Why would you want oil in a conditioner?

[CourtneyD]

Okay, I'm still a newbie but I need some clarification: If oil SEALS the moisture in, then why would I want oil mixed in my daily leave-in moisturizer or any other moisturizer? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose? Also: How long (days) do you leave your leave-in moisturizer in your hair before washing?
I have another question on silicones and clarifying but I'll put that in a separate post.

Thanks!

 

[music-bnatural-smile]

they say seal cuz it means that the moisture stays all day which is good...
try doing it with a deep cream conditioner... after you apply it just rub like some EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) or your other favorite all over your hair and then sit under the dryer for 1 hr... it works better than just the deep conditioner...
I just learned that one today
sorry nobody is responding to your post... sometimes the ppl on here r too good for newbie questions (grrr)

 

[HauteHairGurl]

Some oils help deep conditioners to work better. EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) provides slip and more moisture as does coconut oil. Oils do seal in moisture if you add them AFTER you've moisturized your hair. I was confused too when I first got here and although I haven't been here long, I've tried a few things and this is one of the things that has worked for me. What's your question on clarifying? You can PM me if you want

 

[tiffers]

I've found the applying my dc and then topping it with oil works better than just mixing oil into my conditioner. Don't ask me why

What's your cones/clarifying question?

 

[CurlyMoo]

Curly's theory: Oil and water do not mix. So the water in the conditioner gets on the hair while the oil seals the water in. Many leave-in conditioners have oil in them along with water so you adding more oil is extra. Look at the ingredients list. Even so I still lightly add more oil on top of it, extra on the ends.

I make a homemade conditioner mix that consists of conditioner, water, molasses and castor oil. My hair loves it. My hair is so soft right now that I'm competing with my 8 year old niece. Even she is like it's sooooo soft.

 

[Pandora1975]

I keep seeing people use molasses- does it work better than honey- or does it give different benefits all together?

 

[CurlyMoo]

I keep seeing people use molasses- does it work better than honey- or does it give different benefits all together?

I've never tried honey, and would like to but I've been waiting for the farmers market to come around. I will be getting it next week so I will have to check back with you. That's if I can work up the courage to use it for haircare instead of eating it.

The mixture of molassess with my conditioner and castor oil both softens and moisturizes my hair. My dark hair also looks richer with molasses. Honey tends to lighten the hair where molasses darkens it. I think that's one of the reasons many people use honey to help maintain the color. I will be using Henna soon so I may switch to honey so that I can maintain the color.

Off Topic:
In your siggy photo your left arm (my right) looks distorted. Is that a distortion or burn marks? I noticed it and it kind of caught my eye.

 

[Urban]

I keep seeing people use molasses- does it work better than honey- or does it give different benefits all together?

I've only used molasses and it has a protein-like effect. It usually doesn't have any protein in it tho' - I think some on here have said that it has tannins like henna. But I'm not 100% sure about that.

If I'm not mistaken though, I think most of the ladies here use honey for moisture due to it's humectant properties.

So I'd say they give different benefits.

 

[spritex]

You see that is why I will never stop visiting this hair forum - even though I have got a pretty solid hair regimen, I still learn something useful every time I come in here. Thanks ladies! Will definitely apply my coconut oil on top of the DC.

 

[Solitude]

Okay, I'm still a newbie but I need some clarification: If oil SEALS the moisture in, then why would I want oil mixed in my daily leave-in moisturizer or any other moisturizer? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose? Also: How long (days) do you leave your leave-in moisturizer in your hair before washing?
I have another question on silicones and clarifying but I'll put that in a separate post.

Thanks!

This is an interesting question. I don't mix anything into my daily leave-in moisturizer. (Do a lot people do this? I think they apply moisturizer, then seal with oil.)

Sometimes I mix oil in my DC because it seems to make my hair softer, or I just want to use the oil up. I'm not a sealer, but sometimes I apply coconut oil to my hair during the week. It seems to have moisturizing properties to me, but I don't know if that's just wishful thinking.

 

[spritex]

This is an interesting question. I don't mix anything into my daily leave-in moisturizer. (Do a lot people do this? I think they apply moisturizer, then seal with oil.)

Sometimes I mix oil in my DC because it seems to make my hair softer, or I just want to use the oil up. I'm not a sealer, but sometimes I apply coconut oil to my hair during the week. It seems to have moisturizing properties to me, but I don't know if that's just wishful thinking.

It's not wishful thinking, Solitude. Coconut oil (along with olive and avocado oils) have been proven by research to penetrate, moisturize and strengthen the hair.
http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/2009/04/coconut-oil-knowledge-from-our.html

 

[CourtneyD]

Oil in a Conditioner? And Silicones and Clarifying concern.

Thanks for the responses! I guess I was figuring once we put the oil is on the hair, it's on there (and hair is sealed) until the next wash. So if I'm not washing my hair for a week or more, how does the daily moisturizer get in if oil is ALREADY on the head? Does the oil "dry up" after 24 hours so that the hair is open to receiving moisture again, and oil again, and thus the cycle is okay? I'm dying to apply coconut oil to my whole head daily after moisturizing, but this is where I'm stuck. (Now I just put castor oil on ends and do the baggy method.)

Ha, so much attention to my hair! If my mom was still alive, she'd slapped some Royal Pomade (red can)on my head and say, "there you go!"

(Silicone and clarifying question below and in a separate post to follow!)

On the clarifying thing: I read on this site and others that it takes harsh sulfates to remove silicones (http://dormroomcurly.blogspot.com/2008/12/style-definitions-table.html)
and the clarifying shampoos has the sulfates. But sulfates are bad, and strip your hair. But if you deep conditioner afterwards, it's okay, but on the other hand, the conditioner has silicones so you'll have to clarifying again (1/x month?) to remove them, but constantly stripping is bad, but on your third hand...

Geesh, my hair idols like Sylver2 and SistaSlick (http://public.fotki.com/sistaslick/sistaslicks-healthy/regimen-building-pr/) use silicone and sulfate products and their hair is gorgeous! (drool) I guess I should do what's best for my hair and not compare to other people. Funny thing is that my hair seemed to like silicones (silicone was way down the ingredient list) and my hair likes the silicone/sulfate free products too, except the leave ins seem to be watery and not too creamy (BWC product). Honestly, my hair just likes that I'm finally taking care of her, period.

What are your thoughts on silicones, sulfates and clarifying once a month vs. just avoid these ingredients altogether?

 

[Eisani]

^^^ When my hair was chemically treated, it loved cones, sulfates and mineral oil. I chelated as needed but my hair thrived, I had great growth and retention with no breakage or dryness. Heads are going to be different so what one loves, another may not be able to use. You said it right, just listen to your hair. If it responds well to those products, no need to change just because others are of the OPINION that those ingredients are bad. They can only speak for their heads, no one else's.

 

[CourtneyD]

I've found the applying my dc and then topping it with oil works better than just mixing oil into my conditioner. Don't ask me why

What's your cones/clarifying question?

Thanks, Tiffers! On the clarifying thing: I read on this site and others that it takes harsh sulfates to remove silicones (http://dormroomcurly.blogspot.com/20...ons-table.html)
and the clarifying shampoos has the sulfates. But sulfates are bad, and strip your hair. But if you deep conditioner afterwards, it's okay, but on the other hand, the conditioner has silicones so you'll have to clarifying again (1/x month?) to remove them, but constantly stripping is bad, but on your third hand...

Geesh, my hair idols like Sylver2 and SistaSlick (http://public.fotki.com/sistaslick/sistaslicks-healthy/regimen-building-pr/) use silicone and sulfate products and their hair is gorgeous! (drool) I guess I should do what's best for my hair and not compare to other people. Funny thing is that my hair seemed to like silicones (silicone was way down the ingredient list) and my hair likes the silicone/sulfate free products too, except the leave ins seem to be watery and not too creamy (BWC product). Honestly, my hair just likes that I'm finally taking care of her, period.

What are your thoughts on silicones, sulfates and clarifying once a month vs. just avoid these ingredients altogether?

 

[LaidBak]

I've found the applying my dc and then topping it with oil works better than just mixing oil into my conditioner. Don't ask me why

What's your cones/clarifying question?

Tiffers--I do the EXACT same thing. I don't know why either, but I get much more softness and slip that way.
But OP from what I have learned on here some oils have molecules small enough to penetrate the hair shaft (EVOO being one of them). So what I think happens is that when you are DCing the hair cuticle thingies are lifted and the oil can penetrate and do its good. Once you have rinsed, and your cuticle thingies are closed oils can form a protective layer over them.
But what do I know, that's just my opinion. Personally I use EVOO with my conditioner and coconut oil for sealing.

 

[CourtneyD]

Bump
Thanks for the responses! I guess I was figuring once we put the oil is on the hair, it's on there (and hair is sealed) until the next wash. So if I'm not washing my hair for a week or more, how does the daily moisturizer get in if oil is ALREADY on the head? Does the oil "dry up" after 24 hours so that the hair is open to receiving moisture again, and oil again, and thus the cycle is okay? I'm dying to apply coconut oil to my whole head daily after moisturizing, but this is where I'm stuck. (Now I just put castor oil on ends and do the baggy method.)

 

[LaidBak]

Bump
Thanks for the responses! I guess I was figuring once we put the oil is on the hair, it's on there (and hair is sealed) until the next wash. So if I'm not washing my hair for a week or more, how does the daily moisturizer get in if oil is ALREADY on the head? Does the oil "dry up" after 24 hours so that the hair is open to receiving moisture again, and oil again, and thus the cycle is okay? I'm dying to apply coconut oil to my whole head daily after moisturizing, but this is where I'm stuck. (Now I just put castor oil on ends and do the baggy method.)

My product/oils rub off. From wearing a hat, or laying on the couch, or being absorbed by my scarf and sheets at night. When I reapply its not all over, just where I can see I need it.

 

[*Muffin*]

It also depends on the oil. Some oils absorb easily into my hair (like avocado oil and coconut oil) and others seem like they just sit on my hair (like EVOO). To me, conditioners that contain oils are good because they restore the oil that was stripped during the shampoo process, but conditioners that are heavy in oil content usually make good deep conditioners for me. I usually like for my daily conditioners to contain light, highly penetrable oils.

P.S. I usually use a shampoo bar once weekly to get rid of any oil build up on my hair and scalp, but I usually don't have much. Vinegar and lemon juice also work well in getting rid of excess oils,

 

[Aggie]

I keep seeing people use molasses- does it work better than honey- or does it give different benefits all together?

I can answer this question. Molasses acts like a tannin, ie, it' strengthens the hair but it doesn't reconstruct it. It simply acts like a fortifier and when used with a moisturizing DC, it both strengthens and moisturizes. It is not recommended to add it to a protein based conditioner because it will make your hair a little hard. I usually prepoo with it mixed with a moisturizing conditioner for about 20 minutes, wash and DC as usual. It helps to stop or slow down breakage and as someone else mentioned, it also helps to darken and keep hair dark.

Honey I use as well and I find it to be very moisturizing because it is a humectant, meaning it pulls moisture from the air into the hair, providing there is enough moisture in the air to pull, say about 65% humidity. And yes, it lightens the hair as well.

 

[Aggie]

Oil in my conditioner really helps the conditioner to work better in my hair. Sometimes I heat it first then mix it in with my DC and other times I seal in my conditioner with it. It all depends on the need and thirst of my hair. If it is very dry, I would use oil to seal the moisturizing conditioner in my hair. I like to do this especially after a henna treatment.

 

[Aggie]

Tiffers--I do the EXACT same thing. I don't know why either, but I get much more softness and slip that way.
But OP from what I have learned on here some oils have molecules small enough to penetrate the hair shaft (EVOO being one of them). So what I think happens is that when you are DCing the hair cuticle thingies are lifted and the oil can penetrate and do its good. Once you have rinsed, and your cuticle thingies are closed oils can form a protective layer over them.
But what do I know, that's just my opinion. Personally I use EVOO with my conditioner and coconut oil for sealing.

This is one of my favorite oils for sealing and for adding to my DCs along with coconut oil. I like jojoba oil for my scalp.

 

[quasimodi]

Re: Oil in a Conditioner? And Silicones and Clarifying concern.

Geesh, my hair idols like Sylver2 and SistaSlick (http://public.fotki.com/sistaslick/sistaslicks-healthy/regimen-building-pr/) use silicone and sulfate products and their hair is gorgeous! (drool) I guess I should do what's best for my hair and not compare to other people. Funny thing is that my hair seemed to like silicones (silicone was way down the ingredient list) and my hair likes the silicone/sulfate free products too, except the leave ins seem to be watery and not too creamy (BWC product). Honestly, my hair just likes that I'm finally taking care of her, period.

What are your thoughts on silicones, sulfates and clarifying once a month vs. just avoid these ingredients altogether?

To the bolded: Exactly! Just listen to your own hair and learn what is likes and dislikes.