6 min read
2026-06-19
Carrier Oils for Summer Hair Care
Written By: Robin Lander
Summer is officially here! We’re looking forward to sunny days, blissful breezes, and refreshing swims, but not what these can do to the hair. While hats and swim caps are certainly helpful, healthy-looking summer hair often needs a little extra support.
Much like skin may suffer from prolonged fun in the sun, so can hair. Thankfully, there are a number of botanical carrier oils that can help protect hair from the damaging effects of sun, wind, chlorine, and salt water. If high-heat styling or chemical processing are part of your routine, these nourishing oils can support stressed strands as well.
How about creating an oil-based hair formulation to help reduce moisture loss, provide conditioning, and improve protection, smoothness, and shine? Follow along as we cover the top carrier oils for summer hair care and how to use them.
A Bit About Human Hair
Our hair is a multi-layered structure composed of proteins, lipids, pigments, and water. The outermost cuticle is made up of transparent, scale-like cells of keratin proteins along with a matrix of protective lipids, or oils that act like ‘glue’ to keep the keratin together. Acting like a hardened physical shield, the cuticle is the hair’s first defense from the elements of sun, sea, and chemical exposure.
A strong, smooth cuticle keeps locks looking glossy and beautiful, helps hair retain moisture, and controls what goes in and out of the inner cortex. The inner cortex contains most of the hair’s pigment, along with structural proteins and naturally occurring lipids. A well-protected inner cortex contributes to the strength and elasticity of hair as well as the maintenance of hair color.
When our hair is damaged by environmental stressors, heat, or chemical processing, the compromised cuticle and cortex may fail to retain moisture and color, resulting in color fading, breakage, and dry, brittle hair.
What Carrier Oils Can Do for Hair
Carrier oils are nutrient-dense botanical oils extracted from nuts and seeds. When applied to hair, they form an occlusive layer on the hair’s surface, replenishing and fortifying the cuticle, leading to smoother, shinier strands. Their lubricating action can also help reduce the damaging effects of friction caused by brushing, combing, and styling.
While scientific research continues to investigate which carrier oils can reach the inner cortex of the hair, many are known to help strengthen and support the cuticle barrier. This protection can help the cortex retain its moisture and color and reduce further damage from UV rays, salt and chlorinated water, and heat and chemical styling.
The Best Carrier Oils for Summer Hair Care
Lipid-rich botanical oils contain beneficial fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and enhance barrier protection. Monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid are particularly helpful because they are intensely emollient, helping soften hair while filling in gaps in the cuticle.
Saturated fatty acids like stearic, behenic, and palmitic help smooth and condition the cuticle, sealing in moisture and improving softness. By helping defend the inner cortex, they may contribute to improved hair strength and elasticity.
When choosing oils for hair care formulations, keep in mind that carrier oils high in monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids are more resistant to oxidation, helping ensure greater stability of your creations. While the following carrier oils are beneficial for all hair types, their texture and properties make them ideal for certain types of hair.
Carrier Oils for Dry, Coarse, or Thick Hair
Argan Oil – Organic – A potent combination of oleic, linoleic, and stearic fatty acids and vitamin E, Argan improves moisture and shine, protects from heat, softens hair, and helps reduce breakage. By smoothing the cuticle, it helps reduce frizz and flyaway hair and improves the texture of damaged hair.
Moringa Oil - Organic – The oleic and behenic fatty acids in Moringa smooth the hair cuticle with a rich, velvety barrier that helps shield hair from the sun, reduce color fading and breakage, and makes detangling easier. It’s especially nourishing for chemically treated hair.
Baobab Oil – Organic – With a medium-weight texture that especially softens and smooths dry, curly, and thick hair, Baobab helps improve hair texture, elasticity, and shine without leaving a greasy feel. It also helps calm and nourish the scalp.
Jojoba Oil, Golden - Organic – A liquid wax similar to human sebum, Jojoba is exceptionally stable in heat and sunlight. By sealing in moisture, it helps reduce hair breakage, protein loss, heat-related dryness, and frizz. It’s also one of the best oils for the scalp, helping clarify hair follicles.
Carrier Oils for Oily, Fine, or Thin Hair
Marula Oil - Organic – ultra-lightweight Marula fortifies the cuticle and conditions without clumping fine hair together. It’s excellent for damaged and fragile hair, helping to soften and reduce frizz, while its high oleic acid content helps give a glossy finish.
Camellia Seed Oil - Organic – high in antioxidants and oleic acid, Camellia has a clean, ‘dry’ feel that adds luster and supports elasticity without feeling heavy. Also known as Tea Seed Oil, it has been used for centuries in Japan to protect hair from sun exposure and improve its appearance.
Sunflower Oil – Organic – Nourishing the hair cuticle with a lightweight barrier, Sunflower helps increase hair strength and lends incredible softness and shine. Our special high-oleic Sunflower has a lighter feel than other high-oleic carrier oils and is ideal for fine hair and daily leave-in formulas.
Fractionated Coconut Oil - Organic – With its medium-chain triglyceride structure, Fractionated Coconut replenishes hair deeply and is ideal for daily hair care because it washes out easily. It also has superior stability in heat and sunlight. When used as a daily leave-in smoothing oil, Fractionated Coconut seals in hydration, tames flyaways, and helps curly or fine hair feel silky without greasiness.
How to Use Oils for Summer Hair Care
Time to get creative! Keep it simple and choose one favorite carrier oil for summer hair care or create a unique formula by selecting 3-5 oils for a custom blend based on hair type and specific needs.
Carrier oils perform differently depending on whether they are applied to wet or dried hair. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose your best methods:
Applying Oils to Wet Hair
· Makes combing and detangling easier
· Helps protect hair from heat styling and summer conditions
· Feels lightest with a silkier finish
· Best for daily maintenance to help seal in moisture
Method: Towel dry hair, warm 2-3 drops of oil in your hands, then work it through hair from mid-length to ends. If you use a leave-in hair conditioner, apply the carrier oil on top to help your hair best retain the conditioner throughout the day. Style as usual.
Tip for Swimming: Before jumping in, wet hair thoroughly with clean tap water, if possible. Hair will absorb less pool or sea water if it’s already saturated. Then, smooth a few drops of oil into wet hair to help lock in moisture and fortify the protective hair cuticle.
Applying Oils to Dried Hair
· Helps reduce frizz, static, and flyaway hair
· Coats the cuticle more directly to smooth and add shine
· May help defend hair from some of the damaging effects of sun exposure
· Best for a weekly hair mask or deep conditioning treatment
Method: Warm 2-3 drops of oil in your hands and lightly smooth over hair, especially frizzy areas and dry ends. If you style your hair, do this last.
As a Deep Treatment or Hair Mask: To use, warm the oil slightly by placing the bottle in bowl of hot water, just to body temperature. Depending on the length and thickness of hair, you’ll need 15 mls to 2 oz. (1 – 4 tablespoons). Apply to dry hair, focusing on mid-lengths to ends. If your scalp is dry and needs support, massage into the scalp for added benefits. Cover hair with a shower cap and leave on for 30–60 minutes, then wash hair. Repeat once a week, or more frequently during the summer.
Final Notes for Formulators
Knowing the best carrier oils for summer hair care can help you create customized and effective hair masks, deep treatments, daily hair oils, pre-swim treatments, nourishing styling aids, and more. Essential oils can be included at a 1-2% dilution to contribute extra antioxidant properties and a unique fragrance profile.
While oils high in monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids generally have good stability, summer formulas can greatly benefit from the addition of an antioxidant to extend freshness such as our Rosemary Antioxidant CO2 - Organic. Keep your hair oils in a cool, dark, dry place. Enjoy your summer!
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