Many online sources say that olive oil is good for hair growth. After all, it has a wide range of beneficial properties as it contains antioxidants [1], anti-inflammatory[2] and antimicrobial agents [3]. So it would not be hard to fathom that it might help with your hair loss as well.
Unfortunately, however, there is little evidence to support that olive oil can do much for your tresses other than moisturising and nourishing them. No human trials have been performed to show that it could stimulate hair growth or prevent hair thinning from any type of alopecia.
In fact, since it is heavy and greasy, using it on already oily hair might clog your pores, causing common scalp problems. [4]. Keep reading this article to find out more about:
So far, no human clinical trials have been made to demonstrate the properties of olive oil for hair growth or in preventing hair loss. The only indication that it may play any role in regulating the hair growth cycle is one small study conducted on mice.
The rodents experienced increased hair growth after being treated with topical oleuropein, a substance typically found in olives and olive leaves. It also caused their hair follicles to increase in size [30]. However, there are several things that may prevent the conclusions of this study from being extended to humans:
Thus, until further research, the only proven way olive oil can help your hair thinning is by moisturising it and thus preventing hair breakage, due to its high content of fatty acids.
While olive oil may not have proven benefits for hair growth at this time, it does have some properties which may be beneficial for your hair and scalp. However, most of them also require further research to determine the conditions under which they can be effective:
Excessive exposure to sunlight is not good for your hair and scalp due to UV radiation. Since olive oil contains natural antioxidants [1] [11], it may reduce oxidative stress [12] and prevent some UV damage to your hair and even help protect your scalp from skin cancer.
While there are no clinical studies in humans to confirm this, one study on mice found that using olive oil topically after exposure to UV radiation did indeed reduce the number of skin tumours they developed. However, using olive oil preventively before exposure did not have the same effect [13].
Olive oil contains a type of phenols that possess similar anti-inflammatory qualities to Ibuprofen [2] and is known to have anti-inflammatory properties when ingested [14]. It has also been found to treat scalp psoriasis when mixed with honey-derived ingredients, which suggests it may indeed reduce inflammation [28].
However, no conclusive evidence has so far been presented that it may have the same effect when applied topically and stand-alone [15]. So further research is needed to determine whether it can soothe inflammation, irritation or tenderness on your scalp.
Olive oil has demonstrated some antimicrobial qualities in vitro [3], including antifungal properties. One in vitro study found it efficient against candida, reducing it by 50% [26]. This means that there is a chance it could help prevent or treat yeast infections on the scalp, such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, but more research is needed to determine whether it is also effective when applied on the human scalp against the fungus that causes these conditions.
This is especially important since there are medical professionals who believe olive oil may actually exacerbate dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis by feeding the yeast that causes them [4].
The abundant fatty acids in olive oil are good emollients. They soften and moisturise hair and scalp and coat strands in a protective layer that prevents friction-induced breaking or split ends. Moreover, olive oil can seal the hair cuticle, keeping moisture inside for longer.
There are several ways you can use olive oil for your hair. While neither has have been proven to help your hair growth, they can help soften, moisturise and condition your strands, especially if you have dry, brittle hair:
Yes, you can apply olive oil to your hair without diluting it first, as it is not likely to cause irritation or burns on your scalp. In fact, olive oil can even be used as a carrier oil, which means you can use it to dilute other essential oils.
It is normally recommended to leave olive oil on your scalp for 15-30 minutes, depending on your hair type (the thicker and drier it is, the more you can keep it in). If you have very dry strands or want to fix heat-damaged hair, you can even leave it on overnight, but be sure to wash it well in the morning to avoid grease buildup.
Olive oil is generally safe for human consumption, both ingested and used topically on your scalp and hair. It is not known to cause significant irritation or other types of damage to your skin. While it can cause some allergic reactions, they are generally rare and mild.
However, since olive oil is high in fatty acids, using it excessively on your scalp and hair can make them greasy and can clog your pores, which may lead to scalp problems, such as acne or even scalp folliculitis.
So, it is best to avoid this type of oil if your hair is greasy already. And make sure you always wash your scalp well with shampoo after using olive oil for your hair.
The best olive oil for hair is the extra virgin variety. It is cold pressed and undergoes the least processing, while other types are heated and refined, which can lower its amount of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants [5].
The main other types of olive oil on the market include the virgin, pure, refined and pomace varieties. Most are normally safe to use on your hair and carry some moisturising and nourishing benefits. However, if you want to obtain the best possible effects, extra virgin olive oil should be your top choice.
Extra virgin olive oil normally contains mostly triglycerides of fatty acids – a type of fat found in human blood, which gets converted into energy. It also has some minor components, such as phenols, beta carotene and lutein, which have proven health benefits [8][9][27]
The fatty acids in olive oil can help keep your hair moisturised and well-nourished. They can also make it softer and shinier, improving its overall appearance, especially if it is dry.
If you are interested in stopping your hair from falling out, here are some of the best essential oils for hair growth you can try:
If you are looking for hair growth treatments, you are probably experiencing excessive hair shedding. If that is true, in order to get the most effective treatment, you need to book a consultation with a trichologist for the first signs of hair thinning and balding.
They will perform a careful examination of your scalp and hair and diagnose your condition so they can recommend the appropriate medications and therapies to treat the specific cause of your hair loss. The most common and effective of these are:
Moreover, unlike medication which you have to keep taking, a hair transplant is permanent. See the results for yourself in our before and after hair transplant gallery and if you are interested in this procedure, book a free hair transplant consultation at one of our convenient clinic locations.
If you would like to find out more about whether olive oil is good for your hair and scalp and how it compares to other hair oils, read the answers to these frequently asked questions:
It is hard to tell which of the two hair oils is better, as their effect depends on the variety you use, your hair type, the state of your scalp, etc. Neither are proven to stimulate hair growth or prevent hair loss directly. However, they contain fatty acids and antioxidants that can moisturise and nourish your hair.
Coconut oil can additionally prevent protein loss and may have some antibacterial properties (although more evidence is needed) [28]. Olive oil, on the other hand, may provide some protection against UV radiation. It may also help treat scalp psoriasis when combined with ingredients such as honey and beeswax [28].
If your dandruff is caused by a dry scalp, then yes, olive oil has emollient properties that can moisturise the scalp and soften the skin so it will stop flaking. This may also temporarily help ease the itching if you have scalp seborrheic dermatitis.
However, if these conditions are caused by a yeast infection of the scalp (an overgrowth of the fungus Malassezia furfur), olive oil may actually worsen your problem. That is because the yeast can feed on the oil, which can help it grow and spread. It is best to get a medicated shampoo such as Nizoral for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
It is best to avoid applying olive oil on already greasy hair and scalp, which can become even more oily. However, if your hair is normal or on the dry side, it shouldn’t feel greasy after you’ve rinsed the oil out.
Just make sure you don’t apply an excessive amount of oil and that you rinse your scalp and hair thoroughly with warm water. If your hair is still greasy afterwards, you can use a bit of gentle shampoo.
There is an abundance of evidence that eating olive oil can improve several aspects of your health, such as regulating cholesterol and blood pressure, improving digestion and even preventing some forms of cancer [6][7].
And it is true that it is important to eat a well-balanced diet for healthy hair, as vitamin deficiencies can cause hair loss. However, it is difficult to say how many benefits ingested olive oil can have for your hair. While it is healthy to eat it in recommended amounts, it is likely better for your scalp and hair if you also apply it topically.
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