The routine

How to Apply Hair Oil the Right Way

A hair oiling routine takes about ten minutes of active time. The part that matters most is the one people skip: getting the oil onto the scalp and massaging it in properly.

Step 1
Section dry hair
Comb through and part your hair into four or five sections so the oil reaches the scalp, not just the top layer.
Step 2
Apply to the scalp
Squeeze a few drops along each parting. For short hair a teaspoon is enough; long hair may need two.
Step 3
Massage for 3–5 minutes
Use your fingertips, not your nails, in slow circles. This is the part most people skip, and it is the part that matters.
Step 4
Work through the lengths
Draw whatever is left on your hands down the mid-lengths and ends, where dryness and split ends show first.
Step 5
Leave on, then wash
Wait one to two hours, then shampoo. Two gentle washes usually clear the oil without stripping the scalp.

How often should you oil your hair?

Two to three times a week suits most hair types. Oily scalps do better with once a week, applied a couple of hours before washing. Dry, coarse or chemically treated hair can handle three sessions comfortably.

How long should you leave hair oil on?

One to two hours is enough for the conditioning benefit. Overnight oiling is a tradition rather than a requirement, and scalps prone to flaking or buildup often do better with a shorter application.

Washing it out

Apply shampoo to the oiled scalp before wetting your hair — it lifts the oil far more easily. Rinse, then follow with a second gentle wash if needed, and avoid very hot water.

Should you apply hair oil before or after a shower?

Before. Oil applied to dry hair one to two hours before washing protects the strands during the wash and reaches the scalp properly. After a shower, use only a drop or two on damp ends to smooth frizz. More on wet versus dry hair.