These ingredients are popular, but they’re not helpful for every hair type and may actually be hurting your progress.
Aug 19, 2025
Coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil are a lot of times praised as miracle ingredients for curly hair. They’re everywhere. People talk about them like they’re the key to moisture and growth. But for a lot of naturals, especially those with low porosity or fine strands, these same oils might be causing dryness, breakage, and product buildup.
This post will explain why those thick oils and butters might be working against you, what they’re actually meant to do, and how to tell if your hair needs something else.
And if you want the full solution with product swaps, porosity-based oil breakdowns, and step-by-step tips for using heavier ingredients the right way, I’ll be posting it this Thursday. Subscribe (for free) so you get it as soon as it drops.Subscribe
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Why So Many People Started Using Heavy Oils
When the natural hair movement first started gaining traction online, the focus was on doing less and using natural ingredients. People started using coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil because they were easy to find and affordable. And for some hair types, they actually helped.
If you have high porosity hair or thick strands, sealing oils and butters can help you retain moisture for longer and protect your ends. These ingredients create a thick layer that keeps water from evaporating too fast.
But the problem is… people started recommending them to everyone. No porosity check. No strand thickness check. No explanation about how they’re supposed to work. Just “use this and your hair will grow.”
What Oils and Butters Actually Do
Let’s make something clear. Coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil do not moisturize your hair. They seal in whatever moisture you already put in. That means if your hair is dry and you put oil on top, you’re just trapping dryness inside.
These oils are occlusive. That’s a science term for ingredients that sit on top of your hair and block water from getting in or out. That can be helpful… but only if your hair was hydrated first.
If it wasn’t, now you’ve created buildup that water can’t get through. And the more layers you add, the drier and stiffer your hair starts to feel.
Be honest… have you ever done a full LOC method with shea butter and wondered why your hair still felt dry two days later? Or did your hair start breaking more after using castor oil because everyone said it was “thick and good for growth”?
Drop a comment below. I want to hear what happened.
When These Oils Make Things Worse
Here’s who usually struggles with these ingredients the most:
- Low porosity hair: Your cuticle is already tight and closed. Oils and butters just sit there. They don’t soak in.
- Fine strands: Thick oils like castor or shea butter are too heavy. They weigh the strands down and make breakage more likely.
- Low density hair: Heavy products can smother your scalp and clog follicles. That slows growth over time.
- People who co-wash only: These oils don’t rinse out with water. If you’re not using shampoo, the buildup adds up fast.
Even if your hair is high porosity, you can still overdo it. Especially if you’re layering thick leave-ins, butters, creams, and oils every few days with no full cleanse.
Product Buildup and Why It Happens So Fast
A lot of naturals don’t realize how often they need to shampoo. They think if they’re using “natural” products or oils that smell good and feel soft, then they don’t need to wash as much.
But coconut oil and castor oil don’t evaporate. They stay in your hair until you remove them. Same with most thick butters. And if you keep applying them without cleaning your scalp, they just pile up.
This is why some people’s hair feels worse the more they “moisturize.” The moisture can’t get in anymore. It’s trapped under layers of buildup that haven’t been washed out properly.
???? And if you don’t feel like guessing anymore…
I build custom routines for paid subscribers based on your hair type, porosity, goals, and moisture needs — for just $5/month.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
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???????? Subscribe now to get yours.Subscribe
The Truth About Thick Products
Here’s another common mistake: thinking the thicker the product, the better it must be. That’s not true.
Thick products can feel rich and creamy, but they’re not always what your hair needs. If your strands are fine or your scalp gets greasy fast, lightweight stylers and sprays will usually work better. What matters more than the thickness is the function.
Ask yourself:
- Is my hair actually absorbing this?
- Does my hair feel softer two days later?
- Does my scalp feel itchy or coated?
- Do I need to re-moisturize more or less when I use this?
If your answers aren’t positive, it’s time to rethink what you’re using.
If this post gave you clarity but you still don’t know what to use for your specific porosity or density, I’ll be posting the full guide this Thursday. It’ll include:
- Which oils and butters work for each porosity
- What to avoid if you have fine or low density strands
- Signs you’re sealing in dryness instead of moisture
- How to build a sealing routine without buildup
Subscribe (for free) now to get notified as soon as it drops.Subscribe
How I Can Help You Right Now
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• A step-by-step routine for wash days, deep conditioning, styling, and maintenance
• Product recommendations that match your porosity and density (no filler)
• A cheat sheet so you don’t have to keep watching videos or googling anything
• Weekly tips that make it easier to stick with your plan and actually grow your hair
• DM access to ask me questions if you need clarification or adjustmentsSubscribe
Why Should You Trust Me?
I’m a 3x Certified Natural Hair Practitioner, and I’ve spent the last 8 years learning, experimenting, and teaching everything I know about afro-textured hair. I’ve helped thousands of people grow longer, healthier, stronger hair by giving them routines that actually work for their hair type.
I price my routines at just $5/month because I remember how hard it was to find real help when I started. Most hair courses and coaching programs charge $100+, and honestly? A lot of them still leave you confused. I want this to be accessible, affordable, and actually helpful because that’s what I needed back then.
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