The Ultimate Guide to Using Grapeseed Oil for Hair

Everyone wants their hair to look its best, and many people are now choosing natural hair products to help their locks flourish. Using grapeseed oil for hair care can be a fantastic way to pamper your tresses without using products that are full of chemicals.

Grapeseed oil is packed with essential nutrients and it’s super versatile, so you can use it in various ways. It can boost healthy hair growth, seal in vital hydration, give your locks fabulous shine, and even soothe an itchy scalp.

In this guide, we’ll look at how grapeseed oil can help boost hair and scalp health, and the benefits of grapeseed oil treatments. We’ll also share some tips on how to incorporate grapeseed oil into your hair care routine.

What Is Grapeseed Oil For Hair?

Grapeseed oil is a light, odorless oil extracted from grape seeds left over from the winemaking process. It makes a great lightweight hair oil suitable for most hair types, and it can be used 1-2 times per week as a pre-shampoo treatment or hair mask.

How Does Grapeseed Oil Promote Hair Health?

Grapeseed oil is an excellent natural hair treatment. It’s rich in antioxidants like vitamins C and E that fight free radical damage to your locks, repair damaged cells in your scalp, and boost the growth of new healthy hair cells. 

This oil also contains essential fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid. These natural conditioning agents help improve the texture of your hair and add shine to your hair, as well as fighting frizz. 

Grapeseed oil is also an excellent natural sealant. It sits on the outside of the hair shaft, locking in the moisture delivered into the shaft by moisturizing oils or a leave-in conditioner.

Is Grapeseed Oil Safe for All Hair Types?

Pure grapeseed oil is very safe for most people and suitable for any hair type, including natural hair and color-treated hair. Because it’s so lightweight, this hair oil is particularly beneficial for thin or fine hair that tends to get weighed down by heavier oils. 

However, because grape seed oil is produced from grapes, it’s important to avoid using it if you are allergic to grapes. If you are pregnant or lactating, you should consult your gynecologist before using this oil. 

It’s generally better to use an unrefined, cold pressed grapeseed oil. That’s because refined grapeseed oils are produced using a chemical called hexane, a pollutant that can cause side effects1. Refined grapeseed oil is also exposed to high temperatures during the extraction process, so it may not have the same nutrient levels as unrefined oil.

Benefits of Grapeseed Oil for Hair

Now that you know what grape seed oil is, let’s see why it’s so good for your hair health. There are many benefits to a DIY grapeseed oil treatment, thanks to the oil’s rich combination of natural conditioning agents like vitamin E and essential fatty acids like linoleic acid.

Here are some of the main benefits of grapeseed oil:

Moisturizing

Although grape seed oil doesn’t penetrate your strands as effectively as moisturizing oils like coconut oil, it’s an excellent choice for sealing in hydration. It gives your hair a gorgeously soft, silky texture, and also works brilliantly to seal in moisture after applying a water-based leave-in conditioner as part of the LOC method.

Adds Shine

Grapeseed oil is excellent for bringing a natural shine to your locks without product buildup. And because the oil is so light, it can be used on any hair type without weighing it down or leaving it limp and greasy. 

Promotes Hair Growth

Grapeseed oil is rich in several nutrients and flavonoids, so massaging your scalp with warm grapeseed oil can boost blood circulation and stimulate hair growth. 

Reduces Hair Loss

Male pattern hair loss, which also affects women, may be caused by high levels of an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This shrinks the size of your hair follicles and causes them to take longer to grow new hairs. 

Grapeseed oil contains DHT inhibitors, so massaging the oil directly into your scalp may help prevent the follicles from being affected by DHT, activate hair follicle growth, and reduce hair loss.

Strengthens Hair

The rich combination of vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants makes grapeseed oil an excellent deep hydrator to strengthen overprocessed, dry, and brittle hair. 

Fights Frizz and Damage

If you have dry or coarse hair, grapeseed oil could be the key to taming the frizz. It’s lighter than coconut or olive oil and acts as a protective layer to lock in moisture, shield your strands from friction, and seal split ends.

Reduces Dandruff and Dermatitis

Exposure to chemicals, high temperatures, UV rays, or a dry climate can cause your scalp to become dry, itchy, and flaky. 

The rich nutrient content and emollient properties of grapeseed oil make it ideal for a DIY scalp treatment. This can stimulate healthy cell growth and reduce dandruff production, while the essential fatty acid content of grapeseed oil will soothe an itchy, flaky scalp.

Protects Against UV Damage

The high level of antioxidant phenolic compounds in grapeseed oil can help protect your locks from UV damage. And because it’s exceptionally lightweight, it’s suitable even for thin or fine hair. 

Potential Side Effects of Grapeseed Oil for Hair

According to the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Grapeseed oil is generally safe for most people to use when applied topically to the hair and scalp. However, some people may see the following side effects:

Allergic Reactions and Sensitivities

If you are allergic to grapes, you should do a patch test before using the oil. An allergic reaction to grapeseed oil may cause the following side effects:

• Hives
• Headaches
• Breathing difficulties
• Swelling of lips, tongue, throat, or face

Important Note:

If you see any allergic reaction after using grapeseed oil, please stop using the oil and visit your doctor immediately.

Scalp Irritation and Itching

Applying grapeseed oil will usually soothe an itchy and dry scalp. If you have sensitive skin and find that your scalp is itchy after using oil on it, you should stop using the oil and consult a medical professional. 

Acne Breakouts on the Scalp

If you have oily skin that’s prone to acne, you may find that grapeseed oil causes clogged pores and breakouts on your scalp. In this case, it’s best to limit how often you use the oil and mist it directly onto your strands with a spray bottle rather than applying it liberally onto your scalp.

How to Use Grapeseed Oil on your Hair

You can use grapeseed oil once or twice weekly as a pre-shampoo treatment to leave your hair soft, shiny, and moisturized. There are three main ways to use it: as a hair mask, mixed with other oils, and applied directly to your locks.

Remember to store your grapeseed oil in a cool, dark place when you’re not using it. This will help it retain its properties for longer.

Direct Application

You can apply grapeseed oil directly to damp hair if you want to use it as a sealant. Just use a nickel-size amount or smaller and comb it through your locks from roots down to the ends if you’re not wearing your hair curly, or scrunch it in after you’ve applied all your styling products. This will add shine, moisturize your strands, and help reduce frizz.

You can also use a dropper to massage a few drops directly onto your scalp skin. This will soothe a dry, irritated scalp and boost blood flow to promote healthy hair growth.

DIY Hair Mask

Grapeseed oil is an excellent hydrator, so mixing it with your conditioner will give you an intensely hydrating treatment for your hair. 

Mix a few drops into your conditioner before massaging it into your locks. Let it work its magic while you shower, and then rinse out as usual.

Mixing with Other Natural Oils

Grapeseed oil can also be combined with other natural plant oils like coconut, marula, olive, or almond oil. Using a blend of oils in a weekly hair massage will give your tresses a nourishing and hydrating deep conditioning treat.

And because it’s light and odor-free, grapeseed oil is also a great carrier oil for use with essential oils. Adding 3 or 4 drops of rosemary essential oil or lavender essential oil to 2-3 tablespoons of grapeseed oil works well as a gorgeous hot oil treatment for your tresses. 

Mixing 8-10 drops of tea tree oil with 3 tablespoons of grapeseed oil will make an effective anti-dandruff blend, thanks to tea tree oil’s antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal qualities. Doing a patch test before using this massage oil blend is important, as some people can be sensitive to tea tree oil.

Grapeseed Oil in Hair Care Products

You’ll also find grapeseed oil listed in the ingredients of some of your favorite hair care products, like these:

FAQs

If you’re still keen for more info about using grapeseed oil on your hair, these frequently asked questions may help:

Can Grapeseed Oil Promote Hair Growth?

Massaging grapeseed oil into your scalp can help boost blood flow to the skin, which may promote hair growth.

Can You Sleep With Grapeseed Oil on Your Hair?

If you have dry or brittle hair and need a nourishing deep conditioning treatment, grapeseed is an inexpensive option to reduce frizz and make your hair more manageable without weighing it down. 

Apply warm grapeseed oil to dry hair, then sleep overnight with your locks covered by a shower cap and bonnet. Shampoo your hair twice in the morning to reveal your gorgeous nourished locks.

Does Grapeseed Oil Thicken Hair?

There’s no clear proof that grapeseed oil will thicken your hair, but it will help lock in moisture which makes your tresses look thicker and healthier.

How Long Does It Take for Grapeseed Oil To Work on Hair?

You’ll generally start to see the results of using grapeseed oil for hair after about 4-6 weeks. However, it can take longer for some people, especially if their hair is in poor condition at the start. Patience and consistent use will help you see better results. 

Can I Leave Grapeseed Oil in My Hair All Day?

If you use grapeseed as a sealant, you can use it on your hair until your next wash day. If you mix it with conditioner to use as a hair mask, leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash it out.

Does Grapeseed Oil Clog Pores on the Scalp?

Grapeseed oil is very light and can be used to treat scalp dryness. But if your skin is oily and acne-prone, you might find that grapeseed can cause clogged pores and breakouts on your scalp. 

Can I Use Grapeseed Oil Instead of Coconut Oil for Hair?

Coconut oil delivers moisture deep inside the hair shaft, while grapeseed oil acts more as a sealant to lock in moisture. Both oils can be a valuable tool in your hair care routine, but grapeseed oil is a lighter, odorless oil that may be a better alternative for scalp massage.

Do You Put Grapeseed Oil on Wet or Dry Hair?

You can apply grapeseed oil to dry hair as a pre-shampoo hot oil treatment. If you want to use it as a sealant, you should apply it to slightly damp hair after styling.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many reasons for using grapeseed oil to boost hair health. It’s packed full of nutrients like vitamin E and omega oils, which makes this oil a fantastic way to pamper your locks, promote shine, and help your tresses retain vital moisture. 

You can use grapeseed oil in various ways, from a relaxing scalp massage to sealing split ends. It mixes well with other hair oils and essential oils, and because it’s so lightweight, grapeseed oil works well on almost any hair type.

It’s important to buy unrefined cold pressed grapeseed oil if you want to see the best results, and you should do a patch test first if you have sensitive skin. 

But for most people, using grapeseed oil is a simple and inexpensive way to promote healthy hair growth.