Curly Hair: Oily or Dry? Understanding the Unique Care Needs of Curly Hair

Is Curly Hair More Oily or Dry? The Truth Behind Curly Hair Care

Understanding the Unique Needs of Curly Hair

Well, if you’ve ever had curly hair, you know it’s not like straight hair. Honestly, it can be a love-hate relationship. One day your curls look amazing, and the next, they’re dry and frizzy. The real question, though, is whether curly hair is more oily or dry. Spoiler alert: it’s both, but in different ways!

From my own experience, I’ve learned that curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair, and there’s a good reason for that. Curly hair has twists and turns, which make it harder for natural oils produced by the scalp to travel down the hair shaft. This leads to dryness, especially at the ends. But here’s the catch: some people with curly hair can struggle with excess oil too, depending on their hair type and scalp condition. Let’s dive into why this happens.

Why Curly Hair is Often More Dry

The Structure of Curly Hair

Honestly, when I first learned about how curly hair works, I was blown away. Curly hair tends to be drier because of its shape. The more twists and turns your hair has, the harder it is for sebum (the natural oil your scalp produces) to travel down the length of the hair. That means the oils have trouble reaching the ends, leaving them dry and often frizzy.

I used to struggle with my curls being dry all the time. No matter how much conditioner I used, it always felt like my ends were thirsty for moisture. Over time, I realized it was all about the hair’s structure—not just my choice of products. Curly hair requires extra hydration because of its natural bends, which can lead to increased porosity.

How Products Affect Curly Hair

Okay, so here's the thing: even though curly hair tends to be drier, it’s also more susceptible to damage from certain products. Overusing products with harsh chemicals can strip your curls of their natural oils, leaving them even more brittle and dry. I learned this the hard way when I tried to use a generic shampoo without really thinking about its ingredients. My curls felt like straw after a few washes. Trust me, finding the right products for curly hair is a game-changer. It's all about adding moisture without overloading your hair with heavy products that can make things greasy.

When Curly Hair Can Be Oily

Scalp Oil Buildup

I know what you’re thinking—curly hair can’t be oily, right? Well, sometimes, it can be. Here’s why: if your scalp produces too much oil (which can happen for various reasons, like hormonal changes or an oily scalp), that oil can accumulate on the scalp but not reach the ends of your curls. In this case, your scalp can feel greasy, but your curls still feel dry. This imbalance is frustrating, I know, because you’re left with a shiny, oily scalp and frizzy, dry hair. Ugh!

Over-washing and Over-conditioning

Another thing to consider is how often you wash your hair. If you wash curly hair too frequently, you strip away too much of the natural oil, causing your scalp to overcompensate by producing even more oil. It’s a vicious cycle, and I’ve been there! I used to wash my hair every day, thinking that would help manage oiliness, but it actually made my scalp produce more oil. Cutting back on washes and using a more gentle approach helped me regain some balance.

Tips for Balancing Oil and Dryness in Curly Hair

Hydration Is Key

Okay, let’s talk about the good stuff—what can you do to balance out the dryness and oiliness? Well, hydration is your best friend. Use leave-in conditioners or deep conditioning treatments to keep your curls moisturized. Honestly, once I started using a quality leave-in conditioner after washing, my curls looked way healthier, less frizzy, and not so parched at the ends.

You don’t have to wash your hair every day either. For curly hair, washing two or three times a week is usually enough to keep things balanced. And, trust me, it’s better for your hair’s health, too.

Scalp Care

If you’re dealing with an oily scalp, try using a clarifying shampoo once every couple of weeks to remove buildup. But don’t overdo it! Over-washing with clarifying products can lead to even more dryness. I learned this the hard way when I went on a clarifying shampoo spree trying to fight oil buildup, only to make my hair feel like it was going to snap off. So, be gentle with your scalp—scalp massages with oils like tea tree or peppermint can help balance oil production too.

Use the Right Oils

If you have curly hair, you can still use oils, but it’s important to choose the right ones. Lighter oils like argan oil or jojoba oil can work wonders for curly hair without weighing it down or making it greasy. Apply a small amount to the ends of your hair to seal in moisture without overloading your curls. I swear by argan oil now—it’s a game changer for maintaining soft, shiny curls without the greasy feeling.

Conclusion: Is Curly Hair More Oily or Dry?

Honestly, curly hair can be both oily and dry at the same time—it just depends on the individual’s scalp, hair type, and product routine. Typically, curly hair tends to lean toward dryness because of its shape, but it’s definitely possible to have an oily scalp while still dealing with dry ends. The key to managing curly hair is balance: keep your scalp clean and your hair moisturized. If you can find that sweet spot, your curls will thank you for it.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.