For centuries, Mediterranean cultures have been reaping the benefits of olive oil. It’s super prominent in many foods and cultural dishes within the region, and people also use it for personal care purposes, including on their skin and hair. So how exactly does olive oil factor into one’s beauty routine today? We consulted dermatologists to find out how effective olive oil actually is as a hair care ingredient.
What are the benefits of olive oil for hair?
According to Dr. Steve Xu, board-certified dermatologist and head of the medical advisory board at Geologie, “Olive oil is essentially a liquid moisturizer … It is high in squalene, linoleic and linolenic acids — these all have emollient (moisturizing effects) for hair.” In addition, olive oil is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids —?specifically oleic and stearic acids — that are known to have cosmetic benefits. “Oleic acid helps restore moisture in the scalp for my hydrated, softer hair,” says Dr. Ashley Magovern, board-certified dermatologist, medical advisor for Dermstore and founder of Manhattan Dermatology in Manhattan Beach, California. “Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, can help smooth hair and reduce frizz.”
It is also hugely beneficial for scalp health in general. “Since our scalp is an extension of our skin, olive oil’s role in hair care is quite like its role in skin care,” Magovern says. “Olive oil can be nourishing for the scalp, especially for those with dry, thick hair. Depending on your hair type, olive oil may relieve dryness, and potentially itchiness, as well as repair some damage.”
Does olive oil help hair growth or repair?
“Olive oil is nutrient-rich and can reduce brittleness or dryness from overtreated hair, but please note that it won’t repair any split ends, only help prevent future ones,” Magovern says. Xu echoes this sentiment and notes that olive oil can help with adding shine and creating a smoother appearance for hair. When it comes to actual hair growth itself, the scientific data still remains unclear. “Data on stimulated hair growth is limited and cannot be proven at this point,” Magovern says of olive oil’s role. “Plus, many factors contribute to hair growth like diet and hormones, so it’s difficult to ascertain if and/or how olive oil would be beneficial for this process.”
Is it good to put olive oil in your hair?
As a hair treatment, “[Olive oil] moisturizes strands by coating them to soften and add shine; however, if you have thin or oily hair, it may weigh strands down too much,” Magovern says. And although it has tons of beauty benefits, the dermatologist advises against applying the olive oil from your pantry directly to the scalp “as the fatty acids can contribute to fungal overgrowth that may lead to dandruff or infection.” Instead, look for olive oil-infused scalp and hair products that provide the ingredient’s nourishing benefits in formulas specifically tailored for the area.
Best olive oil hair care
This popular hair mask, as well as Oribe's Gold Lust Hair Oil, are olive oil-infused formulas that boost strength and shine. "[This is] a wonderful mask that will also help restore and nourish with biotin and shea butter," Magovern says.
While Bur Bur's star ingredient is burdock root extract (a natural wonder for the scalp and hair that has been used in the founders' family for generations), cold-pressed, early harvested olive oil is the carrier in its signature hair oil. The pre-shampoo treatment can be left on as a conditioning overnight treatment for the hair and scalp, restoring shine and strength.
“This includes a great blend to condition and shine hair,” Magovern says. The multitasking product conditions, primes and adds shine to the hair, combining olive oil with vitamin E and babassu oil. Add it into your routine before styling to make hair softer and more manageable.
For curly and coiled hair types suffering from dryness due to overprocessing, Magovern recommends the Elasticizer Extreme.
Keeping it simple with a pure, organic, cold-pressed oil is a straightforward way to add natural ingredients to your hair care routine. This product is derived from hand-picked olives harvested in Argentina and also claims to treat premature graying thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants.
Made with olives picked from a farm in Umbria, this hair mask is packed with strengthening ingredients like oligopeptides, hyaluronic acid, keratin and a biotin complex to keep your hair shiny, nourished and healthy. You can use it in place of your normal conditioner for an efficient treatment.
Magovern also loves this mask from Virtue, which is great for dry or damaged hair. She says it delivers the shine and moisture benefits of olive oil. Plus, it also contains rosemary extract, which is beneficial for hair growth.
“This is a pre-shampoo treatment that is great for many hair types, especially those with color-treated or over-processed hair," Magovern says.
Just a few drops are needed with this super-nourishing oil. It can also be applied to your face and body, which is an added bonus.
