This is a guide to essential oils and carrier oils for nappy, napptural, or natural hair of African descent. Your hair can benefit from two types of oils. These two types of oils are essential oils and carrier oils. Essential oils are fragrant oils that are actually the concentrated essence, or life force of a plant. Essential oils are light and do not feel like an oil. They evaporate quickly. You would mix essential oils with a carrier oil before you put it on your hair to prevent skin irritation. Carrier oils are oily in consistency. They can be oil from a vegetable, a fruit, a nut, or even a seed.

Essential Oils for Nappy Hair

All essential oils are not created equal. Look for the highest grade you can find. Only buy Complete Essential Oils or Genuine Grade A Essential Oils. These are oils that contain the most natural oil and the least amount of additives and chemicals. Some essential oils for the hair are:

• Basil which stimulates the scalp.
• Cedarwood which is an astringent, antiseptic, balances production of sebum, and stimulates the scalp.
• Chamomile which adds sheen and conditions the hair.
• Eucalyptus which removes dandruff and has antiseptic properties.
• Frankincense which is used to get rid of dry scalp.
• Jasmine which is often used for fragrance.
• Lavender which is used for dandruff and fragrance.
• Lemon which cleanses the hair and scalp and improves hair elasticity.
• Myrrh which is used for dry hair and scalp.
• Orange Oil which helps the hair by regulating the production of sebum.
• Palmarosa which helps the hair by regulating the production of sebum.
• Patchouli which treats dandruff and oily hair.
• Peppermint which stimulates the scalp.
• Rose Oil which is used as fragrance and to sooth the scalp.
• Rosemary Oil (DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT!) which stimulates the scalp and treats dandruff.
• Sandalwood Oil which is an astringent, an anti-inflammatory, as well as an antiseptic. Use sandalwood oil to soothe a dry and irritated scalp.
• Tea Tree Oil which is used to treat dandruff and kill lice. Tea tree oil balances production of sebum and stimulates the scalp.
• Ylang-Ylang which balances production of sebum, stimulates the scalp.

Note: Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.

Nappy Hair 2: Carrier Oils
Nappy Hair 3: Mixing Essential & Carrier Oils

Tags: chamomile, essential oils, eucalyptus, jasmine, myrrh, nappy haircare, orange oil, patchouli, peppermint, sandalwood, tea tree oil, ylang-ylang
Filed under: Nappy Hair