If you have gorgeous, bouncy curls, you know that keeping them healthy keeps them at their happiest. But with all the different hair products out there, it can be tricky to figure out when to use one product over the other, like hair oil vs. leave-in conditioner.
Fortunately, we’ve got your back (& your strands). We have the 411 on moisturizing curl care staples: leave-in & hair oil.
In this guide, we’ve outlined their unique roles, highlighted the key differences between these powerhouse products & reviewed how to apply them to your tresses for results that wow.
Understanding The Purpose of Hair Oil for Curly Hair
Think of hair oil as a secret weapon for your strands—packed with nourishing ingredients that help to seal in moisture, finesse flyaways & add a beautiful shine to your curls. Plus, they can even help to protect your hair from heat damage & environmental stressors.
The key is to choose an oil that's lightweight & won't weigh down your luscious locks. Consider using formulas with Argan Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, & Sweet Almond Oil for curly hair. These oils are super-absorbent, so they'll sink right in without leaving your hair feeling greasy or heavy. Using these moisturizing oils ensures each hair shaft is properly hydrated, keeping your curls juicy & luscious.
PATTERN makes it easy to take advantage of these nourishing ingredients with our collection of hair oils for curly hair featuring our Argan Oil Blend & Jojoba Oil Blend formulas. While one offers hydration for coilies with tight textures, the other provides lightweight moisture that won’t weigh down your natural waves or looser curls.
The Role of Leave-In Conditioner in Curl Care
Now let's talk about leave-in conditioners. They're designed to deeply hydrate & condition your hair, leaving it soft, smooth & oh-so-buttery. Leave-in conditioners, like the PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner, can help to detangle, reduce breakage & enhance your natural curl pattern.
Plus, they can provide a little extra hold to help keep your curls defined & bouncy. Many leave-in conditioners also contain nourishing ingredients like Shea Butter, Argan Oil or Glycerin, which can strengthen the hair & promote healthy growth.
These ingredients can even help repair any damage & enhance the overall appearance of your curly crown.
Key Differences Between Hair Oil & Leave-In Conditioner
So, what's the difference between leave-in conditioner & hair oil, you ask? Well, the main distinction is in their purpose & application. Hair oils are all about sealing in moisture & providing a protective barrier for your strands. They're typically applied to the mid-lengths & ends of your hair to help smooth the cuticle & add shine.
Leave-in conditioners, on the other hand, are all about deeply hydrating & conditioning your hair. They're usually applied from root to tip, helping to nourish your entire head of curls by keeping them moisturized until your next wash day.
Simply put, hair oils are primarily used for nourishment & conditioning, while leave-in conditioners are designed to provide ongoing moisture, detangling & protection to your strands after washing.
When to Use Hair Oil vs. Leave-In Conditioner in Your Curl Routine
Now, the million-dollar question: when should you use leave-in conditioner vs. hair oil in your curl routine? It really depends on your hair's unique needs, your natural texture & porosity & the specific look you're going for.
When to Use Leave-In Conditioner
Leave-in conditioner supports healthy, hydrated strands by helping your hair cuticles retain moisture. Cuticles act as your hair's first layer of protection, so when they’re sealed & hydrated, they help your curls stay vibrant, sleek & shiny.
You’ll typically want to use a leave-in conditioner on freshly cleansed & conditioned curls. It’s a good idea to apply leave-in to soaking wet strands so your locks are as wet & hydrated as they can be.
This allows the ingredients in your leave-in to lock in the water your curls have absorbed—keeping them moisturized & vibrant until your next wash day.
When to Use Hair Oil
There's no shortage of opportunities to give your tresses a little TLC with some nourishing hair oil. First up, if your ends are feeling a little dry, a few drops of hair oil can work wonders to smooth & soften them back to silky perfection. Just massage it through the mid-lengths & ends for an instant hair makeover.
Heading out for a big event & want your style to stay sleek & flyaway-free? Hair oil to the rescue! Work a tiny amount through your strands before styling to help smooth flyaways & add a gorgeous glossy finish.
Let's not forget the power of hair oil for a luxurious overnight treatment. You can lather it on from root to tip, pop on a shower cap & let the goodness sink in while you snooze. You’ll wake up with hair that's hydrated, healthy & ready to shine.
How to Apply Hair Oil for Best Results
When it comes to applying hair oil, less is more. Start with just a few drops, rub it between your palms & then gently smooth it over the mid-lengths & ends of your hair. Avoiding your roots can help your curls maintain their volume when you’re using hair oil to style your tresses.
Instead, you can use hair oil as a pre-shampoo treatment. Just massage a small amount into your scalp & hair, let it soak in for 10–15 minutes, then shampoo & condition as usual. This can help to nourish your strands & prevent natural hair breakage.
How to Apply Leave-In Conditioner for Best Results
Applying leave-in conditioner is a breeze. After shampooing & conditioning, simply take a small amount (about a dime-sized dollop) & work it through your hair from root to tip. Focus on the ends, as they're generally the most prone to dryness & damage.
You can also try using a leave-in conditioner as a styling product. Just apply it to damp hair, then scrunch or twist your curls to help them hold their shape. The leave-in can provide a little extra hold & definition without weighing down your style.
Combining Hair Oil & Leave-In Conditioner for Optimal Curl Health
So they’re rockstar products all on their own, but can you use leave-in conditioner & hair oil together? Yes! Introducing the curl-enhancing, moisture-locking combination of hair oil & leave-in conditioner. It's like peanut butter & jelly for your luscious locks, but way more glamorous.
Start with the leave-in, then follow up with a few drops of hair oil, focusing on the mid-lengths & ends of your hair. The result? Hydrated, defined & downright drool-worthy curls that'll have everyone asking, "How do you get your hair to look so good?"
This dynamic duo will help to deeply hydrate your curls, prevent frizz & add a gorgeous, healthy-looking shine. Plus, the combination of the two products can help to lock in moisture & nourish your strands from their cuticle to their ends.
Tips for Choosing the Right Hair Oil & Leave-In Conditioner for Your Curls
When it comes to hair oil & leave-in conditioner, one size definitely doesn't fit all. The key is to choose products that are tailored to your specific curl type & hair needs. Here’s a look at how to choose the right product & formula for your unique strands:
Understand Your Hair Porosity
Imagine your hair as a tiny sponge, with little holes & pores that allow moisture & nutrients to flow in & out. That’s your hair porosity. It's a measure of how easily your hair can absorb & retain moisture, & it's a crucial factor in determining the best hair care routine for you.
Your hair’s porosity is directly related to your curls’ ability to retain moisture, so it’ll help you know which formulas are right for your tresses. For example, if you have fine, low-porosity curls, you'll want to look for lightweight formulas that won't weigh down your strands.
On the other hand, if you have thick, coily & high-porosity hair, you might want to opt for richer, more nourishing products that hydrate your full crown.
Look For the Right High-Quality Ingredients
Another part of finding the right leave-in & hair oil for your locks is to prioritize high-quality ingredients that will seal in shine without sacrificing volume or definition.
Opt for formulas that are rich in moisturizing ingredients like Shea Butter & Aloe Vera to keep your curls hydrated & happy. Here are some other all-star ingredients to look out for:
- Castor Oil
- Apricot Oil
- Shea Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Honey
While some of these act to help your strands retain moisture, the others (including Honey & Aloe Vera) are humectants. Humectants are amazing little molecules that have the power to attract & retain moisture in your hair. If your curls are a sponge, then humectants are the water that keeps them plump, hydrated & oh-so-happy.
Find the Hydrating Formula That’s Right for Your Curls with PATTERN
Phew, that was a lot of hair science, but now you're a total pro when it comes to choosing between hair oil & leave-in conditioner for your gorgeous curls! Remember, hair oil is like the superhero for smoothing your strands & adding shine, while leave-in conditioner is the sidekick that deeply hydrates & detangles.
At PATTERN, we love all things curly & are passionate about helping you love your hair. From waves to coils & every pattern in-between, we’ve got you covered.
Check out our collection of conditioners for curly hair to give your locks a nourishing treat or browse our curl defining products when you’re after a boost of bounce. No matter your hair care needs, you can count on PATTERN for formulas that’ll love your strands almost as much as you do.
Interested in learning more? Explore additional content on the PATTERN blog about leave-in conditioner vs. conditioner & detangler vs. leave-in conditioner to continue your curl care journey.
Sources:
Byrdie. Argan Oil for Hair: Benefits and How To Use It. https://www.byrdie.com/argan-oil-for-hair
Healthline. Jojoba Oil for Hair: How It Works. https://www.healthline.com/health/jojoba-oil-for-hair
Healthline. What Type of Hair Porosity Do You Have? https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-porosity
National Library of Medicine. The structure of people’s hair. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201279/
WebMD. What Is a Humectant? https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-a-humectant
