At a glance:
Olive oil can make hair feel smoother, silkier and easier to comb, and research on olive-oil-containing hair products has found a shinier finish too. Some studies suggest plant oils can interact with the hair fibre, but there’s much less research on using neat olive oil at home. If you want to give it a go, start with a small amount and see how your hair responds.
What's actually in the bottle?
Every few weeks, a bottle of olive oil goes missing from somewhere near the hob. It turns up later on the edge of the bath, beside a bowl, an old towel and a phone playing a video called something like "the only hair mask you'll ever need".
It's an old habit. Olive oil has been going on heads for about as long as it's been going on salads. But what does olive oil actually do once it makes the journey from kitchen cupboard to bathroom? We went looking for an answer - and a little more clarity on the benefits of olive oil for hair.
What's in olive oil that could matter for hair?
Most of olive oil is fat, with oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, making up much of its fatty-acid profile. When that oil leaves the kitchen and lands on a strand of hair, those fats play a big part in what happens next. They affect how easily the oil spreads, how it feels and whether it can work its way into the hair fibre.
Olive oil also contains vitamin E and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. We’ve covered olive oil polyphenols in more detail in our research piece, but when it comes to hair, there’s much less research on what these compounds actually do.
For hair, though, the fatty acids are the part worth paying attention to.
What are the benefits of olive oil for hair?
Hair oils have been put through their paces in cosmetic science for decades, with researchers looking at what happens when they meet the hair fibre.
Softer, silkier hair
The most useful older study here dates back to 2005. In Investigation of penetration abilities of various oils into human hair fibers, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, Researchers treated hair fibres with coconut, olive, sunflower or mineral oil, then measured how strongly the fibres clung together through the oil film. With the plant oils, including olive oil, the hair fibres became less prone to sticking together over time, which suggested the oils were moving into the hair rather than simply sitting on top.
That gives us a plausible explanation for the softer, silky feel people associate with hair oils. A 2022 review by dermatologists at the Venkat Centre in Bengaluru also describes olive oil as an emollient, which can help smooth the surface of the hair.
Hair that's easier to comb
This is where a 2018 study, Development and efficacy evaluation of hair care formulations containing vegetable oils and silicone, earns its place. Researchers made shampoo, conditioner and leave-in products containing olive oil, Brazil nut oil or a silicone called cyclomethicone, then tested them on sections of untreated brown hair and measured the force needed to pull a comb through. The olive-oil-treated hair needed less force than the silicone-treated hair.
Less force means less resistance as the comb moves through the hair, which is about as close to a measurable “detangles easily” as hair science gets.
There is one important detail: these were finished cosmetic products, with olive oil used as one ingredient in the formula. So the result tells us something about olive-oil-containing hair products, rather than what happens when you tip a spoonful of olive oil straight onto your head.
A shinier finish
The same 2018 study also measured shine using a gloss meter, and the olive-oil formulations came out shinier than the silicone versions after repeated use. Considering silicones are commonly used in hair products to give hair a smoother, shinier finish, that’s a decent result to get.
Smooth, evenly coated hair reflects light more evenly, which is why adding oil can give it a glossier finish. Again, though, this was a small lab study using finished hair products, so it gives us a useful indication rather than the final word on olive oil and shine.
Strength and breakage
The 2018 study also looked at how much force the hair could take before it broke. The olive-oil formulations needed more force to snap than the silicone ones, which is an interesting little result for anyone whose hair is prone to breakage.
It was still a small lab study, though, so we shouldn’t stretch that finding too far.
Newer research gives us a little more to work with. A 2024 study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that some plant oils helped hair fibres withstand repeated stress. The oils tested were coconut, Camellia oleifera and safflower, not olive oil, so we can’t use it to claim that olive oil prevents breakage.
It might seem unrelated, but the study does show that oils can interact with the hair fibre in ways that may affect how well it copes with everyday wear and tear.
Dry, rough-feeling lengths
Put the research together and it starts to make sense why olive oil has such a long-standing reputation as a hair treatment. When oil works into the hair fibre and reduces friction between strands, it can leave hair feeling smoother and silkier.
So if your hair is feeling a little dry, coarse or straw-like, a small amount of olive oil could give it a softer, glossier finish.
Just think of it as a finishing touch rather than a drink for thirsty hair. Olive oil doesn’t add water to the hair, but it can help dry-feeling hair look smoother and feel fantastic.
So, what does the research actually tell us?
Overall, the research gives olive oil a pretty good case as a hair-conditioning ingredient. When it comes to olive oil and hair benefits, studies suggest it can help hair feel smoother, make it easier to comb and give it a shinier finish. There are also signs that oil can work its way into the hair fibre, which could help explain some of those softer, silkier results.
There’s much less evidence on what happens when people use neat olive oil on their hair regularly, particularly when it comes to longer-term effects or breakage. And because some of the strongest results come from finished hair products containing olive oil, we can’t assume a DIY treatment straight from the kitchen will give exactly the same result.
So, if you’re reaching for the olive oil, the research gives us reason to expect hair to feel smoother, easier to comb and look shinier. Just don't expect a few spoonfuls to transform the condition of your hair overnight.
How to use olive oil on your hair
There’s no official olive-oil hair routine hiding in the research, so think of this as a practical guide rather than a prescription. If you’re interested in the olive oil benefits for hair, the best approach is to start small and see how your hair feels.
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As a pre-shampoo treatment: Warm a small amount between your hands and work it through your hair, focusing on the ends and avoiding the roots. Around a teaspoon is plenty for shorter or finer hair; if you have longer or thicker hair, you may need a little more. Leave it for 20-30 minutes, then shampoo thoroughly. If your hair still feels coated, shampoo it again.
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Mixed with conditioner: If neat olive oil feels a little too rich, add a few drops to your usual conditioner. It’s an easy way to try it without committing to an oil-soaked head.
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On the ends: For a quick hit of softness and shine, rub a drop or two between your palms and smooth it over dry ends. Start with less than you think you need - you can always add another drop.
How often should you use it? There’s no research-backed schedule, so there’s no need to turn it into a weekly ritual. Try it every week or two to begin with, then adjust depending on how your hair feels.
What about different hair types? Dry, coarse or textured hair may be happier with a little more oil, while fine hair can become weighed down more easily. If your hair is fine, use a smaller amount and keep the oil away from the roots.
And when it comes to the oil itself, why not use one of the best high polyphenol olive oils in the UK? Our MasWorth Family Groves and November olive oils are both high in polyphenols, making them great options for a little at-home hair care as well as cooking.
What olive oil won't do for your hair
Olive oil can leave hair feeling silky, smoother and easier to comb, but it has its limits. Think of it as a conditioning step, rather than a miracle treatment.
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It won’t make your hair grow faster. Olive oil can change how the hair you already have looks and feels, but there’s no evidence that it speeds up hair growth.
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It won’t treat hair loss. A little olive oil might make your hair feel nicer, but it isn’t a treatment for hair loss. If you’re noticing more hair coming out than usual, it’s worth chatting to a GP or pharmacist about what might be behind it.
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It won’t mend split ends. Oil can make damaged hair look smoother and feel silkier, but once a split has formed, it can’t be stuck back together. A trim is the only real fix.
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It won’t work better in bigger amounts. It’s tempting to think a generous coating will give you a more intensive treatment, but too much oil can leave hair flat, greasy and tricky to wash out. Start with a small amount and see how your hair responds.
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It won’t replace a formulated hair product. The 2018 study that found some of the most promising results used shampoos, conditioners and leave-in products containing olive oil. Those formulas also contain other ingredients designed to help everything spread through the hair and rinse out easily. Neat olive oil can still be worth trying, but it won’t necessarily behave in exactly the same way.
Is it worth borrowing the bottle?
If your hair is feeling dry, frizzy or a little rough around the edges, olive oil is worth a try. You don’t need much: a teaspoon is plenty, a towel you don't mind getting oily and a good shampoo afterwards should do the trick.
The research suggests that olive oil can help hair feel smoother, silkier and easier to comb, while giving it a glossier finish. It won’t transform your hair overnight, but as a simple little at-home treatment, there’s more to it than just an old Mediterranean trick.
So yes, that bottle by the hob can make its way to the bathroom - just remember to put it back afterwards! For more on olive oil as part of a beauty routine, take a look at our guide to olive oil for skincare. And when it’s time to replace the bottle in the kitchen, our guide to buying olive oil covers what to look for.
Scientific References:
Olive oil and hair benefits FAQ
Is olive oil for healthy hair worth trying?
If your hair is feeling dry, rough or a little unruly, olive oil can make it feel smoother, silkier and easier to comb. When it comes to olive oil and hair benefits, research has also found a shinier finish in olive-oil-containing hair products. There’s much less evidence for things like hair growth or longer-term effects, so we’d keep the benefits to what you can actually see and feel.
Can olive oil make hair softer and shinier?
It can help. A 2018 study found that hair treated with olive-oil-containing products needed less force to comb and had a higher gloss after repeated use. How your own hair responds will depend on its texture and how much oil you use, but a small amount can leave it looking smoother and glossier.
Is olive oil good for dry hair?
It can be a nice option when dry hair is feeling rough or straw-like. Olive oil can help smooth the surface of the hair and reduce friction between strands, leaving it feeling silkier. It doesn’t add water to the hair, though, so think of it as a conditioning step rather than a source of moisture.
How do you use olive oil as a hair mask?
Comb a small amount through dry hair and ends, cover with a towel or shower cap if you like, leave for 20 to 30 minutes, then shampoo twice with something gentle.
How often should you put olive oil in your hair?
There’s no research-backed schedule for using olive oil as a hair treatment. Start occasionally and see how your hair responds. If it starts feeling heavy, greasy or difficult to wash, you’re probably using too much or doing it too often.
Is zaitoon oil good for hair?
Zaitoon is a word for olive used in Arabic and several other languages, so zaitoon oil generally means olive oil. If you’re buying a product labelled zaitoon oil, check the ingredients first, as some products may contain other oils or added fragrance.
Scientific & Nutritional Information / Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and summarises published scientific research and general nutritional information relating to olive oil and olive polyphenols. It is not intended as medical, nutritional or dietary advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from your doctor, registered dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional.
Scientific studies reflect the findings of their respective authors and should not be interpreted as evidence that the same results will occur for every individual or from the consumption of any particular product.
Any health claims made in relation to our products are limited to those expressly authorised under applicable UK and EU nutrition and health claims legislation.
