2. Olive oil
Most of us are very familiar with using olive oil* within our hair care routine. Heck, there are even a handful of hair care product lines that are based off olive oil as a key ingredient in their products.
While most of us know the benefits of olive oil for our hair some of us do not know that this wonder oil is actually fairly cheap at most grocery stores or what even is.
What is Olive oil?
Olive oil is oil that is extracted from the olive plant (big whoop there) through cold pressing or through a more refined process which uses heat similar to canola oil*. But the major difference with olive oil compared with other oils is that there are three different levels of processing the olive oil*.
You have EVOO or Extra Virgin Olive Oil* which is the finest quality of olive oil made through the cold-press process. Then you have Virgin Olive oil which is made through the cold-press process but is of slightly less quality of EVOO. And then you have plain ol’ olive oil which is extracted through a crush and heat process and other processes that may involve chemicals.
If you are wondering which is best to choose from, I would say if you can get it EVOO would be your best bet. Now, although most say that the benefits are neck to neck, there are more health benefits within EVOO than refined olive oil or virgin olive oil.
What are the hair benefits of Olive Oil?
► Olive oil protects the keratin in our hair which increases shine and strength.
► It’s great for alleviating dry scalp and dandruff.
► Its great as a hot oil treatment to aid in manageability.
► It penetrates the strands of our hair by 25% with moisture.
► It’s a great oil for sealing in moisture.
So, sunflower oil has become very popular within the hair care scene. It is touted highly for its ability to sink into the hair strands (great for our fine haired sisters out there) and most importantly for its ability to provide a great amount of ceramides, which act as a binder to the hair strands to keep them in tip top shape and aid in protein and moisture balance.
What is Sunflower oil?
Sunflower oil* is oil that is extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant. The cold pressed oil is light in color and smell and the refined sunflower oil* is more of a darker yellowish color.
It has a high amount of Vitamin E* and lecithin and is rich in Omega 6 and 9. Interesting un-hair related fact: There was a study conducted to show the effects of using sunflower oil on babies.
The results of this was that when sunflower oil was used on newborn babies skin , it reduced their chances by 41% in catching hospital infections and other infections from outside sources. Cool, huh?
TaShuna Lattimore says
Where are the directions for use? I could use this to try to help my dandruff issue.
Vicki Steverson says
Use tree tea oil. Works for dandruff.
TaShuna Lattimore says
thanks
Tiffany Re'anna Henry says
EVOO but I love coconut oil !
Nikkie M. Autman says
Canola oil?????
BlackHairInformation.com says
Oh my yes! It’s used extensively in hair conditioners (even expensive ones). Moroccanoil intensive mask, phytospecific hair milk etc
Bronwyn Kassim says
Olive oil, cheap?? :-/
Rico CultureMix Marlow says
olive oil is NEVER CHEAP lol
Danni says
Goya makes super cheap virgin olive oil. You can get a nice size bottle for under 3 dollars.
Star Henry says
Olive oil is cheap for me. But I live in Germany lol.
Frances Nixon says
Canola is from seeds ..I prefer coconut oil.
Danni says
Hi Frances,
Canola oil actually comes from a plant called rapeseed. It is extracted from the leaves.
Jayla Harrison says
Castor Oil!
Porchiana Draven says
Olive oil is never really super cheap…. but its cheaper than actually buying products that contain it in it. I’ve seen some stores selling xtra virgin olive oil for $1, but there mostly between $2-$5.50… depending on where u go n wat brand you get. It all depends on what u consider cheap & what u feel is best for u. The original olive oil itself or products that contain olive oil in it… I personally like going/using the source… which is the actual olive oil or whatever other oil…. Good luck ladies!
Alnie Andre Robert says
Olive oil can be Airedale in small quantities at the grocery store, about 4-5$ at Walmart fire 16oz, and if you’re using it to make hair products it will last a long time, longer than if you’re cooking with it everyday.
Shanella Ella-Laurel Bella James says
CASTOR OIL MIXED WITH OLIVE OIL IS BETTER FOR ME
Tamika Nelson says
I wouldn’t trust the cooking oil esp during the summer it gets 100 degrees down here.
Staci Reaves says
I have this these for years and my hair was so beautiful when I did.
Kalith Jackson says
I mix a bunch of different oils together
Cindy Grace says
Any 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil is great also!!!
Yolanda Staggers says
Grape seed ,coconut oil and evoo
Kari Dunmars says
That’s my combination of choice and I love it.
Keshia M. Shaw says
I love grapeseed oil and evoo
SadieMay Miller says
Wat do you do with the oil? Grease ya scalp or saturate your hair with it???
Vicki Steverson says
Hot oil treatment before shampoo, oil rinse before conditioner.
SadieMay Miller says
Oook thank you!
Danni says
Hi SadieMay Miller,
You can also use oil to seal in your moisturizers. 🙂
Gilda Adlig says
Grapeseed oil isn’t as inexpensive as it use to be. It was my cooking oil of choice long before the word got out/spread about its other health (body & hair) benefits…lol. For my hair I use more grapeseed and sesame oil.
Anitra R. Lee-Cole says
I use coconut oil. Works wonders.
Gilda Adlig says
SadieMay Miller, I use them for hotoil treatments and in the oils blends for daily/weekly maintenance
Regine Acluche says
I always use olive oil in my hair and on my skin.
Caramel Kimmie says
why do ppl put anything in their hair, cooking oil is not good for the hair please do your research Tamika Nelson, I see you have #gudsense
Dee says
I’ve been natural for 10 years ,I grew up in the Caribbean , Indian people who have hair down to their ankles and Italian women use cooking oil in their skin and hair care regimen. That alone says a lot.
Zamani Myende says
Action speaks louder than words. We have proved it practically that it works
Caramel Kimmie says
please provide infp or website proving your point
Alexandra says
I think it’s funny that “proof” should be provided. You have the internet at your disposal. If you don’t want to believe what is being written on BHI, then go do your own research as so many other women have done so. It’s that simple. Cooking oils in various forms work for women and what may work for one person may not work for you, but don’t knock it out of the playing field if you haven’t given it a try.
Danni says
Hi Caramel Kimmie,
Oil is used in the hair to keep in the moisture that you infuse in the hair with your moisturizer. It is also used to lubricate the hair when detangling , styling , etc. While there are a few women who can get away with not moisturizing, the majority of us usually need moisturizers to retain length. 🙂 Hope that this gave a bit of understanding.
Shalonda Lee Hood says
Grapeseed oil is not cheap…imo especially not that one.
Vicki Steverson says
7$ a gallon, is cheap
Alexandra says
I bought the Napa Valley bottle from Marshalls 9 months back and it’s 12.7 fl oz and I still have more than half a bottle left. It cost me about $6. Considering that I alternate between oils, this was a complete steal for me.
Shyree Leonard says
It says all oils are in the grocery store.. lol
Porchiana Draven says
Oil is suppose to be a sealer for your hair, not scalp. After you put in your leave in conditioner, or hair butter or whatever u use to moisturize your hair… u then add the oil to your hair over the moisturizer. It not only seals in the moisturizer, allowing your hair not to loose the moisture u just added to it, but the moisturizer or butter, & the oil after protects your hair esp your ends… it seals your ends to prevent less breakage to your ends. B/c we all know you will not achieve good length or overall healthy hair if your ends are dry, brittle & breaking… after my leave in conditioner, I apply coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil… not a lot, just enough in my hands to get everywhere on & inside my hair esp the ends..for my scalp I use castor oil, but u can castor to your hair too. Don’t use so much oil on your hair that its super greasy, that’s not what your trying to accomplish. Just try to coat your hair w/ the oil..not a lot just enough that u know u got everywhere, it takes me twice adding oil to my hair & my hair is never greasy afterwards, I apply the right amount for my hair.
LaToya Jarvis says
Oil & grease make my head itch. I wish I could use them
Sandra Ifeoma Orimilikwe says
Yes…extra virgin olive oil:)
Robbie M Braswell says
I use extra virgin olive oil
Andrea Dallas says
Canola? Never that. But I mostly use olive & grapeseed rarely. I’ve never seen grapeseed with vitamin E nice
Cariñoza' Dulcesita says
I’m glad u finally realize that! Tiffany Martin
Sagen Frazier says
Virgin oil, coconut, & grape seed oil. Theyre great for hot oil treatments, twistouts, & locking in moisture (LOC method)
Precious Bernard says
EVOO & Grapeseed from above, I have a mix of castor, jojoba, Grapeseed, EVOO, sweet almond & avocado Oil.
Tanya E Humphrey says
Mayonnaise, olive oil, honey, tea tree oil, sometimes an egg works wonders on natural & processed hair.
Markisha Walmack says
I’ve been using olive oil since 2002 especially to straighten my hair!
Krystle Flagg says
I use organic extra olive oil and that is never cheap.. canola oil… I think not, what’s next lard?
BlackHairInformation.com says
LOL! Maybe not lard but I’ve seen ladies flat ironing their hair with solid crisco on youtube which I think may be taking things a bit too far.
Chaqueita Lagantta says
That’s what they used back in the days is Lard. My granny said your hair be laid lol.
Shercilla Designonadime Jones says
I used to mix melted lard with my grease when I was younger. Made that Blue Magic last alot longer!!
MrsRacquel Blackwell says
Way back in the day southerners used these things for everything since access to hair grease and other beauty products were limited or weren’t for black hair or skin*
Sharon Williams says
Actual Krystle i will say yes to lard…My grand mom say it works wonders on our hair….better yet Crisco shortening is great and real mayonnaise
Krystle Flagg says
Chaqueita Lagantta and MrsRacquel Blackwell I know all about lard in the kitchen with a hot comb, I’m from South Carolina and my mama use to pop my neck and ear a couple of timeslol.
Krystle Flagg says
Sharon Williams Now see yall gone have me go to the store spreading Lard all over my head smelling like CHICKEN lol
Krystle Flagg says
Shercilla Designonadime Jones I’ve never heard of doing that, you learn something new from others but me I just don’t trust it but I will look into finding benefits
Roxanne Holmes says
Some of ya’ll tripping over lard and crisco. At least those are pronounceable. Do you really know whats in your fancy hair products???
Krystle Flagg says
Roxanne Holmes actually I do know what’s in my Olive Oil and not at all am I tripping over lard and crisco. As you can see I have responded in a manner of not knocking anyone from any of their usage of using Crisco.
Show Stoppah says
actually ive used lard on my hair as well as my daughters hair before and to be honest it actually did a great job. her scalp wasnt dry anymore and along w/ a straightening comb or flat iron we both had lots of body bounce shine which also promoted growth
Alnie Andre Robert says
I’ve seen beef tallow in hair and skin products, and it’s used extensively in soap, so lard wouldn’t surprise me, though I wouldn’t use it myself
Rosaleen Treadway says
My mama used vegetable oil and put my hair in a bag for deep conditioning. It came out really shining and manageable too.
melanie washington says
I just love these articles. I have used canola and soybean oil especially in the winter. I like that they dont have a strong smell like other oils
Lacey Goddessofwisdom says
You’re not gonna smell like food Valerie Johnson…LMBO.
Darling Dayanna Crisanto Funez says
Currently mixing 100% virgin olive oil for every single part of my body, works great in combination with my leave in conditioner treatment, works great for nail (cuticle remover oil) my skin mixed with my body lotion , and also mixed also with brown sugar for a body scrub #oliveOiljunkie oohhh great for pasta pesto hahah
Ilesha Douglas says
I have to try those lol
Diam DoingMe Meco says
I was told the darker the grape seed oil the better. Has anyone else heard that? I purchase Napa Valley brand.
Caramel Kimmie says
@Zamani , any kind of cooking oil that’s processed & inflammable IS NOT HEALTHY FOR THE HAIR , cooking oil has hexane in it, it might be all in the head that its working hun but its certainly not healthy, it should be used for frying or polishing but not for the hair, please do your research, yes action do speaks louder than words, please provide us the info stating inflammable cooking oil is healthy for the hair and hair growth. Geesh!!
BlackHairInformation.com says
I think the author of the post said that you can get cold pressed versions of all the oils which are much healthier.
Porchiana Draven says
Caramel Kimmie…I understand where your going & I’m pretty sure we all agree w/ u & wouldn’t go str8 to putting cooking oil in our hair w/ all the other good products out now…. but imma have to disagree w/ u slightly. Cooking oil although we may not go to it, it does indeed help esp when u have nothing else… i have personal experience w/ this. My family growing up, we often didn’t have a lot of money or products & etc. My mom had to make due with what she had… so many times we didn’t have the right hair products…. & w/ doing our hair, she many many times used cooking oil 4 our hair, & it did nothing bad to our hair at all, our hair actually flourished w/ it & water. Of course she had a hair regimen, made sure to thoroughly clean our hair & scalp when the times came. Our hair grew great & we stayed fly… I’m not saying these good results will work for everyone, all I’m saying is anything could possibly be good if u know how to use/work with it. Whether it be cooking oil, petroleum,mineral oil, whateva u girls try to stay away from… b/c just c/ it didn’t work out for u when u used it doesn’t mean it doesn’t work out for the rest… I know many black women those ingredients work for & their hair is healthier then mines & I don’t incorporate those ingredients I just mentioned in my hair care… so don’t be quick to talk negatively about something just b/c u had a bad experience with it…. again, Good Luck ladies!
Alnie Andre Robert says
If you would cook with it, why is it in healthier on your hair?
Rosie Hunt says
My mom used to use that white cooking grease
Caramel Kimmie says
Porchiana, Alnie and Rosie, Ladies I never said I had a bad experience with it all I said with the ingredients in today’s cooking Oil (this was researched) its not healthy for your hair but if it works for you guys hey dats fine, if your’re at a cookout and its 100 degrees outside hope your hair don’t go up in flames, lol but I never used it, Organix Coconut hair oil works fine for me so if that what your family grew up on using then continue on ladies , ijs nt on this head and my hair is long and healthy
Raychell Jackson says
I use all just not Wesson Oil, not even for cooking. It is so unhealthy.
BlackHairInformation.com says
I will use it for my hair but I certainly wouldn’t cook with it. Coconut oil & EVOO only for cooking 🙂
Shilanda Eaddy says
which would be better for the hair the grapeseed or the sunflower?????
Alnie Andre Robert says
Grapeseed works wonders for me. Moisturizes very well, but very light but not greasy
Tyann Blessbyu Segero says
I have been using olive oil for years in my hair. I actually mix it with cocunut oil and use it on my skin add a some baby lotion and u have some nice lotion everyday. U can also make a nice body scrub too!! Epson salt, essential oils (If u like), brown sugar, olive oil and u have a nice body scrub. U can purchase olive oil at the dollar store. Make ur dollar, holla!! Hope this helps.
SieSie Harrison says
Olive oil is not cheap!
Georgiana Gray says
On sale it is.
Deante Flood says
Black women will put ANYTHING in their hair… I have some 5W-30 motor oil, protects against split ends. Inbox me for details.
Raseanda Shonda Tucker says
Deante Flood black men always have something to say abt what black woman do now adays. you not even a female so why you in this page? You going natural too? All those females who laughed are just as ignorant. Yall 90s kids need black history lessons because yall are so lost! No pride in our culture these days smh
Kenya Kelly says
Argan oil is nice
shakeia says
I’m going to try the virgin olive oil because my hair and scalp stay very dry .thanks alot for this great information 😀
Angela Wishes says
olive oil…DOllar Tree…1 dola!
louella r jones says
I like all your hair do’s
louella r jones says
I wish I could get mine fixed like that.
Quez says
The whole point of the article was things you can use when you’re caught short and Sally’s etc are shut. Not saying I don’t use these every day anyway but for those who wouldn’t dream of using a ‘cooking’ oil, these will tide you over until you can get your normal product and it’s better than going without sealing your ends. Chill. As for the motor oil comment – pathetic. (showing you the same respect you’ve shown all black women)
Ivani Ahlberg says
I dont understand…how I use det moisturizing?? Before I wash my hair I set the oil and let it be? And dry whit the towel? it`s new to me. I never moisturizing my hair before.
LASHUNDA BROWN says
MY SCALP IS DRY BEYOND IMAGINATION AN NEEDS HELP WAT CAN I DO. PLEASE HELP ME SUM ONE.
LOLA~SKYY says
How can I or what would be the best way to utilize safflower oil in my haircare routine?
Would it be an O or a C in the LOC method?
LOLA~SKYY says
Correction I meant sunflower oil…
Unless I have stumbled upon something new
Ms Moneyca says
I don’t use any of these brands but I have used EVOO in my hair before.
Michelle Smith says
I use theses oils, all but canola oil
Christina J Pollard says
Canola oil? Wow did not know that. I use grape seed and EVOO 🙂 I have not tried sunflower
Jordann Alease says
once u get in that struggle canola oil is the shit yo.
Seanee Beautyfull Bree says
Olive oil n grapeseed oil
Monella Rankin says
I never seen sunflower oil or grapseed oil before in the supermarket, maybe I need to look the Next time I go shopping.
Tasha Hackett-White says
Never heard of the canola oil being used
Tracy SgtWife Phillips says
All, but canola oil
Candi Ballard-Zolicoffer says
I use grapeseed and olive oil didn’t see coconut oil on the list but I use that too lol
Ilesha Sewell says
100% pure sunflower oil, the Stop & Shop store brand primarily; but I also like any brand EVOO and that same grapeseed oil in the picture.
Leah says
Nobody is asking the most important question – why is it called ‘Rape’ seed oil.
Tonia Lpht says
Yes at least two of them
Shannon Swift says
Yaaaas I use all except Canola Oil but I’m thinking of switching from Olive Oil to Canola because Olive Oil is sooooooo thick
TaShuna Lattimore says
Ok so how do you use it?
Lora Craig-Porter says
Good question!!
Marcia Johnson says
Hell no . Keep it in the frying pan