Little-known secrets of olive oil that make it a great go-to for hair care.
Olive oil is a fantastic conditioner for hair, but there are many other things about this essential oil that make it a great go-to for hair care.
It’s also one of the top emollients that can penetrate the hair better than others, and its lightweight nature makes it great for moisturizing.
Olive oil also contains anti-inflammatory properties that promote scalp health and prevent dandruff. Extra virgin oil is also rich in high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, an antioxidant important for hair growth.
Olive oil is not likely to cause an allergic reaction, making it ideal for sensitive skin and hair.
MORE: DIY Olive Oil Hair Treatment
DIY Olive Oil Hair Treatment
Another great thing about olive oil is that it’s a cheap and easy way to add moisture to your hair. Here’s a simple olive oil treatment you can try for achieving beautiful hair at home.
- Warm about a half a cup of olive oil in a microwaveable bowl or cup. The olive oil should be warm but not hot to the touch. If you have fine hair or prefer a lighter treatment, add coconut, sweet almond or jojoba oil.
- Pour one tablespoon of the olive oil mixture into the palm of your hands.
- Starting with your scalp, massage the oil into your hair in a circular motion using your fingertips. Finish by massaging the tips of your hair.
- Place your oil-drenched hair into a shower cap or wrap it with plastic wrap.
- Let the olive oil sit for between 5–45 minutes, then rinse and shampoo as usual.
MORE: Homemade Olive Oil Hair Recipes
Dry or Wet Hair?
Some women prefer applying olive oil treatments to wet and recently conditioned hair while others want their hair to be dry. If your hair is wet and conditioned, it will lock in the moisture and additional nutrients when the olive oil is applied.
The downside is that olive oil is already slightly more difficult to apply due to the hair’s slipper nature. If you apply olive oil to dry hair, it has a similar effect, but many argue it doesn’t lock in as many nutrients as the wet treatment. Even so, it’s less of a mess than the wet method.
Many users also recommend hopping in the shower and letting the steam do its thing to enhance the effects of the olive oil on the hair. Once you’ve washed it out, watch your step since the floor will be slick with oil.
MORE: 3 Natural Oils That Will Transform Your Hair
Olive Oil in Hair Products
Popular Olive Oil Hair Products
Although there are arguably more popular hair oils, olive oil is well-known as a culinary ingredient and easy to obtain in any average grocery store. For food and for hair, olive oil has been used since the dawn of civilizations, ranging from Mesopotamia to Ancient Egypt and Greece.
It’s no wonder then, that olive oil is found in a variety of hair care products. Olive oil penetrates the hair cuticle so that the necessary moisture and nutrients are absorbed, leaving your hair not only smoother, but shinier and healthier as well.
MORE: Natural Oils in Hair Products
Do you use oils to enhance the health of your hair? What is your favorite oil for your hair?
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June 18th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Thanks for sharing! I actually prefer argan oil instead of olive oil because it has more benefits and it’s super light on my hair, not greasy. I use Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan Oil hair treatment instead and my hair is shinier, healthier and stronger
June 18th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Thanks so much for your comment! You know it’s funny I have yet to try argan oil, but I’ve heard really good things about it. Perhaps it’s time for a change
. Thanks for the tip!!!
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Catch me on my Twitter handle, @SamanthaBerley
June 18th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
I have yet to try olive oil; I’ve tried jojoba & coconut oils but not olive oil. This article doesn’t state which is best, extra virgin olive oil or the heavier (darker colored oils). Which is best, does anyone know? I will have to google this. Thanks for the article!
June 23rd, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Hi Umph!
I’m not sure about that either! I almost always use extra virgin olive oil and assumed that the heavier the oil, the better. But that may not be the case, especially since heavier products weigh down hair. And I wonder if it would make a difference if it was cold pressed, as well. Thanks you for your comment, I’ll have to check into it, as well!
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Catch me on my Twitter handle, @SamanthaBerley
June 26th, 2012 at 7:36 am
I grew up with my mom using olive oil on our hair. Extra Virgin is the one to use. It’s isn’t as processed as the others. In the summer, I use it as an everyday hairdress mixed with shea moisture. Keeps a wonderful sheen on my hair as well as keeps my hair moisturized.
July 26th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Olive oil is good for pretty much anything! I was using it on my hair and it loved it, although it started getting a bit heavy and greasy so I switched over to argan oil (mine is from Pro Naturals). That’s another miracle product for hair
Got one online at Beyas and it’s been heaven for my hair ever since!
September 29th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Extra virgin olive oil has a lot more usage as a hair product than described in the post. Sicilian men use it instead of gel. The more water on the hair before you apply it the wetter it looks but if you apply it to semi dry hair you get the gelled looked without the gunk, and it looks shiny and healthy, and is great to run your hands through. I use it on dry hair before blow-drying. It’s also great moisturizer for the skin and tastes nice.
October 9th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
I having been using olive oil for about 3 weeks and LOVE it! I won’t be purchasing JBCO anytime soon and I will be saving money! I didn’t realize that I could purchase EVOO so cheap.
October 16th, 2012 at 6:24 am
I’ve used olive oil on both hair and skin and I prefer either argan oil or babassu oil. When I first used babassu, I IMMEDIATELY noticed a difference in my skin and hair. I purchase both from a cosmetics supplier who offers larger sizes than commercial brands.