There can be many reasons for hair loss, but using the wrong oil can be one of them. There are Countless hair oil are available in online and offline market, and promising thicker shinier and healthier hair. The mistake we make when we go to buy a good hair oil most of us pay more attention to the familiar name, trendy branding, fragrance, packaging. But this shiny packaging conceals a harsh truth that most companies do not want to disclose.

In this blog post, we’ll decode all these chemicals – what they really are and how they affects our hair and health.

Ingredients matter

Hair oils are applied directly to the scalp, a highly sensitive area with thin skin. Ingredients can be absorbed into the bloodstream or cause local irritation. Furthermore, they coat the hair shaft potentially building up and altering hair health.

As a common man, we have no alternative way to verify which product is harmful and which is not. Only the ingredient list can help us in this regard. There is no other way.

So, before buying anything, be sure to check the ingredients list.

Most common ingredients

LLP or Mineral oil (Paraffinum liquidum / Liquid Paraffin / White oil), synthetic fragrance (parfum), preservatives (TBHQ, BHT, parabens), silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane etc), artificial colours (Cl numbers), refined or adulterated carrier oils (cheap coconut oil, palm oil etc), Additive (Isopropyl myristate, Piroctone olamine).

Cold-Pressed Coconut oil, Amla oil , bhringraj oil (Eclipta), castor oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, neem oil, onion seed oil (black onion/kalonji oil), pure mustard oil (cold pressed/Kachhi Ghani), rosemary essential oil, tea tree oil, vitamin E oil.

Harmful ingredients

1. LLP or Mineral oil

LLP (light liquid paraffin) or mineral oil is non sticky byproduct of petroleum industry. Generally acts as occlusive agent to lock in moisture and increase self life. Cheap bas oil that gives a smooth feel.

• Long term use may impede natural oil production of the scalp.
• Leading to scalp acne, dandruff.
• Clogs pores create a plastic like barrier on the scalp.
• It give instant shine but prevents moisture and nutrients from penetrating the hair shaft.
• LLP may be contaminated with cancer causing hydrocarbons.
• Non biodegradable.

Reference: ATSDR, int. J. Toxicol. 2008

2. synthetic fragrance (parfum)

Artificial mixture of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals to create appealing scent. Used for beautiful smell.

• It can cause skin irritation, headache and allergies.
• Can cause itching, redness flaking and even hair loss due to inflammation
• May contain phthalates, which are endocrine distuptors.

Reference: EWG, EHP, 2010

3. preservatives (TBHQ, BHT, parabens)

Prevents spoilage and microbial growth in oils, increase self life. Antioxidants and antimicrobial agents added to prolong self life.

• BHT is a potential carcinogen and may cause endocrine disruption.
• Parabens may cause hormonal imbalance
• Linked to breast cancer in some studies.

Reference: NTP

4. silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane)

Synthetic compounds like silicones provides smooth texture and shine. Making it feel like silky instantly.

• Block natural oil from scalps and moisture absorption
• Hair thinning and dullness

Reference: Contact Dermatitis, 2009

5. Artificial colours (Cl numbers  like Cl 19140, Cl 42090)

Gives oils an natural golden or yellow and herbal look.

• Linked to skin sensitivity and allergic reaction.
• Some colors are banned in foods but still used in cosmetics.

Reference: FDA, Tox. Sci. Tech., 2016

6. refined or adulterated carrier oils (cheap coconut oil, palm oil etc)

Used for reduces cost productions. Low – grade oil stripped of nutrients via refining and bleaching.

• No therapeutic benefits for hair
• Lack of nutrients
• Can contain chemical/bleaching residues from refining.

Beneficial ingredients

1. Cold-Pressed Coconut oil

Reach in Laurie Acid (47-50%), capric acid, vitamin E.

• Laurie Acid combats scalp fungus/bacteria (e.g., dandruff).
• Reduces protein loss, prevents hair shaft better than mineral/synthetic oil.
• Excellent emollient for dry hair/scalp.

2. Argan oil

Oleic acid (43-49%), linoleic acid (29-36%), tocopherols (vitamin C), phenols.

• Repairs damage
• Rich Vitamin E protects hair from UV and heat damage
• Reduces scalp irritation

3. jojoba oil

Wax ester (97-98% similar to human sebum), Vitamin E, B-complex.

• Balance oil production without clothing pores.
• Moisturisers scalp
• regulates Sebum
• Prevents dryness and itchiness

4. Castor oil

Rich in ricinoleic acid (85-95%), Omega 6/9 fatty acids.

• Reduces scalp inflammation
• Boost hair thickness
• Supports in hair growth

5. Rosemary essential oil

1,8-Cineole, camphor, alpha-pinene, rosmarinic acid.

• Enhances blood circulation to a scalp
• Stimulates air follicles
• Promote growth of hair
• prevents hair thinning

5. Neem oil

• Neem has Antibacterial and anti fungal properties
• Treat scalp infections, dandruff and lice.
• Make soothes itchy scalp

6. Tea tree oil

• Natural anti fungal and anti antibacterial
• Threats dandruff, reduces itchiness
• Clears clogged follicles.

7. Bhringraj oil (Eclipta Alba)

Ayurvedic herb with regenerative properties

• Promotes hair growth
• Reduce hair fall
• Prevents greying.

8. Onion seed oil (black onion/kalonji oil)

• Stimulates hair growth by boosting circulation to hair follicales
• Contain sulfur helps in building keratin and strengthens hair
• Fight against scalp infection, dandruff and fungal growth.
• Rich in antioxidants, its delays premature greying.

9. pure mustard oil (cold pressed/Kachhi Ghani)

• Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and selenium – helps to promote healthy hair growth and Nourishes the scalp
• anti bacterial and antifungal properties – fights scale infections and dandruff.
• Making hair roots stronger by improves scalp blood circulation.
• mustard oil should use in winter season

10. Vitamin E oil

• Antioxidant
• Improves blood circulation
• Repair damaged hair
• Supports in hair growth and adds luster

Things keep in mind

• Avoid if labelled with “mineral oil,” “LLP” or “refined.”
• Coconut oil, Onion oil and mustard oil must be cold-pressed and not mixed with mineral or cheap carrier oil.

Why brands use these harmful ingredients

• Cheap to produce, boosts profits
• Longer self life than natural oil
• Attractive smell to make fool consumers
• Lack of awareness and weak regulations.

Need match

• Dry and fizzy hair – go for cold pressed coconut oil, argan Oil and avocado oil.
• Oily Scalp/hair – Jojoba oil, tea tree oil (diluted).
• Thin & weaker oil – Bhringraj oil, onion seed oil, black seeds (kalonji) oil.
• Dandruff-prone/itchy scalp – neem oil, tea tree oil (diluted), sunflower oil.
• Curly hair – castor oil, avocado oil, argan oil.
• Damaged or color treated hair – argan oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil.
• Normal scalp with mild hair fall – jojoba oil, almond oil, rosemary essential oil (diluted).

Weather matter

Matching hair oils with right weather is crucial – because climate affects our scalp’s oil production, hair hydration and absorption capacity.

• Summer – Coconut oil (cold-pressed), jojoba oil, tea tree oil (diluted).
• Winter – Cold pressed mustard oil, castor oil, avocado oil.
• Rainy – Light coconut oil, neem oil, tea tree oil.
• Autum – Black seeds oil, almond oil, amla oil.
• Spring – Argan oil, Rosemary Oil, Bhringraj Oil.

General tips

• Avoid heavy oil in hot and humid season – they can clog pores and attract dirt
• Use thick oil in dry seasons – lock moisture and protect the cuticle
• Essential oil like rosemary, tea tree should always diluted.

Correct way to use Hair oil

Note

Most of the hair oils available in market contains harmful chemicals (like “mineral oil,” “LLP” or “refined,” “synthetic fragrance,” “colors,” “silicones,” etc)

If you don’t believe me, you can check for yourself by looking at the ingredient list on the back of the oil you’re using.

There are many brands of hair oil available in the market, which claim to be healthy for hair. Don’t make fool by their marketing terms, Just because all levels are allowed to write doesn’t mean that , what is written is true . Hopefully, you can now verify them yourself whether they are healthy or unhealthy.

Final tips

Always check the ingredients list before buying anything not only hail oils.

❌ Avoid oils with –

• Mineral oil / LLP
• Parfum / synthetic fragrance
• Colors / Cl numbers
• Paraffins / silicones / PEGs
• ‘Refined’- mustard / coconut oil.

✅ Choose hair oil according to your hair type. choose cold pressed, unrefined chemical free oils.

Read more: 10 harmful shampoo ingredients that should to avoid

Conclusion

You deserve to know what you are putting on your body. I believe that buying anything shouldn’t be a guessing game. My mission is to encourage people to make smarter, safer choice by decoding each ingredients.

Next time before buying anything must check the ingredients list.

Safe alternative in Market

Mehebub Alam Chowdhury

I’m Mehebub Alam Chowdhury, an M.Sc. Organic Chemistry student, and my mission with Decodepure is to simplify complex chemical ingredients in everyday products. With my knowledge of chemicals, I aim to help you make safer, healthier choices by breaking down product labels in an easy-to-understand way.