Want to find the best carrier oil to mix with shea butter for hair growth, dandruff and shine? In this post, we’ll go over 7 oils that are perfect for your next DIY hair treatment.
I think we’ve ALL been there before. Your hair is feeling and looking like it’s in rough shape, you feel like it won’t grow, and you’re searching for a natural solution that will actually help!
Dry, brittle hair that doesn’t seem to hold moisture. Flakes and dandruff. Dull hair with zero shine.
You’re using hair products but nothing really seems to give your hair the nourishment it needs.
You’ve heard of shea butter, but you’re wondering…how do you use it in your hair? What oils do you mix it with?
If you want an all-natural treatment that’s super moisturizing AND you can DIY at home, shea butter & oils are the winning combo.
Whether you want a heavy, deep treatment or something lighter for daily use, or if you’ve got low or high porosity hair, I’ve got you covered. Here are the best oils to mix with shea butter for hair, and how to make your own DIY natural hair treatment.
The Best Oil to Mix with Shea Butter for Hair
When using shea butter on your hair (or skin), you’ll want to make sure that you are using an unrefined or raw shea butter, for maximum benefits.
Refined shea butter is still great to use, however it will have fewer of the vitamins that shea butter naturally contains, due to the refining process.
Shea butter adds shine to the hair, and contains fatty acids to nourish the hair and make it feel softer. It has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help to heal dandruff and scalp conditions.
It also helps protect against brittleness and breakage, so we can keep our length as our hair grows!
Oils also provide nourishment and protection for the hair, and all of the oils we go over today are amazing choices. The oil that’s perfect for your hair is going to depend on your hair type. If you have finer hair, try using a lighter oil, like jojoba or sweet almond.
For those with more coarse hair you may want to start with heavier oils like castor and olive oil. Experiment and see what works for you! Here are the best oils to mix with shea butter for hair:
1. Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is SO nourishing for the hair and skin, and it’s one of the more lightweight oils, so it’s perfect for low porosity hair. For more fantastic oils to use for low porosity hair, check out this post!
2. Fractionated Coconut Oil
This coconut oil is different from regular coconut oil because it has gone through a process that separates some of the fatty acids it contains, leaving it in a liquid state that doesn’t solidify. This means you don’t have to worry about melting it down before you mix it with the shea butter!
It’s great for softening the hair and calming scalp issues, and is even better at penetrating the hair shaft than normal coconut oil.
3. Castor Oil
This is a great choice for a heavier, deeper treatment when your hair is in need of some extra love! It just might be the best oil to mix with shea butter for hair growth, and is great for those with coarser hair types, or with high porosity hair.
If you have finer hair strands, you will probably find that your hair is weighed down by the mixture of castor oil and shea butter so you will want to use a lighter oil.
4. Olive Oil
We probably all have a bottle of this stashed somewhere in the kitchen! Easy to find, and full of nutrients for your hair to keep it super moisturized and shiny.
I love using all of the oils in this list, and these next 3 are some of my absolute favorites! There are what I use in my DIY hair treatments the most often, because I find my curls love them the best and my hair feels SO soft after I use them:
5. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is especially nourishing for the skin so it is one of the best oils to mix with shea butter for hair dandruff. It helps get rid of flakes, an itchy scalp, and it also helps to balance your scalp’s oil production.
6. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is a terrific one to use because it’s lightweight and can help balance out the heaviness of shea butter. It’s another great oil for calming down an irritated and dry scalp.
7. Grapeseed Oil
The combination of grapeseed oil and shea butter is amazing for strengthening and protecting the hair against damage, reducing frizz and making hair extra shiny. A great choice for those with damaged hair in need of some defense.
You Found the Best Oil to Mix with Shea Butter for Hair…Why Use It?
Shea butter is an amazing natural remedy for scalp flakes and dandruff, dryness and brittle hair. Oils are awesome for moisturizing, protecting the hair from damage, adding shine, and softening the hair. To name a few reasons why you’d want to mix an oil with shea butter:
- For the moisturizing properties and to get ultra soft hair
- To make the texture of the shea butter thinner and easier to distribute in the hair
- To lock the moisture in your hair after washing
- To increase the shine and healthy look of your hair
- To help protect your edges from damage
Shea butter + oil = perfection!
How to Make An Oil & Shea Butter Treatment for Natural Hair
It’s really easy and doesn’t take long! The recipe is very customizable and flexible so you can adjust the ratios to fit your preferences, or use more than one type of oil.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts shea butter
- 1 part oil of your choice
- (example: 2 tablespoons of shea butter to 1 tablespoon of oil)
NOTE: If you prefer a thinner consistency, you’ll want to use less shea butter and more oil.
Directions:
- Melt the shea butter using the double boiler method, until it is soft enough to easily stir (does not need to be completely liquid)
(To find out how to make a double boiler, take a look at this tutorial. Avoid using a microwave if you can, because we want to preserve the nutrients in the shea butter)
- When the shea butter has softened, stir in the oil until completely mixed in
- Take the mixture off of the heat, and allow it to cool down
- Store it in a sealed container, in a cool dark place
NOTE: If you prefer a whipped and fluffy texture, do not heat. Simply add the ingredients into a stand mixer and mix until at your desired consistency.
BONUS TIP: Add in a few drops of an essential oil to boost your hair health even more. Spearmint oil is amazing for the scalp and stimulating hair growth, check out this post to find out more!
How to Use Oil & Shea Butter Mixture
Now that you’ve mixed your oil with shea butter for your hair, let’s go over 3 ways you can use it!
1. Pre-Shampoo Mask:
- On detangled hair, apply the shea butter and oil mixture to your hair in sections
- Evenly coat all of your strands, and if your scalp is very dry and flaky, apply it to the scalp as well
- Secure your hair in a bun, braid, twist or clip, and cover with a shower cap
- Let the treatment sit for 30 minutes
- Shampoo (you may have to shampoo twice!), condition and style as usual
BONUS TIP: For an extra deep treatment, heat the mixture to a comfortable temperature before using. You could also apply heat with a hair dryer as the treatment sits, or wear a heat cap.
2. After Wash Sealing:
- As a final step in your wash day routine, apply the shea butter and oil mixture to your hair, focusing on the ends to lock in moisture and add shine
3. Daily Moisturizer:
- With a small amount of the mixture, apply it evenly to the ends of your hair, and if desired, to the edges of the hairline. This can be done either before styling the hair for the day, or before bedtime.
FAQ’S: Shea Butter & Oil DIY Treatments
Who Should Use Shea Butter & Oil Treatments?
It’s great to add to your hair care routine if you have curly or kinky hair, and for hair that is damaged, rough, or brittle. It’s also great for those with scalp issues, or hair that struggles to retain moisture.
How Often Should I Use It?
You can use the hair mask weekly or on each wash day. If you want to use it on your ends as a daily moisturizer, use a small amount each day.
Are There Any Downsides?
Since shea butter is quite heavy, it can be too heavy for some fine hair types, and there is a chance it could clog your hair follicles.
Before using it, consider your hair porosity, strand thickness, and curl pattern. I encourage you to experiment with it and see what works for you!
Mixing oil with shea butter makes the perfect DIY hair treatment to add shine, protect the hair against damage, and heal scalp issues. Which ones are your favorites?!
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