Today, there is curiosity about whether the tradition of hair oiling remains effective. When to oil hair for the best results? Is the age-old practice of leaving oil overnight truly beneficial, or has time revealed reasons to change it? As traditions evolve, understanding their essence ensures they remain alive without losing their wisdom.
Old School Rituals invites you to explore oiling hair overnight, good or bad, through this haircare guide. Here, we reveal ancient beauty secrets that you can adapt to modern life, suitable for various hair types, textures, and needs.
When To Oil Hair: The Basics Of This Haircare Ritual

The tradition of hair oiling stretches back thousands of years. Elder often chose the twilight for this ritual as it was a time of stillness when the air felt cool and the body prepared for rest.
The ritual created a sense of community and belonging. Grandmothers massaged granddaughters’ scalps, strengthening bonds while nourishing roots. The movement of fingers promoted circulation, calmed the mind and released the day’s tensions.
These moments held wisdom for hair care, from selecting the right oil to applying it with patience and ensuring balance. Even today, many natural haircare products, such as Old School Rituals, attempt to capture this legacy, offering bottled versions of once-handcrafted secrets.
Understanding The Purpose Behind The Haircare
The answer to oiling hair overnight is good or bad lies in knowing the purpose behind it all. They serve various purposes all cherished by ancient practices including nourishing dry strands, soothe irritated scalps, protect from heat and dust and encourage healthy growth.
The sacred practice of hair oiling symbolised generational love and the continuity of tradition. In many homes these sessions carried lessons about herbs, roots and seasonal changes. Using hair oil for children ensured tender scalps received gentle care while for elders it was cooling and balancing properties of earthy ingredients.
When To Oil Hair: Answer To Intentional Timing
Like every sacred ritual, timing holds a special significance. Not all hours suit the same way. The answer to when to oil hair depends on several factors:
- Season: If you are hair oiling for summertime, favour it during the day to avoid attracting heat and dust.
- Dosha or Body Type: When deciding on the timing for oiling your hair, consider your body type. Apply oil before bathtime if you have an oily scalp, while dry scalps benefit from longer treatments.
- Lifestyle also plays a role in determining the best time for your hair appointment.
The key is to avoid rigidity in your practice and move flexibly based on your observation and personal experience.
So, Oiling Hair Overnight: Good Or Bad?

One cannot answer the question of whether oiling hair overnight is good or bad in absolute terms. Ancient practitioners of this doubt held nuanced views. You need to make the best decision for your hair, considering both the benefits and drawbacks.
Some of the benefits of hair oiling include deeper penetration of nutrients into the scalp and strands, lasting hydration, especially for dry and coarse hair and helps relax and calm the nervous system. On the other hand, drawbacks of overnight oiling include clogged pores, especially for an acne-prone scalp, settling of dust and pollution and possible straining of bedsheets.
The ancient tales reocmmend adjust the techniques for hair type and skincare combos. For natural haircare light oils like coconut or almond worked well overnight in cool climates. Meanwhile heavier oils suit best for shorter durations.
Complimentary Rituals Of Your Haircare

In ancient times, hair oiling was rarely a standalone practice. It became a part of a broader beauty and wellness ritual. Families prepared ubtan for babies, a gentle paste for cleansing and cooling tender skin.
Women craft handmade natural skincare products with herbal powders and oils, sharing them at festivals and weddings. All emphasising care for the entire body, weaving skin and hair health into daily life.
Final Thoughts
The question of when to oil hair and whether oiling it overnight is beneficial or not does not yield easy answers. Instead, it invites reflection on context, climate, hair type and personal preferences.
What endures is the spirit of the ritual. A moment of care, patience, and heritage is a connection. Make the most of your routine by exploring carefully crafted natural haircare products, gift loved ones, skincare gift sets that carry this wisdom forward and more.
As long as intention guides the hand, hair oiling will remain more than a grooming routine. It will continue to evolve and grow.
FAQs
Should you wash your hair before or after oiling?
Before oiling, hair should be clean and not just washed. To improve oil penetration, lightly brush and remove surface dust. After oiling, washing helps remove excess oil, leaving hair feeling nourished, silky, and renewed without any residue.
Which time is the best for hair oil?
The best time to oil hair is in the evening, when the body relaxes and the mind prepares for sleep. Oils can soak deeply at cooler temps, resulting in a soothing and nourishing ritual. Gently cleanse the oil the next morning.
Should one put oil in their hair every day?
Oiling the scalp every day might overload it, especially in environments that are dusty or damp. According to ancient wisdom, 1 to 2 times per week is sufficient for most hair types, providing nourishment without clogging pores or attracting dirt, while maintaining the hair's natural balance.