Is Olive Oil Good for Your Hair?

A splash of olive oil starts countless recipes — but could it also be the secret ingredient for healthier hair? The ancient Egyptians certainly thought so. Ditto for the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Given those historical roots, we asked dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD, whether our ancestors were onto something.

How olive oil might benefit your hair

Your hair can’t repair itself or replace its own natural oils. It needs outside assistance to look and feel its best. Here’s how a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can help the cause.

• Moisturizing dry hair. As olive oil coats your hair shafts, it slows moisture loss. Just a little bit of oil can help keep your hair more hydrated and give it a softer feeling.
• Reducing frizz. Every strand of hair has a protective outer layer called the cuticle. When your hair is dry, that layer can become rough, leading to frizziness. Olive oil helps calm your hair so it lies flatter and looks sleeker.
• Adding shine. Smoother hair reflects light better, which can give it a healthier and more vibrant appearance.
• Preventing breakage. Hair that’s well moisturized tends to be more flexible and less likely to snap during brushing or styling. While olive oil can’t repair split ends or damaged hair, it may help reduce additional breakage.

Does it help hair grow?

Olive oil won’t stimulate your hair follicles or speed up hair growth. (Sorry!) But by helping to protect the hair that’s already on your head, your locks may appear a bit longer and thicker over time.

“By preventing breakage, your hair might feel fuller,” explains Dr. Kassouf. “But you’re not growing more of it.”

How to add olive oil to your hair routine

If you want to try olive oil on your hair, remember that less is more. “A little olive oil goes a long way,” notes Dr. Kassouf. “Using too much can leave your hair greasy.”

So, start with just a few drops. Rub the olive oil between your palms before applying it mainly to the middle and ends of your hair, where dryness and damage tend to be more noticeable. It works best on damp hair to help seal in the moisture.

After the olive oil is worked in, brush or comb your hair to help distribute the oil evenly.

Make sure to use plain extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). There’s no need to go with “flavored” varieties that may include ingredients that could cause irritation.

Dr. Kassouf recommends doing a patch test before going all in on olive oil.

“Find a small area kind of out of the way and use it for a few days,” she advises. “Make sure there’s no adverse reaction to it. Then, get a little braver with it.”

Some people like to use olive oil as an overnight conditioning treatment, sometimes called “hair slugging.” Dr. Kassouf says olive oil works well for this because it’s lighter and easier to wash out than thicker products (like petroleum jelly).

Precautions when using olive oil for hair

Olive oil is generally safe to try, but it isn’t the right fit for everyone. It works especially well if you have thick, coarse, curly or dry hair. If your hair is naturally fine or oily, it may leave it looking greasy or weighed down.

Be cautious about getting too much olive oil on your scalp and letting it sit, too.

“There are some yeasts on the skin that may feed on that and worsen some scalp conditions,” cautions Dr. Kassouf. “If you’re using it deep in the hair follicles, it’s best to get it washed off regularly so the yeast doesn’t build up.”

One more tip: Give your olive oil a sniff before applying it to your hair. “If it doesn’t smell good, don’t use it,” says Dr. Kassouf. “Culinary oils can go rancid, especially when they’re sitting in a warm environment.”

Final thoughts

There’s a reason olive oil has been used as a natural hair and skin care beauty product for thousands of years: It’s a time-tested way to perk up your appearance. (Cleopatra wouldn’t lead you wrong, right?)

So, if your hair needs a boost, you may find the solution in your kitchen.

“I like the simplicity of it,” says Dr. Kassouf. “It can be used straight out of the bottle you already have on hand.”