How to Oil Your Hair Like a Pro (+ DIY Hair Oil Recipe)

Nov 30

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If you’ve been wanting softer hair, healthier growth, and a nighttime ritual that feels like a little spa moment at home, hair oiling is the easiest, coziest way to get there. It’s one of my favorite self-care practices because it’s simple, soothing, and it just works!

This guide walks you through everything: how to oil your hair, how long to leave it in, which oils to use, and how to make your own custom blend at home.

Why Hair Oiling Works

Oiling isn’t new — it’s been practiced for generations. And for good reason:

Nourishes dry or damaged ends
- Source: 🔗 Journal of Cosmetic Science — Study found that oils like coconut oil can reduce protein loss in both damaged and undamaged hair by penetrating the hair shaft.
Encourages stronger, healthier hair growth
- Source: 🔗 International Journal of Trichology — Scalp health directly influences hair growth; buildup + inflammation can inhibit growth.
Reduces frizz and breakage
- Source: 🔗 Journal of Cosmetic Science — Oils reduce friction, increase lubrication, and prevent cuticle damage, resulting in less breakage and frizz.
Moisturizes the scalp
- Source: 🔗 Cleveland Clinic — Dry Scalp: Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Helps with shedding
- Source: 🔗 Journal of Investigative Dermatology — Scalp inflammation contributes to shedding; oils with anti-inflammatory properties can reduce this.
Adds softness and shine
- Source: 🔗 Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists — Oils smooth the hair cuticle and improve light reflection, increasing shine.
Doubles as a grounding ritual that calms the nervous system
- Source: 🔗 The International Journal of Neuroscience — Scalp massage has been shown to reduce stress and increase parasympathetic activity.
- Source: 🔗 Journal of Physical Therapy Science — Scalp massage reduced stress hormones and promoted relaxation.

Think of it as a deep conditioning treatment, but cleaner, simpler, and surprisingly relaxing.

✨ How to Oil Your Hair (Step-by-Step)

1. Brush + Detangle

Start with dry hair. A quick, gentle detangle ensures your oil spreads evenly.

2. Warm the Oil

This is optional, but warming makes a huge difference.

Just place your oil bottle in a cup of hot water for 1–2 minutes… or if I’m being honest, I just microwave mine for roughly 15 seconds and gently swirl after.

Warm oil = better absorption + more relaxation.

3. Start With the Scalp

Using your fingertips or a dropper:

Part your hair in sections
Apply a little oil directly to the scalp
Massage in gentle circles
Move slowly — the massage stimulates blood flow and feels amazing

4. Work Toward the Ends

Rub a small amount between your palms and smooth it down the lengths of your hair.

You don’t need to drench it. Think “lightly glazed,” not “soggy pasta.”

5. Give Yourself a 1–2 Minute Scalp Massage

This is where the magic happens.

Use the pads of your fingers
Small circles
Don’t scratch
Focus on areas where you hold tension (crown, temples, base of skull)

This step alone makes hair oiling worth it.

6. Clip It Up + Let It Sit

Let the oil absorb for:

30–60 minutes for a quick treatment
2–3 hours for a deep treatment
Overnight if your scalp tolerates it (use a bonnet or old pillowcase)

7. Rinse + Shampoo

Oil needs to be gently emulsified, so:

Rinse thoroughly with warm water and massage your scalp to emulsify and break down the oil (plus it feels amazing!)
Use your favorite scalp scrub and gently work it through your roots to lift residue and buildup
Rinse the scrub out completely
Apply a small amount of shampoo (it’s going to get sudsy fast!) and cleanse your beautiful locks
Rinse again and follow with a deep conditioning mask in place of your regular conditioner

This helps your hair feel soft, nourished, and never greasy.

How Often Should You Oil?

How often you should oil isn’t a guessing game — it’s rooted in what dermatology and trichology research tells us about scalp health, sebum production, and hair structure. Your scalp and hair type actually have preferences (science says so!), and getting the timing right can make a huge difference in moisture, strength, buildup, and overall scalp comfort. Here’s how often research says you should be oiling:

Normal/dry hair: 1–2x weekly
Curly/coily: 1–3x weekly (adjust to your pattern)
Oily scalp: every 10–14 days
- Evidence:
  - Dermatologists note that applying oils 1–2x weekly helps reduce dryness and improves moisture retention for dry or damaged hair types
    - Healthline article “Hair Oiling Benefits, Choosing Oil, and How to Do It
  - Curly/coily hair tends to be drier because natural oils take longer to travel down the curl pattern.
    - Pediatric Dermatology — Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Special Issue: Curly/Coily Hair (PDF)
    - MDEdge — “Hair Oiling: Practices, Benefits, and Caveats” by Dr. Lily Talakoub
  - Regular oiling maintains structure, reduces dryness, and supports elasticity.
    - PubMed — “Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage”
  - Over-oiling oily scalps can cause excess sebum production, buildup, and blocked follicles — so spacing treatments is recommended.
    - International Journal of Cosmetic Science / Article via IJCRT — “Oily scalp: Oily scalp caused due to production of excessive amount of natural oil called sebum…”
  - Using oils too frequently on oily scalps can exacerbate greasiness, making less frequent oiling optimal.
    - Byrdie article — “How Often Should You Oil Your Scalp for Healthy, Hydrated Hair?” — “For those with more oily hair adding more scalp oils may not be the best option.”
  - Hair porosity, sebum production, and environmental exposure all vary person-to-person, which is why dermatologists emphasize individualized scalp care.
    - Typology — “Should porosity influence your hair care routine?”
    - Allure — “The Science of Beauty: The Complete Guide to Scalp Care”

Listen to your hair — it will tell you what it needs.

DIY Hair Oil Recipe (Easy + Customizable)

This blend is beginner-friendly, nourishing, and smells like a cozy spa night.

Base Oils (choose 1–2)

Jojoba: balances scalp oils, lightweight
Sweet almond: softens + adds shine
Olive oil: deeply moisturizing
Argan: frizz control + softness
Coconut: strengthens (works best for thick or curly hair)
Castor: nourishing and germicidal/fungicidal

→ Use 2–4 tablespoons total.
- Sources:
  - Hair Oils: Indigenous Knowledge Revisited
  - Types of Hair Oil: Everything You Need to Know

Add-Ins (optional but amazing)

Vitamin E oil: preserves + boosts shine
Rosemary essential oil: stimulates growth
Lavender essential oil: calming, great before be
Peppermint essential oil: Vasodilative; antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties

→ Essential oils: 2–4 drops each

(Always patch-test if you’re sensitive.)