Do You Need Apricot Oil In Your Hair Care Routine? Here's What To Know

Part of building a great hair care routine unique to your hair type is trying out new ingredients and incorporating them into your routine so you can find the perfect solution for all your hair needs. Before you unthinkingly add new products to your hair, though, it's good to be in the know and do some research. One ingredient you could consider incorporating into your hair care routine is apricot oil so you can take better care of your hair. 

Your hair is your crowning glory, and taking good care of it plays a big part in how you present yourself. Hair that is luscious and healthy adds a whole new dimension to your look and will even leave you feeling more confident. However, great hair doesn't just happen unless you're fortunate. A lot of those with beautiful manes put in an active effort to maintain their locks. This is why a reliable and effective hair care routine is so important. Maybe apricot oil is the missing puzzle piece in yours.

Apricot oil is just what it sounds like. It is the oil that is extracted from the apricot fruit. The apricot, found most commonly in the Mediterranean region, is a sweet fruit with an orange hue, similar to a plum or peach. Apricots are consumed fresh, dried, canned, and sometimes even cooked. Apricot oil, however, is not extracted from the fruit but rather from the seed of the fruit. It is also sometimes referred to as apricot kernel oil.

The chemical makeup of the oil is comparable to the natural oil our skin produces, known as sebum. Apricot oil is also known for its many benefits, not just for your hair but for your skin, too. It can help you attain softer, supple skin and works great on bruises and cuts, helping them heal faster. Additionally, apricot kernel oil has medicinal uses such as relieving joint pain and stiffness, coughs, colds, and constipation.

The hair care benefits of apricot oil are truly magnificent, owing to the many unique properties the oil possesses. For example, apricot oil is great at hydrating your hair because it contains different fatty acids. One of the components of apricot oil is linoleic acid, the fatty acid that makes apricot oil so great at locking moisture in the hair and scalp. Yes, that's right, not only does it hydrate your hair, but it also moisturizes the scalp. This makes it an excellent solution for hair loss, one of today's most common problems.

Additionally, the chemical makeup of apricot oil contains vitamins such as A and E. These are both vitamins that our hair and scalp thrive off of and are essential for a healthy scalp and hair. Typically, many people have to incorporate these vitamins into their routines separately. With apricot oil, however, you can enjoy the benefits of a range of vitamins in one ingredient. 

There are multiple ways to incorporate apricot kernel oil into your hair care regime if you wish to do so. A great method is to use the oil to give yourself a scalp massage. Massaging the scalp is a tried and tested way of promoting blood flow and circulation in the scalp, and adding apricot oil to the process is an excellent idea. After massaging the scalp with the oil, leave it for up to 40 minutes. Afterward, you can rinse your hair with your regular shampoo and conditioner and style it as usual. 

The oil is also great as a hot oil treatment. Heat the oil very slightly and apply it to your scalp. When the oil is warm, it'll penetrate deep into the pores of your scalp, making it an effective treatment. You can also look for apricot oil in the products you use in your hair care routine — just read the ingredients list. 

Although apricot oil is packed full of nutrients and is great at what it does, it might not be the right hair oil for your hair type. This is because people have different hair types, and specific ingredients might not work for certain individuals. Assessing your hair type before deciding what to put on it is crucial. For example, if you have dry and frizzy hair in desperate need of moisture, apricot oil is likely the ideal solution. On the other hand, if your scalp and hair are very oily, you might benefit from a different type of oil, such as Ylang Ylang oil.

At the end of the day, however, there is no better way to find out if apricot oil will do the trick for you without trial and potential error. So, don't be afraid to slowly but surely incorporate apricot oil into your routine.

While there aren't any serious side effects from using apricot oil, there are, of course, still precautions you can take to ensure a safe experience. For instance, if you are allergic to apricots, it's probably best to stay away from the oil, even if it's only applied topically. If you decide to incorporate apricot oil into your regime, doing a patch test beforehand is wise. This, of course, applies to any new product you are trying out for the first time that may contain apricot oil, as well. If, after the patch test, you notice signs of irritation such as redness, swelling, or itching, you should stop using the product, as it could mean you have an allergic reaction to apricot oil. 

Additionally, be careful not to ingest the oil as there is evidence to support side effects such as diarrhea, stomach cramping, and nausea from consuming it.