Macadamia Oil For Hair – Benefits And How To Use

Know Your Ingredient: Macadamia Oil

What Is It?
Oil extracted from macadamia nuts.

What Are Its Benefits?
May enhance hair texture, elasticity, strength, and hair growth, prevent hair breakage and split ends, and improve minoxidil absorption.

Who Can Use It?
Suitable for all hair types.

How Often?
Daily or 2-3 times a week.

Caution
May have rare allergic reactions; hence, a patch test is recommended.

How Does Macadamia Oil Help Hair And Scalp?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that using macadamia oil is extremely beneficial for the hair and scalp. It is said to improve hair texture, structure, and elasticity. It may also increase hair shine, provide frizz control, and repair damaged hair. But, does science agree with these benefits?

1. May Improve Hair Strength

Macadamia oil contains a high amount of lipids (fatty acids) (1). Hair is made up of lipids. Since macadamia oil contains lipids, it may help strengthen your hair and improve its texture and quality.

2. Contains Essential Nutrients

Macadamia oil contains fatty acids, tocopherols, and squalene (1). Tocopherols have antioxidant properties that protect the hair from damage. Squalene is thought to be the protective agent in sebum. It may even help in sebum production. It also has antioxidant properties, which offer UV protection (1).

3. May Promote Minoxidil Absorption

The oleic acid in macadamia oil may make the scalp better absorb minoxidil (a hair growth medication) (2). Minoxidil is often used to promote hair growth.

4. May Improve Hair Health

Macadamia oil contains fat, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber that may nourish your hair and improve its health (3).

5. Increased Collagen Production

Macadamia oil contains essential amino acids (4). Amino acids help in collagen production (5). Collagen is a protein that contains keratin, which strengthens the hair. Increased collagen production may help improve hair elasticity. Amino acids can also balance pH levels and improve hydration.

6. Treats Dry Hair

This natural nut oil has moisturizing and regenerative properties that can help treat dry hair (6). It also helps repair damaged hair (7).

7. Moisturizes Your Hair

Macadamia oil is a triglyceride oil and contains up to 80-84% of monounsaturated fattyⁱ  XA dietary fat that helps the reduction of bad cholesterol levels and maintenance of overall cell heath in the body. acids (8). This means it can be used as a hair moisturizer.

8. Offers UV Protection

This oil contains palmitoleic acid, which protects the cell membrane from lipid peroxidationⁱ  XA chain of reactions where oxidants attack lipids in the body. This can lead to cell damage and eventual cell death. (8). This also makes it an excellent emollientⁱ  XAn ingredient that can trap moisture to reduce dryness and help keep the skin smooth and hydrated. . It has UV protection properties that may help protect your hair from heat damage.

9. May Stimulate Hair Growth

Macadamia oil is a great natural source of vitamin E that aids hair nourishment (3). This vitamin can be used to stimulate hair growth. Vitamin E is known to improve blood flow. It also has antioxidant properties that can help prevent hair loss and hair damage.

10. Improves Hair Smoothness

Macadamia oil, due to its high fat content, penetrates the hair easily and smoothens it (3). This can also help prevent frizz and boost hair shine.

A blogger shares her experience of using macadamia oil on hair and skin. She explained that after applying the oil, her skin felt moisturized but not oily. For hair, she stated, “My personal experience with the product on my hair was two fold. My first try was as a prepoo (which I normally do for oils that aren’t suited for low po hair) the oil was lightweight, left my hair soft and shiny (i).”

11. May Improve Hair Manageability:

Macadamia oil is said to help detangle hair, which makes it easier to tame and style.

Did You Know?

Macadamia nuts were originally known as ‘Jindil’ or ‘Kindal Kindal’ by the Native Australian tribes. It was only in the 1850s that they were named Macadamia nuts after John Macadam, the Scottish-Australian scientist.

What Are The Nutrients Found In Macadamia Oil

Macadamia nut oil contains oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and tocopherols. It is enriched with 80-84% of monounsaturated fatty acids, which makes it ideal for moisturizing hair. It also contains polyunsaturated fatty acidsⁱ  XA dietary fat with nutrients that have been found to improve hair growth, density, and also aid with healthy circulation in the scalp. like linoleic and linolenic acids, which may promote hair repair and help improve hair health (3).

Squalene – which is present in sebum – and campesterolⁱ  XA plant-derived steroid that mimics cholesterol and is used in supplements as a natural treatment for hair and scalp conditions. and stigmasterol – which may strengthen hair – are also found in this oil. Other nutrients found in macadamia oil include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, niacin, phosphorus, and folate (3). Research shows that a deficit in these nutrients may cause hair loss (9).

Now that you know all the hair benefits offered by macadamia oil, let’s check out how to use it!

How To Use Macadamia Oil For Hair Growth

1. Head Massage: A hot oil massage with macadamia oil may stimulate hair growth and improve hair quality. Massaging the scalp can increase blood circulation, which could then improve hair thickness and length.

2. Deep Conditioning Treatment: Macadamia oil can be used as a deep conditioning treatment to moisturize and strengthen your hair. Apply warm macadamia oil to your hair and cover it with a shower cap. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes. You can also leave it on overnight. The high fat content in macadamia oil moisturizes your hair.

3. Hair Masks:

You can mix macadamia oil with other natural ingredients like egg, yogurt, banana, and papaya to create homemade hair masks. These masks nourish your hair with nutrients and improve the hair texture.

4. Conditioning Shampoos: You can add macadamia oil to your regular shampoo to make it moisturizing. If you have dry hair, doing this will prevent your shampoo from stripping away its natural oils and leave it healthy.

5. Finishing Product: You can use a few drops of macadamia oil to add shine to your hairstyles and prevent flyaways or stray hair. It can also be used before heat styling your hair to protect it from severe heat damage.

Quick Tip

You can use macadamia oil once or twice a week for nourishing your hair. You can also add macadamia nuts as a topping for your favorite salad.

What Hair Type Is Best-Suited For Macadamia Oil?

Macadamia oil can be used on all hair types. Research shows that macadamia oil can specifically be used to treat dry or damaged hair (3).

Anecdotal evidence suggests that this natural oil is good for treating and conditioning curly hair and boosting its curl definition and bounce. It is also said to improve hair manageability, making curly hair easy to handle and style. Its high fat content makes it ideal for moisturizing curly hair. It can also be used to regulate sebum production in overly dry or oily hair.

Now, let’s answer the most important question.

Are There Any Risks Or Side Effects?

Topical macadamia oil is considered safe to use on hair and skin. However, it is advised to perform a patch test to check for allergies and to prevent any adverse effects like burning, redness, swelling, or inflammation. Apply a little macadamia oil to the forearm or back of the neck and wait for a few minutes. If any noticeable irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately.

Macadamia oil is often compared to avocado oil because of their similar flavor profiles. Keep reading to know which one is better for hair care.

Macadamia Oil Vs. Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has recently grown popular in the beauty industry, but research supporting its efficacy is limited. However, it has a rich nutrient profile with components such as ascorbic acid, niacin, retinol, oleic acid, and other bioactive compounds that offer a number of health benefits. It also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that may ensure good overall hair and scalp health (10). Macadamia oil, on the other hand, may help strengthen the hair and make the hair soft. However, there is only anecdotal evidence to support this claim.

These two oils can be used for different hair care purposes. If you want a daily, lightweight, conditioning oil, macadamia oil is better. But if you want something to soothe stressed hair in a more elaborate routine, avocado oil may be the right fit.

Infographic: How Macadamia Oil Can Promote Hair Health

When it comes to nurturing and enhancing your hair, macadamia oil is a true gem. It is packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants and offers a range of benefits that can transform the health and appearance of your hair. Check out the infographic below to explore the top benefits of macadamia oil for hair and how it can elevate your hair care routine.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is macadamia oil better than coconut oil?

No. Although this hair oil penetrates the hair strands, coconut oil can penetrate the hair follicles much better and prevent protein loss.

Is macadamia oil good for low porosityⁱ  XThe capacity of hair strands to soak and retain moisture, which determines the kind of external hydration and nourishment they need. hair?

No. Macadamia oil is made up of omega acids, which have large particles, making it difficult for the oil to penetrate low porosity hair.

Is macadamia oil better than olive oil?

Both the oils have a similar moisturizing and nourishing effect on hair. You can choose the one that suits your hair.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.   Dr. Chavan is well-versed with dermatological and aesthetic procedures. Her special...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...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

Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor

Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches. She has also worked with a number of high-profile beauty brands on a freelance basis to upscale their businesses. Krati...more