Do you need a list of carrier oils for hair? Here are the best carrier oils to use on your hair as a hot oil treatment or in DIY bath and beauty recipes.
If you're new to Everything Pretty, you might not have seen my post about carrier oils and their benefits. Since I wrote it, it's been one of my top posts, and it even inspired me to write my first book, Carrier Oils.
In that post, I list several popular carrier oils and their benefits for your skin and hair. In the book, I list more than 40 different carrier oils and their uses.
In this post, I'd like to concentrate just on a list of carrier oils for hair. Some of these carrier oils can be used alone on your hair like argan oil. Others are best used in DIY recipes like hot oil treatments or hair masks.
List of Carrier Oils for Hair
What are Carrier Oils?
Carrier oils are oils made from nuts, seeds, fruits, or kernels of plants. They carry essential oils and other ingredients since they often need to be diluted.
Most carrier oils have a slight nutty aroma, except coconut oil, which smells strongly of coconut.
When buying carrier oils, look for organic versions if possible and cold pressed versions. Heat pressed oils can have chemicals added to them, which can affect the oil.
Learn what are carrier oils in more detail in this post. Learn about carrier oils and their benefits here.
What Are The Best Oils to Put in Your Hair?
The best oils to put in your hair depends on your hair needs. Good ones to try are argan oil, macadamia nut oil, avocado oil, and castor oil. Keep reading for a list of carrier oils for hair and their benefits.
What Oil is Best for Dry Hair?
For dry hair, try using coconut oil, almond oil, flax seed oil, or hemp seed oil.
Is Coconut Oil or Olive Oil Better For Hair?
Both coconut oil and olive oil are great for your hair. Coconut oil is heavier and harder to wash out. Both are inexpensive and work well though.
How Many Times a Week Should I Oil My Hair?
Use a hair oil one or two times a week. If your hair is very dry or damaged, twice a week should work well. Otherwise, use once a week.
List of Carrier Oils for Hair and Their Benefits
Almond Oil
Almond oil (sweet almond oil) is a great all purpose oil that can be used in many bath and hair recipes.
It has vitamins A and E to nourish your hair, and the essential fatty acids can make hair softer and smoother.
Almond oil can be used alone or with other oils or essential oils as a hot oil treatment or used in recipes. Almond oil is inexpensive and a great all purpose oil, so I recommend it as a top oil on this list of carrier oils for hair.
Click here for recipes made with almond oil.
Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil is another versatile oil. It's lightweight, so it won't weigh down your hair. It's a great choice for a hot oil treatment.
Click here for recipes made with apricot kernel oil.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is my favorite oil for hair in this list of carrier oils for hair. I rub a drop or two in my hair after every washing. It's fatty acids and vitamins A and E nourish hair.
Click here for recipes made with argan oil.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is high in fat soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids that nourish dry and damaged hair. Avocado oil is usually combined with other carrier oils because it is a heavy oil.
Click here for recipes made with avocado oil.
Baobab Oil
Baobab Oil is high in saturated fats and vitamins A, E, and F. It can protect hair from sun damage and tame frizzy hair.
Click here for recipes made with baobab oil.
Castor Oil
Castor oil has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, so it's a good oil to massage on to your scalp. It's been said to help boost hair regrowth and strengthen hair.
Click here for recipes made with castor oil. Learn about castor oil benefits for hair.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of my favorite oils because of the smell. The oil is antibacterial and antiviral, so it can improve scalp health. It can be used alone or with other ingredients as a hair mask.
Click here for recipes made with coconut oil.
Cranberry Seed Oil
Cranberry Seed Oil can moisturize the scalp and your hair. It can temporarily repair split ends for smoother hair and make hair shinier.
Click here for recipes made with cranberry seed oil.
Flax Seed Oil
Flax seed oil is high in minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids. It's said to promote hair growth, so it can help you get thicker, fuller hair. It's also a good oil to massage on your scalp if you have dandruff or flakes.
Click here for recipes with flax seed oil.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a dry oil, making it perfect as a hot oil for your hair. It can make hair softer and sleeker when used in a hair mask. I use this oil from this list of carrier oils for hair often in hot oil treatments.
Click here for recipes made with grapeseed oil.
Hazelnut Oil
Hazelnut oil has some natural UV protection--but it should never be used in place of sunscreen!--so it's a great oil to use with color treated hair. It's also a dry oil, so it won't weigh down hair.
Click here for recipes made with hazelnut oil.
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is high in fatty acids, mineral, and chlorophyll. It can thicken hair and help prevent flakes when massaged on the scalp.
Click here for recipes made with hemp seed oil.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is an excellent oil for your scalp, and it can also nourish your hair. It's one of the best from this list of carrier oils for hair to use if you have dry, itchy scalp or dandruff.
Click here for recipes made with jojoba oil.
Kukui Nut Oil
Kukui nut oil is a great oil to use on damaged hair because it can restore it. It has amino acids that penetrate the hair shaft, so it's a great leave in treatment.
Click here for recipes made with kukui nut oil.
Marula Oil
Marula Oil isn't a greasy oil, so it won't weigh down hair. It softens hair while reducing frizz.
Click here for recipes made with marula oil.
Passion Fruit Seed Oil
Passion fruit seed oil, also called Maracuja oil, is a great for your scalp and hair. It can reduce flakes and dandruff. It can also help restore dry, damaged hair.
Click here for recipes made with passion fruit seed oil.
All of these carrier oils for hair will help make your hair softer, more manageable, and shinier. You can use them alone or in DIY hair care recipes.
Free Carrier Oils for Hair Printable PDF
Sign up to get your free carrier oils printable PDF. This has 20 common carrier oils and their properties and benefits for hair and skin.
I generally use them in recipes more than I use them alone. If I do use a carrier oil alone, I use grapeseed oil because it works well on my dry, damaged hair without making it overly greasy.
Carrier Oils: A beginner's guide to using over 40 carrier oils in bath and beauty recipes is now available! This book has more information about each of the oils listed here, plus it has many, many more oils.
I give you the origins and compositions of each oil plus the unique benefits of the oils for your skin and hair. It has these oils from this list of carrier oils for hair plus several more oils.
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