The camellia is a flower originating from Asia, used by Japanese women as a skincare treatment. It has long been known in China and Korea for its "anti-aging" properties. Every part of this flower is utilized. While the leaves are used to prepare tea, the seeds are harvested to extract camellia oil, which is beneficial for hair. Let's explore in this article what it can do for hair.
The benefits of camellia oil for hair: what are they?
Summary
Published on August 22, 2023, updated on October 4, 2024, by Manon, Scientific Editor — 6 min of reading
Themes:
Benefit #1: Camellia oil hydrates and nourishes the hair.
Camellia Oil is rich in fatty acids, particularly omega-6 and omega-9. The oleic acid it contains nourishes the hair and coats it, acting as a protective barrier. Additionally, camellia oil contains palmitic acid, whose structure is similar to the lipids that make up the hair cuticle. This substance has the ability to incorporate itself into the cuticle and act as an intercellular binder. Thus, camellia oil creates a protective layer on the surface of the hair, helping to shield it from dehydration and deeply nourish it.
4 minutes to understand your skin. Our dermatological diagnostic guides you toward the ideal skincare for your specific needs. Simple, quick, personalized.
Benefit #2: Camellia oil for soothing the scalp.
Camellia oil is predominantly composed of 90% unsaturated fatty acids. These compounds have demonstrated their ability to decrease levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and TNF-α, by disrupting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Additional research has also highlighted that the polyphenols contained in camellia oil have the ability to mitigate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. The anti-inflammatory properties of camellia oil can help soothe an irritated and dry scalp, thereby promoting a conducive environment for hair health.
Benefit #3: Preventing the appearance of white hair with camellia oil.
Oxidative stress, a phenomenon that occurs when there's an imbalance between the formation of free radicals and the amount of free antioxidants, can have several negative effects on the health and appearance of hair. It can accelerate the aging process of hair by damaging melanin, a pigment present in hair responsible for its color. This can lead to the premature appearance of gray or white hair.
Indeed, camellia oil contains squalene, a natural lipid belonging to the category of triterpenes. This compound is characterized by the presence of six double bonds, creating electron-rich regions that give it the ability to act as a potential electron donor to free radicals. These unstable molecules, having lost or gained an electron, are responsible for oxidative stress. By acting as an electron donor, squalene can stabilize free radicals, thus helping to mitigate oxidative stress and its harmful consequences for the hair.
Benefit #4: Camellia oil improves hair resilience.
A study analyzed the resilience of bleached hair in individuals using a conditioner containing camellia oil. Hair samples, consisting of 4 to 5 strands, were randomly taken from each braid, and each strand was mounted on a capillary traction device for measurement. It was observed that individuals using the conditioner with camellia oil experienced an increase in tensile strength by 139.91% compared to the control group. After 21 days of treatment, hair elongation increased by 137.5%.
These findings are promising regarding the effects of camellia oil on improving hair resilience. However, it is challenging to conclude whether these effects are attributable to the camellia oil or the formulation of the conditioner. Moreover, the exact reasons behind these observations are not yet fully elucidated. One potential hypothesis focuses on the presence of a variety of fatty acids in camellia oil. Due to its abundant fatty acid composition, camellia vegetable oil performs a protective function on hair fibers and acts as an intercellular binder.
By contributing to the repair and cohesion of the cuticle, palmitic acid and other saturated fatty acids present in camellia oil also promote its impermeability and preserve the internal layers of the hair, particularly the cortex. This region is rich in keratin fibers, which give hair its flexibility and elasticity. As a result, camellia vegetable oil proves to be a beneficial ingredient for dry or brittle hair.
Benefit No.5: Camellia oil for shiny hair.
Applying camellia oil to the hair also has the benefit of enhancing its aesthetics and imparting a shine. As previously mentioned, the fatty acids contained in this oil help to strengthen the bond between the scales forming the cuticle. When the structure of the hair fibers is reinforced and the scales of the cuticle are well bonded, the hair appears more radiant, as it is able to reflect light more effectively.
Sources
JUNG E. & al. Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2007).
ROBARDS K. & al. Camellia oil and tea oil. Gourmet and Health-Promoting Specialty Oils (2009).
ZHOU Y. & al. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Camellia oleifera leaves. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (2014).
XIAO X. & al. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of Camellia oleifera Abel components. Future Medicinal Chemistry (2017).
SOUSA C. & al. A review on the biological activity of camellia species. Molecules (2021).
AHN C. & al. Effect of rinse-off hair conditioner containing argan oil or camellia oil on the recovery of hair damaged by bleaching. Fashion and Textiles (2022).
