Olive Oil for Curly Hair: Benefits and Usage

Introduction

I sometimes feel that I should use this phrase to describe the care required by the curly hair- ‘It takes village to keep your curls healthy, defined and soft’. And the village here is not about the people, but the products and the tips we need to keep the curls healthy. Olive oil for curly hair, is one such amazing oil, which helps a lot to keep curls frizz-free and smooth.

Olive oil is a very effective, natural oil which easily gets absorbed in the hair strands and make it healthier and shinier. It is rich in fatty acids, which helps to seal the moisture in the curls and make it healthier.

If we look back at our history, Olive oil is a fat obtained from a fruit and the fruit is a part of olive tree. The tree for olive fat lives for around 300-400 years, and the first extraction of the fat from the fruit creates extra virgin olive oil.

After knowing almost short version of olive oil, now let’s see the benefits of olive oil for curly hair in detail-

II. Nutrient Composition of Olive Oil

We know how curly hair behaves. Now, let’s understand what is the nutrient composition of Olive oil that it is beneficial for curls-

a. Healthy Fats-

Olive oil is rich in mono unsaturated fats called oleic acid. It helps to reduce inflammation and bad cholesterol in blood.

b. Anti-Inflammatory Properties-

Being rich in anti-inflammatory property, Olive oil reduces body inflammation which helps to reduce the risk of chronic disease.

c. Antioxidants-

Olive oil being loaded with antioxidants like vitamin E and phenolic compounds helps to protect the cells from oxidative damage. It keeps away the free radicals and contribute in delaying aging.

d. Vitamin E-

Being rich in Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant. Olive oil helps to protect the cells from getting damage and also strengthens the immune system.

e. Polyphenols-

These are the plant compounds, which help in improving heart health and reduce the risk of cancer.

f. Nutrient Absorption-

Healthy fats present in olive oil helps in better absorption of nutrient like Vitamin (A, D and E).

III. Benefits of Olive Oil for Curly Hair

After knowing about the nutrient composition of Olive oil, now let’s see how olive oil can benefit curly hair.

1. Moisture Retention-

All a curly hair is need is immense moisturization. Curls are always on drier side, because it does not get the natural oil from the scalp. Olive oil here helps to seal the moisture in the hair strands and prevents it from becoming dry.

2. Reduces Frizz-

Just like curls are on drier side, similarly curls are also frizzy especially in humid weather. Olive oil helps to reduce the frizz by smoothening the hair cuticles and preventing the moisture entrance in the strands.

3. Improves Hair Elasticity-

Olive oil with its great nutrient composition, helps to improve the elasticity of hair. A good hair elasticity reduces the hair breakage.

4. Promotes Hair Growth-

Curls are fragile in nature, it is necessary that it becomes strong from roots and the best way to do is to apply olive oil. Olive oil nourishes the hair roots and boost the blood circulation in the scalp. It promotes healthy hair growth.

5. Versatility-

The best thing about olive oil is you can use it in various ways as a leave-in conditioner, pre-shampoo treatment and to style the curls.

6. Gives Hair Shine-

Curls have uneven surface, which do not reflect the light properly making it look dull. Olive oil comes to rescue here, it adds shine to lifeless and dull curls by smoothening the hair cuticle.

IV. How to Use Olive Oil for Curly Hair

There are various ways in which you can use olive oil for your curls. Let’s see some of it-

• As a deep conditioner- You can use olive oil as a deep conditioner. After you have shampooed your hair, it’s time to apply conditioner on hair. Add few drops of olive oil in hair conditioner and apply it.

This will provide deep conditioning to your curls and will keep it soft and smooth.

• Leave-in conditioner- Another amazing use of olive oil is to use it as a leave-in conditioner. After you have washed and cleaned your hair, apply a little amount of olive oil as a leave-in conditioner. This helps to provide shine to hair.

• Hair Mask- Yes, Olive oil can be used as a hair mask. In below, section you can find many olive oil hair mask which helps in hair growth and keep the curls healthy.

• Styling Aid- If you wish to style your curls, then Olive oil is the best styling aid. Take a little amount of olive oil in your palm and rub it. Apply it on your curls to enhance the shape and texture.

• Scalp Massage- Scalp massage once in a week is very necessary, it helps to keep the curls soft, smooth and defined. Warm the olive oil a little and apply it on the scalp. It will promote blood flow and also hair growth.

V. DIY Olive Oil Hair Care Recipes for Curly Hair

Some of the good olive oil hair care recipes are as follows.

1. Olive oil for Hair Growth-

Olive oil helps to provide nourishment to hair, which results in good hair growth.

How to use:

• Take little amount of olive oil
• Heat it in the microwave for 15 seconds
• Wet your hair.
• Apply the olive oil on dampen hair.
• Cover your hair with towel for 30 minutes, so that the oil is absorbed in the hair strands properly.
• Rinse your hair with warm water and then with shampoo.

2. Olive oil recipe for Frizzy Hair–

We all know that frizzy hair is normal for curly hair. Olive oil acts as a good moisturizer to tame the brittle ends.

How to use:

• Take a small amount of olive oil.
• Apply the oil on the hair ends
• Scrunch your curls for better absorption of oil.
• Let the oil soak up in.

3. Olive oil baths-

I am sure you must have heard about this for the first time. Yes, you read it right there are olive oil baths for your hair. And this helps to nourish the hair ends.

How to use:

• Take olive oil in a bowl
• Heat it little.
• Let your hair soak in the olive oil bowl.
• Keep the oil for 3 hours.
• Slowly massage your scalp and cover your hair.
• Wash it off with nourishing shampoo after 3 hours.

4. Olive oil for Protein Treatment-

Curls need a good amount of protein treatment to be healthy and defined. And olive oil can help you in that.

How to use:

• Take 1 egg and whisk it properly
• Add a little amount of olive oil in it
• Apply the mixture to your hair.
• Leave it for 20-30 minutes
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water
• Wash it off with good shampoo and conditioner.

5. Olive oil for Deep conditioning-

Giving your curly hair a deep conditioning treatment once a week helps to keep them soft, smooth and healthy.

How to use:

• Take 1 ripe avocado and mash it
• Add olive oil to the mashed avocado
• Make a smooth mixture by mixing it properly
• Apply the paste on your hair strands
• Cover it with plastic for 30 minutes
• Wash it off with lukewarm water, shampoo and conditioner

VI. How to choose the Right Olive Oil for Curly Hair

After understanding everything about the olive oil, now, let’s see how we can choose the right olive oil for curly hair. As these days, there are many types of olive oil available in the market, it is necessary to understand the difference between types of olive oil and which one is the best-

Extra Virgin Olive Oil- This is the purest form of olive oil which is least processed and contains high level of nutrients.

Cold-pressed- This is the type of olive oil which is extracted from the fruit without using heat, hence, it preserves the oil’s natural properties.

Unfiltered- This olive oil is rich in natural antioxidants and nutrients.

So, the best type of olive oil for curly hair is EVOO, cold pressed and unfiltered.

Let’s see some of the good brands of Olive oil-

1. De La Cruz Pure Olive Oil-

As the name suggest this is a pure olive oil made especially for hair and skin. It helps to moisturize the hair strands and condition them. High in oleic fatty acid, this olive oil is lightweight in nature and gets easily absorbed in the hair.

Features:

• Hydrates and nourishes the hair
• Decreases friction in hair
• Helps to minimize frizz
• Smoothen the broken hair ends.

2. Aromatika Olive Oil Extra Virgin-

Rich in vitamins, minerals and other micro-nutrients, this extra virgin olive oil helps to reduce dandruff and strengthen the hair roots. No preservatives are added in the oil and it is 100% natural.

Features:

• No harmful chemicals
• 100% natural ingredients
• Rich in nutrients
• Enhances hair strength

3. Palmer’s Olive Oil Formula Hair-

Palmer is one of the best brands when it comes to skin and hair products. This extra virgin olive oil helps to provide instant hydration to the hair and leaves it smooth and soft. Formulated with Vitamin E, and antioxidants the oil helps to preserve hydration in the hair and gives it a fuller look.

Features:

• Enhances shine in the hair
• Soothes the itchy scalp
• No harmful chemicals
• Gives hair a fuller look

VII. Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Olive Oil Benefits

Let’s understand how we can maximise the olive oil benefits.

a. Always choose extra virgin olive oil –

It is beneficial to always use extra virgin olive oil, this oil type is least processed and is very rich in antioxidants.

b. Warm the Oil-

Before you apply the olive oil on your hair strands and scalp, warming it up a little bit helps in better application of the oil. Applying warm oil helps to make hair strands soft and smooth.

c. Focus on Hair ends-

Usually our main focus is on the hair roots, we often tend to ignore hair ends. Hair ends are much drier in nature and more prone to damage. Therefore, make sure that you apply olive oil on hair ends too.

d. Massage oil into your scalp-

Curly hair has dry scalp and this is the reason for dandruff and Frizziness in the curls. Gently massage olive oil into your scalp and provide moisturization and nourishment to hair strands.

e. Use it as Pre-shampoo treatment-

Using olive oil as a pre-shampoo treatment helps to protect the curls from getting dry and keep them moisturized.

VIII. Conclusion

So, above are the benefits of olive oil for curly hair. Olive oil has been used in household and in health practices since long. It helps to take care of dry and irritating scalp and keeps them nourished and moisturized. Being rich in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, olive oil helps to keep the curls hydrated and frizz-free.

How do you use olive oil for curly hair?