Oils & Butters
Coconut, argan, jojoba, castor, olive, avocado, shea — what each is known for.
Last reviewed by the Hairavie editorial team on September 1, 2026.
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At a glance
| Ingredient | Relative feel | Commonly used for |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut oil | Medium | Pre-wash treatment; reported to reduce protein loss in treated hair |
| Argan oil | Light to medium | Surface smoothing and shine in small amounts |
| Jojoba | Light | A liquid wax ester; lightweight lubrication |
| Castor oil | Very rich | Heavy sealing and shine; usually blended |
| Olive oil | Rich | Conditioning and slip, often pre-wash |
| Avocado oil | Medium to rich | Conditioning treatments |
| Shea butter | Rich, solid | Sealing, definition, dry-ends care |
Conditioning is not growth
Every entry above is a cosmetic conditioning story: lubrication, smoothing, reduced friction, feel. None of them is established to stimulate follicular hair growth.
When you see an oil marketed for growth, look for whether the claim is about the fibre (plausible cosmetic effect) or the follicle (a much bigger claim needing much better evidence).
On the scalp
Oils applied to the scalp can feel soothing and reduce the tight feeling some people get after washing. They can also contribute to buildup or, for some people, irritation. Essential oils in particular should be diluted.
How Hairavie knows this
Hairavie cites peer-reviewed research, scientific reviews, reference textbooks, dermatology organisations and government health resources. Beauty blogs are never used as scientific authority.
- Peer-reviewed studyRele, A. S. & Mohile, R. B. (2003). Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. Journal of Cosmetic Science
- Peer-reviewed studyKeis, K. et al. (2005). Investigation of penetration abilities of various oils into human hair fibers. Journal of Cosmetic Science
- Reference textbookRobbins, C. R. (2012). Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair (5th ed.). Springer
- Scientific reviewGavazzoni Dias, M. F. R. (2015). Hair cosmetics: an overview. International Journal of Trichology
Keep reading
How to Read an Ingredient List
Ingredient lists are a genuinely useful window into a formula — and they are not the recipe.
6 min readOils for Your Hair Type
A practical starting-point guide that keeps strand thickness and porosity as two separate questions, because they are.
9 min readSilicones: Good, Bad, or Neither?
Silicones are a broad family of ingredients used for slip and smoothness. Whether they suit you depends on formula, routine and results.
6 min readHairavie provides cosmetic hair-care education only. It does not diagnose or treat medical or scalp conditions. If symptoms persist or you're concerned about hair loss or scalp health, consult a qualified healthcare professional.