Natural hair is easy to love, but sometimes it just needs that extra attention and care. One of the main concerns associated with natural hair is maintaining moisture, as dryness cannot only make your hair difficult to style, but it can also cause breakage, and even increase the risk of hair loss.

Now, when it comes to ensuring your coils and curls stay moisturized, there are two methods that have gained popularity: LOC and LCO.

At Be Beautiful Hair, we understand that healthy hair is the foundation of any protective hairstyle you choose to wear, be it the classic Gold Braids, the voluminous Gossip Curls, or the long Wendy Wonder braids. So, with that, we’re breaking down the two moisture-locking techniques to help you keep your hair hydrated, healthy and thriving under every style.

What Do LOC and LCO Mean?

Both LOC and LCO focus on locking in moisture by layering three key products. However, it’s the order that changes everything.

• LOC Method: Liquid, Oil, Cream
• LCO Method: Liquid, Cream, Oil

The LOC Method (Liquid → Oil → Cream)

This method is best for hair that loses moisture quickly, also known as high-porosity.

With the LOC method, products are layered in a way that locks in moisture, and improved manageability.

Using the LOC Method

1. Liquid/Leave-In: This can be in the form of water or a water-based leave-in conditioner. The liquid provides the needed moisture, boosts elasticity, and softens the hair.
2. Oil: The oil acts like a barrier, sealing in the moisture, and also providing nutrients that help to nourish the scalp. For high porosity hair, heavier oils like olive, coconut, avocado and Jamaican black castor oil work to seal better.  
3. Cream: As the final step, the cream helps to seal in both the liquid and oil, which ensures that your hair is hydrated for longer. For high porosity hair, the best cream to use are thick, buttery moisturizers that contain heavy emollients. These emollients, such as shea butter, and cocoa butter, help trap moisture and prevent water loss.

Method 2: The LCO Method (Liquid → Cream → Oil)

This method is best for hair that struggles with absorbing moisture, also known as low-porosity. Also, this hair gets weighed down easily. The LCO helps to soften the hair cuticle first before sealing everything in with a lightweight oil, which then allows moisture to better penetrate the hair strand before being sealed in.

Using the LCO Method

1. Liquid/Leave-In: This is the foundation for this method as it hydrates the strands and softens the cuticles. Additionally, it also allows for better penetration as without it, the other two products will sit on top of your hair, leaving it heavy greasy.
2. Cream: The inclusion of cream ensuring that your hair stays hydrated and soft. For low porosity hair, light to medium-thick cream that’s either water-based, free of heavy waxes/mineral oils and feature ingredients like or aloe vera for added moisture can help nourish and smooth the hair cuticle.
3. Oil: The most crucial step, the seals in both the moisture and hydration provided by the cream and liquid. Also, thanks to the host of ingredients found in argan, grapeseed, or jojoba (which are great for low porosity) the oil promotes a healthy scalp.

LOC or LCO — Which One Is Right For You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all, but there are a few factors that can help you decide. The first is your hair porosity. To figure this out, pluck a single strand of your clean hair and place it in a glass of water, and wait 3-5 minutes. If it floats, low porosity, if it sinks slowly, normal porosity and if it sinks quickly, high porosity.

LOC Is Best For:

• High porosity hair
• Very dry or damaged hair
• Cold or dry climates

LCO Is Best For:

• Low porosity hair
• Fine or less dense textures
• Warmer, humid climates

Final Thoughts

Regardless of which method you choose, make sure not to use too much product and to let the products absorb. Also, be selective of the oil you choose as not all oils will work for everyone.

Also, LOC and LCO isn’t about choosing sides – it’s about listening to your hair and deciding what works for it.

At Be Beautiful Hair, we understand that healthy hair means happy hair and happy hair means a healthier and happier you.