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There’s nothing like a good hair day. When your roots look fresh and lifted, and your hair looks healthy and full, it’s hard to be anything but happy with your mane. Of course, achieving such a moment can be a bit of a challenge. In a world of heavy hair-care products, wavering weather, horrendous humidity, and constant reminders to wash your hair less, not more, greasy, flat hair can feel rather inevitable. It doesn’t have to, though! With the right ingredients, you, too, can sport ravishing, revived strands that look shiny and smooth, not to mention airy and voluminous.
One ingredient that can help deliver such results is chia seed oil. Derived from chia seeds, this natural oil is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and protein, all of which can work to transform the look and feel of hair. Intrigued? We were, too. That’s why we chatted with five hair experts to uncover all the benefits of chia seed oil for hair. Keep reading to learn more.
Meet the expert
- Garren is a celebrity stylist and the co-founder of R+Co and R+Co BLEU. Franck Izquierdo is a stylist and a co-founder of IGK. Kerry E. Yates is a trichologist and the founder of Colour Collective. Gretchen Friese is a stylist and BosleyMD’s resident trichologist. Valery Joseph is a celebrity stylist and the founder of Valery Joseph Salons and Valery Joseph Haircare.
Benefits of Chia Seed Oil for Hair
- Hydrates hairEnhances shineNourishes strands Soothes the scalpSmoothes frizzSeals split endsHelps prevent breakageOffers natural UV protection
Chia seed oil is something of a miracle worker in the hair world. The antioxidant-rich oil is multifaceted, delivering everything from moisture and deep nourishment to seriously strengthened strands.
“Chia seed oil nourishes and hydrates hair without feeling greasy,” says celebrity stylist Garren, co-founder of R+Co and R+Co BLEU. “It helps smooth frizz, seal split ends, and adds weightless shine. It is also rich in vegan proteins, which help promote hair fullness, prevent breakage, strengthen, and protect strands from damage with natural UV protection and antioxidants.”
According to stylist and IGK co-founder Franck Izquierdo, chia seed oil can also help soothe scalp dryness, providing emollient effects.
Furthermore, trichologist and Colour Collective founder Kerry E. Yates says chia seed oil can boost follicle health. “Omega Acids plus alpha-linoleic acid delivers added nourishment to ensure proper follicle fitness,” she says.
And the stronger the follicles are, the healthier (and fuller) hair can look. In fact, BosleyMD trichologist Gretchen Friese says that because of its breakage-preventing and follicle-strengthening benefits, chia seed oil “can help stop hair from excessive thinning and even help encourage new hair growth.”
Wait, Can Chia Seed Oil Really Boost Hair Growth?
To an extent, yes. “Chia seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, which are important for maintaining a healthy environment for hair to grow,” Friese says. “It is also full of amino acids that help fight inflammation, as well as zinc and copper that prevent hair from thinning and help hair grow.”
Keep in mind that chia seed oil is less about being a magic hair-boosting ingredient and more about the oil deeply nourishing the scalp and hair, allowing for a better growing environment.
“When you think of chia seeds, one may think of the chia seed pets, where you see instant seed growth on the various clay figures. Unfortunately, chia seed oil and its inclusion within hair care products can promote hair growth by supporting proper follicle fitness, but the ingredient itself does not make the hair grow,” Yates explains. “When I speak of proper follicle fitness, I specifically mean keeping the follicle free from ‘debris’ like excess sebum, styling product build-up, shampoo and conditioner build-up, and dry skin cells, in addition to keeping inflammation or scalp dryness in check.”
Who Is Chia Seed Oil Best For?
Anyone and everyone can benefit from incorporating chia seed oil into their haircare routine.
“Chia seed oil is beneficial all around; however, it is most beneficial to those with damaged or dry hair, frizz-prone hair, and thinning hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Valery Joseph, founder of Valery Joseph Salons and Valery Joseph Haircare.
And yes, that means even fine hair can enjoy this oil. “Chia seed oil is very lightweight and can be used on all hair types, from fine to coarse hair,” Yates assures us.
How to Incorporate Chia Seed Oil Into Your Hair-Care Routine
The easiest way to bolster your hair-care routine with chia seed oil is to stock it with products featuring the ingredient. “Due to its many benefits and versatility, it is used in skin care, as well as hair care and styling products,” Garren says.
A few stellar products formulated with chia seed oil include IGK’s Extra Love Volume and Thickening Conditioner ($32), R+Co’s CASSETTE Curl Defining Shampoo and Conditioner ($68), and Ceremonia’s Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil ($32).
Of course, if you prefer using raw ingredients, Griese says you can also apply 100% chia seed oil directly to the scalp. “It can be used as a serum put directly on the scalp before a moisturizing product,” she says. “Or it can be mixed with another carrier oil like coconut or jojoba and used as a mask for the hair.”
Negative Side Effects of Using Chia Seed Oil
Like anything, chia seed oil does have the potential to cause irritation. “If your scalp feels irritated, scratchy, red, or inflamed, discontinue use,” Yates says.