Avocado Oil Benefits for Hair: What It Does, How to Use It
Rachel RobsonShare
Avocado oil is popular in haircare for a simple reason: it is a fatty acid rich, emollient oil that can help hair feel softer, smoother, and less prone to breakage, especially when used as a pre wash treatment.
It is not a miracle growth oil, and it is not ideal for everyone, but used correctly it can be a genuinely useful part of a dry or damaged hair routine.
What is avocado oil and why is it used in haircare?
Avocado oil (from Persea americana) is typically pressed from the fruit pulp. It contains a high proportion of oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid), plus other fatty acids and minor components like tocopherols (vitamin E), depending on variety and extraction method. For a detailed breakdown of its composition and properties, see this review on Avocado Oil: Characteristics, Properties, and Applications (PMC).
In practical hair terms, that fatty acid profile matters because oils act mainly by:
- reducing friction between strands (less snapping during detangling)
- softening the cuticle surface (less roughness, more slip)
- supporting moisture retention by coating the hair fibre (helpful for dryness)
Key benefits of avocado oil for hair
Helps soften hair and reduce breakage
If your hair feels rough, tangles easily, or breaks during brushing, avocado oil can help by adding slip and reducing mechanical damage. In general, hair oils and conditioners are most reliable for this “protection and manageability” benefit, rather than for changing growth at the root. A useful overview of how hair cosmetics work (shampoos, conditioners, and protective ingredients) is Hair Cosmetics: An Overview (International Journal of Trichology).
Supports moisture retention in dry hair
Oils do not “hydrate” hair in the way water does, but they can help hair hold on to moisture by reducing water loss and improving the feel of dryness, especially when used before washing (when hair is most vulnerable to swelling and friction).
Adds shine and smoothness
Shine is mostly about surface smoothness. When the cuticle lies flatter, hair reflects light more evenly. Avocado oil can help hair look glossier, particularly on mid lengths and ends.
Does avocado oil help hair growth?
For most people, the honest answer is: not directly.
Hair growth happens in the follicle under the scalp. Oils can make hair look healthier by reducing breakage, which helps you retain length, but there is limited direct evidence that avocado oil itself stimulates new growth when applied topically.
If you are dealing with sudden shedding, patchy loss, scalp pain, or persistent itch and flaking, it’s worth speaking to a pharmacist or GP to rule out underlying causes.
How to use avocado oil on hair without greasiness
1) As a pre wash hair oil (best method for most people)
This is the most beginner friendly way to use avocado oil because you get the conditioning benefits without it sitting on your hair all day.
How to do it
- Start with dry hair.
- Warm 3 to 8 drops between palms (more if your hair is thick or very long).
- Apply to mid lengths and ends first, then lightly to the scalp only if you are dry or flaky.
- Leave for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Shampoo well (you may need two shampoos if you used a lot).
If you want a ready made blend that contains avocado oil, browse our Flux Natural Pre Wash Hair Oil.
2) Overnight use (only if your hair is very dry)
Overnight oiling can suit coarse, curly, or very dry hair, but it can cause build up on fine hair.
If you try it
- keep it to lengths and ends
- protect bedding with a towel or cap
- shampoo thoroughly in the morning
3) As a tiny finishing oil (optional, and easy to overdo)
If you use avocado oil as a leave in, use the smallest amount possible:
- 1 to 3 drops on damp hair
- focus on ends only
- avoid roots
If your hair looks flat or greasy after, it was simply too much, wash and reduce next time.
Is avocado oil suitable for all hair types?
Best for
- dry hair
- coarse hair
- curly or textured hair
- bleached or heat styled hair
- split end prone hair (as a protective step)
Use with caution if you have
- fine hair (use less, lengths only, pre wash is safer)
- oily scalp (avoid scalp application, keep it to ends)
- product build up issues (clarify occasionally)
Risks and downsides to know
Build up and irritation
Any oil can cause build up if overused. If your scalp becomes itchy, greasy, or you notice clogged follicles, reduce frequency and keep application off the scalp.
Why avocado oil works best as a pre wash treatment
Pre wash oiling is where avocado oil shines because it:
- improves slip before shampooing
- reduces breakage during detangling
- gives softness without weighing hair down all day
This is exactly why pre wash blends tend to be more practical than straight “pure oil” routines.
FAQs
Is avocado oil good for hair?
Yes, especially for softness, shine, and reducing breakage, but it works best when used pre wash and in the right amount.
How often should you use avocado oil on hair?
Most people do well with 1 to 2 times per week as a pre wash treatment. Fine hair may prefer once weekly or less.
Will avocado oil make my hair greasy?
It can if you use too much or apply it near the roots. Start with a few drops and focus on lengths.
Can I use food grade avocado oil on my hair?
Many people do, but choose a good quality oil and keep expectations realistic. Cosmetic formulations often blend oils for better spreadability and easier wash out.
