Know your stuff: Oil Sheen ingredients

I remember how I used to coat my tresses in oil sheen back in the day. Attempting to make my hair shine like gold because of course if your hair is shiny, it must be healthy.....not. Too bad I learned this lesson the hard and costly way. Using oil sporadically and lightly may be okay for your hair but overdoing it can lead to dryness and breakage.

Ingredients commonly found in oil sheen:

C13 14 Isoparaffin: mixture of hydrocarbons (mineral oils) derived from petroleum, and is used in cosmetics and personal care products primarily as an emollient, and also considered a thickening agent or gelling ingredient

Citronellol: used in perfumes and insect repellents and as a mite attractant

Hexyl cinnamal: is a common additive in perfume and cosmetic industry as aroma substance.

Hydroxycitronellal/Hydroxycitronellol: used in the creation and/or manufacturing of fragrance and flavor concentrates of all types

Isobutane: used as a refrigerant, as a propellant for aerosol cans and foam products

Isodecyl Oleate: made from decyl alcohol and oleic acid. Decyl Oleate is made from straight chained decyl alcohol, while Isodecyl Oleate is made from branched chain decyl alcohol

Linalool: naturally-occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in manyflowers and spice plants with many commercial applications, the majority of which are based on its pleasant scent

Propane: derived from other petroleum products during oil or natural gas processing. It is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves and residential central heating

Simmondsia: nique among plants in that its seeds contain an oil which is a liquid wax

Fragrance (Parfum): self explanatory

It seems that most of the ingredients are used for fragrance. Okay your hair smells great but what else? Keep in mind that this ingredient list is by no means all inclusive. There are some natural oils in a few oil sheens but there is also mineral oil and petroleum in them. The last thing you want to do is block out the much needed moisture that natural hair craves.

Some natural products that can give you the same shiny effect of oil sheen:

Sweet Almond Oil

Honey

Coconut Oil

Olive Oil

I personally prefer sweet almond oil for amazing shine. I'd rather avoid the risk of dryness and breakage.