Do I need conditioner if I use hair oil?

Author: Dr. Abbey Runte V  |  Last update: Thursday, December 25, 2025

Absolutely! After using hair oil or serum, it's best to use a conditioner to ensure that your hair and scalp is properly hydrated and nourished. The conditioner helps to protect your hair from damage and to keep it looking soft and shiny.

Do I need conditioner if I oil my hair?

Protection from Damage

Both hair oil and leave-in conditioner can help to protect hair from damage, but using them together provides even greater protection.

Can I skip conditioner and use oil?

Can I Skip Conditioner? All three experts agree: Conditioner is pretty much always a good idea. While Gaunitz notes that you can theoretically skip conditioner if you want, over time it will break down the firm layer of the cuticle and create an even more unmanageable hair situation.

Should you condition after oiling?

Absolutely! After using hair oil or serum, it's best to use a conditioner to ensure that your hair and scalp is properly hydrated and nourished. The conditioner helps to protect your hair from damage and to keep it looking soft and shiny. Plus, co...

Which is better, hair oil or conditioner?

Both hair oil and leave-in conditioner are essential products for maintaining healthy and beautiful locks. While hair oil deeply nourishes and seals in moisture, leave-in conditioner hydrates the hair and improves manageability. When used together, the products complement each other to provide even greater benefits.

Hair oiling to do or not? By Dr Rashmi Shetty

What are the disadvantages of oil on hair?

While leaving oil on your hair may seem beneficial, prolonged exposure can have adverse effects. If hair growth oil is left on for extended periods, it can attract dirt, clog pores, and lead to dandruff and itching. Over-saturation may also weaken hair strands, making them prone to breakage.

Is it necessary to use conditioner on OILY hair?

1. Apply Conditioner the Right Way. Fact: Conditioner is not only OK for oily hair types to use but it's also necessary. It provides a healthy dose of hydration, nourishment, and protection that your locks can't get from shampoo alone.

How often should I use hair oil?

Incorporating hair oil into your hair care routine 2-3 times a week as needed can work wonders for your hair. The beneficial formula typically contains a blend of leave-in oils applied from mid-length to the ends of your hair, and there's no need to wash the oil out.

Should hair be wet when oiling?

Hair oil can be applied to both damp and dry hair. They both achieve slightly different goals, and the results will vary by hair owner. Generally, oiling damp hair can be done as a more deeply penetrative treatment, while oiling dry hair focuses on polishing frizzy ends and finishing styles.

Can you overuse hair oil?

If you're going to use hair oil, as a rule of thumb, experts say people with dry hair should apply it two to three times per week. People with oily hair should stick to once per week. While it's generally safe to leave oils in your hair overnight, overuse may lead to irritation, redness, or flakiness.

Is hair conditioner really necessary?

The short answer is yes. If you shampoo your hair, you should definitely condition it. Conditioner can be beneficial for all types of hair, from fine and straight to super curly and coily.

How do you wash your hair after oiling without conditioner?

To make your own hair rinse, simply take a cup of water and add two tablespoons of lemon juice OR apple cider vinegar. Then apply the mixture to your hair and scalp. Let it sit for about five minutes before rinsing with cold water.

What oil can I use instead of conditioner?

Jojoba oil moisturizes the hair, adds nutrients, and stimulates the scalp. Lavender oil deep conditions the hair, keeps it shiny, and helps control dandruff. Moroccan argan oil moisturizes, nourishes, and provides antioxidants to hair.

How to oil hair correctly?

Before you start, scoop out oil if solid, and microwave/heat gently until melted and warmed through. Then, section off pieces of hair and massage the oil from the root to tip, combing after with a wide-tooth comb to ensure even distribution (and to prevent tangles). Massage with your fingertips.

What is the curly girl method?

Here's how to do the Curly Girl Method step-by-step.
  • Step 0: Reset Wash. First up, do a reset cleanse to remove product build-up from your strands. ...
  • Step 1: Cleanse. Wash your hair with a co-wash conditioner or a sulfate-free, low-poo shampoo. ...
  • Step 2: Condition & Detangle. ...
  • Step 3: Style. ...
  • Step 4: Plop. ...
  • Step 5: Repeat.

What to use if you don't have hair conditioner?

The Best 5 Natural Conditioners for all Hair Types
  • Banana. Banana is an incredible moisturising ingredient suitable for treating dry, damaged hair prone to frizziness. ...
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Aloe Vera. ...
  • Classic Coconut.

What are the disadvantages of applying oil to your hair?

Overnight hair oiling can clog our pores and might even attract dirt, etc. Ideally, you should apply oil to your roots 3-4 hours before washing your hair. Oily hair often attracts dust, dirt, and even microorganisms. Oiling oily hair can further clog pores which is common with oily hair.

Why is my hair frizzy even after oiling?

This is because as time passes the hair cuticle opens up. Hair at this stage is porous and susceptible to frizz. Running your hands through hair with hair oil will rough up the cuticle further and even with oil you risk making things worse.

Should I always wash my hair after oiling?

It's generally recommended to leave oil on your hair for a maximum of 8-12 hours, depending on your hair type and individual needs. If you have very dry or damaged hair, you can leave the oil on overnight for better results, but it's important to wash it out thoroughly in the morning.

Is it OK if I oil my hair everyday?

Oiling your hair 1-2 times a week is enough. Doing it everyday can attract dirt and also strip away essential oils from your hair. Combing, rubbing and vigorously massaging your hair with oil can also cause breakage. So, follow the steps we mentioned and healthy, beautiful hair will follow.

How long should I let oil sit in my hair?

Never Keep the Oil in Your Scalp for Too Long

So even if your traditional knowledge suggests that the longer you keep your oil the better, it may not be right. A good duration to get the most nourishment from oiling your hair would be 30 minutes to 4 hours.

What oil is best for your hair?

  • Jojoba Oil: Best for Thinning Hair. ...
  • Avocado Oil: Best for Smoother, Shinier Hair. ...
  • Sweet Almond Oil: Best for UV Protection. ...
  • Grapeseed Oil: Best for Frizz and Split Ends. ...
  • Macadamia Nut Oil: Best for Manageability. ...
  • Baobab Oil: Best for Curly Hair. ...
  • Rosemary Oil: Best of Hair Regrowth. ...
  • Tea Tree Oil: Best for Treating Dandruff.

Do you actually need conditioner?

yes, you need to use a conditioner! There's no denying that a great shampoo will not only clean your hair, but leave it fresh and smelling amazing. However, even with the absolute best shampoos, natural oils in your hair and scalp will be lost in the process.

Is it okay to skip conditioner?

Avoiding conditioner will only leave your own hair undernourished and unprotected. Knowing how conditioner benefits thin, fine hair and how to choose the right product make all the difference. Rather than being a problematic step in your haircare routine, conditioning can leave you with beautiful, healthy hair.

How to make your hair not frizzy?

How to get rid of dry frizzy hair? 5 solutions
  1. Use products specifically made to treat dry and frizzy hair.
  2. Wash your hair in the correct way.
  3. Be careful with hot styling tools and use heat protection.
  4. Switch from cotton to a silk or satin pillow case.
  5. Don't brush your hair to often.

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