Camellia Oil For Hair: What Are The Benefits?

Know Your Ingredient: Camellia Oil

What Is It?
A nutrition-rich oil extracted from camellia flowers.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may prevent hair damage, reduce dye-related damage, maintain scalp health, moisturize the scalp, and prevent hair loss.

Who Can Use It?
Anyone who isn’t allergic to the oil can use it.

How Often?
In general, you can use camellia oil on your hair once or twice a week.

Caution
Camellia oil may cause mild allergic reactions or skin irritation. Hence, do a patch test before applying.

What Is Camellia Oil?

Camellia, also known as tea seed oil or Tsubaki, is a flowering plant native to Japan. The plant belongs to the tea family, and the oil is extracted from its flowers. The use of camellia seed oil for skin and hair dates back to ancient ages. It is believed that geishas used the oil to maintain their ageless look. Japanese women also use camellia oil to maintain their hair health. In the next section, we have explored the benefits of camellia oil. Let’s take a look.

Benefits Of Using Camellia Oil For Hair

1. Prevents Hair Damage

Camellia oil or tea seed oil contains fatty acids like oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. It also contains monounsaturated fatty acids (1). These fatty acids enhance hair shine, reduce friction, and minimize hair damage (2). Oleic acid, which is a very vital essential fatty acid for the skin and hair, is found in a higher percentage than that in olive oil.

2. Minimizes The Side-Effects Of Dyeing

Camellia oil is a natural chemoprotective agent that helps prevent scalp and hair damage caused by dyeing (3). Hair dyes strip the outer covering of the hair fiber, which is composed of omega-3 fatty acidsⁱ  XHealthy fats that nourish hair follicles and the skin, support heart health, and promote faster wound healing. . Camellia oil helps replenish the outer covering and protects the strands from dye-related damage.

3. Maintains Scalp Health

Pure camellia oil and shampoos containing camellia oil can help prevent scalp issues like atopic dermatitisⁱ  XA common chronic condition responsible for itchy and inflamed skin that usually develops in early childhood and appears on the scalp, arms and behind knees. (eczema) and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff). A study found that both the oil and shampoos refreshed the scalp, minimized excess oil production, and improved scalp health (4). It helps in improving the skin barrier of the scalp and decreasing inflammation. This may help prevent hair loss triggered by these scalp conditions.

Quick Tip

Mix 1- 2 tablespoons of camellia oil with your regular shampoo and use it to wash your hair to minimize dryness and get lustrous hair.

4. Moisturizing and Antioxidant Effect

A study found that camellia oil had a moisturizing effect on pig skin, and the antioxidants in the oil worked as free radical scavengers (5). Free radicals are responsible for oxidative stress that may cause premature graying and alopecia (hair loss) (6). These properties of camellia oil may moisturize the scalp, nourish the follicles, and help prevent hair loss.

A blogger shared her experience of using camellia oil for her hair in her blog post. She said, “My hair is long and length is over my shoulders. I must say that this serum keeps my flyaway hair manageable a whole lot and makes my hair ends really soft (i).”

No doubt, Japanese women prefer camellia oil for maintaining their skin and hair. If you want to incorporate camellia oil in your hair care routine, here is how to do that.

How To Use Camellia Oil For Hair

1. Apply a few drops of camellia oil to your scalp and hair.
2. Spread it evenly and massage your scalp with your fingertips in circular motions for five minutes.
3. Apply the oil across the hair length, especially to the tips.
4. Leave it on overnight and wash the next with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
5. Repeat the process at least 1-2 times a week.

Quick Tip

Apply camellia oil post heat styling to combat heat damage. Massage a few drops of the oil for a shiny look.

Infographic: Top Benefits Of Using Camellia Oil For Hair

Camellia oil has been used by Japanese women for centuries to maintain healthy hair and skin. It contains potent antioxidants and fatty acids that work together to hydrate and enhance the softness of your tresses. Check out the infographic below to know more about the benefits of including camelia oil in your hair care routine.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camellia oil good for low porosity hairⁱ  XA hair type with no space between the hair cuticles that results in poor moisture absorption into the hair shaft. ?

Yes, camelia oil is good for low porosity hair. It helps manage split ends and dryness.

Does camellia oil make hair thicker?

Yes, camellia oil helps make hair thicker. It restores hair moisture and improves the density and volume of hair strands.

What does camellia oil smell like?

Camellia oil has a mild aroma and a light floral smell.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Divya SharmaMBBS, MD

     

Dr. Divya Sharma is a renowned dermatologist and hair expert with over 14 years of experience dealing with all skin types. She has extensive experience in medical dermatology, lasers in aesthetics, and regenerative medicine. She is also a member of the special interest group Aesthetics of IADVL (Indian Academy of Dermatologists Venerologists and Leprologists) and has numerous publications to her...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more