5 Ways to Use Grapeseed Oil for Hair: Condition, Moisturize, and Fight Frizz

Grapeseed oil is a byproduct of winemaking. Seeds are filtered from the grapes early in the process and crushed. The resulting pale-colored oil comes from the heart of the grape seeds and is used in food for salad dressings and cooking, as well as skin and hair care.

Grapeseed oil is known for being extremely lightweight, almost weightless. It absorbs into skin and hair quickly and easily, which makes it unlikely to clog hair follicles or cause buildup at the scalp. It is liquid at room temperature (unlike coconut oil, which solidifies below 78 degrees F) and can be easily mixed with other oils and ingredients, so it's ideal for beauty treatments.

It also contains vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and potent antioxidants which can help soften and moisturize hair, and even promote growth. Its high amounts of phenolic compounds, which are antioxidants, help to protect the hair from UV damage as well.

Grapeseed is cheaper than some of the other higher-quality vegetable oils, and thus more affordable to work into a regular routine. It blends nicely with rosehip, jojoba, and sweet almond oils, as well as essential oils for added scent. It works well as a sealant to trap in moisture; to make the most of this characteristic, ensure your hair is well-moisturized and slightly damp before applying the grapeseed oil.

You can use grapeseed oil on its own to add shine and defrizz hair, combine it with other ingredients to work as a deep conditioner or hair mask, or add it to your conditioner for a moisturizing boost. Here are five different applications to get you started using grapeseed oil for hair.

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Use to Defrizz and Style

Extract of grape oil in a small jar. Selective focus. food — Milena Khosroshvili / Getty Images

Grapeseed oil can be applied directly to wet or dry hair to reduce frizz or flyaway hair and to help keep a part in place. How much oil you need will depend on the length and thickness of your hair and how dry it is. People with coarse, dry hair can use it daily, whereas those with thinner hair may want to use it weekly.

Grapeseed oil is light enough that most people can start with a dime-sized amount and work up from there. Simply pour it into your hand and rub your palms together to warm up and distribute the oil, then smooth over hair (or into curls if you have them).

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Make a Light Hair Mask

Organic cold pressed grapeseed oil in clear bowl with dried grape seeds in wooden spoon — Sasimoto / Getty Images

Sometimes you want a lightweight mask that's easy to put on and rinse out for a quick conditioning treatment—or maybe your hair is too thin or fine for a heavier hair mask. Either way, try the following mix (if it's not moisturizing enough, there's a deeper conditioning mask below).

Mix 1/3 cup aloe vera gel with 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil and 4-5 drops of lavender essential oil. If you have very long or thick hair, double the recipe. You'll want enough so the mask is coating and soaking your hair completely.

Apply the mask to your hair, wrap it in an old t-shirt or towel (be aware the oil will likely stain the towel or shirt). Let it sit for at least 20 minutes, then rinse out in warm water. Follow with your regular shampoo and conditioner.

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Create a Stimulating Scalp Treatment

Small bottle with essential peppermint oil. Fresh mint leaves close up. Aromatherapy, spa and herbal medicine ingredients. Copy space — Kazmulka / Getty Images

Since grapeseed oil can both moisturize and promote blood flow to the skin on the scalp as well as condition hair, it can be used as a treatment just for that area. Mixing it with peppermint essential oil, which will cause an enjoyable tingling and cooling sensation, makes it more fun (and smells great too). It will reduce dandruff and help promote new cell growth on the scalp.

Mix a tablespoon of grapeseed oil with 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil and dip fingertips into the mixture. Starting at the back and working toward the front, massage the oil mixture into the scalp; don't forget behind the ears.

Depending on your hair's thickness and dryness, it might not be obvious, and you can just leave it on. If it looks a bit oily or you don't want to smell like peppermint, you can rinse it out with shampoo (try to let it sit for 10-15 minutes first) or co-wash as you normally would.

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Add to Conditioner for a Deeper Treatment

Closeup of essential oil — IrinaBort / Getty Images

If your drugstore or supermarket conditioner never seems like it gets enough moisture into your hair—or if your hair is just extra-dry—you can add some grapeseed oil to your conditioner.

Start with 6-8 drops of grapeseed oil mixed into your regular conditioner, smooth it in, let it rest while you shower, and rinse it out as usual.

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Make an Overnight Deeply Moisturizing Mask

Fresh avocado oil in a small white bowl and wooden hairbrush. Homemade face or hair mask, facial cleanser, natural beauty treatment and spa recipe. Top view, copy space. — Kazmulka / Getty Images

For a super-moisturizing mask, combine 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, and 2 tablespoons avocado oil with a few drops of your favorite essential oil (orange or lemon will be invigorating, use ylang ylang or lavender for a relaxing scent).

Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, you'll need to warm up the oils to mix them together; use the microwave or a double-boiler to gently heat the oils. Be sure to test the temperature before you put the oil mask on your hair so you don't burn yourself; 95-99 degrees Fahrenheit will feel great.

Starting with the ends, work the warm oil into your hair, ending with your scalp, which you can skip if you don't want to treat that area.

Leave on for three hours or even overnight. Tuck oily hair up into a plastic shower cap to keep your head warm and then wrap in a towel or old t-shirt and secure. Oil will stain whatever you use, so you may want to put additional towels over your sheets if you sleep with this treatment on.

Rinse out with hot water, then shampoo and style as usual.