Which Hair Oil Should You Use In The Winter For Your Hair Care Routine?

I live in North India where the winters can range from severe to downright harsh. And, where, for most of the lengthy four months or so from November to mid-March, one’s hair is almost always tucked under a woollen cap or a beanie. But, there are bursts of sunny days when the sun feels all warm and toasty on the skin and it is a delight to be out in the wintry sunshine. And eat winter delicacies like gajak, til ke ladoo, rewari, gajar ka halwa….but I digress!

Winter or summer, for me, the go-to hair oil has always been coconut oil. And, with good reason. Call it family tradition, if you will. That was what my mother used to apply on her hair and she had the most amazing head of hair in her youth. She used to give me a nice hair oil massage when I was a kid, and I carried that tradition over to my growing years and now, as a mom, I give weekly coconut oil hair massages to my teenage son as well. (That’s about the only time I have him totally docile, lol.)   

My mother used to have a lot of South Indian friends when she was living in the hostel. I remember her telling me about their enviably long, jet black, thick hair and the secret they let her into. Apparently it was not just the coconut oil they applied religiously to their hair, but a good amount of some wonderful stuff that also went into it. 

One of which was onion. Yes, you heard right. It is only now that one sees several online stores selling ‘onion juice enriched hair oil’ and ‘onion juice hair shampoo’ but this ancient concoction has been around for hundreds of years and is an ancient Ayurvedic tradition as well. It is only now that it has come into its own. 

So, by all means use coconut oil as it keeps your hair healthy, moisturised and nourished.

And, if you are going through a rocky relationship with your hair, then here are two amazing DIYs with coconut oil.

Just add them to your bottle of coconut oil to maximize the oodles of goodness that it already contains:

1. Onion 

What is onion rich in: Onion juice contains sulphur that helps promote collagen production. Collagen helps in the regeneration of healthy skin cells and hair growth.

Benefits: If you are suffering from hairfall, early greying or hair thinning, then there is nothing better than applying onion juice mixed in coconut oil to your scalp and hair. 

Deep fry half a finely chopped onion in a bowl of coconut oil till it turns a nice dark brown. Let the mixture cool. Strain and then apply it in your hair, giving a good old-fashioned brisk massage till your scalp tingles.  It might smell a bit but that’s only temporary. If it keeps greying at bay for the longest possible time, then who’s complaining!

Word of caution: Avoid applying onion juice directly to your scalp as it can cause skin irritation and red patches on the skin.

2. Curry leaves

What are curry leaves rich in: Rich in anti-oxidants, curry leaves are also loaded with beta-carotene and proteins, which are great for preventing hair loss and thinning of hair. 

Benefits: Powerful hair growth promoters, reverse hair damage and help with dandruff control.

Heat some coconut oil in a small pan. Now add 10 to 12 fresh curry leaves and let them turn dark and black around the edges. Turn of the heat. Once cool but still slightly warm, massage it on your scalp with your fingers. For best results, leave it overnight on your hair, and wash it off in the morning. Again, try going natural, using either reetha-aamla-shikakai powders or as whole pods. Will share how to make this herbal shampoo in another blogpost. Do this at least twice a week and see significant changes in a month.

As far as hair oils go, coconut oil is definitely the undisputed king. Long or short, curly or straight, every type of hair can benefit enormously from the vitamins and fatty acids it contains. 

I always have a bottle in my bathroom cabinet and it’s already starting to solidify a bit since winter is almost here. During winters it is frozen solid into a white mass and I need to warm it before I can use it. I know spring is around the corner when I see the solid mass begin to melt into clear liquid once more! 🙂 Till then, it remains a pristine white reminder of all the goodness it has to offer.