What does oil add to conditioner?

I've heard many people say that they add oils to commercial conditioner for a deep conditioning. What benefit does the oil add? It confuses me since I always hear that oil is for sealing in moisture, not adding moisture. What is the effect of putting the oil in the conditioner. Anyone have thoughts?

I use EVOO once a week, mixed with a conditioner and baggy for a few hours or overnight. I wake up and wash it out and my hair is so soft it is incredible! it is definately moisturizing.

I don't have a scientific answer, but for me the oil adds softness to my hair. When I don't put oil in my DC (which is rare) my hair isn't as soft and smooth when I wash it out. Recently I started adding honey also and I see/feel a huge difference in my hair. The honey adds so much moisture...I don't know why I waited so long to try it!

When I add an oil to my conditioner to deep condition, it's usually on that is know to penetrate the hair like jojoba and coconut oil. For me adding other oils, like EVOO or castor oil, it just ups the shine/sheen factor for my hair.

I add EVOO jojoba or coconut oil baggy overnite or for a couple of hours My hair feels so soft & shiny after

Thanks for the responses! I think I may try it today, my daughter and I are having a lazy day at home so I think I will DC my hair.

I only add coconut oil because it penetrates the hair and adds more slip to the conditioner.

I never added coconut oil, but I'm going to try it this weekend. Thanks for the idea ladies!

I echo the other ladies. From my research, there are only three oils that can penetrate the hair shaft : coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil. The number 1 being coconut oil, as it has GREAT conditioning properties. I mostly use castor oil as a sealant, and it works GREAT for shine. There are other oils that have partial penetration, but olive, coconut, and avocado have complete penetration into the hair shaft. When I deep condition, I use equal parts conditioner and oil.

Hi Ladies....just another quick question to add to the original question. How much do you put in the condition? Do I just put a little in my hand along with the condition?

Courtrhaspsody, the short answer is what it does depends on which oil you use. Different oils have different properties and functions.

http://thankgodimnatural.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/ten-best-oils-for-natural-hair/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Natural-Oils-For-Black-Hair-Care&id=2804587

http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/45263.aspx

theurbanwifey wrote:Hi Ladies....just another quick question to add to the original question. How much do you put in the condition? Do I just put a little in my hand along with the condition?

I usually put the conditioner in another container and mix the oil in.

Update: I mixed up Giovanni Smooth as Silk (my fav conditioner) with castor oil and a little honey. It made a really creamy mix and my hair felt soft as I applied it. I am wearing a baggy right now so hopefully I will get nice results. I also have EVOO and jojoba, next time I will try one of those. Thanks for the input everyone!

theurbanwifey wrote:Hi Ladies....just another quick question to add to the original question. How much do you put in the condition? Do I just put a little in my hand along with the condition?

I usually mix in at about 2 tablespoons of oil.

Ditto to what the ladies have stated already.

I have used all kinds of oils and have discovered not all oils are created equal.

I have discovered that olive & coconut oils don't do my hair justice-
they just sit on my strands & scalp.
Avocado and veggie oils love my hair & make it supple.

Oil also prevents the 'crunchies' that
develop when condish dries in the hair
(using condish as a leave-in).

When I use conditioner to detangle and add oil it helps add slip to make detangling a little easier.

Thanks for the tips ladies....I will definately be trying this when I wash my hair this week because I do notice after washing my hair with shampoo my hair is hard feeling and even though the conditioner softens it, it's nothing drastic.

MY DC is a big deal lol since 'im transitioning , i add avocado , EVOO , coconut oil and jojoba oil to it and it makes my hair feel so soft and just has to be beneficial lol

O i forgot i also add honey

krazy coils wrote:When I use conditioner to detangle and add oil it helps add slip to make detangling a little easier.

Same for me.

When I added jojoba oil to my DC, the slip was unreal. I don't think it has drastically cut down on the detangling time, but I know I'm being much gentler with my hair.

I'm going to add honey next and see what that does.

krazy coils wrote:When I use conditioner to detangle and add oil it helps add slip to make detangling a little easier.

Same here! When I add oils, a little butter and honey to my cheap conditioners, it cuts down the detangling process by half!