Most Nigerian women apply hair products without thinking much about the order. Shampoo, then maybe conditioner, then whatever is nearby. But for natural hair especially, the order you apply products is not just a preference. It is a science. The LOC and LCO methods are two specific product layering sequences that dramatically improve how well your hair retains moisture. This guide explains both, tells you which works best for your hair type, and shows you which Lush Hair products to use for each step.
Why Product Order Matters
Hair moisture works in layers. Water is the primary source of moisture for any hair type. Conditioner helps the hair absorb and retain water. Oil seals the cuticle so the moisture does not escape quickly. Cream adds an additional barrier and texture support on top.
If you apply oil before conditioner, the oil creates a barrier that prevents the conditioner from penetrating the hair shaft. The conditioner just sits on top of the oil and rinses away without doing its job. You wasted both products and your hair did not benefit from either.
The LOC and LCO methods are frameworks for applying these three product categories in an order that maximises what each one can do for the hair. Getting the order right is the difference between hair that feels moisturised for three days and hair that feels dry again by the next morning.
What LOC Stands For
LOC stands for Liquid, Oil, Cream.
- L - Liquid: Water or a water-based leave-in conditioner applied first to wet or damp hair
- O - Oil: A sealing oil applied over the liquid to slow moisture escape
- C - Cream: A heavier cream or butter applied last to seal everything in and add definition
What LCO Stands For
LCO stands for Liquid, Cream, Oil.
- L - Liquid: Water or a water-based leave-in conditioner applied first
- C - Cream: A conditioner or cream applied over the liquid to build the moisture layer
- O - Oil: A light oil applied last to seal the cream and moisture underneath
The Key Difference Between LOC and LCO
In the LOC method, oil is applied second, directly over the liquid. The oil creates a barrier before the cream is applied. This works well for high porosity hair that loses moisture very quickly, because the oil barrier immediately slows down moisture escape before the cream adds its final layer.
In the LCO method, cream is applied second, then oil last. The cream adds a thicker moisture layer directly on top of the liquid, and the light oil goes on last just to close the cuticle and add shine. This works better for low porosity hair because it avoids the risk of the oil blocking the cream from penetrating a tightly closed cuticle.
Which Method Works for Which Hair Type
High Porosity Hair: Use the LOC Method
High porosity hair has an open or damaged cuticle that absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast. For high porosity hair, you need to seal the moisture in as quickly as possible after applying it. The LOC method does this by putting the oil directly on top of the liquid, creating an immediate barrier before any more product is added.
High porosity hair is common in natural Nigerian hair that has been colour-treated, heat damaged, or has simply been through years of chemical processing. If your hair absorbs products very quickly, feels dry again within hours of moisturising, or breaks frequently despite regular conditioning, high porosity is likely the cause.
Low Porosity Hair: Use the LCO Method
Low porosity hair has a tightly closed cuticle that resists moisture absorption. If you apply oil first over a leave-in on low porosity hair, the oil can sit on the cuticle surface and create a barrier that prevents the cream from penetrating at all. The LCO method avoids this by applying the cream directly after the liquid, then using only a light oil last to seal and add shine without blocking anything underneath.
Low porosity hair is often characterised by products that sit on the hair surface rather than absorbing, hair that takes a very long time to get wet in the shower, and water that beads on the hair rather than being absorbed.
Medium Porosity Hair: Either Method Works
Medium porosity hair absorbs and retains moisture reasonably well. Both LOC and LCO will produce good results. The best approach is to try both methods over two consecutive wash days and see which leaves your hair softer and more moisturised for longer. Most medium porosity women find LOC gives slightly more longevity because of the early oil seal.
Step-by-Step: The LOC Method with Lush Hair Products
Step L: Apply Liquid
On freshly washed, still-damp hair, apply the Leave In Treatment 500g section by section from root to tip. Work it through with your fingers. The leave-in provides the water-based moisture layer that forms the foundation of everything that follows. Apply while the hair is still wet, not after it has started to air dry.
Step O: Apply Oil
Apply a sealing oil over the leave-in while the hair is still damp. Coconut oil, castor oil, or argan oil all work well. Use a small amount and smooth it over each section with your palms. The goal is a light coat over the leave-in, not saturation. The oil slows the moisture from evaporating out of the hair shaft.
Step C: Apply Cream
Apply the Deep Conditioner 500g as a styling cream over the sealed section, or use a butter cream product of your choice. This final layer adds definition, reduces frizz, and creates the outermost protective layer. For wear between wash days, the cream is the layer that the environment first encounters.
Step-by-Step: The LCO Method with Lush Hair Products
Step L: Apply Liquid
Apply the Leave In Treatment 250g to wet sections. The leave-in does its best work on damp hair where it can absorb into the shaft alongside the water already present. Work through each section from root to tip.
Step C: Apply Cream
Apply the Detangling Conditioner 370ml or a thick styling cream directly over the leave-in while the hair is still damp. For low porosity hair, using a cream with slip here helps the product penetrate rather than sit on the surface. Work through in sections.
Step O: Apply Oil
Finish with a very light application of oil over the cream to seal. Use the smallest amount you need. For low porosity hair, a light oil like argan or jojoba works better than a heavy oil like castor oil at this final sealing stage. The oil goes on last and its only job here is closing the cuticle, not adding significant moisture.
Common Mistakes with Both Methods
- Applying products to dry hair. Both LOC and LCO work on damp or wet hair only. Products applied to fully dry hair sit on the surface rather than being drawn in by the water already present in the shaft.
- Using too much oil. In either method, more oil does not mean more moisture. Excess oil creates buildup and blocks subsequent products. A small amount spread evenly is always better than a large amount concentrated in one area.
- Not sectioning the hair. Applying products to your entire head at once means some sections start drying before you finish. Work in sections and clip each one away after finishing to keep them from drying in open air.
- Skipping the leave-in. Some women go straight to oil or cream. This skips the primary moisture source. Water or a water-based leave-in is the foundation of both methods. Without it, you are just layering products with no actual moisture underneath.
- Using the wrong method for your porosity. LOC on low porosity hair and LCO on high porosity hair will produce underwhelming results because the sequence is not matched to how the cuticle behaves.
Scalp Care Alongside Both Methods
LOC and LCO address the hair shaft moisture. The scalp needs its own separate nourishment routine.
Apply the Ultra Nourishing Hair Food 500ml or the Indian Herb Hair Growth 500ml to the scalp every two to three days with a five-minute massage. These scalp treatments work alongside whichever moisturising method you use for the hair shaft and keep follicle health strong regardless of your porosity type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LOC method for natural hair?
The LOC method is a product layering sequence: Liquid first, then Oil, then Cream. It is designed to maximise moisture retention in natural hair by applying each product type in the order that best allows the previous layer to be absorbed and sealed. It works best for high porosity natural hair that loses moisture quickly.
What is the LCO method?
The LCO method applies Liquid first, then Cream, then a light Oil last. It is better suited to low porosity hair because it avoids applying oil before a cream, which on tightly closed cuticles would prevent the cream from penetrating at all.
How do I know if I have high or low porosity hair?
A simple test: drop a clean strand of hair into a glass of water. If it sinks quickly, it is likely high porosity. If it floats for a long time, it is likely low porosity. You can also assess by how quickly products absorb. High porosity hair absorbs product almost immediately. Low porosity hair leaves products sitting on the surface for a long time before absorption.
Can I use LOC on relaxed hair?
Yes. Relaxed hair is generally higher porosity than unprocessed natural hair because the chemical process opens and sometimes damages the cuticle. The LOC method works well for relaxed hair for the same reason it works well for high porosity natural hair: it seals the moisture in before it can escape.
What is the best leave-in conditioner for the LOC method in Nigeria?
The Leave In Treatment 500g is the best everyday leave-in for the LOC or LCO method. It is water-based, absorbs into damp hair without residue, and provides enough conditioning to form a proper moisture foundation for whichever oil and cream layers follow.
How often should I do the LOC or LCO method?
Apply your chosen method on every wash day as part of your post-wash routine. You can also do a lighter version between washes by misting with water, applying a small amount of leave-in, and sealing with a light oil. Full LOC or LCO every two to three days is enough for most natural hair types.
Where can I buy leave-in treatment and hair care products in Nigeria?
Shop all the products you need for both methods from the Hair Care collection at Lush Hair Nigeria. Nationwide delivery available across all states.
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