11 Top Hair Oils For Type 4 Hair (High & Low Porosity)

Type 4 hair, is known to be dry hair. To keep coily and curly hair healthy and retain length, you need to make sure your hair is moisturized. When moisturizing your hair, your job is never done until you use oils.

Now, while oils do not moisturize your hair, it is necessary to use oils to strengthen, add nutrients and shine. As well as retain and seal the moisture in your hair.

I have tried all the oils known to the natural hair community to try and find out, what the top hair oils for natural type 4 hair are. Whether you have type 4a, type 4b, or type 4c hair, I have got you covered.

What Is Hair Porosity?

Posoristy is how we measure the hair’s ability to absorb water and moisture. It can also describe the ability of the hair to retain this moisture.

There are 3 levels of porosity, high, low, and medium. Each absorbs and retains moisture at different levels.

Each strand of the hair has an outer layer of cuticles. They open up to allow moisture to go in, and close to seal this moisture. And the way these cuticles act, is different depending on your hair type.

What Is Low Porosity Hair?

If your cuticle struggles to open and let moisture in, you have low hair porosity.

An easy way to identify this characteristic is, when you wet your hair, does the water just sit on top and slide off your hair before your hair eventually soaks it up? Then you most likely have low porosity hair.

Why Does Type 4 Hair Need Oil?

Type 4 hair is naturally dry. This is because the coils, kinks, and curls in our hair make it harder for the natural oils produced by our scalp to travel down the shaft of the hair.

Sebum is meant to protect our scalp and hair, as well as retain the moisture in our hair to keep hair from being dry and brittle. When there is not enough sebum on the hair, the cuticle opens and allows the moisture to escape.

This can lead to frizzy hair, breakage, and split ends.

So, because we need to make up for this, you need to be adding oils to your hair.

How Often Should You Oil Your Type 4 Hair?

Because natural hair is so dry, you have to make sure to retain that moisture to prevent breakage and retain your length.

You don’t need to focus on the frequency. Rather watch your hair and learn when you need to apply oils to your hair.

I would recommend doing a hot oil treatment, every week or every two weeks, and make sure to seal your hair with one of the heavier oils after each wash day. And then on a day-to-day basis, when your hair looks a little dry, add some leave-in conditioner to your hair and seal it with some lighter oils.

It’s really about knowing what your hair needs when it needs it.

What Oils Are Best For Type 4 Hair?

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

One of the heavier oils, Jamaican black castor oil, or all castor oils for that matter are great sealant oils. Because they can lock moisture into your type 4 hair for longer than the other different types of oils.

Castor oil is another great option for preventing split ends.

You can use Jamaican black castor oil in your deep conditioner or simply use it to harness its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Jamaican black castor oil is one of the heavier oils, jamaican black castor oil, or all castor oils for that matter are great sealant oils because they can lock moisture into your hair for longer than the other different types of oils.

You can use Jamaican black castor oil in your deep conditioner or simply use it to harness its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Castor oil is another great option for preventing split ends.

Jojoba Oil:

The liquid extract from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant, jojoba oil, is very popular in the haircare community because of its wonderful properties. It is rich in vitamins and nutrients and is a great sealing oil.

Jojoba oil is a lighter oil, it is impermeable and it sits on the hair shaft, making it perfect for sealing in moisture in both your hair and scalp.

It is best used when your hair is still wet with water and product to get ultimate hydration.

Chemically Jojoba oil is very close to the structure of natural hair sebum, making it ideal for dry hair and curly hair.

Because it does a good job at locking in moisture jojoba oil is also a great option if you have a lot of frizz after wash days.

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil has been popular in the natural hair community lately, after the release of the Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, everyone and their mom was raving over it.

Why, well because to contains amazing ingredients that help with hair growth and length retention.

The main ingredient, rosemary has been studied and has been found to increase hair growth similarly to minoxidil. Rosemary oil protects and strengthens the hair, helping combat any breakage and allowing for length retention.

With usage over time, your hair begins to appear thicker and become more dense, and you will notice any bold spots you have start to disappear.

This essential oil also contains carnosic acid, which is known to be restorative in skin and tissue and improves your scalp health.

Peppermint Oil

Another one of the essential oils in the Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, peppermint oil has recently come up in the natural hair community as a great natural hair oil.

This nutrient-rich oil is another one of the best oils to stimulate healthy hair growth.

A study was conducted on mice, where Minoxidil and peppermint oil were compared for their effects on hair growth and the results of the peppermint oil were similar to minoxidil in terms of hair growth and thickness of the hair.

Coconut Oil

If you are a DIY queen like me, coconut oil is the real MVP.

Coconut oil is very similar to protein treatments when used as a hair mask. It repairs dry and brittle hair, prevents split ends, strengthens the hair follicle, and moisturizes the scalp.

You might be thinking, that sounds great, why isn’t coconut oil on the list? Well as an oil it is great, but as a sealant oil, not so much.

When used as a sealant, or after styling, coconut oil can make the hair feel fry and hard.

The trick with coconut oil is to not use it too often and to thoroughly rinse it out after you’ve applied, not leave it in your hair.

Coconut oil also makes for a great carrier oil when doing hot oil treatments.

Argan Oil

Derived from the kernels of the argan tree, argan oil boasts numerous applications to enhance the health and shine of your hair while adding volume.

Thanks to its elevated levels of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E, argan oil contributes to improved hair elasticity and the restoration of shine to lackluster strands.

The antioxidant properties of argan oil play a crucial role in neutralizing damage caused by free radicals, simultaneously aiding in the prevention of splitting and breakage.

It’s worth noting that argan oil is a dense oil, so exercise caution to avoid weighing down your hair, particularly if you have fine strands.

How To Use Argan Oil For Hair Growth

Baobab Oil

Baobab’s abundance in minerals like zinc and potassium makes it one of the top oils for type 4 hair, it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other fats, including palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid. These are great for hair that is over-processed, dry, or even color-treated hair.

Fatty acids help keep the outer layer of the hair healthy and strong. It is also a great sealant so it does a good job and locking moisture into the hair shaft.

Because baobab oil contains vitamin A, it helps speed up cellular turnover therefore chemically exfoliating your scalp when you use it.

It also increases blood flow to the hair follicles which increases the delivery of vital nutrients and oxygen for hair growth and hair health.

Avocado Oil

Avocados, having enjoyed the spotlight as a favorite breakfast item.

Beyond its taste, this fruit proves to be a powerhouse of nutrients, featuring vitamins, omega-rich oils, antioxidants, and lipids avocado oil can be a game changer for those with brittle hair.

Avocado oil, enriched with these elements, effectively seals hair strands, preserving moisture and reducing the risk of breakage.

Moreover, the bio-active phytochemicals present in avocado oil, such as vitamin E tocopherols, vitamin D, and carotenoids, serve as a defense mechanism against UV damage, environmental factors, and pollutants, ensuring your hair remains shielded from dryness and damage.

In addition to its protective qualities, avocado oil, similar to sweet almond oil, contains biotin, a contributor to the growth of healthier, thicker, and longer hair.

This oil distinguishes itself as one of the rare natural oils with penetrating abilities, meaning it doesn’t merely coat the hair surface but actively infiltrates the hair shaft.

Avocado oil’s properties extend to stimulating blood circulation to the scalp and unclogging blocked hair follicles, fostering an environment that is perfect for healthy hair growth.

Olive Oil

Another excellent option for natural hair is olive oil, standing out as one of the premier emollients. Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats, it offers a perfect remedy for a dry, itchy scalp.

Extra virgin olive oil, in particular, combats bacterial infections while simultaneously fortifying the hair. This makes it an ideal ingredient for various hair treatments, including masks, deep conditioners, or hot oil treatments, ensuring hydration is locked in and providing a glossy finish.

Given its weightiness, olive oil proves effective in treating dry natural hair. Its ability to smooth hair cuticles and seal in moisture enhances its utility.

Olive oil works wonders for dense, thick hair but may not be as suitable for those with fine hair. The thriving environment for fungus in olive oil raises concerns, making it less ideal for use on the scalp or in products intended for scalp care, such as shampoos and scalp masks.

Grapeseed Oil

Extracted from grape seeds, grape seed oil offers remarkable benefits for our hair.

This oil plays a crucial role in promoting scalp and hair health, relieving dandruff, and soothing irritation. As one of the lighter oils available, it efficiently strengthens the hair shaft and enhances a natural shine.

Notably, grape seed oil contains lower amounts of monosaturated lipids and higher levels of linoleic acid, fats that rest atop the hair strand. This unique composition makes it an excellent sealant.

When applied to the hair, grape seed oil effectively tames frizz and combats split ends, although it’s essential to note that split ends cannot be repaired. However, the oil’s high levels of antioxidants, vitamin E, and omegas contribute to strengthening weak or brittle hair, imparting a beautiful luster.

Direct application of grape seed oil to the scalp serves as a preventative measure against the hormone DHT, known to cause weakened hair follicles and hair loss.

Given its lightweight nature, grape seed oil is an ideal choice for individuals with finer, thinner hair.

Sweet Almond Oil

Produced from ripe almonds, specifically sweet almonds, almond oil comes in two variants: unrefined and refined sweet almond oil. Unrefined almond oil, obtained by pressing the nuts, retains the highest concentration of nutrients. In contrast, the refined version is extracted through heat, potentially diminishing the potency of the oil’s vitamins and nutrients.

Rich in beneficial nutrients for hair, sweet almond oil contains magnesium, promoting healthy hair growth, and vitamin E, excellent for scalp health. Its abundance of fatty acids makes it an effective sealing oil, restoring shine to lackluster hair, imparting a smooth and silky texture.

Beyond its cosmetic benefits, almond oil serves as a protective shield against damage caused by daily styling, heat, and hair coloring. The oil’s antibacterial properties also prove effective in soothing an itchy scalp and eliminating dandruff.

Notably, sweet almond oil contributes to stimulating healthy growth, thanks to the presence of Vitamin B7 and Biotin. These components can reactivate dormant hair follicles, aiding in the thickening of thinning hair.

Those are by far my top oils for natural hair, but there are a few other honorable mentions that I have heard great things about when it comes to the best hair oils; apricot oil, camellia oil, pomegranate oil, sesame oil, rosehip oil, safflower oil and shea butter.

While I haven’t personally tried those various oils, they are nutrient-rich oils that make great higher low-porosity hair oils.

What Oils Are Best For 4c Low-Porosity Hair?

Speaking of low-porosity hair oils, you might want to know which of the different oils I mentioned above is the right oil for you if your hair’s porosity is low and you have 4c hair.

I would recommend lightweight oils for you, especially grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, argan oil and sweet almond oil.

I would also highly recommend you use both peppermint and rosemary oil on your scalp to stimulate hair growth as well as keep your scalp healthy and avoid dry scalp.

Why Are Light Oils Best For Low Porosity Hair Types

Heavy oils can weigh down your hair and make it look greasy. Oils with a thin consistency are more likely to penetrate the hair shaft and not just sit on top of it.

What Oils Are Best For 4c High-Porosity Hair?

High porosity hair benefits from another type of oil, heavy oils.

For high porosity hair, I recommend using castor oils, olive oil, and another great oil is avocado oil.

Again I would still recommend peppermint oil as well as rosemary for your scalp.

How To Use Oils On Your Type 4c Hair

There are many great ways to incorporate hair oils into your hair care routine. Here are my favorites and the ones I do most often:

Pre-Shampoos Treatment:

Add your oil of choice or multiple oils to the strands of your hair, and let this sit for 20-30 minutes before you shampoo your hair.

This will prevent the shampoo from drying out your hair too much while still allowing you to clarify your scalp.

Hot Oil Treatment:

I’m sure you’re no stranger to a good hot oil treatment, but if you are, let me explain it to you.

A hot oil treatment is when you heat up various oils and apply the warm, not actually hot oils to your scalp.

Heat allows for your scalp to really absorb the nutrients in the oils so you can reap the benefits of these oils.

Make sure to not burn the oils or you will get rid of all those nutrients you are looking to harness, I recommend doing a hot oil treatment before every wash day.

You can do this along with the pre-shampoo treatment I mentioned above.

As A Sealant:

I love using oils to seal in any moisture I add to my hair, and you should be doing the same.

After each wash day, I like to use a heavy oil as my sealant, but in between wash days when I do a refresh or just want to add some shine, I use a lightweight oil.

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