Abyssinian oil is said to be deeply moisturizing, but there is not enough scientific evidence to back its benefits. However, it is claimed to be quite similar to human sebum and smoothen the hair, which makes it a great alternative for silicone-based hair products. Keep reading this article to learn about Abyssinian oil benefits for hair and how to add it to your hair care regimen.
What Is Abyssinian Oil And Where Does It Come From?
Abyssinian oil is a vegetable oil derived from the Crambe abyssinica crop and contains a high concentration of erucic acid and natural antioxidants. This crop is native to Eastern Africa and inedible. Abyssinian oil is mainly used for industrial purposes and in cosmetic formulations. What Are Its Benefits? Boosts scalp health, conditions and nourishes hair, and protects hair from heat damage. Who Can Use It? It can be used by anyone to reduce hair dryness. How Often? Regularly. Caution It is for external use only and may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
This biodegradable and environment-friendly vegetable oil is fragrance-free and is light yellow. It has a non-greasy texture and is lightweight and highly stable as it can withstand high temperatures. It contains tocopherol (vitamin E) (2). This oil is said to moisturize the hair, prevent breakage, and keep it silky, smooth, and shiny. Scroll down to learn about the hair care benefits of Abyssinian oil.
How Does Abyssinian Oil Benefit Your Hair?
Conditions The Hair
Abyssinian oil keeps your hair strands hydrated, repairs split ends, promotes hair shine, prevents frizz, and improves hair strength. This natural oil helps retain moisture in your cuticles and keeps your hair smooth.
Improves Hair Manageability
Abyssinian oil strengthens the hair fibers and makes the hair manageable. Regular use of this oil keeps the hair healthy.
Boosts Scalp Health
The unsaturated fatty acid (erucic acid) in Abyssinian oil keeps the scalp healthy and soothes scalp discomfort. This lightweight oil does not build up on the scalp, thus keeping the roots healthy. It also helps keep the scalp moisturized and prevent dryness and flaking.
Protects From Heat Damage
The hydrating and nourishing properties of Abyssinian oil protect the hair from heat damage. Heat styling tools can strip the natural oils from the hair strands, leaving them dry and brittle. Applying Abyssinian oil as pre-heat treatment can prevent this damage.
Detangles The Hair
Abyssinian oil is believed to have detangling properties, though research in this area is currently limited. The detangling process involves the smoothing of hair cuticles, reducing friction, particularly on slightly damaged hair (3). Abyssinian oil is rich in essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, which is known to nourish the hair (2), (4). You will have to leave the oil in the hair for around 20 to 30 minutes. This extended exposure is believed to allow the oil to penetrate the hair more effectively. This deep conditioning effect could potentially help with detangling, especially for severely damaged and dry hair. However, to draw concrete conclusions about the efficacy of Abyssinian oil in hair detangling, additional research is required. If you want to use Abyssinian oil on your hair, here is how to do it.
How To Use Abyssinian Oil On Hair
As An Overnight Treatment: Saturate the hair strands with Abyssinian oil and cover the head with a shower cap. Leave it overnight and wash off the next day. This overnight treatment conditions the hair, prevents breakage, and may aid hair growth. As Pre-Shampoo Treatment: Apply Abyssinian oil to the hair. Wrap a warm towel around the head and leave it on for at least an hour. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. This pre-shampoo treatment prevents dryness. As A Heat Protectant: Apply a few drops of Abyssinian oil to damp hair strands and blow dry your hair. You can also apply a few drops of the oil to the hair right before using any heat styling tools, like straighteners or curling tongs, to prevent heat damage.
Abyssinian Oil Or Argan Oil: Which One Is Better?
Both argan oil and Abyssinian oil can help keep the hair healthy and strong. They act as natural hair shine enhancers. To understand more, you can read exclusively about argan oil for hair, including ways to use it. This will help you make an informed decision and take a proactive approach to your hair care routine.
Anti- Hair Breakage Remedy With Abyssinian And Argan Oils
Is Abyssinian oil good for low porosity hair? This hair oil contains high levels of erucic acid (6). This acid may protect your hair from dehydration by forming a strong layer. In addition, it helps restore moisture and protects your hair from further damage. Is Abyssinian oil good for curly hair? Yes. Abyssinian oil helps restore moisture and forms a lipid layer, which helps detangle your curly hair easily. What does Abyssinian oil smell like? Abyssinian oil has a very faint woody aroma. Is Abyssinian oil a carrier oil? Yes. Abyssinian oil is an ultra-light carrier oil, which can spread easily without a greasy feeling.
Illustration: What Are The Benefits of Abyssinian Oil?
Discover the amazing benefits of this natural oil and how it can help you achieve beautiful hair. Learn how to use Abyssinian oil to promote healthy hair growth and shine in the following video!