8 Benefits Of Mongongo Oil For Hair (BEST Way To Use)

Mongongo oil is 100% natural and has fantastic properties that can help to restore and rejuvenate hair and skin. In this article, I highlight all the benefits of Mongongo oil and explain just how to use it.

Benefits Of Mongongo Oil For Hair

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What is Mongongo Oil?

Mongongo oil, also known as Manketti oil, derives from the nuts of Mongongo trees, which are found in Southern Africa.

It’s been used for centuries due to its many health benefits and can often be found in skin care products, hair creams, and massage oils.

The high content of vitamin E, linoleic acid, omega 6, iron, copper, magnesium, and calcium helps to lower inflammation and repair damaged cells.

Due to its unprocessed state, it’s often seen as a better alternative to other popular oils on the market. 

Furthermore, Mongongo oil is different from oils that clog the pores or leave the skin looking greasy. Some oils contain chemical ingredients that can harm our hair and scalp and leave it looking damaged and unhealthy.

Mongongo oil is 100% natural so this won’t be an issue.

What is Mongongo Oil Used For?

For centuries, Mongongo oil has been used by local people to protect their hair and skin from weather damage.

It has a natural scent of hazelnut and it nourishes the skin without leaving it greasy, which makes it an appealing choice.

Today, this popular oil continues to be used in a wide range of products due to its natural ability to improve the condition of hair and skin. These include:

  • Sun care products
  • Hair care products
  • Massage oils
  • Skin lotions
  • Hand creams
  • Anti-aging products
  • Lip balms

Also Read: How To Use Moringa For Hair Loss (For Best Results)

8 Benefits of Mongongo Oil For Hair

Adding Mongongo oil to your haircare routine is a great way to achieve healthy, strong locks. The benefits are:

1. Sun protection

Although not classed as a sunscreen, Vitamin E does help to protect the hair from pollution as well as UV radiation.

It does so by absorbing the energy from UV light and thus prevents UV-induced free radical damage to the skin and hair.

2. Reduces hair breakage

As Mongongo oil contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals, it’s excellent at conditioning hair. This means less hair breakage and split ends and the oil will leave your hair with a beautiful natural shine.

3. Helps to control frizz

Frizz control can be difficult, but luckily Mongongo oil can help.

Due to its moisturizing properties, it helps to smooth the surface of the hair shaft, strengthen hair and make it softer. This reduces frizz significantly.

And if you have curly or wavy hair, reducing frizz means much more defined locks.

4. Increases blood circulation to the scalp

Mongongo oil contains large amounts of oleic and linoleic acid. These are saturated fatty acids that you’ll find in natural oils and even sebum.

These fatty acids can condition the hair and scalp and help unblock pores.

This leads to increased blood circulation and healthier hair follicles.

5. Promotes Hair growth

As blood circulation to the scalp increases, the higher chance of increasing hair growth.

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that increasing the number of blood vessels on the scalp led to significant hair growth. In some cases up to 70% more.

Mongongo oil’s ability to unblock pores in the scalp and increase blood circulation, can therefore directly assist with additional hair growth and thicker hair.

6. can help treat dandruff

Although not a treatment for dandruff, Mongongo oil can help reduce itchiness and flakiness significantly. As the oil moisturizes the hair and scalp, dryness is eliminated.

As mentioned earlier, the oil can help improve blood circulation to the scalp which lets your scalp breathe.

Dandruff is often caused by oily skin or product build-up and having Mongongo oil as part of your hair care routine will help alleviate any of these issues.

7. locks in moisture

The fatty acids present in Mongongo oil act as a protective layer on the surface of the hair shaft. This helps to lock in moisture, keeping your hair healthy and strong.

For this reason, Mongongo oil is a great carrier oil to use for pre-poo methods or to use before straightening or curling your hair with heat tools.

How To Use Mongongo Oil

It is recommended that you buy Mongongo oil in its most natural form, a carrier oil, rather than a diluted product.

Alternatively, you can use shampoos and conditioners infused with mongongo oil to reap the benefits.

In natural form

If you’re using 100% pure mongongo oil on your hair, all you need to do is add 2 or 3 drops to your shampoo and conditioner. Massage it through your hair and scalp before rinsing.

Alternatively, you can use Mongongo oil as a leave-in conditioner by massaging a few drops in the palm of your hand and applying it throughout your hair and scalp.

Mongongo oil doesn’t come cheap, unfortunately, but you can get decent deals online. I recommend the Premium Mongongo Oil from Liquid Gold. This oil is organic, easily absorbs into both hair and skin, and is a lot more affordable than other brands.

Premium Mongongo Oil from Liquid Gold

Remember that you only need to use a small amount of this oil to reap the benefits.

Store Bought products

You can buy various hair products online that contain mongongo oil but the most popular supplier is Mielle Organics.

In fact, Mielle has a whole range dedicated to mongongo oil and it is simply fantastic.

Their best-selling product is the Mongongo Oil Hydrating Conditioner.

This conditioner is not only protein-free (which can be difficult to find), but it is incredibly hydrating. This is thanks to the mongongo oil which helps to restore damaged hair back to health and shine.

Other products from the Mielle Organics Mongongo line include:

Try out any one of these and see if you can tell an immediate difference in your hair.

What is the shelf life of mongongo oil?

Shelf Life Of Mongongo Oil

Mongongo oil has a shelf life of 2 to 3 years and lasts longer than other oils due to its high vitamin E content.

There are a few factors that determine how long an oil will last but the most important ones to consider are the processing method and the way it is stored.

If the product contains 100% Mongongo oil only and is stored correctly, then it could even last a year longer than the typical shelf life.

It’s recommended that you keep the oil in a sealed container in a cool, dry place and kept away from heat at all times. 

How Can I Extend The Shelf Life of Mongongo Oil?

Refrigerate

You can extend the shelf life of Mongongo oil by choosing to refrigerate it. By doing this, you could increase the shelf life up to a year longer. 

Always keep it at the right temperature

It might seem simple, but it’s surprisingly easy to take the container out of the cool space and forget to return it to the same place after use.

It’s advised that you store this oil below 25˚C at all times.

Use the right amount 

As contamination is a huge cause of oils expiring before their expected time, make sure that you never put leftover liquid back into the bottle.

Try to use a small amount at a time, as a little goes a long way with this type of oil.

Use small containers

Another thing to suggest to extend your mongongo oil shelf life is to simply store it in a smaller container.

Doing this can lower exposure to oxygen, which in turn, minimizes the oxidation process.

Use good quality containers

If you want to extend the shelf life of your Mongongo oil, then you need to minimize air exposure, as that’s the key factor that will determine how long your oil lasts.

Oxygen can react with the oil properties, which can then cause them to break down. You wouldn’t be able to use the oil after that happens.

It’s usually apparent when Mongongo oil has expired as you’ll notice a difference in smell. It might not smell as pleasant or it may have little smell at all.

You might also notice a cloudy appearance, and if that’s the case then it’s time to throw it away.

However, with the right storage suggestions as mentioned above, then you can ensure that your Mongongo oil lasts as long as possible.


Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using. Check our full disclaimer policy here.

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Coralle Skye

Coralle is an experienced beauty writer with a passion for wellness, women’s health, and sustainability.