Olive oil hair masks and treatments

Why should you use olive oil on your hair?

Olive oil is an active ingredient in many shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments. Recent scientific studies have looked at why and how olive oil should be part of your hair care routine.

Olive oil can moisturize the hair. Squalene, oleic acid, and palmitic acid — antioxidants found in olive oil — are emollients that can create a protective barrier and lock in moisture. [1]

Squalene is naturally present in human skin cells. After the age of 30, however, the body's squalene production decreases drastically, which can contribute to dry skin and skin aging. Squalene has also been shown to reduce free radical damage. Containing up to 300 times more squalene than other vegetable oils, olive oil is a cruelty-free alternative to squalene derived from deep-sea sharks. [2] (By the way, squalene is found in extra virgin olive oil and to a slightly lesser extent in regular olive oil).

Olive oil can also help prevent hair breakage and split ends. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in olive oil nourish and strengthen the hair shaft and thus reduce hair breakage. [3]

Olive oil can even promote hair growth! A 2015 study found that oleuropein, a polyphenol found in extra virgin olive oil, stimulated hair growth in mice. [4]

So, using olive oil for hair has many benefits. If you're looking for a natural, inexpensive way to improve the health of your hair, you should try olive oil! You can use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, as a deep conditioner, or as a daily moisturizer. Try the recipes below!

Olive oil hair mask by Julia Robert

According to Vogue Italia, actress Julia Roberts makes an emulsified mixture of extra virgin olive oil and some warm water and leaves it on her hair for about half an hour as a DIY mask.

Jerry Hall's Olive Oil Overnight Conditioner

Jerry Hall shared her olive oil hair care tips with the Daily Mail. In her own words: “On Sunday nights I massage it like my mother taught me, tuck my hair under a shower cap, tie a scarf over it and leave it on for as long as possible. Overnight is ideal, but it can stain the pillowcase, so I leave it on while I watch a movie before washing it out.

Miranda Kerr's Olive Oil Overnight Conditioner

The model Miranda Kerr told Elle France that she treats her hair weekly with olive oil and lemon juice to give it more shine. “I mix the two at least once a week and leave the mixture to work for as long as possible. This homemade recipe was taught to me by my mother and to this day I have not found a better one to fix my hair after shows.”

Hot oil treatment with olive oil

Drugstore hot oil regimens start at $5 an ounce. You can make the oil regimen below using extra virgin olive oil in your kitchen for only $0,50 per regimen!

Apply this treatment to freshly washed hair. If you have dandruff or an oily scalp, only apply the treatment to the ends of your hair. You can treat your hair once a week.

Heat 2-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a microwave-safe bowl for 10 seconds.
Test a small amount of the oil on your hand to make sure the oil is not too hot.
Distribute the oil evenly through your hair and massage into your scalp. You can comb through it.
Cover your head with a plastic shower cap or wrap your hair in plastic wrap. Wrap your head in a towel to retain heat.
Rinse after 15 minutes.
You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the olive oil to enhance the effect. Lavender oil is good for all hair types, rosemary is good for oily hair and dandruff, and peppermint is energizing. Just be careful not to get it in your eyes!

Hair mask with egg, honey and olive oil

• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoon honey
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

To make the mask:

1. Warm the honey in the microwave for 10 seconds.
2. Stir in the olive oil and egg
3. Whisk all ingredients thoroughly
4. Apply the mixture to the hair and scalp.
5. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap or wrap your hair in cling film. Wrap your head in a towel to retain heat.
6. Rinse after 15 minutes.
7. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.

Yoghurt and olive oil hair mask

• ½ cup plain yogurt
• ¼ cup olive oil

How to make the mask:

1. Mix together the yogurt and olive oil.
2. Wet your hair and apply the mixture to your scalp.
3. Work them into the ends of your hair.
4. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap or wrap your hair in cling film. Wrap your head in a towel to retain heat.
5. Rinse the hair after 15 minutes.
6. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.

Treatment with olive oil against split ends

Apply a small amount of olive oil to the ends of the hair to improve hair elasticity and prevent split ends. While olive oil won't cure split ends, it can improve the appearance of shaggy ends.