What Happened When I Tested Out 7 Different Hair Oils

This article was written by Larell Scardelli and provided by our partners at Rodale’s Organic Life.

Hair oiling, or Indian Head Massage, is a ritual that dates back more than 4,000 years. In the traditional practice, grandmothers and mothers massage oil into children’s hair daily or weekly, says Mituri Sharma, who was brought up with the ritual. 

“It’s important for women of all hair types to keep it adequately moisturized to prevent things like damage, breakage, and split ends,” explains Phoenyx Austin, M.D., nutritionist, and author of If You Love It, It Will Grow. I knew my abundant yet thin curls could use a hydration boost, so I was eager to put this ancient practice to the test, and see if it transformed my hair.

Skeptical of adding oil to your beauty routine? Wary of a greasy look? Finding the oil that works best with your hair takes some experimentation. I tried seven popular oils recommended by Austin to find the perfect match for every type of hair. 

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