Jumbileen LCO method natural hair routine with herbal hair mist, hair growth butter and hair growth oil

The LCO Method Explained: Why the Order You Apply Your Products Actually Matters

If you've been deep in the natural hair community for any amount of time, you've probably heard the terms LCO and LOC thrown around like everyone just knows what they mean. And if you're new to this? It can feel like you walked into the middle of a conversation and everyone forgot to catch you up.

We're here to change that. In this post, we're breaking down what the LCO method is, why the order matters more than most people realize, and exactly how to use it to get the most out of your hair care routine.

So what is the LCO method?

LCO stands for Liquid, Cream, Oil. It's a layering system for moisturizing natural hair, and the whole idea is that each step builds on the one before it to lock moisture into your strands and keep it there longer.

The key word is layering. These products are not interchangeable, and the order is not random. Each one serves a specific function in the sequence, and skipping a step or flipping the order changes the result entirely.

Think of it like moisturizing your skin after a shower. Water alone dries out quickly. But if you add a cream while your skin is still damp, and then seal it with an oil, you keep that moisture in for hours. Your hair works the same way.

Breaking down each step

L- Liquid — this is your moisture base

Water or a water-based product goes first, always. This is what actually hydrates your strands. Hair is porous, and water is the only true moisturizer. You want your hair slightly damp at this stage, either freshly washed or refreshed with a water-based mist.

Herbal Hair Mist — the L step
Jumbileen Herbal Hair Mist for natural hair moisture and the LCO method
Jumbileen's Herbal Hair Mist was made specifically for this step. It's a six-herb blend of Nettle, Rosemary, Hibiscus, Chamomile, Moringa, and Lavender, plus Provitamin B5 and hydrolyzed rice protein to prep your strands to receive moisture."


C- Cream — this seals in your moisture

A cream or butter goes on top of the liquid while your hair is still damp. Its job is to hold the moisture in place. Water-based creams work best here because they can still absorb into the hair shaft rather than just sitting on top of it.


Must Grow Hair Growth Butter — the C step
Jumbileen Must Grow Hair Growth Butter for natural hair cream step LCO method
Jumbileen's  Must Grow Hair Growth Butter is the C step in our routine. It's built on a hibiscus-infused water base with shea butter, mango butter, silk amino acids, and Provitamin B5. It absorbs beautifully without leaving a sticky or heavy finish."


O- Oil — this is your seal

Oil goes on last. Because oil and water don't mix, applying oil at the end creates a barrier that keeps everything underneath locked in. This is why oil cannot go before the cream. If you add oil first, it blocks the cream from absorbing and your hair ends up coated but not actually moisturized.


Must Grow Hair Growth Oil — the O step

Jumbileen Must Grow Hair Growth Oil 31 Ayurvedic herbs for natural hair growth
Must Grow is our hero product for a reason. Thirty-one Ayurvedic herbs infused in a blend of 5 powerful oils including the Jamaican Black Castor Oil. It seals, it nourishes, and it works on every porosity type. This is the last step in your routine and one of the most important.


Why not LOC instead?

You may have seen the LOC method recommended in other places — Liquid, Oil, Cream. We use LCO specifically because putting the cream before the oil allows the cream to actually penetrate the hair shaft while it's still damp. When you flip the order and use oil second, it can prevent the cream from doing its job fully.

For most natural hair textures, especially those with medium to high porosity, LCO gives you better lasting moisture retention. The oil goes on last, sealing everything in, which is exactly where it belongs.

Who is the LCO method for?

This method works well for most natural hair textures, including coily, kinky, and curly hair. It's especially helpful if your hair tends to dry out quickly, if you struggle to maintain moisture between wash days, or if you're in protective styles and refreshing your ends or edges.

If you have very low porosity hair, you may want to use lighter products and apply on freshly washed hair that's still warm from the shower to help your strands absorb more effectively.


Shop the full LCO routine together
Jumbileen LCO method natural hair routine with herbal hair mist butter and oil
If you have a bundle or collection page featuring all three products together, this is a great place to link it. Suggested copy: "You can shop the Herbal Hair Mist, Must Grow Hair Growth Butter, and Must Grow Hair Growth Oil together and build your complete LCO routine from one place."


How to apply the LCO method step by step

Start on freshly washed, damp hair or lightly mist dry hair until it feels slightly wet. Work in sections if your hair is thick or long. Apply your liquid first and distribute it evenly through each section. While your hair is still damp, take your cream and smooth it over the same section to lock the moisture in. Then finish with a small amount of oil, pressing it gently into your ends and over the surface of each section to seal everything.

You do not need a lot of product. More is not better here. A little goes a long way, especially with the oil. Start small and add more only if your hair feels dry after it air dries or dries under a hooded dryer.



We hope this helps you feel a little more confident in your routine. If you try the LCO method with our products, we'd love to hear how it goes. Tag us or send us a message. We genuinely read every one.

With love,

Rochelle & Shawn

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