Along with being the staple of Mediterranean cuisine, olive oil has been used in different applications over the centuries, including religious and ritualistic uses, as well as medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

In fact, olive oil has long been prized for its skin-nourishing qualities, and Ancient Egyptians often used olive oils in their lotion, soaps, and hair treatments - Queen Cleopatra is famously said to have used olive oil for her skin and hair.

Is Olive Oil Good for Your Hair?

Olive oil contains many beneficial compounds, including squalene, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. These particular elements are known as emollients, which soften and hydrate the skin and hair by locking in moisture and preventing water loss. In fact, many hair products, like shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and pomades, actually contain lab-made versions of these compounds.

While dousing your hair in olive oil may sound counterintuitive, as oils are notoriously hard to wash out, treating your hair with olive oil as part of your hair care routine can actually add strength, softness, and shine to your hair. However, you'll likely have to experiment a bit before finding the appropriate hair care routine that works best for your needs.

Top Benefits of Olive Oil for Hair

As previously mentioned, olive oil offers numerous benefits for hair health due to its rich composition of antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins. It nourishes the scalp and stimulates hair follicles, thus promoting healthier hair growth. Fatty acids improve scalp circulation, contributing to stronger, fuller hair.

The antioxidants in the oil help protect the hair from environmental damage and oxidative stress, which often leads to hair loss and premature aging. It also smooths the hair cuticles, reducing frizz and preventing breakage and split ends. It can also rejuvenate damaged hair.

Another benefit is its moisturizing properties, which help soothe a dry and itchy scalp and reduce dandruff and flaking. It's really a universal hair product, as it's suitable for all hair types, including fine hair, coarse hair, curly hair, straight hair, as well as dyed and natural hair.

How to Use Olive Oil for Hair

To give your hair an olive oil treatment, start by using a tablespoon or two of oil. The quantity actually depends on your hair type. If you have long and very thick hair, you'll need at least a quarter cup of olive oil.

Next, you're supposed to massage the oil into your hair and scalp for a couple of minutes. It's also a good idea to massage the oil into your scalp and leave it in. For the most effective treatment, after massaging the oils into your hair and scalp, put on a shower cap and let the hair soak in the oil for about 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb before shampooing, as it will help with hair styling afterward. Since oils don't rinse as easily, you might have to shampoo twice, depending on how thick your hair is and how much oil you apply.

Use this treatment at least once a week (or less) for best results and healthy hair. However, if you have dry hair, a weekly moisturizing treatment using olive oils should suffice for hydration. If, by any chance, you don't have any access to olive oil, coconut oil and castor oil are good replacements, as they also help with dryness and contribute to healthier hair.

Why Choose Our Olive Oils?

Frantoio Grove produces the finest Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO), which are cold-pressed, the least processed, and the most rich-tasting and nurturing types of olive oil on the market. We cultivate our olives using regenerative organic practices right on our California olive ranch, so if you're in the market for some olive oil for your hair treatment, don't hesitate to check out Frantoio Grove.