Top 5 Oils I Like to Use for Skin and Hair

Oils are something that I have always used since I was a baby. Seriously, if you are from India you know that we love using oils for everything, it's a thing we do, and nobody really questions it. Our grandmothers used them, our moms used them, and now we use them. And they really do work. They have worked for generations and that is the reason why people still continue to use them. But that said, in India, we are still limited to only a few oils whether it is for cooking, skin, or hair. After coming to the West I discovered a lot more options that work just as good if not better. After trying quite a few of the hyped ones, the oils listed below are the ones that worked for me and did provide some benefits without causing any irritation (yes just because oils are natural doesn't mean they won't irritate your skin).

Olive Oil

After coming to the West I got introduced to olive oil. Initially, I only used it for cooking but I never knew that it can be used for skin and hair until I started reading ingredient lists and found it in many skin and hair care products that I used. I then started using it for my skin whenever I had any dry patches that needed extra nourishment during winter and also in my DIY hair masks. Olive oil has many benefits for the skin and hair. Some of the benefits are:

- It moisturizes the skin and hair by reducing water loss and increasing water absorption, making them softer, smoother, and healthier.

- It reduces the signs of aging by fighting oxidative stress and increasing collagen in the skin, which can improve elasticity and firmness.

- It helps cleanse the skin by dissolving oily residue and removing makeup, dirt, and impurities.

- It promotes wound healing by reducing inflammation and killing harmful microbes, which can prevent infections and speed up recovery.

- It protects hair from damage by nourishing the hair shaft and preventing protein loss, which can result from heat, chemicals, or UV rays.

- It helps hair grow longer by eliminating sebum that hampers hair growth and preventing breakage and split ends.

Olive oil can be applied directly or mixed with other ingredients. You can also look for products that contain olive oil as one of their main ingredients. For example, Jennifer Lopez has a whole line of products whose USP is olive oil. I heard quite a few people say that olive oil dries out skin but I have never faced that problem. So it is always better to try and test it yourself to see what works for you. But that said if so many brands are selling products with olive oil in them then I think there is a good reason for it.

Almond Oil

Growing up in India almond oil is something we used for hair. It is used as a conditioner and is known to promote hair growth. I personally used almond oil for hair and have seen some benefits. But after coming to the West I discovered it in many skincare products as well. And I do think it really works in moisturizing the skin very well especially if you have dehydrated or dry skin and more so during winters. Almond oil has many benefits for the skin and hair. Some of the benefits are:

- It moisturizes the skin and hair by reducing water loss and increasing water absorption, making them softer, smoother, and healthier.

- It reduces inflammation and itching, which can help with skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.

- It has antioxidant properties, which can protect the skin and hair from oxidative stress and environmental damage.

- It has antibacterial properties, which can prevent infections and promote wound healing.

- It strengthens the hair shaft and prevents protein loss, which can result from heat, chemicals, or UV rays.

- It improves the shine and luster of the hair by smoothing the cuticle and reflecting light.

- It promotes hair growth by preventing dandruff, and scalp inflammation.

- It helps reduce stretch marks and their associated symptoms by improving skin elasticity and hydration.

You can also mix almond oil with other oils for hair. For the skin, I either use it alone or add a few drops of it on top of my lotions or creams when they don't have any oils included in them, especially during winter. You can also look for products that contain almond oil as one of their main ingredients. Almond oil should work for most skin and hair types unless you have very oily skin or scalp.

Jojoba Oil

This is another oil I discovered after coming to the West. I saw it used in many skincare products and a lot of influencers recommend it as well since it is a lightweight oil and can be used on most skin types without any issues. I love using products with jojoba oil and I love using it on its own as well. A few drops on top of your regular moisturizer and it works great. It also conditions the scalp and hair very well, especially the dry ends. Jojoba oil has many benefits for the skin and hair. Some of the benefits are:

- It moisturizes the skin and hair by locking in moisture and preventing water loss, making them softer, smoother, and healthier.

- It balances sebum production by mimicking the skin's natural oil, which can help reduce excess oiliness and prevent acne.

- It has antioxidant properties, which can protect the skin and hair from oxidative stress and environmental damage.

- It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe the scalp and skin, and help with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

- It repairs hair damage by strengthening the hair shaft and preventing breakage and split ends.

- It improves hair shine by smoothing the cuticle and reflecting light.

- It controls dandruff by moisturizing the scalp and removing flakes.

If you want to use jojoba oil for your skin, you can apply it directly or mix it with other creams. You can also look for products that contain jojoba oil as one of their main ingredients. This is one oil I feel would work for most people without any issues. I have never heard of anyone complaining about jojoba oil.

Coconut Oil

This is another oil that is very popular and most commonly used in India as a hair oil. It is also used to massage all over the body as a body conditioner before taking a shower, especially during winter. Some people also do DIY face masks with coconut oil. Coconut oil has many benefits for skin and hair. Some of the benefits are:

- It moisturizes the skin and locks the moisture in, making it ideal for dry skin.

- It reduces inflammation and heals wounds fast, thanks to its antioxidants.

- It treats chapped lips and acts as a natural lip balm.

- It nourishes cracked skin and cuticles, especially on the feet and hands.

- It acts as a make-up remover and a cleanser, removing dirt and impurities from the skin.

- It acts as a hair conditioner and reduces frizz, making the hair smooth and shiny.

- It minimizes dandruff and moisturizes the scalp, preventing itching and flaking.

- It protects hair from protein loss and damage when wet or exposed to heat, chemicals, or UV rays.

- It helps hair grow longer by preventing dandruff, breakage, and split ends.

If you want to use coconut oil for your skin and hair, you can apply it directly or mix it with other ingredients. You can also look for products that contain coconut oil as one of their main ingredients. However, you should be careful not to use too much coconut oil or apply it too often, as it can clog your pores, cause acne, or weigh down your hair. You should also do a patch test before using coconut oil on your skin or hair to make sure you are not allergic to it. Coconut oil is not suitable for everyone, so you may want to consult your dermatologist or hairstylist before trying it.

Argan Oil

This is another beautiful oil that I discovered after coming to the West. I primarily used hair care products containing argan oil but later found out it works very well for the skin as well. Argan oil has many benefits for the skin and hair. Some of the benefits are:

- It moisturizes the skin and hair by providing fatty acids, mainly oleic acid and linoleic acid, which help lubricate the hair shaft and prevent water loss.

- It has antioxidant properties, which can protect the skin and hair from oxidative stress and environmental damage, thanks to its vitamin E content.

- It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe the scalp and skin, and help with conditions such as psoriasis.

- It repairs hair damage by strengthening the hair shaft and preventing breakage and split ends.

- It improves hair shine by smoothing the cuticle and reflecting light.

- It helps with hair growth by stimulating blood circulation to the scalp and nourishing the hair follicles.

If you want to use argan oil for your skin and hair, you can apply it directly or mix it with other ingredients. You can also look for products that contain argan oil as one of their main ingredients. I mostly use argan oil alone as a scalp and hair oil. It can also be mixed with other oils like almond oil for the hair. Sometimes I also mixed a few drops with my creams for extra moisturization of the skin during winter.

There are a lot more oils that can be used for skin and hair and I am continuously discovering and testing things out. But out of everything I used and tested so far I found these 5 oils to be the most beneficial for me. Let me know what are your favorite oils to use for hair and skin. I am always looking to try out more. I hope this post helps.