Making sure your hair is properly moisturized is a key element in maintaining hair healthy, whether natural or chemically treated. So no matter how I style my hair, I make sure that my strands and scalp are properly oiled (NOT greased) with a light, non-petroleum/mineral oil based product.
NOTE: Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin and hair just like plastic wrap. The skin’s natural barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin’s ability to release toxins and wastes is impossible through this “plastic wrap,” which can promote acne and other disorders. It further hinders normal skin respiration/transpiration by keeping oxygen out. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age. Holding in large a mounts of moisture in the skin can “flood” the biology and may result in immature, unhealthy, sensitive skin that dries out easily. Petrolatum - A petroleum-based grease that is used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil. (source: www.nappturality.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=22)
To date, my two favourite commercial products for moisturization purposes have been:
Africa’s Best Utilmate Herbal Oil and African Royale Hot Six Oil.
NOTE: On my Products Page I listed that I used Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural daily oil cream moisturizer and Olive Oil nourishing sheen spray, but have since stopped using it due to mineral oil being the chief ingredient in both products.
Both oils boost an “impressive” ingredient starting line up of “natural” oils such as soy bean, sweet almond, and olive, and a wide array of other nurturing elements. In addition to the benefits these two oils have for your hair, they are equally as good for your skin, and can be used as a massage, bath, and nail oil! Talk about bang for your buck. *wink* But one day, while discussing the products I use on my hair, I was asked which oil I preferred and why. Honestly, I only picked up Africa’s Best because the store didn’t have any Hot Six Oil when I went shopping, assuming the two were inter-changeable since they were both oils. A preliminary check of the ingredients assured me there was no mineral oil or petroleum so, I put the AB oil in my basket and kept it moving.
But the question got me to wondering, and the wondering got me to component comparing, and component comparing rendered a few surprises and boat load of enlightenment!
1. I paid a visit to the company Websites of both products. Or, I made an earnest attempt to.
At Bronner.com, makers of African Royale Hot Six Oil, has a long standing history in hair care manufacturing and has this to say about its product:
Hot Six Oil is made from only ALL NATURAL plant herbs and oils with absolutely NO ANIMAL FAT or animal oils Hot Six Oil’s special light formula goes in hair, skin, scalp, and nail cuticles easily and without heavy oil build up. Hot Six Oil leaves your hair light and well conditioned.
HC Industries, Inc., manufacturers of African’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, who I have never heard of, would probably boast a similar claim for their product… provided they had a Website. I did, however, find a company profile for a business with the same name HERE, but am not clear if the two are one in the same since the company listed on AB’s bottle says it’s located in Stone Mountain, GA. The one listed on Manta is in Dallas, TX.
So score one point for AR, for having a reputable company backing it. Not sure I can trust a product whose company keeps its identity a secret.
2. I compared ingredients.
African Royale Hot Six Oil: Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Safflower Oil, Sesame Oil, Vitamins E, A, & D, CYCLOMETHICONE*, Sheep Sorrell, Yarrow, Slippery Elm Bark, Sage, Henna, Comfrey, Burdock Root, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Cherry Bark, Black Walnut, Chamomile, Alfalfa, Hyssop, Wheat Germ, Fragrance.
Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil: Soy Bean Oil, Walnut Seed Oil, Kiwi Fruit, Extract Olive Fruit Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate*, Safflower Oil, Calendula Extract, Yarrow Extract, Cucumber Extract, Carrageenan Extract, Ginseng Extract, Sage Extract, Comfery Extract, Aloe Extract, Fragrance.
* Synthetically made vitamin E
* A derivative of silicone
NOTE: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. “Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes,” (Home Safe Home). For better health try purchasing unscented products and for fragrance, adding a natural essential oil. (source: www.nappturality.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=22)
So in the ingredient realm, it seems AB has a leg up on AR, with only “one” potentially harmful ingredient. However, AR seems to be loaded with more full strength herbs and actual vitamin content, while AB relies on extracts and a synthetic vitamin E substance.
3. I compared price.
At Walgreens.com, AR seems to be coming in as the more expensive of the two at a “hefty” $4.99 per 8 oz. bottle. For an 8 oz. bottle of AB, you come out $1.70 cheaper at $3.29. In my opinion, the price difference is directly related to the ingredients (extracts vs. full strength) used in each product. Prices vary for each product depending on the “store”, but AR still comes out as the “pricer” of the two.
So, with all those things considered, I guess I would have to say that despite the price difference, I much prefer African Royale Hot Six Oil to Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, which doesn’t seem so “ulitmate” now that I look at it. *lol* The fact that AR contains a silicone derivative does not sway my choice one bit because I personally do not use it heavily, or constant enough for my hair to be negatively affected by silicone’s “smothering” properties.
I guess when all is said and done, it’s come out better if I just stick to a light coating of regular old olive oil after washing, and a daily vitamin E supplement. But since I’ve already shelled out $3.79 (Beauty Club member price) for a full bottle at Sally’s, Hot Six Oil isn’t too bad of an alternative, in my humble opinion.
Blessed Be…
Idadi
Very thorough and educational. We have used the miracle oil a lot in the past. My mother still likes it for my sisters’ hair. I hardly ever use it because I am using other, lighter products right now. As far as olive oil, the smell irks me. If I could get olive oil to smell like…lavender or something… then I would use it on the regular.
Cracks me up to think they all figure putting “Africa” in the name will make African Americans flock to buy their products.
Thanks for this comparison. I found it to be very helpful. I often picked up both of these oils but put them back down because i just didn’t have an understanding of the ingredients. But now that i’ve gone natural i am playing closer attention to ingredients. how do you use this oil and how often?
Thanks
[...] In the realm of questions, Nikky asks: How do you use this oil and how often? (Special Interest: Slide Some Oil to Me) [...]
Honey too, can act as a good product for taking care of one’s hair.