Lately, it feels like everyone is talking about some form of natural hair growth oil. You see videos all over TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp groups, of people mixing cloves, rosemary, onions, and all sorts of things, claiming it made their hair grow super fast. The question is, is it really working, or are we just following the hype. After years of managing natural afro-textured hair through our salon locations in Gwarinpa and Lugbe, and years of formulating products for textured hair, we can now break natural hair growth oils explanation down in plain terms.
So, do oils actually grow hair?
Yes and no.
Hair growth mostly depends on your scalp health, your genes, and how you take care of your hair. Oils can help, especially if your scalp is dry, flaky or if your hair breaks a lot, but no oil will magically grow your hair overnight. If you’re not eating well, drinking water, and keeping your hair clean and moisturized, no ‘natural hair growth oil’ will fix that.
So, what do oils really do?
Here’s what oils are actually good for:
- They keep your scalp healthy
- They help seal in moisture (after you’ve used water or a leave-in product)
- Some oils can stimulate blood flow in your scalp, which helps with growth
- They protect your ends so your hair doesn’t break off
That’s it. They don’t “create” new hair, but they help keep what’s growing strong and healthy.
Best Oils for Natural Hair (Especially Type 4 Hair)
For scalp stimulation (helps growth):
- Castor Oil – Thick, helps with thickness
- Peppermint Oil – Feels tingly, wakes up your scalp
- Rosemary Oil – Known to help hair grow faster
- Clove Oil – Strong! Use sparingly and mix with other oils
For sealing in moisture:
- Olive Oil – Heavy and great if your hair dries out easily
- Jojoba Oil – Light and works well on the scalp
- Argan Oil – Adds shine and softens hair
- Baobab or Almond Oil – Great for dry, brittle hair
Note: Oil doesn’t moisturize your hair. Water does. Always use oil after moisturizing, not before.
Oils That Might Be Too Hyped
- Onion oil or water – Some people swear by it, but it smells awful and doesn’t work for everyone.
- Chebe powder – Traditional and powerful, but messy and can dry out your hair if not used well.
- Coconut oil – Not bad, but it can make some people’s hair feel dry and crunchy.
Try things, but don’t force it if it’s not working for your hair.
How Often Should You Use Growth Oil?
You don’t need to oil your scalp every single day.
- Massage your scalp 2–3 times a week with a few drops of oil
- Seal your ends after moisturizing (especially in dry weather)
- Use oil before washing to protect your hair from drying out (pre-poo)
Too much oil can clog your scalp and make your hair heavy so it’s important to keep it simple.
So yes, you can join the natural hair growth oil train, but do it the right way. Use oils that match your hair’s needs. Be consistent, but don’t overdo it. Remember, growth comes from care, not just from pouring oil on your head.
HairloomNG x Botafrik Hair Oil
The Botafrik hair oil is a special infused blend with ingredients that actually nourish your hair. It does not contain mineral oil or fake scents. Botafrik hair oil is sold at any of the Hairloom Salon locations. Click below to contact the salon.