Can You Use Grapeseed Oil For Hair Growth?

Grapes: delicious when eaten whole, arguably more delicious when fermented and paired with cheese. What about when they’re turned into oil and massaged into the scalp or hair strands? Is grapeseed oil for hair the ultimate way to enjoy grapes?

Some beauty trends are pure fluff, but there’s actually a little science behind this one. Plenty of people (and, yes, a few scientists) are curious about whether grapeseed oil could be good for hair.

After all, natural hair oils have been shown to help with things like dryness and breakage, and some, like geranium oil, might promote healthy hair growth. So, is grapeseed oil a natural remedy to encourage growth, repair damaged hair, and support scalp health?

We’ll dig into the hard facts about this byproduct of winemaking and then explore its potential benefits for hair, as well as other ways to promote healthy hair growth.

Grapeseed oil is made from the seeds of wine grapes — usually the kind that gets tossed during the winemaking process. This makes it a seed oil.

It’s often used as a carrier oil in skin and hair care products (which might contain more potent essential oils), thanks to its light texture and subtle scent. You’ll also see it show up in supplements as grapeseed extract or as a more neutral-tasting cooking oil.

The National Institutes of Health notes that grapeseed extract is marketed for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

As for grapeseed oil itself? It’s packed with compounds called nutraceuticals (nutrient-packed substances derived from food with health benefits). This includes vitamin E and essential fatty acids (like linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid) that may offer benefits for your skin, scalp, and hair.

The beneficial properties of grapeseed oil deliver whole-body value.

The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) doesn’t back these claims (just like any other dietary supplement or cosmetic ingredient). But some studies point in that direction.

Grapeseed extract and oil have shown some promise. When consumed, research suggests it might offer:

• Anti-inflammatory benefits

• Antimicrobial benefits

• Reduced risk of tumors

• Lowered cholesterol

• Antioxidant properties to lower oxidative stress

• Wound healing

• Anti-aging benefits

• Moisture for dry skin

But what does this mean for your hair? Keep reading for insight.

Is grapeseed oil good for hair? If so, what are the benefits of grapeseed oil for hair? Does it really support shiny locks or strengthen hair?

There are plenty of reasons to believe grapeseed oil could indeed help with hair growth — we just can’t totally confirm it with research.

Let’s start with what we know: Grapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, among a few other things that can support healthy hair and skin. Here’s what the science says:

• Vitamin E. A small study showed that people with hair loss who took tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E found in grapeseed oil) experienced a 34 percent increase in hair count after eight months — likely because the antioxidant helped reduce oxidative stress on the scalp.

• Fatty acids. In lab studies (which aren’t done on people, to be clear), applying certain fatty acids to scalp cells helped promote the expression of hair growth-related genes. That’s promising, but it wasn’t grapeseed oil specifically — and it hasn’t been replicated in clinical trials.

• Antifungal and anti-inflammatory. A 2020 paper on the many potential benefits of grapeseed oil explored its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. This might suggest overlapping opportunities to use grapeseed oil for both skincare and hair health issues, but it didn’t include any studies where hair was the actual research subject.

• Antioxidants. A 1998 study looked at the hair cells of mice and found that a particular element of grape seeds — proanthocyanidins (a type of polyphenol with antioxidant properties) — could promote the proliferation of these cells. Grape seeds may be useful in stimulating hair growth, but the study is old and was limited to the cells of mice, not humans.

How does this translate into benefits for hair?

Well, there isn’t any solid proof to back up these claims, but some possible benefits of using grapeseed oil in your hair care routine could include:

• Helping to hydrate and lock in moisture by acting like a lightweight, non-greasy sealant, which is important for managing frizz and preventing breakage

• Moisturizing a dry scalp when used as a scalp treatment

• Adding shine for a glossier, healthier-looking finish

• Reducing static, which can make hair look smoother and more manageable

Companies using grapeseed oil and grapeseed extract may simply be ahead of the game. But they might also be leaning into some very modest (and kind of old) results from a study on mice.

Still, you might decide grapeseed oil is worth adding to your routine — especially if you’re dealing with dryness, flakiness, dandruff, or scalp irritation.

Want to give it a shot? Here’s how people typically use grapeseed oil for hair:

• Apply a small amount to damp or dry hair as a lightweight sealant, focusing on the ends (and any split ends you may have).

• Massage a few drops into your scalp to help with dryness or irritation.

• Add a little bit of grapeseed oil to your conditioner.

• Apply a small amount of grapeseed oil to the roots and lengths of the hair shaft as a pre-shampoo treatment.

If you’re not totally sold on grapeseed oil but are interested in exploring other moisturizing hair oil options, we know of a few. Look out for cleansing and styling products with the following ingredients (or look up ways to incorporate them into a DIY hair mask):

• Coconut oil

• Argan oil

• Castor oil

• Rosemary oil

• Jojoba oil

• Avocado oil

• Olive oil

Keep in mind that almost any type of natural oil can weigh down fine hair, making it look greasy or limp. If you have thin hair, a drop or two might be plenty.

Do hair masks work for hair loss? Our blog has answers.

If you’re looking for a way to promote or preserve healthy hair growth, relying on wine byproducts isn’t a guaranteed win. Other science-backed methods are much more reliable.

In the big picture, medications for hair loss and vitamins for hair wellness and scalp health have been carefully studied and undergone clinical studies.

Some of the best medications and vitamins for hair growth include:

• Topical minoxidil. This over-the-counter treatment (you might know it as Rogaine^®) comes in foam or liquid form. It’s FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia — aka female pattern hair loss. Topical minoxidil works by increasing blood flow to hair follicles, helping push them into the growth phase. Translation: more hair growth, more quickly.

• Oral minoxidil. Oral minoxidil is often prescribed off-label for women who need support managing female pattern hair loss. One study found it boosted hair count by over 17 percent in under a year. It acts as a vasodilator, increasing blood flow and nutrient delivery to the scalp — like an internal irrigation system for your follicles.

• Topical finasteride. Finasteride blocks DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that can shrink hair follicles and slow growth. We offer access to topical finasteride & minoxidil spray for postmenopausal women experiencing female pattern hair loss that may be exacerbated by hormonal shifts.

• Spironolactone. Another hormone-focused option, spironolactone reduces the production of androgens like testosterone, which can contribute to thinning hair in women. It’s typically taken as a once-daily pill and often prescribed for hormonal acne, too.

• Biotin supplements. If your hair loss is tied to a vitamin deficiency (and that’s a big if — blood work can help confirm it), biotin might help. That said, biotin supplements only work if you actually need them (meaning you’re deficient in the nutrient). A balanced diet, a healthy scalp, and good hair hygiene all play a role.

Honestly, there are countless ways to support your hair. The hard part? Figuring out which one is actually right for you. That’s where a healthcare professional comes in. They can help pinpoint the root cause (pun intended) of hair loss or excessive shedding and recommend a plan that actually works.

Just looking to keep your hair happy and hydrated? A nourishing shampoo and conditioner that works for your hair type goes a long way.

Grapeseed oil probably isn’t a magic potion for hair growth. But it’s earned a spot in the general hair care conversation.

Here’s what to keep in mind about grapeseed oil and healthy hair:

• Between its antioxidant content and lightweight moisture-locking properties, you can think of grapeseed oil as just another tool in your healthy hair toolkit. 

• Grapeseed oil may be an excellent choice — with no known potential side effects — for hair health, but it’s not the first thing we’d recommend if you’re facing hair loss.

• Grapeseed oil for hair growth might not be it. If you’re seeing signs of early (or progressing) hair loss, a healthcare provider will probably recommend proven treatments.

So, hey, even if it doesn’t single-handedly give you your best hair ever, at least you’ll have a good excuse to tell people you’re “deep-conditioning with wine byproducts.” Cheers to that.

On a serious note, tailoring treatments to your needs — and diagnosing what exactly your needs are in the first place — is essential to success in maintaining your mane.

Check out our women’s hair health resources to get in touch with a healthcare professional today. Or take the free hair quiz to start exploring your options.