Is Olive Oil Effective Against Dandruff?
Yes! Olive oil is one of the best ingredients you could use to treat dandruff. The oil is effective and efficient to the point where you start noticing the improvement from the first use. Following, I’ve put together the benefits of olive oil for hair.
1. Fights Dandruff
Olive oil is one of the best natural conditioners that you can find for your hair (1). Unlike regular store-bought conditioners, which only clog and irritate your scalp, olive oil will help moisturize a dry scalp and will soothe flaking.
2. Unclogs Follicles
Olive oil has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which make it a good hair cleanser (2), (3). Cleansers are used to remove the build-up that is clogging the hair follicles. Another study showed that olive oil penetrates through hair fibers and protects the hair from within (4). Clogged follicles (from the dirt and grime) can lead to scalp irritation and dandruff (5). Olive oil is light and helps dissolve all the dirt, excess oils, and grime that are present on your scalp. This helps unclog the follicles as well as nourish them so that hair can grow without a hitch, minimizing scalp irritation.
3. Prevents Damage
Olive oil helps reduce hair damage and trichoptilosis, or split ends (1). Regular use of olive oil can help boost scalp and hair health by preventing damage. This is owed to olive oil’s rich antioxidant properties that help minimize oxidative damage (2).
4. Conditions Hair
Olive oil can also be used as a hair conditioner as it penetrates the hair fiber (1), (2). The oil contains mono-unsaturated fats that nourish your hair (6). Thus, it may leave your hair feeling silky, soft, and frizz-free. Now that you know how beneficial olive oil is for your hair, check out how you can use it to treat dandruff.
How To Use Olive Oil For Dandruff Treatment
Egg whites contain enzymes that kill bacteria and prevent infection (7). This helps keep your scalp healthy while warding off dandruff. Eggs also help nourish your hair with their high protein content (8).
1 egg white 2 tablespoons olive oil Shower cap
5 minutes 20 minutes
In a bowl, beat the white of one egg with two tablespoons of olive oil. Ensure that the egg is cold to contain the smell. Apply this mixture onto your scalp and then work it down to the tips of your hair. Once your scalp and hair are covered in the mixture, cover your hair with a shower cap to avoid a mess. Wait for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes have passed, wash your hair with cool water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Avoid using warm or hot water as it might ‘cook’ the egg. Finish with conditioner. Ensure that you apply the conditioner from the mid-lengths of your hair without touching your scalp.
1-2 times a week.
2. Olive Oil And Almond Oil For Dandruff
Almond oil has anti-inflammatory properties (9). Therefore, it may help soothe scalp irritation and dandruff. In combination with olive oil, it also helps soften the flakes and dissolve excess oil and dirt, thus unclogging your hair follicles.
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon almond oil
2 minutes 45 minutes – Overnight
In a bowl, mix the almond and olive oils until you get a smooth mixture. Start massaging this mixture into your scalp and then work it down to the tips of your hair. Once your scalp and hair are covered, massage your scalp for about 10-15 minutes. Leave the oil on for an additional 30 minutes. Optionally, you can leave it in overnight. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Finish with a conditioner. Ensure that you apply the conditioner from the mid-lengths of your hair without touching your scalp.
2-3 times a week.
3. Olive Oil And Lemon For Dandruff
Lemon juice is rich in citric acid, vitamin C, and antioxidants (10). Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help fight dandruff and boost scalp health. The acidic nature of lemon juice can also help balance your scalp’s pH and leave your scalp feeling fresh and free of build-up. Be sure to properly rinse the lemon juice from your scalp. Failure to do so can lead to permanent hair loss. Caution: Do not sit under the sun after applying this hair mask because lemon juice can bleach your hair when exposed to sunlight.
1 teaspoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil
2 minutes 1 hour
In a bowl, combine the olive oil and lemon juice. Massage this mixture into your scalp and then work it down to the tips of your hair. Once your hair and scalp are both covered, continue massaging for about 10-15 minutes. Leave the lemon-oil mixture on for an additional 30-45 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Finish with conditioner. Ensure that you apply the conditioner from the mid-lengths of your hair without touching your scalp.
2-3 times a week.
4. Olive Oil And Tea Tree Oil For Dandruff
Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties (11), (12). It has also been found to be effective in the treatment of dandruff and the scalp irritation and greasiness associated with it (11).
2 tablespoons olive oil 10 drops of tea tree oil
2 minutes 45 minutes
In a bowl, add 10 drops of tea tree oil to 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix well. Start massaging this mixture into your scalp and then work it down to the tips of your hair. Once your scalp and hair are covered, massage your scalp for about 10-15 minutes. Leave the oil on for an additional 30 minutes. Optionally, you can leave it in overnight. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Finish with a conditioner. Ensure that you apply the conditioner from the mid-lengths of your hair without touching your scalp.
2-3 times a week.
5. Olive Oil And White Vinegar For Dandruff
White vinegar contains acetic acid that helps fight off fungal infections (13). Therefore, it may help fight off the dandruff-causing fungus Malassezia and relieve itching.
1 teaspoon olive oil 2 teaspoon white vinegar 1 tablespoon water
2 minutes 10 minutes
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients until they are well-combined. Start applying the mixture onto your scalp in sections. Once your scalp is completely covered in the mixture, massage for about 5 minutes. Leave the mixture on for an additional 5 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Finish with conditioner. Ensure that you apply the conditioner from the mid-lengths of your hair without touching your scalp.
1-2 times a week until the problem subsides.
6. Olive Oil And Turmeric For Dandruff
Turmeric is a powerhouse of antioxidants (14). Hence, it may help fight and prevent scalp and hair damage. It also has strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe your scalp and fight infection (14).
1 teaspoon turmeric powder 2 tablespoon olive oil Shower cap
2 minutes 45 minutes
In a bowl, mix the turmeric and olive oil until they are well combined. Start applying this mixture onto your scalp and then work it down to the tips of your hair. After your hair and scalp are covered in the oil-turmeric mixture, massage your scalp for about 10-15 minutes. Leave the mixture on for an additional 30 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Finish with conditioner. Ensure that you apply the conditioner from the mid-lengths of your hair without touching your scalp.
2-3 times a week. Is it safe to put olive oil on your scalp? Yes, it is generally considered safe to massage olive oil on your scalp. It has hydrating and anti-oxidant properties that moisturize and soothe the scalp (1), (15). Which is better for dandruff: coconut or olive oil? While both coconut and olive oils are beneficial, olive oil may be better. Olive oil has a higher amount of vitamin E than coconut oil which is essential in improving hair health (16), (17), (18). Olive oil, in combination with other ingredients, can keep your scalp hydrated and may help fight dandruff (1).
