Should You Include Oils and Butters in Your Hair Routine?

Should You Include Oils and Butters in Your Hair Routine?

In the natural hair world, oils and butters are often considered essentials. But should they really be a part of your routine? Do they hydrate? Nourish? Protect? Let’s explore the facts and bust the myths.


🌿 What Are “Oils and Butters”?

Oils and butters (also called lipids or fatty substances) are rich, oil-based ingredients that include:

  • Vegetable oils (castor, coconut, jojoba, avocado…)

  • Butters (shea, cocoa, mango…)

👉🏾 Their main role is to seal in moisture, protect the hair shaft, and sometimes nourish the scalp.


But let’s be clear: they do not hydrate your hair.


Common Myths About Oils

Oils and butters are often overused or misused in Afro hair routines. Let’s clear up a few myths:

  • “Oils hydrate the hair”
    → False. Only water and water-based products can hydrate the hair. Oils do not provide hydration — they only help retain the moisture that’s already present.

  • “The greasier, the better”
    → False. Excessive oil can clog the scalp and weigh the hair down.

  • “Afro hair always needs a lot of oil”
    → Not necessarily. The need for oils depends on hair health, not just hair type.


🧬 Hair Condition Determines Oil Use

👉🏾 The less healthy or more porous your hair is, the more oils and butters can help by:

  • Protecting the hair shaft

  • Reducing moisture loss

  • Soothing a dry or irritated scalp

👉🏾 But the healthier your hair becomes, the less dependent it is on oils. A balanced and mindful use is enough to maintain softness and shine.

🎯 In other words: your oil usage should evolve with your hair — not stay the same forever.


⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying oil to dry hair with no moisture underneath

  • Using oils that don’t suit your porosity or scalp type

  • Overusing oils out of fear of dryness or breakage


So, Should You Use Oils?

Yes — but not blindly. Oils and butters are tools, not magic. They can:

  • Support proper hydration

  • Boost protection and shine

  • Complement your hair care routine

But they can’t replace:

  • Proper moisture

  • Scalp care

  • A targeted hair regimen


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