**CORRECTION** The Batana (Ojon) Oil Trend & the Hype

I included some bad information here. Ojon oil is not the same as Batana oil. They are similar and come from the nuts of palm trees, Ojon is derived from a different species of tree. So they are different oils. And this doesn't seem to be a minor difference. 

When searching anywhere for Ojon oil, results almost always include those for Batana oil (and that's where I got confused), so make sure of what you are getting. Also, Ojon oil is apparently (from what I'm seeing) quite a bit more expensive than Batana oil. I typically see prices of about $40 per half ounce - even on eBay. I am trying to get my hands on some (even if just a sample) and when I do, I will update this post.

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 I did not know that Batana (aka Ojon) oil was a TikTok trend. I heard about it on a hair forum a while back. 

Although I've been cutting back on hair and skincare products, I decided to use my Amazon Shopper Panel gift card to get some. Actually, I got 2 - one is a liquid and the other is a solid.

This is Morstar brand liquid

This is the AIPILER cream

more paste than cream

liquid vs cream

Of course, once something becomes trendy, you have to be wary of imposter products. When I looked further into the brands of the 2 products I tried, I felt okay about one but had questions about the other. More on that later. 

Here are some of the supposed and hyped benefits of Batana oil (and I see it described as "Batana" more often than I do "Ojon"):

• Helps stimulate hair growth
• Prevent hair loss & reverse hair loss
• Nourishes the hair, skin, and scalp
• Improve elasticity of the hair

Now, people... We all know that when something starts trending online, exaggerations begin to pop up all over. As my mother used to say, "People start bucking their eyes and flapping their lips." What I learned from reading user reviews and articles is that you have to first make sure you are getting an authentic product. Even then, only some of the hype is worthy and none of the hype is exclusive to Batana oil.

I listed some of the hype, but here are some of my criticisms:

• It's difficult for the novice user to know if they are getting the authentic oil. Going by look or smell, the results are all over the place.
• I've seen various pricing and claims for products that look completely different from each other.
• There doesn't seem to be a lot of (or any) science-backed evidence for the claims being made.
• It's too hard to weed out reliable and trustworthy sellers. Right now, everybody and their first cousin is promoting their Batana oil.
• Finally, it's trending because of TikTok. I don't have a problem with TikTok but I've seen some of the other trends that originated there...

As I said, I feel better about one of the products I got than I do about the other. The Morstar product (which smells too good)  comes from their Amazon storefront and is from a distributor with a track record of sorts. The Aipiler product (which has the strong coffee scent associated with Batana oil) is from a "brand" that seems to sell only massage guns when I look anywhere but Amazon. On the Amazon site, they don't have a storefront but sell a few beauty-related items at inflated prices.

So, basically, I'm just hoping I have products with at least some Batana oil in them. Personally, I also prefer the Morstar product because it's a fractionated oil that is easier to apply to my skin and hair.

I won't be able to say anything about the hyped benefits for hair until I've given both products a fair trial. I can say that, for now, I like them both for how they make my skin feel. 

The Aipiler brand is too strong for my face but I have used it to moisturize the dry patches of psoriasis on my feet. It does seem to help keep the area moisturized for longer than regular lotions and oils. 

The Morstar brand works beautifully to supplement my face cream. It absorbs really well without leaving an oily feel and it makes my skin feel really supple. Honestly, though, I can't tell if it's any better than some of the other oils I've used in the past, such as Marula, sweet almond, or especially emu oil or black castor oil. I am using this on my scalp a few times a week both as a pre-poo and a leave-in to moisturize my hair. However, I have a problem with this brand because of their odd pricing. This one (labeled as "pure Batana oil") today costs $7.35 per ounce. They have a solid form that sells for over $20 per ounce. By the way, that one has a lower review rating on Amazon, if that means anything. One review claims the seller said this one was the "rawest" form. I wonder what raw or rawest has to do with it being the "pure" product. So, yeah.

In General...

My opinion as a regular person is that unless time shows differently, this is just another oil that could be beneficial. It is quite moisturizing to my damp hair and works well as a sealer. My skin loves it but my skin also loves Abyssinian oil, marula oil, pumpkin seed oil, and at least 5 others. Oh, and those all also work well on my hair and scalp.

Batana oil is good and it is the trending favorite for a lot of people. Next month, there will be some other "hot" product - an oil, cream, or lotion that trends. People may be seeing results in their hair and skin because of their consistent use. At least, that is my humble opinion. Using anything consistently can bring about some improvement. 

My Takeaway?

If you notice, because Batana is trending, prices are all over the place. I think the lower price is around $5 per ounce. Also, there are a ton of brands and sellers popping up every day. 

I will finish using the Batana oils I have and, if there are any amazing results, I will update this post. For now, I go back to my opinion that people are seeing results mostly because of consistency in their routines. If I stay on a good routine of haircare of any kind, my hair responds by growing and looking better. I don't have high expectations for this Batana oil. And, again, maybe I just don't have the right brands...

Peace

--Free