Hair oiling routine: Your guide to healthy, nourished hair

Hair oiling routine: Your guide to healthy, nourished hair

Excellent Based on 5807 reviews

A hair oiling routine has become a popular part of hair care, not only for those who want to support growth but also for anyone seeking softer, healthier and more manageable hair.

Applying oil regularly helps protect the strands, improve moisture retention and reduce dryness over time. This approach can also make your overall routine easier by enhancing slip, reducing tangles and adding natural shine. 

In this guide, you’ll learn what a hair oiling routine includes, how to do it effectively, how to choose oils that suit your needs and how to turn the practice into a consistent, sustainable habit.

The essentials of a hair oiling routine

A hair oiling routine involves applying oil regularly to both the scalp and the lengths of the hair. It can be done as a pre-wash treatment, a leave-on step or as part of a simple weekly rhythm. Consistent oiling helps maintain moisture, supports a healthier scalp environment, adds softness and shine, and offers natural protection against daily stressors. 

Over time, many also notice improved length retention, since well-nourished hair is less likely to break. With the right oil and steady use, this practice can enhance overall hair health and make the rest of your routine more manageable.

Try our hair test

The hair test gives you precise answers about which products are best for your hair type. Try it now 👇🏼

Try it now!

Main benefits of including oiling in your routine

When practised regularly, oiling can noticeably improve the feel, appearance and resilience of your hair. Oils help restore softness, calm frizz and create a lightweight protective layer that strengthens the hair’s surface. This protection reduces daily wear, making the hair more resistant to dryness and environmental stress. 

Oiling also supports a healthier scalp by easing tightness, reducing dryness and helping maintain overall comfort. A well-nourished scalp can contribute to more balanced growth conditions, which many people find beneficial over time.

Another important advantage is the way oiling shields the ends. By reducing friction and strengthening the outer layer, it helps minimise breakage so the hair can maintain length more easily. This makes oiling a helpful step for those aiming to grow their hair longer, as it supports both preservation and overall softness.

Choosing the right oil and adapting it to your hair type

  • For coarse or dry hair: Coconut oil can be a strong choice because it sinks deeply into the strands and helps restore softness and moisture over time.
  • For fine or easily weighed-down hair: Argan and jojoba oils provide a lighter feel, giving smoothness and shine without reducing volume or making the hair look flat.
  • For very dry ends or scalp-focused care: Castor oil offers a thicker consistency that many rely on when they need concentrated nourishment or want to support the scalp with a more intensive approach.
  • For medium-density or combination hair: Grapeseed or sweet almond oil can offer balance, as they absorb quickly and leave a softer, more subtle finish suitable for everyday use.
  • What to consider: Your oil should match the hair’s texture, density and scalp condition, while also aligning with how the hair typically reacts to richer or lighter formulas.

Your step-by-step hair oiling routine

  1. Detangle the hair gently and separate it into sections so the oil can be worked through evenly from roots to ends.
  2. Warm a small amount of oil between your hands, or place the bottle in warm water for a more soothing, spa-like feel.
  3. Massage the oil into the scalp with slow, circular movements to support absorption and create a calming rhythm.
  4. Once the scalp is covered, smooth the remaining oil through the mid-lengths and ends until everything is coated evenly.
  5. Let the oil sit for 1-3 hours, or leave it in overnight if a more intensive treatment is needed.
  6. When it’s time to rinse, wash with a gentle shampoo and finish with conditioner to keep softness and balance.

How often should you oil your hair?

Consistency matters when it comes to hair oiling, and most people find that applying oil once or twice per week provides the best balance of nourishment and manageability. This frequency supports moisture retention, enhances softness and helps protect the hair without overwhelming it.

Your hair type, scalp condition and daily routine may influence how often you need to oil, so it’s useful to adjust based on how your hair responds. Building the practice into your weekly routine helps you maintain it more easily, and your hair will benefit far more from regular, moderate applications than from infrequent, heavy treatments.

What to avoid in your routine

Using too much oil or choosing one that doesn’t match your hair type can quickly lead to heaviness, buildup and a finish that looks greasy rather than nourished. Applying extra product in hopes of adding shine often has the opposite effect, so it’s better to begin with a very small amount and increase only if your hair genuinely needs more.

Another common issue is overlooking the scalp. If scalp comfort or hydration is part of your goal, skipping this area limits the routine’s overall benefits and can make it harder to maintain a balanced feeling over time.

It’s also important to wash the oil out thoroughly. Residue left behind can make the hair feel coated, encourage faster re-greasing and interfere with how styling products or heat tools perform. In some cases, leftover oil can even cause certain products to sit unevenly on the hair. Matching the oil to your hair’s density and texture is equally essential. Finer hair usually responds best to lightweight formulas that absorb quickly, while thicker or coarser hair can handle richer options without feeling weighed down. Paying attention to these factors helps ensure that oiling remains an effective, comfortable and supportive part of your routine rather than creating new challenges.

Making your hair oiling routine more effective

Pairing your oiling ritual with supportive habits can make a noticeable difference in how your hair responds over time. These practices help your routine work more efficiently and protect the moisture you’ve added: 

  • Protective styling reduces daily friction and helps your hair retain softness.
  • Using gentle tools minimises unnecessary stress on the strands.
  • Limiting heat exposure preserves moisture and prevents the oil’s benefits from being undone.
  • Adjusting your oil choices seasonally keeps your routine balanced - lighter options in humid weather and richer formulas during colder or drier periods.
  • Tracking progress through texture, softness and reduced breakage gives a more accurate picture than focusing only on length.

How do you usually use hair oil?
Before washing
As a leave-in
Only on the ends
A few times per week
I don’t use it yet

If you’re not seeing the expected improvement

If you follow a consistent oiling routine but still experience breakage, thinning or minimal progress, there may be additional factors affecting your hair. Things like nutrition, hormonal shifts, elevated stress and scalp conditions can influence how well the hair responds to any routine.

Oiling can improve the feel of the hair by adding softness and reducing friction, but it cannot replace a more holistic approach that also includes a balanced diet, gentle detangling, suitable products and awareness of overall health. When problems continue despite these efforts, it can be helpful to speak with a hairstylist or dermatologist to identify underlying causes and receive personalised guidance.

Get a 10% discount code sent to you

Receive the best tips and tricks for your hair from Lotte and Nanna 🥰

A simple approach to long-term hair nourishment

A hair oiling routine is a simple yet effective way to enhance the health and feel of your hair. By choosing the right oil, applying it with care and committing to consistent use, you can build a routine that nourishes your hair long term. Start with a single oil, introduce it into your weekly schedule and enjoy the gradual improvement in softness, shine and overall health

Get a 10% discount code sent to you

Receive the best tips and tricks for your hair from Lotte and Nanna 🥰