Why Oiling Your Hair Before You Wash It Is a Game-Changer

We’ve spoken at lengths about the benefits of scalp oiling. But there’s another method that deserves attention too: using oil on your hair strands as a pre-wash treatment. It may seem like an extra step, it’s one of the most effective ways to protect your hair from breakage, dryness, and protein loss during wash day.

Let’s explore why this step matters and how to do it right, because yes, there are wrong ways to do it.

What Is Pre-Wash Hair Oiling?

Pre-wash hair oiling is the practice of applying oil to the length of your hair, particularly the ends, before you shampoo. It’s not the same as oiling your scalp—it’s about giving your strands a protective boost to handle the cleansing process better.

This is especially important if you:

• Use clarifying shampoos
• Have dry, damaged, or colour-treated hair
• Want to reduce post-wash frizz
• Struggle with knots or dryness after shampooing

Click here for styling tips to prevent hair damage

The Benefits of Pre-Wash Oiling

1. Minimizes Moisture Loss During Washing

When you wet your hair, the shaft swells and contracts—especially when shampoo is involved. This can strip away natural oils and weaken the structure of the hair. A layer of oil helps protect your hair.

2. Protects Against Protein Loss

Several studies show that pre-wash oiling can reduce protein loss from hair during washing. This is key if you’re trying to maintain the strength and integrity of your strands over time.

3. Softens and Conditions Hair

Pre-wash oiling can make your hair feel softer after you shampoo. It acts like a gentle conditioner that preps your strands to handle cleansing without leaving them dry or tangled.

4. Improves Slip and Detangling

Oiling before washing adds slip to the hair, which makes detangling easier and less damaging—especially on tightly coiled, curly, or long hair that tends to knot up during shampooing.

5. Reduces Frizz and Enhances Shine

A well-oiled hair strand is more likely to have a smoother cuticle layer after washing, which means less frizz, fewer flyaways, and more shine when your hair dries.

How to Pre-Oil Your Hair Before Washing With Our Products

• Step 1: Apply the Leave-in Scalp Spray onto your hair strands. Just a light spray covering you hair is enough.
• Step 2: Apply 2 pumps of the Nourishing Hair Oil to the palms of your hands, rub your palms together and apply to one half of your hair. Repeat the process for the other half. You don’t need to drench your hair in oil!
• Step 3: Leave it in for at least 20–30 minutes. You could leave it overnight, but even a short treatment before a shower can make a difference.
• Step 4: Wash as usual. Shampoo and condition your hair as normal.

Treatment-based products that elevate your wash day results  Learn More

How Often Should You Do It?

You don’t have to oil before every wash (unless your hair really needs it). But doing it once a week or every other wash can dramatically improve how your hair feels and behaves—especially if you heat style, chemically treat, or frequently manipulate your hair.

There are three main types of hair damage that ruin your hair, click here to learn more about them

And I Repeat, Do Not…

Apply too much oil, its not necessary. 3-4 pumps of the Nourishing Hair Oil is enough as a pre-wash treatment.

In Conclusion

If you’ve been skipping oil before shampooing, you might be missing out on one of the easiest ways to protect your hair. Pre-wash oiling is not just a tradition—it’s a science-backed technique that can help you hold on to moisture, retain protein, and come out of wash day with softer, healthier strands.