Clean Beauty Tips & Techniques How to Make an Olive Oil Hair Mask By Sharmon Lebby Sharmon Lebby LinkedIn Twitter Writer University of South Carolina Sharmon Lebby is a writer and sustainable fashion stylist who studies and reports on the intersections of environmentalism, fashion, and BIPOC communities. Learn about our editorial process Updated August 11, 2021 Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan University of Tennessee Elizabeth MacLennan is a fact checker and expert on climate change. Learn about our fact checking process Share Twitter Pinterest Email Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Clean Beauty Products Tips & Techniques Overview Working Time: 5 - 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes - 1 hour Yield: 1 mask Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $10-15 You may have firsthand familiarity with olive oil's role in the kitchen. But did you know this popular oil can be effectively used as a moisturizing hair mask? What makes it work so well is olive oil's squalene—a naturally occurring terpenoid, or organic chemical, in olives—which contributes to its ability to add moisture to beauty products. For years now, olive oil has been included in common skin and hair care products—but even using the oil on its own, with optional additions like essential oil drops, can provide numerous benefits. With the easy-to-follow, DIY olive oil hair mask recipe below, you'll have healthier, well-conditioned hair in less than an hour. Before Getting Started Treehugger / Sanja Kostic If quality is one of your goals with this hair mask, you have to start with the best raw ingredients. The olive oil industry is unfortunately renowned for putting out lesser-quality diluted oils. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, consider these three things: Purchase olive oil in a dark bottle. Like anything, olive oil can go bad and thus should be preserved properly. Keeping your oil protected from the light will prevent it from oxidizing too quickly.Avoid the cheapest olive oil. Making good-quality olive oil takes a lot of work, which is why the price is typically on the higher end of the scale. Buying really inexpensive olive oil is almost a guarantee that it won't be a high-caliber product.Check the label. Make sure there are no additional oils added to it. The label may also reveal the harvest date, which gives you an idea of how fresh the oil is. (Note: If you are starting to question the freshness of your olive oil in the kitchen, using it as a hair mask is a great way to get extra use from the bottle.) Treehugger Tip Olive oil hair masks work best for those with dry or damaged hair. Olive oil is fairly heavy and deeply moisturizing. If you already have oily hair, this mask may leave your hair feeling greasy. What You'll Need Tools 1 microwave oven 1 microwavable container 1 towel 1 applicator bottle 1 shower cap Materials 1 tsp to 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil 5 to 10 drops of essential oil (optional) Instructions Warm the Olive Oil Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Heat the olive oil in the microwave for about 10 seconds. If you don't have a microwave, place the oil in a small container and let it sit in warm to boiling water for about a minute. You want the oil to be warm but not hot to prevent any burns. Stir the oil to make sure it's evenly heated. Add Essential Oils Treehugger / Sanja Kostic If you are adding essential oils to your mask, do so at this time. Make sure to shake or stir after adding so the oils mix together. Apply the Mask to Your Hair Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Prepare the mask for application with your applicator bottle. Place a towel around your shoulders to avoid damaging your clothing. You can also opt to put on an old T-shirt that you wouldn't mind getting stained. It's best to section the hair and apply the oil in smaller parts. Those with curly hair will want to start at the ends of the hair and work their way up. Those with straight hair can start at the roots and work down. If your hair is usually oily, focus on the ends. Cover Your Hair and Relax Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Once the olive oil has been fully applied, cover hair with a shower cap and let the mask sit for at least 15 minutes. A plastic shopping bag can also be used. Leave the mask on for 15-45 minutes; the timing will depend on the degree of dryness and damage you are treating. Detangle Your Hair Treehugger / Sanja Kostic Using a wide-tooth comb, gently detangle hair. This helps to further distribute the oil throughout the hair and prep it for shampooing. Those with curly hair can complete this step prior to covering for a more thorough distribution of the oil. Shampoo and Rinse Treehugger / Sanja Kostic After detangling, wash your hair with your usual shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Variations Treehugger / Sanja Kostic The essential oils you choose to add can promote different effects. According to one study, oils such as chamomile and rosemary have the potential to condition hair and improve hair growth, while bergamot and tea tree can help control dandruff. Various ayurvedic herbs could also be mixed in with the mask. For any additions, make sure to do thorough research first. Frequently Asked Questions What can you mix with olive oil for your hair? In addition to essential oils, you can also add honey, mashed banana or avocado, raw egg, yogurt, or coconut oil to your olive oil hair mask. Each has its own benefits, but they're all nutrient-rich and hydrating. Can olive oil ruin your hair? Olive oil is perfectly safe to use on hair. Using it too often could make it appear greasy, though, so limit use to once a week for best results. Is olive oil better than coconut oil for hair? Olive oil is generally better for hair than coconut oil because it's packed with good, nourishing fats whereas coconut oil has more saturated fat. Because it's a thicker oil, olive oil can leave hair looking especially slick, so if you're using it as a styling product, coconut oil might be better. How long should you leave olive oil in your hair? You can leave an olive oil hair mask on for as few as 15 minutes or as long as overnight. It depends on how dry your locks are. The longer you leave it on, the more conditioning it will be. Natural Hair Treatments Using Seaweed and Olive Oil View Article Sources Gouvinhas, Irene, et al. "Critical Review on the Significance of Olive Phytochemicals in Plant Physiology and Human Health." Molecules, vol. 22, no. 11, 2017, pp. 1986., doi:10.3390/molecules22111986 Carvalho, I.T., et al. "Application of Microencapsulated Essential Oils in Cosmetic and Personal Healthcare Products - A Review." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, vol. 38, no. 2, 2016, pp. 109-119., doi:10.1111/ics.12232 View Article Sources Gouvinhas, Irene, et al. "Critical Review on the Significance of Olive Phytochemicals in Plant Physiology and Human Health." Molecules, vol. 22, no. 11, 2017, pp. 1986., doi:10.3390/molecules22111986 Carvalho, I.T., et al. "Application of Microencapsulated Essential Oils in Cosmetic and Personal Healthcare Products - A Review." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, vol. 38, no. 2, 2016, pp. 109-119., doi:10.1111/ics.12232