01.Low-cut hair & taper fades
3–5 times weekly1 dropper
- Apply one dropper evenly across the scalp.
- Massage for 3–5 minutes so the oil reaches every section of the fade.
Care Guide
The CANORA care guide
Five simple routines. Find your hair type or loc stage below and follow the amount and the frequency — that is the whole system.
Before you begin
Start with a clean scalp
For best results, begin with a scalp free of excessive dirt, sweat, oils and product build-up. A healthy scalp is the best environment for healthy hair and healthy-looking growth — the elixir does more good on clean roots than on build-up.
Choose your routine
02.Loose hair — straight, wavy, curly, coily
2–4 times weekly1–2 droppers
- Section the hair and apply directly to the scalp, one dropper at a time.
- Massage thoroughly, then smooth a small amount through the mid-lengths and ends.
03.Starter locs
2–3 times weekly½–1 dropper
- Apply to the scalp only — the hairline, the top of the head, the nape and the partings.
- Do not saturate the loc shafts. Too much oil attracts lint and build-up while the locs are still locking.
04.Mature locs
2–3 times weekly1–2 droppers
- Apply to the scalp and massage thoroughly.
- Place a few drops along the length of the locs and on the ends as needed to keep them soft with a clean sheen.
05.Protective styles
2–3 times weeklyAs needed
- Works for braids, twists, cornrows, wigs and weaves.
- Apply directly to the scalp between the rows and massage lightly — the scalp still needs feeding under the style.
For men
The beard routine
For the Archon and Gentleman Beard Elixirs. A beard oil is for the skin as much as the hair: soft hair grows from comfortable, cared-for skin. A few drops a day is the whole routine.
01.The daily beard routine
Daily3–5 drops
- Start with a clean beard: after washing, pat it dry with a towel so it's just damp, not wet.
- Warm 3–5 drops between your palms for a few seconds.
- Massage into the skin beneath the beard first, using your fingertips, then smooth through the hair from root to tip.
- Comb or brush through to spread the oil evenly and shape the beard.
02.Stubble & short beards
Daily2–3 drops
- Short hair needs less oil, so the skin gets most of it.
- Press the warmed oil into the skin across the cheeks, chin and jaw rather than rubbing the hair.
- This is where new beards feel itchy; a little oil every day keeps the skin comfortable while it grows.
03.Full & long beards
Daily4–5 drops
- Work the oil into the skin underneath first; on a full beard it's easy to only oil the surface.
- Smooth the rest down to the ends, where long beards get driest.
- Comb through from the neck upward, then down into shape.
Archon
Bright and regal: lemon, bergamot and mandarin over black tea, sandalwood and vetiver. Its citrus oils make treated skin sensitive to sunlight, so use Archon in the evening, or keep treated skin out of direct sun for 12 hours.
Gentleman
Warm and refined: cardamom, cinnamon leaf and nutmeg over licorice, amber, sandalwood and patchouli. Good any time of day. Cinnamon can irritate sensitive skin, so patch test first.
Before first use, test one drop on the inner arm and wait 24 hours. Both elixirs contain sweet almond (tree nut) oil. External use only; keep away from the eyes.
Shop the beard elixirsTechnique
The CANORA massage
- Massage with the pads of your fingers for 3–5 minutes — never your fingernails.
- Work the hairline, the top of the head, the temples and the nape.
- Slow circles, light-to-medium pressure. This is where the results come from.
Night care
Overnight restoration
- Apply to a clean scalp and massage for 5 minutes.
- Protect the hair with a satin bonnet, satin scarf or satin pillowcase.
- By morning the oil has had hours to settle in rather than rub off on your sheet.
Once a month
Monthly CANORA renewal
- 01.Clarify the scalp.
- 02.Deep condition, if your hair needs it.
- 03.Follow the full CANORA routine for your hair type.
- 04.Inspect your scalp and deal with any dryness, flaking or build-up.
Every day
CANORA care principles
01Clean scalp
Oil works best on a scalp free of sweat, dirt and product build-up. Feed clean hair, never dusty hair.
02Consistency
Small, regular applications beat an occasional heavy pour. A few drops most days is what shows in the mirror.
03Protection
Satin at night keeps the moisture you just added where it belongs, and keeps friction off the strands.
04Hydration
The scalp drinks first. Look after it and the lengths follow — dryness usually starts at the root.
05Patience
Healthy hair is built over months, not wash days. Keep the routine and let time do the rest.
Know your scalp
Hair and scalp conditions
Some conditions can keep the elixir from working well, or need a doctor first. Here is what to look for and what to do before you begin, based on guidance from dermatologists. The Hair Advisor uses this same list when it builds your personal care guide.
Product build-up
Signs: A dull, coated or waxy feel at the roots, flakes that look like residue, oil that seems to sit on top instead of soaking in.
Before using the elixir: Wash or clarify first. Dermatologists suggest washing textured hair about once a week or every other week to stop build-up, which can dry the hair. Apply the elixir to the clean scalp afterwards.
When to see a doctor: If flaking stays after a proper wash, it may not be build-up — see a doctor or dermatologist.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology — Black hair: tips for everyday care
Dandruff and flaky, itchy scalp
Signs: White or yellowish flakes, itching, sometimes greasy patches along the hairline or behind the ears.
Before using the elixir: Oils can make some flaky scalps worse, so start slowly: use the elixir on fewer days per week, keep the scalp clean, and watch how it responds. If flakes increase, pause.
When to see a doctor: Heavy, greasy or spreading flakes can be a skin condition (such as seborrheic dermatitis) that needs treatment — see a doctor or dermatologist.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology — Hair and scalp care
Scalp psoriasis
Signs: Thick, raised, silvery or scaly patches that can itch or bleed when scratched.
Before using the elixir: Do not scratch or pick at scale, and shampoo gently. Use any medicine your doctor gave you first; ask them whether an oil is right for you before adding the elixir.
When to see a doctor: Psoriasis needs a doctor's diagnosis and treatment plan.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology — Scalp psoriasis: tips for managing
Tension from tight styles (traction hair loss)
Signs: Soreness, small bumps or thinning along the hairline, temples or nape, often after tight braids, cornrows, weaves or retwists.
Before using the elixir: Loosen the style first — pain means damage. Let the scalp rest, then massage the elixir in gently with fingertip pads, never nails.
When to see a doctor: Caught early, this can often be stopped. If the hairline keeps thinning, see a dermatologist before it becomes permanent.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology — Black hairstyling practices and traction alopecia
Recently relaxed or coloured hair
Signs: A tender, tight or stinging scalp in the days after a relaxer, colour or bleach.
Before using the elixir: Wait until any tenderness settles before applying, patch test first, and expect the scalp to be more sensitive for a while. Relaxer touch-ups should only go on new growth, every two to three months.
When to see a doctor: Burns, open sores or blistering need a doctor, not oil.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology — Black hair: tips for everyday care
Thinning at the top of the head
Signs: Hair slowly thinning in the centre of the scalp and spreading outward, sometimes with itching or tenderness.
Before using the elixir: Do not rely on any oil for this. See a dermatologist first — early care matters.
When to see a doctor: This can be a scarring form of hair loss (CCCA) that is common in women of African descent. Early diagnosis helps protect the hair you have.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology — hair loss in women with darker skin tones
Dry, brittle lengths and ends
Signs: Hair that snaps, tangles easily or feels rough, especially at the ends.
Before using the elixir: Condition every wash and coat the ends — they are the oldest, most fragile part of the hair. Apply the elixir to damp hair to help seal in moisture, and cover hair with satin at night.
When to see a doctor: Sudden changes in texture are worth showing a dermatologist.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology — Black hair: tips for everyday care
New to leave-in oils? Patch test first: a drop on the inner arm, then wait 24 hours. If irritation appears, stop using it. Keep bottles out of direct sun and use within the shelf life on the label.
A few things can keep the elixir from doing its best work, so tend to them before you begin: wash or clarify first if your scalp carries heavy product build-up, since oil layered over build-up mostly sits on top; if your scalp is very dry, flaky or easily irritated, start with fewer applications each week and watch how your skin responds; and if your hair was recently relaxed or coloured, wait until any tenderness settles before applying.
We are not doctors, and this guide is general hair-care advice, not medical advice. If your scalp is broken, bleeding, painfully sore, shedding hair in patches, or anything feels persistent or unusual, please see a doctor or dermatologist before using the elixir.