Natural Oils and Butters: Which One Should You Use

A natural hair oil or a butter. Many naturals are still not sure of which one to use. What with the numeral hair oils and butters on the market, for many the choice comes down to factors like price and aesthetic pleasing. Here’s the guidance you actually need:

Natural Oils

Many natural oils we use for our hair come from plant parts like flowers, seeds and fruits. They’re extracted from plants through processes like distillation and evaporation. Many of these oils have chemical properties that are essential for hair health. These oils form a light , semi permeable film on the exterior of the hair to help seal in moisture.

On top of sealing in moisture, some of these oils are able to penetrate the hair’s surface with time and deliver moisture, which isn’t possible with petroleum based hair products.

Commonly used natural oils used for hair include castor oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and essential oils like peppermint and rosemary oils.

Butters

Hair butters are thick, usually oil based, wax products. A hair butter is much heavier compared to a natural oil-it contains a blend of organic oils and natural butters like shea or cocoa. These products also make for excellent sealants and can offer definition when styling.

Butters are applied last in most hair regimens as they do an exceptional job at preventing moisture loss from the hair.

Which One Should You Use?

In her book, Gorgeous Mane, Diana Acen Sangho explains that oils and butters have their place in a healthy hair care regimen. Picking which one to use ultimately comes down to your individual hair needs.

She goes on to explain that a hair butter would work best if you’ve got thicker hair or hair that has difficulty staying moisturized. With a natural hair butter like our Emerald Hair Food, you need not worry about your hair drying out.

The same theory works vice versa. For hair that doesn’t really have a problem retaining moisture, a natural oil can come in handy. Applying a natural oil like our Tanzanite Hair Oil regularly will enhance your hair’s shine and elasticity.

How To Use Them

First off, you’re better off applying an oil or butter to clean hair. The products can penetrate better that way. Once you’ve ensured that it’s clean, go ahead and apply either one and massage it onto your scalp. You can massage in circular motions using your fingers.

Comb your hair with a wide toothed comb to further distribute the product.

Be careful not to use too much, however beneficial the products are to your hair. Everything is good in moderation. On top of the obvious financial incurrence, applying too much of a butter will result in product buildup, clogging your hair follicles. Using too much oil could also have it leaking over into your clothes or beddings.

As to how often you should apply these products, thrice a week can suffice to have your hair looking its best.

Bottomline

The use of nourishing oils and butters for hair has been around for as far back 3000 B.C, with the Egyptian women massaging a healthy daily dose of natural oils like castor oil into their scalp. Natural oils and butters have the ability to speed hair growth, improve scalp health, and improve texture.

Whichever one you choose to use, ensure to use in moderation to prevent weighing down your hair. Otherwise, don’t forget to care for your hair with either one of these products, because you’re a GEM.