Dull, lifeless, or damaged: Are these the types of badly behaved hair that you are going through? If yes, you are not alone. With a myriad of chemical-based hair products in the world, more and more people are turning to natural remedies to restore the health of their hair, and olive oil is on top.
Used for centuries in Mediterranean cosmetic rituals, olive oil isn’t just one of a few cooking essentials at home. This golden liquid toolbox has rich antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids that nourish the scalp, strengthen the strands, and leave the hair just like that beautician in the salon.
From here, we shall share the 10 best olive oil for hair benefits as supported by science and experts, along with other tips to try, recipes for DIY, and testimonials that can sell you on making the attempt tonight!
What Makes Olive Oil So Special for Hair?
Before we actually go into benefits, let’s understand what, in fact, gives olive oil its superpowers:
Vitamins E and K- Great for hair strength and repair
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids- Waterproofing against moisture loss
Squalene- An emollient that glazes naturally
Antioxidants– Guard against free radicals and pollution damage.
Olive oil, therefore, is the one-stop answer for problems of split ends, frizz, dandruff, and hair loss.
1. Deeply Moisturizes Dry, Brittle Hair
Dryness is one of the most common issues people have with their hair. Because of its monounsaturated fats, olive oil can penetrate deep into the hair shaft and nourish your hair from the inside out. It does not simply coat your hair.
Insider Tip: Dermatologist Dr. Aparna Santhanam explains, “Olive oil will restore the lipid layer of your hair, reducing the loss of moisture and will leave the strands smooth and shiny.”
DIY Tip: Warm 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and work it into your hair. Cover it in a hot towel for 30 minutes and shampoo with a mild shampoo.
2. Strengthens Hair while Reducing Breakage
Olive oil is a good option if your hair is brittle and breaks easily. It is rich in antioxidants, as well as oleuropein, which strengthens hair follicles and protects the strands from wear and tear.
Specialty Note: In a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science in 2015, researchers determined that oils like olive oil help reduce hygral fatigue (the cycle of swelling and drying) that leads to breakage over time.
Pro Tip: Use olive oil in a pre-shampoo! This will help protect your hair from friction damage during washing.
3. Stimulates hair growth naturally
One of the most exciting benefits of olive oil is its ability to possibly speed up hair growth. It improves blood flow to the scalp and is full of important nutrients that can help sustain a healthy hair growth environment.
Real result: I can attest to seeing thousands of women share their personal transformations on hair forums like Reddit’s r/HaircareScience after they added olive oil into their weekly routines.
Try This: Combining olive oil with a couple of drops of rosemary oil or peppermint oil makes for a natural hair growth serum that blocks DHT.
4. Fights dandruff and soothes scalp irritation
Is that flakes I see? You can say goodbye to flakes! The anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties of olive oil help treat dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and dry scalp issues.
Expert Tip: “Massaging olive oil into your scalp helps soften the dead skin cells, make it easier to remove the flakes,” says trichologist Dr. Anabel Kingsley.
Skip: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice. Massage into scalp, leave it for 20 minutes, and wash out thoroughly.
5. Adds Amazing Shine to Hair
Who doesn’t want red-carpet shine? Olive oil coats the hair cuticle with natural shine without the stickiness found in synthetic serums.
Bonus: And unlike silicone-based shine sprays, olive oil will not clog the follicle or long-term damage your hair.
Shiny Hair Hack: After styling, put a drop of olive oil in your palm and work it through your hair; this will give you instant shine.
6. Reduces Frizz and Flyaways
Humidity, heat, and over-styling can lead to frizz. Olive oil forms a barrier against air moisture, helps the hair stay pliable, and reduces puffiness, which leads to frizz-fighting.
TIL = olive oil smooths the outer-cuticle layer of the hair, which stops it from taking on too much moisture from the air, which is the main contributor to frizz.
Fighting Frizz: Add 1 tbsp olive oil to 1 tbsp of shea butter to make your own anti-frizz hair balm.
7. Protects from Heat Damage
Flat irons and curling wands can reach temperatures over 400°F. Olive oil is a natural heat protectant, offering a barrier to protect the hair from more damage.
But: it should just be used for low to medium heat styling – do not use just before using high heat tools.
Safe styling tip: Use a thin layer of olive oil before blow-drying to help prevent heat-related split ends.
8. Prevents Split Ends
Not only do split ends look bad, but they can also slow your hair growth and lead to breakage. Olive oil keeps the ends of your hair moisturized and helps to prevent split ends.
Pro tip: “The more you regularly oil with olive oil, the less often you have to get your hair trimmed. This helps you maintain your length,” says celebrity hair stylist, Jen Atkin.
Double Duty Split End Helper: Apply olive oil to the last 2 inches of hair at bedtime and wash out in the morning.
9. Increases Hair Elasticity and Texture
When hair can stretch, bounce, and not break, it is healthy. Olive oil restores elasticity to your hair by putting back the natural lipids and proteins lost from harsh products or coloring.
Best for: Curly, textured, or color-treated hair, which can help dry and brittle-looking hair types.
Curl Care Tip: Use a mixture of olive oil and honey to make an exceptionally hydrating hair mask that will enhance curl texture and bounce.
10. Boosts Your Natural Curl Pattern and Definition
If your hair is straight or wavy, then olive oil will be of limited help. But if you have waves, curls, or coils, you’re going to love what olive oil can do for you! It will help define your natural curl pattern with hydration and control puffiness and frizz instead.
Real Review: “I’m beyond excited! After using olive oil overnight, my 3B curls looked so juicy and defined! I don’t even need curl cream,” – Arushi R., beauty blogger
Curl Love DIY: Pair olive oil with your LOC (Liquid – Oil – Cream) method to lock in moisture.
Disadvantages of olive oil on hair
Are There Side Effects?
Olive oil is generally safe for all hair types, but:
Avoid Too Much: A little goes a long way.
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse well or you will have a greasy buildup.
Not for Super Fine or Thin: Not for super fine or thin hair unless it is diluted.
Patch Test Reminder: Always test on a small area of your scalp to check for allergies or irritation.
In Conclusion
From moisture to hair growth, olive oil is an incredible miracle ingredient that you most likely have sitting around in your home. It is here to help with many hair-related problems, whether you’re dealing with frizz or dandruff, hair breakage, or simply want longer or shinier hair—there is really nothing this golden oil cannot do.
It’s natural, inexpensive, and backed by not only the wisdom of the ancients but also by modern science. So why not try it?
Start incorporating olive oil into your haircare regimen today—you’ll be wishing you had started a long time ago.
FAQs
Q1. Is it ok to leave olive oil in my hair overnight?
Yes! Leaving olive oil in overnight as a deep treatment allows for the most absorption. Just wear a shower cap to protect your pillow from staining.
Q2. How often should I use olive oil in my hair?
1–2 times a week, depending on your hair type, is usually enough. You can adjust based on how dry or damaged your hair is, or how you like to style your hair.
Q3. Can olive oil contribute to hair fall?
No! In fact, olive oil helps to strengthen your hair and can sometimes minimize hair fall from breakage. Just make sure to wash it out properly!
Use cold-pressed, organic extra virgin olive oil or olive oil with no additives. Some brands to look for are Figaro, Borges, or California Olive Ranch.
