This Plant-Based Oil Is The Secret To Glossy Hair & Maybe Even Growth

Shiny hair is understandably desirable. However, there’s not a way to fake highly reflective strands, given that shiny hair is synonymous with healthy hair. Still, there are steps you can take to encourage stronger, more hydrated hair—one of which is oiling your hair. 

A common hair oil used for boosting shine and strengthening strands is avocado oil. To come, experts explain why this oil is so beneficial and how to use it. 

Hair benefits of avocado oil

Before we dive into the how-to methods, let’s chat about why you should use this ingredient in the first place. Below, a few noteworthy benefits—we explain more in detail below, but as an overview here's what you can expect from using avocado oil.

The rich fatty acid content in avocado oil makes it a wonderful hydrator. "Avocado oil is extremely rich in oleic acid and monounsaturated fats, making it one of few oils that can actually penetrate the hair shaft and moisturize your hair, rather than sitting on top and coating your hair," hair expert and founder of NaturAll Club Muhga Eltigani tells mbg.

This is why avocado oil is a common ingredient in conditioners as well as leave-in products—it has the ability to soak into the hair, meaning a five minute hair mask with avocado oil will actually help your hair in the long run, rather than simply rinsing off. 

Apart from momentary hydration, avocado oil also helps prevent breakage. Here’s how: First, avocado oil hydrates your strands and seals the cuticle shut1. You may have open hair cuticles from hair dye, heat damage, UV exposure, dryness, etc. 

“When your cuticle is open, not only is your hair susceptible to breakage but it will also appear dry and brittle—you know, that ‘I need a haircut’ feel on your ends,” professional hairstylist and founder of hOURS Haircare Marilynne Cosmillo tells mbg.

Not to mention, applying avocado oil straight to your ends may help you mask the appearance of splits, while preventing worsening breakage at the same time. 

“Natural emollient, avocado oil is rich in vitamins, nutrients and biotin which is synonymous with supporting hair growth,” trichologist and founder of Colour Collective Kerry Yates tells mbg. 

The reason for this is two-fold: First, avocado oil helps to strengthen and hydrate your hair, meaning it’ll continue gaining length without breaking off early. What’s more, using avocado on the scalp can help nourish that skin, creating a healthy environment for growth. 

When applied to the scalp, avocado acts as a natural hydrator. Instead of applying loads of avocado oil to the scalp, use this ingredient in a pre-formulated scalp serum or stick with a few drops on your fingertips when you massage.

If you overdo it (read: load oil onto your scalp), you’ll run the risk of clogging follicles which can do the opposite for hair growth. 

While this hydrating ingredient can be nourishing for the scalp when used in moderation, you can’t compare avocado oil’s function on the scalp with ingredients like rosemary oil that have been proven to stimulate hair growth at the follicular level. 

“Avocado oil helps to smooth the cuticle down to create instant light reflection even for the most damaged of hair,” Yates explains. When your cuticle is flat, you’ll also experience less frizz and flyaways. 

What’s more, Yates notes avocado oil as “A great alternative to silicones which can be too heavy and create an impenetrable barrier which can impact hair health.” 

Antioxidants are more commonly discussed in the skin care space, but your hair needs protection from free radicals, too. "As an excellent source of antioxidants like vitamin E, avocado oil can help deal with free radicals generated by environmental damage like UV rays and air pollution," says board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D.

For lasting antioxidant protection, use a leave in conditioner or hair oil with avocado oil for consistent defense. 

The best ways to use avocado oil for hair

Now that you know why avocado oil is so great for your strands, let’s dive into the many different ways to use it in your hair care routine. 

DIY avocado oil hair care products

While you can certainly find avocado oil in pre-formulated masks, leave-ins, and hair oils, you can also make your own recipe. Below, a few ideas. 

Avocado oil is a great carrier oil to host the more potent rosemary oil. Rather than applying the latter to your scalp directly, add a few drops to your avocado oil. 

Why rosemary? Well, this herb is known for stimulating circulation on the scalp—which, in turn, has the potential to spur hair growth. In fact, a 2015 randomized comparative trial found that rosemary essential oil was just as effective22 as minoxidil (the active ingredient in many commercial hair-growth products) for reversing hair loss caused by androgens—also known as male- or female-pattern baldness—after six months. 

If leave-in treatments just aren’t your thing, opt for a hair mask that can be done in the shower. The first option is to add a squirt of conditioner to your palm and add avocado oil to the mix, apply to your strands, and let it set for five minutes before rinsing. Or, make your own mask. 

For no-fuss benefits, stick with avocado as it is and use it on the lengths of your hair. 

Hair type considerations

All hair types can benefit from using avocado oil within their products, Cosmillo says, but some hair types should use it just as is for the healing properties. “Using avocado oil straight from the bottle is beneficial for those with dry or damaged hair,” Cosmillo says. 

It's also particularly great for those with have naturally curly hair, like in the type 3 and type 4 range.

If you have oily roots, skip the scalp leave-ins and oil-based masks and just apply avocado oil to your strands. “For super fine hair, I would use avocado oil on ends predominately and use it sparingly or as needed for extra hair conditioning benefits,” Yates adds. 

Cautions and side effects

Like any plant-based ingredient, you should patch test this ingredient before applying it everywhere. For anyone allergic to avocado in general, skip this ingredient for topical use and opt for jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or argan oil instead. 

The takeaway

If you want shiny hair, consider avocado oil a great sidekick to your mission. Use this ingredient on it’s own as a simple hair oil, mix it into your conditioner, or massage it into your scalp before showering. For more shiny hair tips, check out this story.