Pure Virgin Olive Oil for Hair & Skin — Cold Pressed

Olive oil is not traditional to Indian hair care, and it has become popular here for a straightforward reason: it does something coconut oil cannot.

Where coconut penetrates and strengthens, olive coats and softens. For coarse, dry or chemically treated hair, that is often the more useful property.

What It Is

Cold pressed from olives, unrefined. Rich in oleic acid, squalene and vitamin E — the oleic acid is what makes it a heavier, more occlusive oil than coconut.

What It Is Used For

Dry and coarse hair

Its main strength. Olive oil is heavier than coconut and sits on the cuticle, which is exactly what very dry or thick hair needs.

Deep conditioning

As a weekly treatment on the lengths and ends, it does more for softness than almost anything else in a kitchen.

Dry, flaky scalp

Soothing on a tight, dry scalp — though not for an oily one.

Skin and body

An excellent body oil for dry skin, and a traditional Mediterranean after-bath oil.

As a carrier

Works for herbal infusions and essential oils, particularly where you want weight.

Olive or Coconut?

	Olive	Coconut
Behaviour	Coats and seals	Penetrates the shaft
Weight	Heavier	Lighter
Best for	Coarse, dry, treated hair	Most hair types, pre-wash protection
Fine hair	Can weigh it down	Better suited
Solidifies	No	Below 24°C

If your hair is thick, coarse or coloured, olive. If it is fine or you want pre-wash protection, coconut. Many people use olive on the lengths and coconut on the scalp.

How to Use It

Deep conditioning treatment

1. Warm 2-3 tablespoons by standing the bottle in hot water
2. Apply mainly to the mid-lengths and ends, which are the oldest and driest parts
3. A little on the scalp only if it is dry
4. Cover with a warm damp towel for 20 minutes — the warmth makes a real difference
5. Leave 1-2 hours
6. Shampoo on dry oiled hair first, then wet

Once a week.

For split ends

Two or three drops smoothed over dry ends. Very little — olive is heavy.

With honey, as a mask

2 tablespoons olive oil with 1 tablespoon honey. Apply to the lengths, leave 30 minutes, wash. Once a week for very dry hair.

As a body oil

Applied to damp skin after a bath, which is how it has been used around the Mediterranean for several thousand years.

How to Tell Good Olive Oil

• Greenish-gold to golden. Very pale or colourless means refined
• Fruity, slightly peppery smell. Refined olive oil smells of nothing
• Cold pressed and virgin or extra virgin on the label
• Dark bottle. Olive oil degrades quickly in light, so clear bottles are a bad sign
• No blending oils listed

Who It Suits

Good for: coarse, thick, dry, frizzy, curly or chemically treated hair. Dry skin.

Less good for: fine hair, which it can weigh down, and oily scalps, where it is too heavy.

If you have fine hair and want to use it anyway, keep it to the ends and wash it out the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is olive oil better than coconut for hair?
Different, not better. Coconut penetrates and reduces protein loss. Olive coats and softens. Coarse dry hair usually prefers olive; fine hair usually prefers coconut.

Will it weigh my hair down?
On fine hair, yes, if you use too much or leave it on the scalp. Ends only, used sparingly.

Can I leave it overnight?
Yes, for very dry hair. Use an old pillowcase.

How often?
Once a week as a treatment. More often will feel heavy.

Does it help with dandruff?
Not really. It suits a dry scalp but can make a yeast-driven dandruff worse. Use neem or tea tree for that.

Is it hard to wash out?
Heavier than coconut, so shampoo on dry hair first and you will usually manage in one wash.

Product Information

How to use: Warm slightly. Apply to mid-lengths and ends. Leave 1-2 hours. Wash out with a mild shampoo.
Suitable for: Dry, coarse, curly and treated hair; dry skin
For external use only.
Storage: Cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

Use it on the lengths with Virgin Coconut Oil on the scalp, or as a base for our essential oils.