It’s nicknamed the ‘Tree of Life’, and for good reason. The bark and fruit of the baobab (Adansonia) tree offer over 300 life-sustaining uses. Its fruit is nutrient-packed, its trunk provides shelter, and its seeds produce the very oil we’re raving about. While baobab oil has long been praised in skincare, it’s now finding a new spotlight in the world of haircare.

So, what makes baobab oil for hair so special? From hydration and shine to scalp health, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before adding this naturally nourishing oil to your routine.

What exactly is baobab oil?

We use upcycled baobab oil in our latest product, our nourishing Hair Serum. In the formulation, we use sustainably sourced and ECOCERT-approved baobab oil, which helps local communities as well as your hair. 

Upcycled baobab extract is protein-rich and a bioactive oligopeptide – a short chain of amino acids that are linked by peptides. The ingredient helps to nourish, strengthen, and protect hair, improving elasticity and providing UV protection.

The fruit of the baobab tree is used, leaving behind the seed. Our extract is made by breaking down the proteins in the seed into smaller oligopeptides, which makes the ingredient more effective and nourishing.

Why this oil deserves a spot in your routine

As with any trending ingredient in skincare or haircare, you’ve probably heard some wild claims about how effective it is. No oil is going to give you double-length, lustrous locks overnight. However, it can create the optimal environment for healthy hair growth. When you add in some scalp care to the mix, you can reduce breakage and improve the strength of your strands.

So, what exactly are the baobab benefits for hair? Let’s break it down:

1. Deep hydration without heaviness

If your hair feels rough and dry, or brittle and in need of a hit of hydration, baobab oil helps replenish lost moisture. Unlike some heavier oils, it sinks in quickly, making it especially good for daily use or fine hair that gets weighed down easily.

2. Healthy scalp support

A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. Baobab oil is rich in vitamin E, which helps to soothe irritation, reduce flakiness, and restore balance. This can be particularly helpful if your scalp feels tight, itchy, or stressed by weather changes.

3. Stronger, more resilient strands

Baobab oil is packed with fatty acids that help reinforce your hair’s natural barrier, leading to healthier locks. This makes strands less prone to snapping or splitting, which is especially important if you use heat to style your hair, colour your hair, or are trying to retain your hair’s length.

4. Natural shine and softness

After using natural baobab oil on your locks, you’ll see a visible gloss is left behind. The oil helps to smooth the cuticle, reflecting light more evenly and making your hair look shinier, feel silkier, and be easier to detangle and style.

5. Frizz control and definition

For curly and textured hair, baobab oil works to seal in moisture and define curls without leaving a sticky residue or hair feeling uncomfortable. This helps to keep frizz at bay and makes styling more manageable.

6. Protection against environmental stress

Sun exposure, pollution, and even indoor heating can leave your hair feeling parched. The antioxidants in baobab oil combat this by shielding strands from free radical damage, keeping them stronger and healthier in the long run.

Whether your hair feels dull, dry, or you think it needs a bit of TLC, baobab oil is an easy way to boost its overall health.

Which hair types can use baobab oil?

Not all oils suit all hair types, but baobab is surprisingly versatile. Here’s how it plays with different textures, from thick curls to fine strands:

• Curly and textured hair: Often prone to dryness, curls love baobab’s hydration and frizz-fighting abilities. Many people find that baobab oil for curly hair helps define curls without weighing them down.
• Low porosity hair: If your hair struggles to absorb heavier oils, baobab is an ideal alternative. It’s lightweight enough to penetrate your strands without leaving a film, making baobab oil a great fit.
• Fine or straight hair: While nourishing, it’s best to use just a drop or two on the ends to avoid a heavy feel, or use a nourishing hair serum infused with baobab oil.

Whether your strands are all spirals and waves, or sleek and straight, there’s a way to make baobab oil work for you.

Baobab oil vs jojoba oil: which to use

When it comes to plant oils, jojoba often gets a lot of the hype, second only to fan-favourite rosemary oil. But how does baobab compare?

• Baobab oil: Lightweight yet rich, ideal for dry or textured hair in need of extra moisture and softness.
• Jojoba oil: Technically a liquid wax, it mimics the scalp’s natural sebum, making it a great option for balancing oily roots.

Think about your own needs. Do you have dry, frizz-prone strands? Baobab oil may be your hero. What about an oily scalp but dry ends? Jojoba on the roots and baobab on the tips could be your perfect pairing.

 

Does it deserve a spot in your haircare routine?

Our Vegan Hair Serum combines upcycled innovation with sustainably sourced ingredients to create shinier, healthier hair that is heat-protected and nourished, naturally.

It’s formulated with upcycled and fermented rice water sourced from Italy to promote shinier, stronger and more hydrated hair, as well as upcycled protein-rich Baobab extract that strengthens and nourishes the hair whilst protecting it against UV damage.

 

 

Additionally, this serum contains mushroom-derived heat protection, a saccharide-rich alternative to silicones that shields against humidity, improves styling memory and is a clinically proven natural heat protectant.

How to use: Apply the necessary amount on freshly washed and towel-dried hair. Gently massage, focusing on lengths and ends, and style as desired. It can also be used after styling to tame flyaways and static.

Whether you’re looking to tame frizz, shield your hair from heat, or add a healthy gloss to your locks, a well-formulated hair serum can make a noticeable difference from the very first use.