Which Oils Are Best for 3A Hair?

Your curls tend to be shiny and loose spiral curls that often have a lightweight feel—especially for those with a much drier hair texture. Unlike its cousins, 3B or 3C hair, which have progressively tighter ringlets, 3A hair is defined, springy and has a potential for a lot of body and shine. This hair type also tends to get frizzy easily so it is recommended that you use light weight products to hold up your do. Below is a list of oils that tend to work well on 3A hair. Remember that most oils act as sealants, not moisturizers so you should add some moisture to your hair in the form of water or water-based products such as a leave-in conditioner. This means your moisturizing routine should be either the LOC (liquid, oil & cream), or LCO (liquid, cream & oil), whichever method works best on your hair. 

• Jojoba Oil  This oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish hair, including vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, copper, and zinc. The qualities of jojoba oil closely resemble your scalp’s natural sebum which makes it ideal for scalp messages. Because it strengthens hair, it is also thought that jojoba oil can prevent hair loss and promote hair thickness.  The best quality jojoba oil to purchase is the unrefined brand which is a golden color.
• Olive Oil Everyone has some type of olive oil in their pantry.  Look for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as this type of olive oil has little processing or refinement done to it so it retains a lot of its nutrients. Oil olive is also good for dry scalps as it nourishes it and helps ease the itchiness when massaged into the scalp. 
• Grapeseed Oil  This oil works well for Type 3A hair because it is lighter than olive oil or coconut oil and won’t weigh your hair down. Because this oil is odorless it won’t leave a strong scent.  Overall, grapeseed oil is a great sealant for 3A because it helps to lock in moisture and to prevent frizz, brittle hair and split ends.
• Avocado Oil This oil is extremely rich in oleic acid and monounsaturated fats.  These fats penetrate the hair shaft and help to prevent it from breaking.  It contains vitamins A, E, and B-5 along with antioxidants and minerals, making it one of few oils that can actually penetrate the hair shaft and moisturize your hair, rather than sitting on top and coating your hair. These fats also strengthen the hair shaft and help to prevent breakage. Overall, avocado oil makes your hair feel softer, smoother and healthier, so it’s a winner for type 4C hair.
• Coconut Oil  Don’t sleep on coconut oil ladies! It’s an oil that benefits many types of hair and actually moisturizes your hair, unlike other oils. The chemical structure of coconut oil allows it to penetrate your strands which strengthens and moisturizes the hair from within.  It is recommended to purchase an organic coconut oil brand which works the best.