Are These Nostalgic Hair Growth & Moisturizing Products Any Good for Locs?

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Are these nostalgic hair growth & moisturizing products any good for locs? Moreover, are they any good at all? I’m going to break down some popular hair products you may be used to since your child. From there, you can see if some of these really are best left in the past.  

JBCO – Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Castor oil is a well known oil used for hair and skin. Jamaican black castor oil is a less processed version of castor oil. But is it good locs growth? Anecdotally, yes. However, the difficulty with this is that the oil is very thick and sticky. Thus, it can and does attract dirt/lint which is not good for locs. I would recommend you switch away from this if you have locs, or at least highly thin it out. However, if you have loose natural hair, this product is likely still fine to use!

Doo Gro Growth Oil

Doo gro is a classic product within the black hair community. The name implies it will help stimulate hair growth, but it doesn’t actually do that. While I find the name misleading, their FAQ is quite transparent: Doo Gro® products help mosturize, condition nad strengthen hair to reduce breakage. 

Moreover, the top ingredient listed is Mineral Oil, which doesn’t have any benefit for your locs. In fact, it can cause irritation and scalp buildup. While there are some good ingredients on the list, there are many other more natural products that only contain beneficial ingredients.

Luster’s Pink Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion

Luster’s Pink Lotion was a staple for many growing up. However, some things really are best left in the past. This product is not very great for loose hair or locs. It has the tendency to leave hair crunchy, flakey and itchy. When you look into the ingredients, you get a better picture as to why: 

• Deionized Water (Aqua)
• Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum)
• Lanolin
• Beeswax (Cera Alba)

You’ll notice beeswax as an ingredient as well, which causes extreme buildup in locs. 

Wild Growth Oil Scalp Massage

Wild Growth Oil has been around for decades. One of the selling points for many are the ingredients – they have 100% all natural ingredients. When you look at the ingredient label, you will notice you recognize most if not all of them. The top three ingredients are below. The ingredients are not bad, but can be clogging for your scalp and contribute to build up in your locs. Moreover, if you are truly looking to grow your locs, then I would say there is no need to buy this product. 

• Oils of Coconut
• Olive Oil
• Jojoba

Even in their own marketing they state that it promotes hair growth, but does not state that it causes your hair to grow faster or stimulate new growth. None of the ingredients they list claim to make your hair grow either. Thus, while they do claim an all natural-ingredient list, which is good – I would still skip this product if you have locs. Or if you use it, highly dilute it. Otherwise, you may end up with buildup and an itchy scalp.

ORS Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion

ORS is widely known for their “no lye” relaxer product, which they did get into a bit of trouble over, given links with cancer. ORS (previously known as Organic Root Stimulator in 2012) also was listed in a 2011 lawsuit over using Organic in a product’s name, when their products were not mostly organic.

However, ORS’s products remain popular overall. One example is the Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion. It is known for its moisturizing products and fragrant smell. However, while reports of its moisturizing capabilities are positive, I would not recommend this product for loose or locd naturals. This is because it contains ingredients that may be harmful or irritating. 3 such ingredients includes:

• Cyclopentasiloxane:  Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Aminomethyl Propanol: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), and Contamination concerns (high)
• Alpha-isomethyl Ionone: Allergies & Immunotoxicity (high)

Overall, loose or locd – there are other more natural products to use to safely moisturize your hair. 

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Did this article change your mind on some old nostalgic hair growth & moisturizing products to use on your locs? In this case, many of popular products we may be familiar with are either not good for locs or for your hair in general. However, there are many products you can use on your locs. The most important is to keep the products light and minimal.