also like using avocado butter as a styler (great hold!), but it can be a bit drying for my hair if not used in conjunction with a moisturizer, as JNatural mentioned upthread.
My favorite use of avocados though.โฆpasta sauce! Fresh avocado +cream cheese+ plum tomatoes+spices =deliciousness ๐
I wonder if i add advocado butter to my thin creams (to thicken them up)if it will be more moisterizing to my Low porosity hair? Has anyone tried this before?
Ermmmm did you guyz get that avocado photo from a vegan porn website??
Get your head out of the gutter, man. :p
OMG! LOL I did say that this photo looks rather provocative.
Iโve been wanting to try avocado oil for
awhile so this is the motivation I needed. Question? Is it true avocado oil has protein in it?
[โฆ] http://bglh-marketplace.com/2014/02/12-ways-to-use-avocado-oil-on-natural-hair/ [โฆ]
I oil rinse with Olive Oil, but notice that it tends to irritate my scalp. Do you suggest oil rinsing with Avocado Oil?
Yes. I just started using Avocado Oil and it is amazing! The vitamin E it has in it makes it akin to Castor Oil, but lighter!
My hair loves avocados as a pre-poo. I use jojoba oil for all the other stuff. I may give avocado oil a try.
I just started using avocado oil and I love it. I have course 4C hair.
I discovered avocado oil a few months ago by chance. I ordered some oils on EBay and it came in a trio along with jojoba and castor oil. Iโve been using avocado mixed with jojoba as my โoโ in my LโO-C combination. I was looking to add safflower or grapeseed oil to the mix after hearing how great ceramides but now I think Iโll leave things just as they are. My hair has been staying moisturized longer ever since I started using my avocado/jojoba mix. Iโm looking to have a simple regimen without a million products. Know what I mean?… Read more »
Just picked some up today. Thank you!
Iโm about to make my first organic whipped hair cream. Iโm using ivory Shea butter, coconut oil, mango butter, avocado and jojoba oils. Do any of you with experience have any suggestions or hints. My 4c/d hair is growing rapidly but very dry and does not look the same in the afternoon as it does in the mornings, the twistouts donโt last. Thanks.
Yes! I use avocodo oil and it really does work in my hair and I have black hair.I have just started using it and I mix it with my garnier fruits spray and it does wonders.WOOHOO!
Your so right Fellicia! Iโve been using avocado oil in my hair for nearly a year and it feels like I have completely new hair. I was transitioning too. I suggest Aviva Pure Avocado Coconut Oil Hair mask. I use it once per week. http://avivapurebeauty.com/collections/best-sellers/products/organic-hair-mask-avocado-coconut-rosemary
I have been using avacado, sweet almond, and hemp seed oil for a year and my hair has grown 4 inches. It looks healthy and doesnt leave it looking or feeling oily. Also, the kind of shampoo that is used makes a ddifference. Ive noticed since ive been using shampoo and conditioners that are more natural has helped my hair a lot! I know everyone is different but just wanted to share what ive done and have been successful with! ๐
I just started using avocado oil, I added it to my mixture of oils. Itโs really good and not greasy. I got my from http://www.hairevlove.com
[โฆ] penetrate dry hair. It also drastically improves the elasticity of hair. There are many ways to use avocado oil on your hair. This product is a great pick [โฆ]