Penetration of Oils into Hair

The study aimed to understand how triglyceride plant oils, such as coconut oil, Camellia oleifera oil, and safflower seed oil, deliver strength and softness benefits to hair through their penetration. Using LC–MS and NanoSIMS, the researchers confirmed that triglycerides of varying chain lengths and degrees of unsaturation can penetrate the lipid-rich cell membrane complex (CMC) of hair. Shorter chain lengths and unsaturated fatty acids showed higher penetration efficacy. The oils were found to improve fatigue strength by preventing the formation and propagation of flaws in the CMC network, leading to reduced hair breakage.