This Common Cooking Ingredient Could Be The Key To A Healthy Scalp

We're always ready to experiment with our hair. Whether it's a new style, a new product, or seeing how long we can actually go without having to wash it. Our scalp may not be as eager to try and could be reacting negatively to all the experiments we attempt on our manes. That is why we are intrigued by the idea that there is an oil, most likely in our kitchens, that can be the key ingredient to a healthy scalp. Enter olive oil. That's correct. The oil we use to drizzle over our salads or fry an egg with. Olive oil could be the magic potion to help us with our irritated scalps.

Olive oil is an oil that is light green or yellow in color and is naturally extracted from pressing olives. It is most commonly imported from the Mediterranean region (via Healthline). While it's primarily used for cooking, the benefits of this oil could extend to your scalp. Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, a trichologist and founder of Alodia Hair Care explains, "Olive oil is one of the top emollients because not only is it packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats, it makes for the perfect relief to a dry, itchy scalp" (via Byrdie).

The causes of an irritated scalp are numerous. The irritation may be caused by dandruff, lice, the autoimmune disorder psoriasis, or even from stress and anxiety (per Everyday Health). While we may not know the cause of the agitation, we know that the chemical elements in olive oil hold scalp soothing qualities. The primary elements in olive oil are oleic acid, palmitic acid, and squalene. This unique chemical composition is why people have used this common cooking ingredient to improve their hair's texture and soothe their scalp for centuries (via Healthline). 

So what is the best way to apply olive oil onto an irritated scalp? Start by heating up one tablespoon of olive oil. Part your hair in all places so that the oil reaches the scalp and massage it in. Let the oil stay in for 20-25 minutes and follow by rinsing with shampoo and conditioner (per Goodie Goodie Gluten-free). So, next time we're in the kitchen cooking with olive oil, we'll consider saving a little for our scalp.