Olive oil is great for curly hair. When it comes to building a haircare routine for curly hair, one of the most important things you may consider is the type of ingredients you would like to use on your curls. Olive oil is widely used in hair care due to its moisturising, strengthening and smoothing properties. In order for your curls to get the best of what olive oil has to offer, you’ll need to use it in accordance with your hair type, porosity and preferred technique. Olive oil can be good for curly hair but reaping its benefits depends on how it is used. Keep reading for everything you need to know about olive oil for curly hair.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Olive Oil & Hair: The Science Behind the Ingredient
- 5 Benefits of Olive Oil for Curls
- Introducing Moisture Memory Release
- Olive Oil vs Other Oils
- Olive Oil Final Thoughts
Olive Oil & Hair: The Science Behind the Ingredient
Olive oil is thought of as a hero ingredient for curly hair due to its ability to address the challenges that those with curly hair types, textures and curl patterns can face.
One of the unique challenges that curly hair faces is detangling, especially when it’s wet. Olive oil has a light texture so it can easily add slip to curls, which makes it a lot easier to detangle them so you won’t need to worry about this on wash day. It can also help reduce breakage, which is a common concern when attempting to untangle hair.
Olive oil can also be really good for scalp health. Curly hair can be susceptible to a dry or itchy scalp because it isn’t washed as much. This is where olive oil comes in handy as it has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, which can help to soothe irritation and reduce dandruff.
It is a natural moisture sealer. Olive oil seals moisture into the hair shaft when water or a leave-in conditioner has been applied to hair. Natural scalp oils can struggle to travel down curly strands, making olive oil ideal for anyone who wants their curls to retain moisture.
Olive oil also smooths cuticles and adds shine, which is perfect for making curls look more defined and less frizzy. It also has nourishing properties due to its contents, which include vitamin E, oleic acid and squalene. All of these ingredients can nourish the scalp and hair, promoting strong and healthy curls.
Olive oil is great for curly hair but it can be helpful to know how it can bring out the best for your curls so you can keep them happy and healthy in between wash days.
5 Benefits of Olive Oil for Curls
Olive oil is a staple in curl care routines for a number of reasons. It contains a range of ingredients including oleic acid and squalene which all work together to moisturise, soften and smooth curls. As curly hair is drier than other hair types, it requires a lot of nourishment in order to thrive and olive oil can help with this. Here are some of the main benefits of olive oil for curly hair:
Locks in Moisture
Curly hair needs moisture in order to thrive and olive oil can help to trap moisture by travelling all the way down the hair shaft. To retain moisture with the help of olive oil, you’ll need to use water or a water-based product (like a leave-in conditioner of your choice) beforehand.
Reduces Frizz
Frizz is a common issue for those with curly hair. It can take many forms, the most notable of which being dry and undefined curls. Olive oil can help tame frizz by smoothing hair cuticles. When cuticles are smooth, this helps to reduce frizz and gives curls a more defined, shiny appearance.
Strengthens Hair
Curls need to be strong to be happy and healthy and olive oil is full of hair strengthening properties. When curls are strong, their elasticity improves. With improved elasticity, curls are more manageable and less prone to breakage.
Easier to Detangle
Detangling curls on wash day can be time consuming if you aren’t using the right products. Olive oil can make this process easier by softening your curls which effectively reduce friction between strands. When curls are softer, they’re easier to detangle and you’ll be less likely to experience breakage.
Soothes Scalp Conditions
Scalp conditions are more common for those with curly or textured hair and olive oil can be a suitable remedy for any issues. The reason why curly hair is drier than other hair types is because of its structure and olive oil can calm irritation and flakiness on the scalp, which in turn can create a healthier environment for hair growth.
Olive oil is good for curly hair as it can enhance curl health in a number of ways. The key to getting the best out of what olive oil has to offer lies in using it in accordance with your hair’s specific needs.
Introducing Moisture Memory Release
By now you know that olive oil has moisturising and strengthening properties which can be beneficial for maintaining curl health.
Powered by the TriCeraBlend™ complex, Curlsmith’s Moisture Memory Release is a weightless leave-in spray with time-release moisture technology that provides long-lasting hydration for smooth, soft and bouncy curls. It instantly detangles and pumps curls full of moisture throughout the day, infusing them with moisture that lasts up to 3 days and boosts curl hydration by up to 6 times instantly. One of the spray’s key ingredients is olive oil, which is renowned for its ability to smooth and strengthen curly hair, resulting in soft and bouncy curls. Created with all curl and texture types in mind, especially those with very fine or fine hair, this leave-in spray is suitable for everyday use.
To Use the Moisture Memory Release
1. Shake well and spray the product throughout wet hair.
2. Use the 'raking method' to ensure even distribution.
3. Follow with the 'praying hands' method to smooth and seal the moisture into your strands. This helps seal the cuticles and reduces frizz!
4. Follow with your preferred Curlsmith® styler for definition and hold.
Olive Oil vs Other Oils
Olive oil has great benefits for curly hair but there are some other oils that can also keep your curls happy and healthy. How you use them depends on your curl pattern as well as your curl’s specific needs. Keep reading to see which other oils you might want to consider incorporating in your curl care routine.
Coconut Oil
If you have high porosity hair or damaged hair, then you might want to consider using coconut oil. It has a number of benefits, most notably reducing protein loss, strengthening hair and adding shine. Although coconut oil becomes a thin liquid once it’s heated, it can weigh hair down, so a little bit of it goes a long way. If you have low porosity or protein-sensitive hair, then you might want to use a lighter oil like jojoba oil as olive oil is also not ideal for those with low porosity hair.
Avocado Oil
With its nourishing properties, avocado oil is best for dry and coarse curls. Like olive oil, it’s rich in vitamins A, D and E and fatty acids. It boosts moisture and elasticity, which will make your curls a lot easier to manage. In terms of texture, it’s a little lighter than olive oil, but it can still offer many benefits for your curls.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is great for all curl types and all hair types. It has a number of smoothing properties which make it an ideal option for those who struggle with frizz and dullness. Lightweight in texture, it adds shine to hair, tames frizz and protects against heat damage so you might want to use some argan oil if you use heating tools regularly. An added bonus is that it doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Unlike argan oil, olive oil is heavier in texture and serves as a great deep conditioner for those with thicker hair.
Jojoba Oil
Perfect for those who have low porosity hair or an oily scalp, jojoba oil is great for enhancing scalp health as it mimics the scalp’s natural sebum. It also doesn’t clog pores. Jojoba oil is ideal for those who want a lightweight shine while olive oil offers shine and conditioning properties for dry and damaged curls.
Grapeseed Oil
If you’re worried about weighing your curls down or struggle to wash out heavier oils, then grapeseed oil might be an option you’d like to consider. Ideal for fine curls or curls that are prone to buildup, it is full of nutrients which offer several benefits for curly hair such as moisture, shine and protection against heat and environmental damage. Olive oil is heavier than grapeseed oil but both contain antioxidants and moisturising properties that can protect hair.
Olive Oil Final Thoughts
In order to keep curls happy and healthy, it can be beneficial to know which ingredients you can use as part of your curl care routine. Olive oil has several benefits for curly hair due to its moisturising and strengthening properties. To get the best out of what olive oil can do for your curls, you’ll need to keep their specific needs in mind. Curlsmith’s Moisture Memory Release is a great choice for anyone who wants to start incorporating olive oil infused products into their curl care routine.
H3: Curlsmith Champions Curl-Loving Ingredients
Curlsmith’s mission is to bring curl confidence to everyone wanting to embrace their natural wavy, curly or coily hair. Our high-quality, vegan and cruelty-free products are made with textured hair in mind and are packed with superfoods and free from ingredients that can be too harsh on curls. Our experienced team of experts are trusted authorities in hair care and on hand to help you achieve your healthiest hair yet with our collection of styling products on your next wash day and beyond. If you want to find the perfect sustainable products to assist with this, take our curl quiz to receive personalised results.
