Hair Oiling 101: The Internet Shines Light On India’s India’s OG Haircare Ritual | Beauty News

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 19:00 IST

Social media may have turbocharged hair oiling, but its endurance stretches far beyond trend cycles.

Hair oiling is a simple action to maintain, but effective enough to make a real difference over time.

In a world constantly chasing quick fixes for hair concerns like frizz, breakage, and hair fall, it’s refreshing to see a return to something simpler and far more sustainable. India’s time-honoured hair-oiling ritual, passed down through generations and rooted in Ayurveda, has stepped into the global spotlight. From international salons and fashion runways to global news platforms and TikTok feeds, this once-intimate practice has been reimagined as a sleek, modern statement.

Now that the world has recognised the power and benefits of hair oiling, the conversation has shifted. We speak to Dr Vaishali Gode, EVP – R&D, Product Development (Nourishment) and Packaging, Marico Limited and Hair Expert, Parachute Advansed, to understand not if hair oiling works, but how to practise it correctly and with intention.

Standing the test of time and trends

Modern hair stress is the cumulative impact of daily urban life, heat tools, UV exposure, pollution, hard water, air-conditioning, and frequent washing. Hair doesn’t always show immediate warning signs, so we often notice the problem only after it builds up.

Over time, hair begins to feel rougher, looks dull, breaks more easily, and becomes harder to manage. This is where hair oiling fits in so well. It is simple enough to maintain, but effective enough to make a real difference over time.

Coconut-based hair oil has been widely studied for its ability to penetrate the hair fibre and help reduce protein loss, which matters because hair strength depends on how well the fibre retains its structural proteins.

When applied warm with gentle circular motions, oiling also supports microcirculation and creates a protective layer against everyday aggressors like dust, UV exposure, heat tools and sweat, which can leave hair brittle and dull over time.

The practise of hair oiling has endured through centuries, quietly outlasting trends and dispelling long-held misconceptions such as “doesn’t suit certain hair types”. What has become clear is that how you oil, how much you use, how you cleanse, and how thoughtfully you tailor the ritual to your life make all the difference.

For the ritual to truly work and become a lasting habit, adapt it to your lifestyle and hair type:

• Use a small amount or few drops if you have fine hair. Apply more generously for thicker, longer hair.

• Massage gently into the scalp in circular motions, then run through lengths.

• Give it 30 minutes to work its magic, or a few quiet hours, if your Sunday invites a slower, more indulgent rhythm

• Wash with a mild shampoo and cleanse the scalp well. Repeat once or twice a week.

Why the world is listening now

Social media may have turbocharged hair oiling, but its endurance stretches far beyond trend cycles. For centuries, Indians have understood what the world has recently recognised: the quiet power of this ritual. As consumers across the globe turn toward cleaner, more holistic self-care practices that deliver visible results and are easy to sustain, hair oiling feels newly relevant. In India, it has always been so.

Much like yoga, once an Indian tradition and now a global practice, hair oiling has found its place on the world stage.