6 DIY Olive Oil Hair Masks: Recipes, Tips, Benefits & More

You simply must love a good multipurpose ingredient, no? Olive oil certainly falls into that category, as it's a kitchen staple and beauty product mainstay. Not only do product formulators use it regularly in products, but at-home beauty enthusiasts rely on it for body and face oils—and hair masks. 

Making hair masks at home is a simple joy we can get behind (seriously, we love a DIY hair mask around here). Extra-virgin olive oil has plenty of hair-healthy benefits, making it an ideal ingredient to add in or use as a base for your hair treatments. Before we jump in, do make sure your oil is high quality (check out a simple test here if you're not sure), as you'll likely not get any of the benefits below if it is not. 

Like many natural oils, olive oil has a very nutritious profile full of antioxidants and fatty acids. To start, olive oil is a monounsaturated fat. Hair actually has the ability to absorb monounsaturated fats1, according to research, so while not all of the oil will penetrate the strand, there's good reason to believe some will. This is important because this way, your hair can utilize the antioxidant powers.

Olive oil is notably high in vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that has impressive free-radical-fighting abilities. This likely accounts for the fact that studies have shown the oil has anti-inflammatory properties2, which can help your scalp health as well as help hair deal with external aggressors, like pollution. This is an important benefit, as inflammation and oxidative stress is one of the main causes of hair loss and premature graying3, according to research. 

And upon application, the oil can help in two ways. First, it helps condition hair thanks to the vitamins and fatty acids noted above. Second, it acts as a protective barrier, thanks to the occlusive properties. "It acts both as a moisturizer and a sealant, which helps to keep moisture locked in after the olive oil has been applied. Incorporating olive oil into your hair routine can help to improve elasticity and result in less breakage," says hairstylist Miko Branch, founder of Miss Jessie's. In fact, some research has even shown that using olive oil as a hair lubricant can reduce breakage4.

So olive oil's benefits for hair aren't just anecdotal (although, there's plenty of that too); there's real science backing up these claims. Translation? You can feel good about slathering it on your strands. 

"While olive oil can be applied directly to the hair, mixing it up into hair masks and deep conditioners can enhance the benefits of that product through infusing additional antioxidants and benefits from the olive oil," says Branch. Here, our favorite blends.  

Before we begin on any of the below: Wrap your shoulders with a towel so if any of the application process gets messy, it won't get on your clothing. 

This popular combo adds the soothing benefits of honey, ideally manuka honey. It can act as an anti-inflammatory5 for the scalp, reducing irritation. And it also has humectant properties (i.e., its ability to attract water to the surface of the skin and hair as well as deliver hydration to the deeper layers), so it helps your hair and scalp retain moisture6.

Avocados aren't just a tasty treat, they do wonders for skin and hair. Since avocados are also full of fatty acids and antioxidants, this blend will be extra nutritious for your strands. 

Tea tree is a popular astringent that has many uses for hair and skin (it's often formulated into toners, acne treatments, shampoos, and more). You can totally make your own at home, using olive oil as the base. The mixture may help with scalp acne, product buildup, balancing sebum production, and adding shine. 

Bananas are rich in silica7, a natural molecule that closely resembles silicone. Silicones are often used in hair masks and leave-ins as they help smooth frizz by sealing down the cuticle. So by swapping silicones for the banana-derived silica, you'd get similar benefits without the issues of silicones. Not to mention, bananas have significant antioxidant properties8, too. 

For this scalp mask, you're essentially using olive oil as your carrier oil base for the rosemary. Carrier oils are the oils you blend with essential oils before applying EOs cosmetically. Rosemary oil is a known scalp stimulant, and many believe it may help hair growth. 

Oftentimes people wonder if they really need both conditioner and masks. Here's the thing: Masks are going to be more potent, dense, and hydrating—it's why the texture is different and usually why they are more expensive. However, if you don't feel the need to purchase both, you can make your go-to conditioner into a deep conditioner by using it as a base, in which you add additional oils, like olive. This is super simple too:

Just some general guidelines for olive oil masks to keep in mind:

One of the more popular ways to use the oil is through hot oil treatments. If you've never done one before, these are long-beloved rituals used in several cultures for years. It involves warming up various oils, safely applying them to hair, letting them sit for an extended period of time, and then rinsing them out. 

The oil is heated because it is thought to help open the cuticle and let the oil penetrate deeper. "The idea with heat is that it breaks down the bonds and helps coat it better," says board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, M.D. "I get the theory behind it, but there isn't data to prove it. But it's been done for a long period of time, and we haven't really seen damage from it."

There are several variations with hot oil treatments—there's no "correct" way you must do it. However, you should follow some safety guidelines so you don't burn yourself. Here, a simple guideline. 

You can also find olive oil in some pretty great conditioners and leave-ins. Use these alongside your DIY masks, or in place of them if you're not the do-it-at-home type. 

There are plenty of reasons to use olive oil in your hair care routine. To start, it's very nutritious and has a host of hair-health benefits. Second? Well, it's just so easy to make a DIY mask at home.