What you need to know about moisturizing and sealing oils

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There’s a lot of information out there when it comes to caring for your curly hair. In addition to this information, there’s also a lot about products. Oils are having a big moment, and many curly girls are jumping on the bandwagon with caring for their curls. However, not all oils have the same process or use. Here’s what you need to know about moisturizing and sealing oils.

Moisturizing:

As the name implies, this oils seal moisture into your hair. These oils are able to penetrate deeply into your curl’s shaft, delivering doses of moisture. They work best when used in tandem with a water based leave in conditioner, or just with water itself. Therefore, you’d want to apply a moisturizing oil while your curls are still very wet, so most likely after you’ve showered. They also work really well as hot oil treatments on dry or distressed scalps.

The types of moisturizing oils include: olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. The first two are great for those with thicker, coarser curls, whereas avocado oil is a great choice for fine and wavy strands that might be weighed down by heavier oils.

Sealing:

These types of oils help lock, or seal, moisture into your curls, but don’t deliver hydration. As a result, they don’t have the ability to penetrate into the curl, and instead lay on top of the shaft. Therefore, to use these curls you’ll need to introduce moisture into the strand beforehand. These oils add shine and luster to your strands, and work great if your curls are prone to frizz. They also work really well for protective styling, as they help keep moisture from escaping after you put your hair in twists, buns, or braids.

To get the most out of a good quality sealing oil, you’ll need a bottle of Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO), grapeseed oil (also works great as a heat protector, and is lightweight), or jojoba oil.