Ude Aki for hair is simple once you know two things: warm it first, and use less than you think. This guide shows how to use Ude Aki on 4c hair, locs, low porosity hair, scalp and beards.
Ude Aki is black palm kernel oil from the kernel of the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis. It is a rich, solid balm when cool and it melts on contact with skin. It is used to moisturize, condition and seal in moisture, and in West Africa it is used for strong hair.
Before you start: warm it first
Scoop a small amount and rub your palms together for a few seconds until it turns to oil. Applied warm, it spreads thin and absorbs. Applied cold, it sits on top and feels greasy. Everything below starts with this step.
If your jar arrives soft or liquid, that is normal. Solid or liquid, both are fine. It depends on the weather in transit.
Ude Aki for hair: 4c hair
On 4c hair, Ude Aki works best as a sealant. It goes on after water to seal in moisture.
- Start with damp hair, or hair where you have just applied your water based leave in.
- Work in sections.
- Warm a pea sized amount per section and smooth it from the lengths down to the ends.
- Twist, braid or style as normal.
Between wash days, a little on the ends is usually enough.
For a full moisture routine, read how to keep 4c hair moisturized with the LOC method.
Ude Aki on locs
With locs, a little goes a long way. Too much oil can leave locs feeling heavy.
- Warm a very small amount.
- Massage it into the scalp between your locs with your fingertips.
- Squeeze what is left lightly down the length of the locs.
Wash as you normally would.
Ude Aki on low porosity hair
Low porosity hair can let oil sit on the surface. Three things help:
- Always warm the oil first.
- Apply it to damp hair, not dry hair.
- Use a small amount. If it still sits on top, use less next time.
Some people cover their hair with a warm towel or a shower cap for a few minutes after applying.
Ude Aki on the scalp
For the scalp, try it as a pre wash treatment. Warm a little more than usual and work it into a dry scalp with your fingertips, section by section. Leave it for about thirty minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual.
Ude Aki for beards
Warm a very small amount, work it into the beard and the skin underneath, then comb through. The smoky smell fades after a few minutes.
What to expect
- Smell: strong, smoky and nutty. That is the real thing. It fades after a few minutes.
- Colour: deep caramel to rich brown. Keep it off light coloured pillowcases and collars until it has absorbed.
- Texture: grainy is normal. Warm it to smooth it.
Patch test on a small area before first use and stop if irritation occurs. Avoid contact with eyes. It is for external use only. Keep out of reach of children.
Questions people ask
How often should I use Ude Aki on my hair? As often as your hair feels dry. Many people use it on wash day and touch up the ends in between.
Is Ude Aki the same as batana oil? Close, but not the same palm. Read African batana oil: what it is and what it is really called, or the full side by side in batana oil vs black palm kernel oil.
Can I use it on my skin too? Yes. See how to use black palm kernel oil on hair, scalp and skin.
What does Ude Aki mean? Ude aki in Igbo means palm kernel oil. More in Ude aki in English.
Where to get Ude Aki
JEB FOODS Ude Aki Black Palm Kernel Oil is one ingredient and nothing else, roasted over firewood in Nigeria and packed in the USA.
Buying batana oil? Read real batana oil vs fake: 7 ways to tell before you buy.