FINAL VERDICT: Oil as a moisturizer?

[♦K.O♦]

Okay, for the longest time I subscribed to the school of thought that oil was strictly a sealant and lubricant.

BUT for the past few days I've been using oil, sans leave-in moisturizer, and my hair feels great. Is it REALLY moisturized? Or is it just the lubricating effect?

 

[Bint Yusef]

I have been using coconut/vatika oil exclusively for the past week as my only leave in and my hair has never felt this good. It is so light, moisturized and has plenty of swang even in its natural state.

 

[shtow]

coconut and jojoba moisturize very well

 

[Neith]

My final verdict - Oils condition the hair, but do not moisturize it. There's no water there to actually add moisture to the hair.

 

[Solitude]

I don't care what anyone says, coconut oil is magical & moisturizing.

No seriously, I don't think there can be a final word on this. Lots of people consider oils to be moisturizing, IRL & on LHCF, but due to the scientific nature of the discussion, some will insist that an oil can't be moisturizing. I say, if it works for your hair, claim it!

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

Okay, for the longest time I subscribed to the school of thought that oil was strictly a sealant and lubricant.

BUT for the past few days I've been using oil, sans leave-in moisturizer, and my hair feels great. Is it REALLY moisturized? Or is it just the lubricating effect?

You've been using it on wet hair? If so, then it's sealing in the moisture that's already there.

 

[Artemis]

My final verdict - Oils condition the hair, but do not moisturize it. There's no water there to actually add moisture to the hair.

Basically

Oils condition the hair by preventing moisture/protein loss and improving pliability. For those of you who understand the functionality of ceramides, oils do the same work, esp. coconut oil.

ETA:
Here's a great article on oiling:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=71

 

[meverllyn1]

What about oil moisturizer which has both water and oil? Do this type of product moisturizes and seal at the same time?

 

[~VicTorIAn~]

Haha, I agree with you ladies. I've been experimenting with this and for the past two weeks I've been using coconut oil to moisturize and Jojoba oil to seal. Both seem to have moisturizing properties. I have NO breakage and my hair is so soft. I think my search for a moisturizer that I like has been stalled. I really believe in this combo.

 

[GodsPromises]

I may have to agree with all of your. Yesterday, my hair was so dry so I put some oil on it and did my usual dry roller set and went to bed. This morning my hair was soft and had a lot of body to it.

I will have to continue with this for a minute and see what happens.

 

[♦K.O♦]

You've been using it on wet hair? If so, then it's sealing in the moisture that's already there.

In addition to wet hair, I have been using it on dry hair in between washes. So technically, the moisture that is there, if not coming from oil, is remaining from my wash.

Normally, I would apply a leave-in and oil to dry hair everyday.

Hmmmmmm...

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

In addition to wet hair, I have been using it on dry hair in between washes. So technically, the moisture that is there, if not coming from oil, is remaining from my wash.

Normally, I would apply a leave-in and oil to dry hair everyday.

Hmmmmmm...

Interesting indeed. Have you been using coconut oil? I love that stuff.

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

So does anyone use pure coconut butter/spread/creme? The results are 10-fold. I haven't compared with Monoi oil yet, tho.

 

[yuriko]

Actually oil based product penetrate keratin in our skin and hair better than water. So although the word moisturizer is deceptive (i.e. implying water), oils penetrate the hair so they are very moisturizing, by this I mean that they will not leave your hair dry

 

[that_1_grrrl]

I think the reason coconut oil and jojoba oil are moisturizing hair is because they are both small enough to penetrate the shaft. That's not to say other oils don't moisturize. I just know those two can penetrate.

 

[HoneyDew]

I can use only oil sometimes.

But sometimes I need my creamy leave-in and/or moisturizer.

My hair lets me know.

But sometimes between conditioning treatments, I can get by with oil only. Sometimes.

 

[that_1_grrrl]

Actually oil based product penetrate keratin in our skin and hair better than water. So although the word moisturizer is deceptive (i.e. implying water), oils penetrate the hair so they are very moisturizing, by this I mean that they will not leave your hair dry

Yeah, it may also have to do with the fact that water evaporates and escapes the hair shaft. I don't think oil can do that as easily as water. Water can just slip in and out.

 

[Neith]

How does it moisturize if it doesn't contain water?

The very definition of moisture is the presence of H20... you need water for moisture. Something can't be moist if there is no water in it.

If you dip a paper towel in a bowl of water, the towel will become wet, moist, damp...

If you dip a paper towel in a bowl of oil, you'd call the towel oily. It isn't wet.


See the thing is, when I say oil doesn't moisturize, I'm not saying it's worthless without the addition of water. It has it's own benefits.

It can/does penetrate the hair shaft, make the hair soft and shiny and condition it... that doesn't mean it's actually moisturizing.

I agree that oils can do great things even on dry hair, but "moisturize" is the wrong word to use.

 

[Artemis]

I think the reason coconut oil and jojoba oil are moisturizing hair is because they are both small enough to penetrate the shaft. That's not to say other oils don't moisturize. I just know those two can penetrate.

Actually, according to theBeautybrains.com, jojoba oil doesn't really penetrate the strands. Not like coconut oil does. Jojoba oil is very similar to the scalp's sebum, which is used to light coat the hair's cuticle layer and protect the hair shaft from the external/environmental elements.

 

[Artemis]

How does it moisturize if it doesn't contain water?

The very definition of moisture is the presence of H20... you need water for moisture. Something can't be moist if there is no water in it.

If you dip a paper towel in a bowl of water, the towel will become wet, moist, damp...

If you dip a paper towel in a bowl of oil, you'd call the towel oily. It isn't wet.


See the thing is, when I say oil doesn't moisturize, I'm not saying it's worthless without the addition of water. It has it's own benefits.

It can/does penetrate the hair shaft, make the hair soft and shiny and condition it... that doesn't mean it's actually moisturizing.

I agree that oils can do great things even on dry hair, but "moisturize" is the wrong word to use.

Absolutely. The proper word is "condition".

Oil is an amazing conditioner. Not moisturizer. To say that oil is a moisturizer is like saying a raincoat is proper underwear erplexed . Or to say that your clothing can replace your stomach's functions in the body.

Yes, coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft to an extent but it is to retain the natural water (moisture) and protein levels that already exist in the hair shaft. Not to create more water (moisture), because oils do not contain water.

Oil is a support product, period. It supports whatever levels of protein and moisture your hair already has to maintain those levels and keep it healthy. Thusly, a conditioner.

 

[that_1_grrrl]

Absolutely. The proper word is "condition".

Oil is an amazing conditioner. Not moisturizer. To say that oil is a moisturizer is like saying a raincoat is proper underwear erplexed . Or to say that your clothing can replace your stomach's functions in the body.

Yes, coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft to an extent but it is to retain the natural water (moisture) and protein levels that already exist in the hair shaft. Not to create more water (moisture), because oils do not contain water.

Oil is a support product, period. It supports whatever levels of protein and moisture your hair already has to maintain those levels and keep it healthy. Thusly, a conditioner.

Wow, you and Neith know your stuff. Does Olive Oil penetrate the shaft or is it just coconut oil?


OT: Do either of you study chemistry?

 

[Artemis]

Wow, you and Neith know your stuff. Does Olive Oil penetrate the shaft or is it just coconut oil?


OT: Do either of you study chemistry?

Yes. See the link I posted earlier re: Beauty brains.com. The article tells which oils penetrate and which do not.

I did study chemistry briefly because I'd planned on becoming a psychiatrist, but decided I was too far into clinical psychology to turn back (I'm in the master's program).

But really, this hair science thing is my hobby. I enjoy doing the research

 

[Irresistible]

people can call it what they like

I call it moisturizing

even on dry hair

 

[baddison]

wow....great thread. moisturizer? conditioner? ultimately, these are both good benefits anyway. interesting topic, indeed.

 

[Noir]

deleted.......

 

[Noir]

I find that washing a twice a week and oiling the rest of the week is sufficient.

By washing the hair I am "moisturizing" it and then the oil I use during the week "lubricates" and "conditions" my hair keeping it is soft and supple. As long as you don't have porosity issue and dryness, you should be fine with "only oiling" the hair from time to time. "Moisturizing" with a water based product daily is not necessary for healthy hair.

Vatika oil is great for conditioning the hair not only because it is coconut based but because it contains conditioning herbs and plant extracts.

A few of my fav hair oils are coconut and avocado which are both able to penetrate the hair shaft. I also love Castor oil which is a natural humectant.