5 Best Oils for Frizzy Hair
Best oil for frizzy hair
Hair frizz can be a serious problem for many, especially when humidity levels are high. Frizzy hair arises from a lack of moisture in dry or damaged hair, which reacts as soon as it hits the humidity. This is why people with wavy or curly hair tend to experience frizz more frequently. Anti-frizz oil can help bring some much-needed moisture to dehydrated hair.
Anti-frizz oil targets hair at the cuticle. The cuticle is made of overlapping protein layers and protects the outside of your strands. Anti-frizz oil encourages these protein layers to sit smoothly against each other, creating a flyaway-free, shiny, healthy look. Some anti-frizz oils can be applied to damp hair after a shower, while others are more effective when applied to dry hair.
Finding an anti-frizz oil that’s appropriate for your hair is important. In this guide, we outline the best formulas available on the market and the different problems they help target.
How to use anti-frizz oil
Lightly coat your hands with the oil of your choice. Start with a small amount, and apply it from the tips of your hair to the midpoint of your strands. Avoid oiling the scalp, as that could create a greasy appearance.
You can also apply anti-frizz oil as an overnight or leave-in treatment. In fact, there is no more effective way to reap the benefits of an anti-frizz oil than with a periodic overnight treatment or mask. Coconut and other nut oils are popular choices for this.
Consult the instructions before applying your oil. Most need to be heated before application. An anti-frizz oil applied at a lukewarm temperature can help stimulate the hair follicles.
Oil type
There are a range of anti-frizz oils for different hair types. Thin, fine, and even greasy hair types can all benefit from anti-frizz oil. The key is differentiating which oil is best for your hair type.
Many anti-frizz oils are available both in pure form and mixed blends. Much of the time, these oils are combined with alcohol, preservatives, and other ingredients to maintain the product’s shelf life and effectiveness.
Coconut oil
This is suitable for all hair types, but coconut oil is particularly helpful if you’re looking to strengthen your strands. It nourishes your hair by helping maintain a healthy scalp and replenishing thirsty strands. It’s ideal as a weekly treatment for slow-growing hair and weak hair that breaks easily.
Argan oil
While it might not benefit those with naturally greasy hair, argan oil can work wonders for frizzy and dry hair. This oil is full of vitamin E and fatty acids, which help repair over-processed and heat-damaged hair. It’s famously used backstage at runway shows to transform unruly locks into soft, shiny, and frizz-free ones.
Almond oil
An antioxidant-rich nut oil that’s slightly lighter than the rest, almond oil is ideal for eliminating dandruff. It’s high in fatty acids, protein, and magnesium, promoting hair growth and helping prevent breakage. Along with reducing dandruff, it can also help with redness and other scalp irritation.
Marula oil
A rising star in the world of hair oils, and for good reason, marula oil is chock-full of vitamin C and other nutrients. Marula has a fruity scent for those who don’t like the nutty scents of other oils on the market. It’s particularly useful during the summer, as it prevents hair from drying out excessively due to sun damage.
Jojoba oil
With antibacterial benefits, jojoba oil is known to remedy dry scalps and dandruff. It works well with human hair because of its similarities to sebum, the oil that naturally occurs in human hair. If you’re looking to maintain your hair’s natural balance, a product containing jojoba oil could be right for you.
Kukui oil
A relative newcomer to the anti-frizz world, kukui oil is revolutionary. The kukui nut is a centuries-old secret from Hawaii. It gives hair that highly desired shine and has a lightweight finish, yet it seals in hydration, keeping hair bouncy and defined.
How anti-frizz oil can benefit your hair
Anti-frizz oil can improve a variety of hair issues, and there are many benefits to adding an anti-frizz oil to your hair routine. Using products with natural oils is eco-friendly and better for your health, as it nourishes your hair rather than feeding it toxic chemicals. The most popular benefits to using anti-frizz oil include:
- Fighting dry scalp and dandruff issues
- Nourishing hair and stimulating growth
- Restoring shine and healthy appearance to hair
- Combating oily hair
- Preventing and remedying styling or heat damage
Features
Scent
Sometimes, anti-frizz oils carry the natural scent of their oil, such as coconut oil, which smells nice. But some oils necessitate the addition of a more pleasant aroma. Take argan oil, for instance. It has a more raw essence that is often combined with other scents, such as sandalwood, to make it more enjoyable. Notably, although artificial scents might smell better, they can cause reactions in people with sensitive skin.
Bottle size
Anti-frizz oils are available in small and large bottles that are generally transparent but occasionally opaque. Smaller bottles usually require a smaller amount of product upon application.
Dispensar type
If you’re using a pure oil such as argan, it may come in a bottle with a dropper for more accurate application. When combined with other ingredients, oils are usually sold in a pump bottle, as the consistency is too oily to spray. However, if an oil is combined with a gel or a more watery substance, a spray nozzle may be used.
Consistency
The consistency of anti-frizz oil is generally oily with a slick texture, which is why a small dose is often recommended to start. In some cases, it can be of a more viscous consistency, especially when combined with gel-like materials for a serum.
Other ingredients in anti-frizz oils
There are a wide away of ingredients in anti-frizz oil besides the key oil. Deciphering that tiny ingredient list may seem intimidating at first, but it’s important to keep an eye out for the following, which help make anti-frizz oils effective.
Silicones
Silicones seal hair, giving it a sleek finish and protecting against humidity and other forms of damage. Some consider silicones to be controversial due to product buildup over time and the possibility of dry hair, but it’s no secret that this is one of the fast solutions to frizz-free hair.
Common forms of silicones include cyclomethicone, dimethicone, cetearyl methicone, dimethicone copolyol, and phenyl trimethicone.
Proteins
Frizzy hair can be caused by weak hair follicles. Protein can strengthen hair against potential breakage while repairing existing damage. Common forms of protein in anti-frizz oils include vegetable protein, soy protein, wheat protein, and spirulina.
Essential fats and oils
These ingredients help add moisture and promote healthy growth patterns in hair. Popular hydrating essential oils and fats include sunflower, avocado, and olive oil, but fats come in the form of emulsifiers like these:
- Stearic acid
- Pantothenic acid
- Arachidonic acid
- Linolenic acid
- Palmitic acid
Sealants
Otherwise known as a cuticle sealant, this key component helps lock in moisture, combat humidity, and provide a softer finish. Popular natural sealants include shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, muru butter, and cupuacu butter.
Anti-frizz oil prices
Most anti-frizz oils come in 2.75- to 5-ounce bottles in pump form. Price can range anywhere from $5 to $30.
Inexpensive
Many inexpensive drugstore options contain a higher percentage of filler ingredients. They offer the best bang for your buck and often come in a two-pack, maximizing value. Expect to pay $5 to $10 per bottle or pack.
Mid-range
Some commercial brands carry more prestigious lines that highlight pure ingredients and hence feature a higher price tag. They are considered the most effective and popular choices due to their accessible price range and successful results. Mid-range products can cost anywhere from $10 to $20.
High-end
There are pricier options available that are organic, cold pressed, or made from more rare ingredients such as marula or kukui. These products can target specific hair types or come from well-vetted salon brands and usually cost upwards of $15.
Tips
- Use a round brush to make hair smoother. Spinning one of these through your hair while you blow dry helps flatten cuticles. When brushing, start from the bottom of your hair and slowly work your way upward.
- Incorporate a conditioner with protein into your routine. Protein helps tame frizz and infuses your hair with a healthy shine.
- Resist the urge to smooth hair with your fingers. It might seem counterintuitive to let your frizzy strands be, but touching them can actually cause more frizz.
- Don’t shampoo too often. Washing your hair every day depletes it of its natural oils and moisture. Consider replacing your shampoo with a cleansing conditioner — a low-lathering and gentle alternative that hydrates and removes impurities in one step without stripping your hair of its essential moisture.
- Replace your towel with an old t-shirt. Rubbing your hair with a towel is harsh on the cuticle surface, which creates that dreaded frizziness in the first place. Instead, blot your wet hair with a soft t-shirt or microfiber towel.
- Keep heat damage to a minimum. Don’t raise the temperature on your straightener or curler to the max. It might be tempting to get fast results, but overheating your thermal tools can really scorch your precious locks. Air dry your hair for as long as possible before styling it with heated tools.
FAQ
Q. Why isn’t applying anti-frizz oil primarily at the roots more effective?
A. Application at the roots can actually worsen an issue of greasiness. It’s better to start out using oil as a spot treatment as opposed to going full-force at the roots.
Q. Should I brush my hair when it’s wet or dry?
A. Brushing your hair when it’s dry can cause breakage, so it’s better to comb wet fingers or a wide-toothed comb through strands instead.
Q. Is there an ideal temperature range to set my styling tools to in order to avoid damage?
A. Try not to set your styling tools to anything above 465°F. The safest range is actually between 250°F and 300°F. Anything higher could swell the cuticle and damage the hair.