So what do you need to know about grapeseed oil before making a purchase? The botanical oil—derived from, well, the seeds of grapes—comes packed with fatty acids and the antioxidant polyphenol, which give it its impressive properties when used on hair. However, just be sure you’re purchasing a cold-pressed, unrefined high-quality option (more on why later). Hairstylist, texture specialist, and artistic director for Matrix Michelle O’Connor agrees: “It also helps to lock in moisture, therefore preventing split ends and dryness.” However, it’s not a surefire dandruff cure, we should note. “Although it’s a natural remedy and offers some relief, some conditions will require a prescription-strength skin treatment. Grapeseed oil may be used to complement the treatment, and if it’s merely dry or itchy scalp, it can be a perfect natural solution alone,” says O’Connor. Another bonus of scalp massage is that it promotes blood circulation to the area. This, studies have shown, can aid in hair growth in some2 (because the blood is carrying oxygen and nutrients to the area, which are then used to make healthy hair cells). The only thing to keep in mind is the quality of the oil you are buying. “If you want to try grapeseed oil, just be sure that you’re purchasing an expeller of unrefined, cold-pressed oil as others are produced using chemical solvents,” Stenson says. When oils are produced using chemical solvents, they lose all the things we love about the oil. As family physician and New York Times bestselling author Cate Shanahan, M.D., previously explained to mbg, they are stripped of their antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. What’s the point of using the oil if you can’t reap any of the benefits, no?
