If you’re someone who spends even a lil’ bit of time on TikTok (and you’ve got beauty content that shows up in your algorithm), you’ve probably seen at least one video this year that talks about how wonderful batana oil is — and it is.
One of the reasons why I’m so sold on it is — how many times do I have to say that long hair isn’t based on ethnicity? Speed of growth (meaning, whether your hair grows “1/2 or ¼” a month) tends to deal with genetics and the fact that some people’s hair produces more sebum that coats from scalp to tip more than others, that can result in less breakage which can lead to more length retention.
That said, still, whether you’ve got B-type hair or some level of 4, if long locks are what you are after, with some consistent nurturing and patience, you can have exactly what you desire — and batana oil just might be able to help you out…on a few levels.
Since banana oil is also an all-natural oil that can make your skin glow naturally, I wanted to take a moment or two to share with you why the next time you see a post about batana oil, you shouldn’t ignore it; invest in a bottle or jar and see why so many of us adore it just that much.
Batana Oil: What Is It?
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If you were to ask a group of Batana oil users what the oil smells like, most of them would probably say something like smoky coffee. Well, interestingly enough, the oil originates from nuts that come from a certain type of palm tree in Honduras. Although it’s thicker than, say, coconut oil, something that it has in common with it is the fact that it will solidify in cooler temperatures and melt into oil in warmer ones.
Anyway, a part of the reason why batana oil is becoming such a fan favorite within the Black community is because it is thicker and “richer” in its texture, that makes it a wonderful complement for hair textures that are curler or coarser. And since it’s also full of antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins A and E, it is something that can both restore and maintain the health of your skin as well as your hair.
And just how is it able to do this?
Batana Oil Benefits for Hair, Skin & More
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Batana Oil Benefits: Deeply Moisturizes Your Skin
One thing that batana oil is able to do is work as an emollient on your skin. What this basically means is it’s the kind of moisturizer that can help to hydrate and even soothe your skin. Another cool thing about emollients is they are automatically able to “seal your skin” with a protective layer of hydration.
So, if like me, you’re someone who likes to apply an oil to your skin after getting out of the bath or shower in order to maintain moisture for a longer period of time, batana oil is one of the best types of oil to apply.
Batana Oil Benefits: Fights Off Free Radicals
If, whenever you read a skincare article, it says something about free radicals and you’re wondering why you should even care about those, probably the quickest explanation that I can give you is they can cause oxidative stress, which can ultimately accelerate the aging process of your skin. So yes, you want to do all that you can to keep them “off of you.” Something that is able to do that? Yep, batana oil.
Because it contains the kind of antioxidants that help to keep UV damage from impacting your skin on a significant level, that is another reason to consider adding it to your skincare beauty regimen. Just make sure that you don’t substitute it for sunscreen. You will definitely need that as well.
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Batana Oil Benefits: Great for Scalp Health
Okay, so one of the things that turned me into a superfan of batana oil is how well it moisturizes my scalp. Dry scalp is something that I deal with pretty often, and since that not only can lead to itchiness and irritation, it can also have my hair looking dry and brittle, I want it to be lubricated on a consistent basis. Batana oil is able to do that, in part, thanks to the carotenoids that are in it.
Carotenoids are pigments that convert to vitamin A. This is great, as far as your scalp is concerned, because it helps your scalp to naturally produce sebum, protects your hair follicles, and ultimately encourages hair growth.
Indeed, a healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair (check out “Your Scalp Ages Six Times Faster Than Your Face. Why It Matters.,” “10 Things Your Scalp Has BEEN Waiting For You To Do” and “Treat Your Scalp To A Little Bit Of Detoxing This Weekend”).
Batana Oil Benefits: Helps to Prevent Hair Breakage and Reduces Frizz
As I already mentioned, something else that batana oil has in it is vitamin E. That makes it good for your skin because it contains anti-inflammatory properties along with compounds that help to protect and even repair your skin’s cells. As far as your hair goes, vitamin E increases blood circulation to your scalp so that your hair follicles are able to get even more of the nutrients that it needs (in order to improve the quality of your hair strands); plus, vitamin E add shine to your hair.
Also, since vitamin E can literally help to rebuild the structure of your hair too, that’s why many users say that batana oil has caused them to gain more inches as far as lock length is concerned. Oh, and since vitamin E also helps to smooth out hair cuticles (which is the result of hair dryness, too,) that can decrease the amount of frizz that you have, which can reduce breakage while defining your natural curls so much better in the process.
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Batana Oil Benefits: Enhances Dark Hair Color Hues
Although batana oil cannot “dye” your hair (because it doesn’t contain deep pigments or chemicals), if you’re looking for an all-natural way to enhance the appearance of your dark hair, it may be able to do that too. Thanks to the dark tint that batana oil has (which is one way to test the integrity of the oil, by the way), it’s been known to bring about the best in darker hues — which will make the color look even richer thanks to the sheen that it also provides.
Batana Oil Benefits: It's an Excellent “Product Enhancement”
I’m someone who applies the oil to my scalp, straight out of the jar that I purchased it in. However, if you’re someone who wants to “ease into” the batana oil or you simply would like it to complement some of your other skin or hair products, it also works well in that way. Some people use it as an addition to their overnight skin moisturizer, pre-poo treatment on wash days, and/or as an additional ingredient in their leave-in conditioner or their hair mask recipes.
Also, if you’re on a mission to get some length retention, it absolutely cannot hurt to apply a bit of the oil to your ends before turning in at night (since your ends are the oldest parts of your hair).
BONUS: How to Know You’re Getting “Real” Batana Oil
Y’all know how it goes — when something magnificent makes its way onto the scene, there are going to be folks out here who try to scam you with a weak-ass imitation of it. Unfortunately, batana oil is no different. That’s why, I decided to close this out with a video from the YouTube channel Karen of Curl House (who has some pretty solid content, in general). If you watch it all the way to the end, you will get the intel that you know in order to feel confident about purchasing the kind of batana oil that will give you the best results of all. (Oh, and for the record, a Black-owned company that brands itself as selling 100 percent vegan batana oil is located here.)
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There is a lot of stuff to choose from in these beauty-enhancing streets, no doubt about that. However, I can vouch that batana oil will not disappoint. Give it a shot (unless you have a nut allergy; it's made from nuts, after all). Your skin and hair will thank you abundantly, chile.
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Mercury enters Sagittarius on November 2, will be retrograde from Nov. 25 until Dec. 15, and will be in this sign until Jan. 8, 2025. Mercury in Sagittarius is bold and outspoken but, in retrograde, can come across as impulsive and brash. Thinking before speaking is important right now, and so is considering your values and interests before committing to something new. Since Sagittarius rules long-distance travel, this isn’t the best time to plan a new trip or to rush the ones already in place.
Consider where you want to be, and take your time getting there.
What to Expect from Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius
A little more than a week after Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, Mars goes retrograde in Leo. With these important transits happening in fire signs, energy can be misdirected right now. It’s about looking at the full picture and not overwhelming yourself with too many options or interests. Take your passions and align them with your heart and willpower, without confusing inspiration with ego. Emotions are running high, yet this activation is creating a breakthrough in personal development before the year ends.
Read below to see how this Mercury retrograde transit will be for you. Read for your sun sign and rising sign.
ARIES
Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, and you are focused on the bigger picture right now, Aries. With Mercury retrograde in your 9th house of adventure over the next few weeks, this is the time to expect the unexpected and to go at your own pace. Don’t rush the clarity that is meant to bloom for you right now, and take things one day at a time.
Even if you don’t have all the answers you need right now, there are still some important truths and insights to gain. You are in the process of reinventing yourself and your life, and the universe is helping you get the space in order to do so. If you are traveling over the next few weeks, remember to be flexible and to go over plans thoroughly.
TAURUS
Mercury goes retrograde, and you enter a time of change and rebirth, Taurus. This transit, for you, is an opportunity to gain balance, perspective, and empowerment. Your commitments and close partnerships are being addressed right now, and you are seeing where your needs are being met and where they aren’t. You are on a journey of letting go and allowing more, and this is the time to focus on being more flexible rather than controlling outcomes.
This retrograde could also be affecting your shared finances and earnings, and this is a good time to take another look at the money coming in and the money going out and make sure things are in order here. Trust your intuition right now, Taurus.
GEMINI
Mercury goes retrograde in your sister sign, Sagittarius, and you are ready for a fresh perspective in love. This retrograde will highlight your 7th house of partnership, connection, romance, and inner harmony, and your heart is figuring things out right now. Confusion or disagreements are more likely within your relationship dynamics, and this is the time to address what your partnerships need.
If you have been feeling out of balance when it comes to love, then this is the time to get things back on track.
This Mercury retrograde is helping you gain a new perspective and reminds you that you deserve the love you are looking for. Use this time to forgive, grow, and use better judgment regarding matters of the heart and the relationships you are building in your life right now.
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CANCER
This Mercury retrograde transit for you is a chance to gain some renewed clarity regarding your health, well-being, and work life. You could be feeling more pressure to perform and have it all together on the job, and there is a need to delegate, let go, and take care of your health more right now, Cancer.
This transit will highlight where some cracks are seeping, where you may need to build stronger foundations and healthier daily routines, and also how you can manage a better work/life balance. Your daily lifestyle may feel a little more difficult to find consistency in right now, and this is because new avenues and perspectives are waiting for you to grab ahold of. Overall, use this time to listen to your inner voice and do more of what feels right for you and your body.
LEO
Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, and this transit highlights your 5th house of romance, creativity, passion, and happiness, Leo. This retrograde is an opportunity for you to address what and who makes you happy and how you can show up more for these fortunate experiences in your life. You are looking at if you’ve been making your happiness as much of a priority as it should be this year and also taking a look at what sources help you align with that energy altogether.
This time is about being a little bit more flexible, doing things differently, and being open to a new perspective. Relationship developments are also providing your heart more clarity right now, and you are balancing your needs with the needs of your partnerships and creative ventures.
VIRGO
Your ruling planet Mercury goes retrograde before the year ends, and this is helping you rebuild your foundations, Virgo. Mercury will be retrograde in an area of your life that has to do with your home, history, family, and emotional stability- and you are getting a new grasp on things here.
Where you have been planting your seeds and building for your future are coming up for review during this time, and you are gaining clarity on which of these foundations is stable enough to continue to build upon. You could be feeling less secure than you would like to right now, and this change of pace is helping you reassess your goals and figure out what is worth it for you and the legacy you want to live.
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LIBRA
Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, and the focus turns towards your communication channels, Libra. Mercury retro is already a more chaotic time when it comes to communication, and with this retrograde also happening in your 3rd house of insight and communication, you may feel this heaviness a little more right now.
This transit, for you, is about taking your time getting your message across, being patient while traveling and running errands, and giving yourself space to gain some new clarity.
Meditation, journaling, and talking to someone who can support you are therapeutic, and know that your voice deserves to be heard. You are looking at ways you can take up more space and show up in the world without letting your insecurities keep you away from true connection, vulnerability, and understanding.
SCORPIO
This Mercury retrograde is happening in your 2nd house of income, values, assets, and self-confidence, and you are taking a step back to assess your current reality, especially financially, Scorpio. This is a good time to go over your spending habits and earnings, to find greater balance here, and to think about some of your financial goals moving forward.
Look at your resources, skills, and talents, and make sure what you are receiving is equal to or greater than what you have been giving. Less is more right now, and this isn’t the best time to overspend or overindulge, as you need more time to grasp your current stance on things, and how to increase your overall wealth and abundance.
SAGITTARIUS
With this Mercury retrograde happening in your sign, it’s hitting a little closer to home for you, Sagittarius. This is a good time to refine your goals and direction in life and how you want to show up right now. You deserve to be able to change your mind when you need to, and you are thinking about some of the things you have done and what you want to do moving forward.
Miscommunications are more likely while Mercury is in retrograde, but you can use this as a source of empowerment, knowing that you are living in your truth and allowing yourself room to grow in the process. Remember to be a little kinder to yourself during this transit and to give yourself the grace you need right now.
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CAPRICORN
This Mercury retrograde for you, Capricorn, is about rest and taking care of your emotional world. You are being given the opportunity to spend more time alone, to gather your strength, and to heal before you enter the new year. A lot has happened, and there have been many changes in your world this year. This Mercury retrograde is here to help you find acceptance and closure.
You are in a preparation stage right now, and things can feel a little more lonesome in this energy, but with a different perspective, you can see just how much of this space your heart truly needs right now. The past is coming up for you to see things in a new light, and you are ready to gain some renewed insight, closure, and healing.
AQUARIUS
This Mercury retrograde highlights your friendships, community, and your hopes and dreams, Aquarius. You are being reminded of the importance of connection, but more significantly, of good connections. You are looking at who and what surrounds you right now and gaining clarity on whether this energy matches who you are and the things that you stand for.
Your social circle and the people around you are shifting as the power dynamics do, and you are finding your place and purpose amidst this change. It’s about identifying who and what makes you feel good and aligning things in your life to bring in more of that energy. Don’t be discouraged right now; find your people and ask for support.
PISCES
Your career and ambitions are the focus during this Mercury retrograde, Pisces. You have a lot to address here, and you are gathering your skills and talents and reminding yourself that you are worthy of your dreams. Miscommunications and setbacks are more likely within your professional world, but they are here to ask you if what you are striving for, is really what you need right now.
You are thinking a lot about how you show up in the world, what you want to be known for, and what successes you still want to obtain. This isn’t the time to let anyone’s idea or vision of you define who you are; rather, define that for yourself. Show up as you want to be seen, and don’t count yourself out right now, Pisces.
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