Let’s start to answer a basic question.
What is the LCO Method?
The LCO method is a three-step hair care routine that involves using three different products in a specific order to moisturize and seal in moisture. The LCO method stands for liquid, cream, and oil, this method is said to be particularly beneficial for natural hair for extra moisture to stay healthy and nourished.
When you research how to take care of your natural hair, the LCO or LOC method is one of the first method that comes through for preventing your hair from dryness and breakage. This method truly has it’s benefits as it allows you to focus on moisturizing your hair on your wash day and to reduce the need for moisture throughout the week. If you want to give it a try, you should do the LCO method on your wash day after your shampoo and conditioner in the steps order that I will highlight below. The LCO method can also be done to remoisturize your hair if you want to wait a little longer to wash your hair.
Step 1: Liquid
The first step in the LCO method is to apply a water-based moisturizer or leave-in conditioner to your hair. Make sure to choose the right leave-in conditioner for your hair type (low or high porosity) to truly moisturize your hair. This step is essential because it helps to hydrate your hair and make it easier to detangle. Read our article on the 5 best leave-in conditioners if you need help for buying the right product. Look for a product that contains water as the first ingredient, as this will ensure that your hair gets the moisture it needs.
Step 2: Cream
The second step in the LCO method is to apply a cream-based moisturizer. This step helps to seal in the moisture from the water-based product and provides your hair with additional moisture. The cream step can be a product you use for styling your hair in the style of choice. The products for the step 2 of the LCO method can range from styling creams, crème, curl smoothies and souffles. The texture should resemble a thicker cream than a leave conditioner. Popular brands such as Mielle, Shea Moisture and Camille Rose have a variety of creams to try.
Our Favorites:
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Twisting Souffle
This styling cream is the best if you’re looking to achieve the best braid-out or twist-out! It’s nutrients will give you long last hydrationa and shine on top of great definition.
4C Only Too Slick Styling Cream
This thick and slippery styling cream especially created for 4c hair will leave your coils super soft and juicy. This product is loved for it’s ability to give extra moisture and maintain definition for days.
Step 3: Oil
The final step in the LCO method is to apply an oil-based product to your hair. This step helps to lock in the moisture from the water-based and cream-based products and provides your hair with additional shine. You can use a lightweight oil such as jojoba and argan oils or castor oil if you wish for a thicker layer of product.
The Benefits of the LCO Method that made it so popular
The LCO method can have several benefits for us naturals. First, it helps to keep your hair moisturized, which is essential for preventing breakage and promoting healthy hair growth. Second, it helps to seal in the moisture from the water-based product, which means that your hair will stay hydrated for longer. Finally, it helps to provide your hair with additional nourishment and shine, which can make your hair look and feel healthier.
Is the LCO Method needed for natural hair?
There have been different opinions in the natural hair community regarding the effectiveness of the LCO method. For some, the use of butters and oils prevent their hair from being moisturized and instead creates a product build-up on the hair shaft overtime. Oils and butters can act as barriers preventing the moisture from getting into the hair strand leading to a cycle of dry hair. This can be true especially for low porosity hair due to the cuticles having a hard time letting the product in the shaft. Adding a layer of oil on top of your hair can restrain your hair to absorb the nutrients of the leave-in conditioner.
The Black Girl Curls collective advocates for a 30-day detox where no butter or oil should be used on your hair. This is to assess the true condition of your hair without the layers of products weighing down your hair. According to their methods, the right leave in conditioner should be enough to moisturize. You can then follow with a styling product such as a mousse or a hair gel to create the hairstyle of your choice. Moisturized hair contains water so if your hair is feeling dry it’s the indication that it’s time to cleanse and condition your hair.
In conclusion, the LCO method is not mandatory for healthy hair growth. The best method to moisturize your hair and promote hair growth is to make sure you wash and condition your hair maximum every 14 days. We understand that life happen, and this can be hard to maintain but this schedule will have your hair consistently cleansed and moisturized.
