What happens if you put baby oil on your hair? Well, we are about to find out! Baby oil is a scented compound derived from mineral oil. It is used to help with irritations that toddlers experience, ranging from cribs to other surfaces. But it can also be used as a quick moisturizer for skin and hair. The question is the following. Is baby oil good for your hair?
Let’s find out.
What Is In Baby Oil?
Statistics show that more than 70 million American uses baby oil each year. Of course, almost all of them use it for their babies and toddlers. But then some use it for skin care and hair care.
What is baby oil? Simply put, it is mineral oil, crude oil made from petroleum. Think of it the same as Vaseline.
In other words, baby oil is a highly refined liquid Vaseline. There is little research done on the benefits and downsides of using petroleum products for hair and skin. Yet, people continue to do it. Is baby oil good for your hair?
Well, we have to question the value of applying crude oil to your skin and hair. And when we talk about it, we talk about the short-term and long-term downsides and benefits of adding baby oil to your beauty routine.
We have to mention moral objections as well. As we said before, petroleum is crude oil, a fossil fuel. It is not renewable. Large parts of our environment are disrupted to acquire this fossil fuel.
When you are a baby and kid, you have no idea about it. We can somewhat say our grandparents had no idea as well. But the age of information can be a blessing and a curse.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Baby Oil For Hair?
When you talk about is baby oil is good for your hair, you have to talk about the benefits and challenges, and risks. Let’s start with the purported benefits. We have to stress that there is no medical research on the benefits of baby oil for your hair. Yet, many fans have reported some benefits. So, take this beauty tip with some reserve.
Yet, anything that is good for baby skin has to be good and nourishing for you, right?
Moisturizes Your Hair
The first and most important benefit of why people started using baby oil for hair is that it moisturizes your hair. Johnson & Johnson, a baby oil manufacturer, claims it adds 10 times more moisture to wet skin.
Let’s try to explain it. Baby oil creates a barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss by evaporation. It locks in natural moisture when you’re drying and styling your hair.
Soothes Your Dry Scalp
Speaking of moisture, baby oil can help with your dry scalp and dry hair problem. First, dry scalp. It is a condition that can lead to dandruff and damage to hair roots. A dry scalp can also slow down hair growth.
Moisturizing the scalp will result in a healthy scalp, which helps you achieve healthy hair, stronger hair, and smoother hair.
It also prevents dryness and flakes.
Makes Your Hair Stronger
Baby oil behaves differently than some other oils. Mineral oils cannot penetrate the hair shaft and are less effective in retaining protein in the hair. So, putting baby oil on your hair can keep water out of it.
These lubricating properties can prevent breakage, detangle hair naturally, and reduce frizz.
In essence, the result is stronger hair.
Delivers Smoother Hair
As we said before, baby oil can help seal the hair cuticle. Just a few drops of it to your freshly washed hair can result in smoother hair. It will give your locks natural protection from harmful heat styling treatments and heat styling tools.
Protects The Hair
Our hair receives damage daily from different factors. Think about environmental factors like the sun, pollution, or even swimming in a pool. In these cases, baby oil can be your amazing hair protectant.
It prevents harmful pollutants from damaging your hair by creating a protective layer. You should apply baby oil before stepping out in the sun or going for a swim.
Helps You Style Your Hair
Yes, baby oil is a great styling product. A small amount of it can help you style your beautiful hair and hold it in place. And here is the best part. Unlike hair gel or hairspray, it will not make your hair hard or leave a crust.
Helps You Get Rid Of Lice
Baby oil can treat lice in both adults and children. For this lice treatment, cover the scalp and hair from roots to tips with baby oil. Leave it on for at least 8 hours and then wash it out. It will remove any lice and lice eggs from your hair.
For a more effective treatment, combine Johnson & Johnson baby hair oil with a specific lice treatment product.
How To Use Baby Oil For Hair?
Now that we answered the question is baby oil is good for your hair, let’s talk about how you can use it. There are a few ways, including making a hair mask. Let’s take a look.
Overnight Treatment Hair Mask
If you want an overnight treatment for your hair, we have a baby oil hair mask that will do. Try this hot baby hair oil mask for dry and damaged hair.
1. Start by pouring 2 to 4 tablespoons of baby oil into a glass bowl
2. Now, warm the oil in the microwave for only 10 to 15 seconds
3. Apply the oil and gently massage it into the scalp with your fingers. Begin at the hairline and continue to the back of your neck
4. Cover the ends of your hair with the remainder of the oil. Now, focus on areas that are damaged and dry
5. Cover your hair with a shower cap
6. Leave the mask overnight or for several hours
7. Wash carefully with shampoo as usual and then condition and style
Baby Oil As Hair Moisturizer
The most common way of using baby oil for hair is hair moisturizer. As we said before, it leaves your hair and skin moisturized and smooth. Apply a couple of drops and gently massage them into your hair. It will nourish your scalp and lock in moisture. For best results, apply it after getting out of the shower.
Baby Oil As Hair Serum
Baby oil can be your substitute for a leave-in serum. But use it in small amounts only. Otherwise, it will make your hair sticky. Here is another beauty tip you can try.
When shampoo and conditioner are not enough to tame dry ends, baby oil comes to the rescue. Take 3 to 4 drops of it in your palm and rub them together. Then, run your palms through the ends of your hair.
This treatment will add shine to your hair and reduce the appearance of split ends.
Are There Any Risks?
Similar to any oil, baby oil can block your skin pores. And that can cause scalp irritation and lead to acne when the oil gets onto your hairline or forehead.
Another risk is that using too much of it can make your hair look and feel greasy. Nobody wants oily hair and greasy hair, right?
When you wash it, do it carefully. Use warm water and plenty of shampoos to cleanse your hair from any baby oil residue. Massage the scalp and hair gently to ensure you remove all of the baby oil. If needed, shampoo your hair twice. For women with naturally oily hair, two shampoo treatments are a must.
Speaking of oily hair, if you have it, apply baby oil only at the ends to prevent them from breaking. You do not want to weigh down your hair.
