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Home  /  Curly Hair Care • DIY • Dry Hair • Moisture • Sealing Oil  /  The Difference Between the LOC & LCO Method Plus Which Version is More Effective
LCO vs LOC Method for Natural Hair

The Difference Between the LOC & LCO Method Plus Which Version is More Effective

Written by Haircare | Fitness | Beauty
Curly Hair Care, DIY, Dry Hair, Moisture, Sealing Oil 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure HERE.
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The terms LOC and LCO have been popular in the hair care world for some time.

In case you’ve somehow missed it, LOC means liquid, oil, cream while LCO means liquid, cream, oil.

This is the order in which you are supposed to apply your preferred products.

The premise being it will help dry hair to lock in and retain moisture more efficiently; one of the key elements for growth and retention.

This method can help keep moisture locked in for as long as 2 – 3 days before a reapplication is necessary.

This article will break down the differences between LCO and LOC method for natural hair, how to choose the best version for your and best products for each method.

LCO vs LOC Method for Natural Hair

What is the LOC Method?

With the LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method, you apply a liquid, seal with oil and then apply a heavy cream such as shea butter or a pudding. 

The liquid could be distilled water, lavender water, or rose-water but regular tap water works just as well.


What is the LCO Method?

With the LCO (liquid, cream, oil) method, you apply the liquid, followed by the heavy cream then the oil comes last. 

What’s the Difference Between LOC & LCO Method?

In the LOC method, the oil comes second. However, oil isn’t a moisturizer. It’s an effective sealant.

In order for the moisture to be truly locked in for longer, it’s better if the oil comes last as practiced in the LCO method.

Both oil and butter have the ability to create a layer of protection along the hair shaft to prevent moisture from escaping.

However, the method works much better with oil on top of everything rather than the other way round.

In the LCO method, after applying the liquid, instead of applying a heavy butter, apply a heavy cream like:-

  • Epiphany Naturals Curly Crème with Argan Oil
  • Camille Rose Curlaide Moisture Butter
  • Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk

After applying the cream, finish off with the oil. This is also particularly effective if you have finer hair.

If you have type 4 hair, you can use the heavy butter for the second layer. 

Epiphany Naturals Curly Creme with Argan Oil

Epiphany Naturals Curly Creme

camille rose curlaide moisture butter

Camille Rose Naturals Curlaide Moisture Butter

Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk

Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk

Does this mean the LOC method is useless? Of course not. For the last layer, do not use any water-based creams.

If your hair product ingredients start with aqua, then the cream is water-based. Examples of non-water-based heavy creams include:-

  • Natural Butter
  • Qhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream
  • Jane Carter Solution Nourish and Shine

pure rose water for braid sprayElma & Sana 100% Rose Water

I have tried both methods on my hair with several different products and below is the combination that worked best for me.

I have a mix of 3c, 4a, and 4b hair (if you’re not sure what your hair type is, take a look at What’s My Hair Type?

Liquid

Rose-water or distilled water. You can also use water-based moisturizers for this but the truth is nothing works as great as water.

Aqua has to be the first ingredient in the moisturizer for this to work by the way.

Cream

Shea butter or Epiphany Naturals Curly Crème with Argan Oil.

Oil

My favorites are coconut, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, olive oil, castor oil, and vitamin e oil.

I dilute castor and vitamin e oil with lighter oils and the combination of oils I use depends on the time of year/weather.

Can You Use the LOC or LCO Method Every Day?

It’s safe to use both methods every day. However, the point of these methods is to preserve moisture for a few days at a time.

If done correctly, you shouldn’t have to apply all these products every day as it can lead to product build-up, which is counterproductive. 

If you are also practicing the max hydration method, the LCO method works wonders.

Whichever method you utilize in the end depends on your hair’s reaction to it and the ingredients involved. I would recommend trying both before making a decision.

For more on moisturizing natural hair, have a look at 365 Days of Moisture for Dry & Parched Hair.

Do you find LOC to be more effective than LCO and vice versa? Let’s know in the comments section.

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Haircare | Fitness | Beauty

Abi is a natural curly girl who delved into the world of natural oils after she suffered severe hair loss issues. Through her research and testing, she was able to regrow her bald spots, reverse thinning and grow a healthy and full head of hair. She is the founder of Natural Oils for Hair and Healthy Natural Hair Products. She is also the creator of the Healthy Hair Care Series. Join the mailing list to receive a complimentary copy of How to Practice Inversion for Healthy Hair Growth as well as exclusive discounts on the Healthy Hair Care Series resources. Start HERE.

4 Comments

  1. Tomiwa Reply
    24/12/2016 at 6:48 pm

    I find the LOC method works best for me. My hair responds well to all butters.

  2. KC Reply
    14/01/2017 at 4:23 pm

    I’ve been doing the LCO method for a while and I really like how soft and healthy it makes my high porosity hair feel for at least 2-3 days. I use water, raw shea butter, and coconut oil or castor oil but this time I used both to protect my hair from the cold weather, especially on my ends.

    • Natural Oils for Hair & Health Reply
      15/01/2017 at 7:15 pm

      That’s a great combination KC. Glad it’s working out for your hair.

    • Rho Reply
      10/02/2020 at 8:04 pm

      I tried the LCO method with sweet almond oil and my hair was dry as a bone within 24hrs, it was awful. So I used the same ingredients with the LOC method and my hair stayed moisturized for literally a week. Although I add Leave-in work that in my strands then put the oil on then the buttercreme which has water as 1st ir 2nd in the ingredients

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