Mustard Oil for Winter Skin and Hair: What Actually Works

Mustard Oil for Winter Skin and Hair: What Actually Works

Choosing winter skin and hair care today can feel harder than choosing what to watch on Netflix. With creams, serums, masks and endless advice competing for attention, decision fatigue can set in before winter even does. 

A generation ago, things were much simpler. When the weather turned cold, many Indian homes reached for a warm katori of sarso ka tel and called it a day. 

But does mustard oil really deserve its reputation as a winter essential? Before it becomes part of your routine, here’s what it is and what it can actually do for your skin and hair. 

TL;DR 

  • Mustard oil, or sarso ka tel, contains oleic acid, linoleic acid and vitamin E, which helpd skin and hair hold on to moisture. 

  • A warm massage before a bath leaves a thin layer that keeps skin soft afterwards. 

  • It eases dry, frizzy hair and a tight scalp, but there’s no proof it boosts hair growth. 

  • Its sharp compound, allyl isothiocyanate, can irritate sensitive skin, so do a patch test before using it. 

  • Choose cold-pressed or kachi ghani mustard oil with one ingredient on the label and a recent manufacturing date. 

  • It can work alongside your moisturiser rather than replace it.

What Is Mustard Oil? 

Mustard oil comes from mustard seeds, the same little seeds that crackle in a hot tadka. In Hindi, mustard oil is called sarso ka tel, and many homes call it kadwa tel for its sharp, slightly bitter taste and strong smell. It’s a kitchen staple, but in winter it has traditionally taken on a second job. 

Ayurvedic texts like the Sushruta Samhita describe mustard oil as light, sharp and warming, and mention it for itchy skin. And unlike coconut oil, which turns solid in the cold, it stays liquid and easy to use. 

So what does it actually do for dry winter skin? 

Is Mustard Oil Good for Skin in Winter? 

Yes, mustard oil can be good for skin in winter. It contains oleic acid, linoleic acid and vitamin E, which help reduce moisture loss and keep skin feeling softer when winter drynes 

ains allyl isothiocyanate, which gives mustard oil its strong smell and warming sensation. Some people enjoy that feeling s hits. 

It also cont, but others, especially those with sensitive skin, may find it irritating. So before you include this in your winter skincare routine, do a patch test first. 

Here are the ways it fits best into a winter skincare routine. 

How Do You Use Mustard Oil on Skin? 

In many homes, winter meant a katori of warm sarso ka tel and a massage before bath time, whether you were in the mood for one or not. While most of the oil washes away, a light layer stays behind, which is why skin often feels softer afterwards. 

  • Massage warm oil into your arms, legs and back before bathing. 

  • Apply a few drops to rough elbows, knees and hands. 

  • Rub a small amount onto cracked heels before bed and wear cotton socks overnight. 

  • Add a few drops to a traditional besan and haldi ubtan. 

If you use it on your face, wash it off afterwards, since it can clog pores. And if you’re considering it for a newborn, check with your paediatrician first. 

But skin wasn’t the only thing mustard oil was used for in winter.

Is Mustard Oil Good for Hair in Winter? 

You pull off a woollen cap, and half your hair stands up with static. The ends feel dry, your scalp starts to itch, and your hair seems harder to manage than usual. This is exactly the kind of winter hair mustard oil can help with, though it won’t make your hair grow faster, whatever the internet says. 

Cold, dry air can leave hair feeling rough, while long, hot showers strip away some of the moisture that keeps it soft. Mustard oil helps by coating the hair shaft, which can reduce dryness, smooth flyaways and make hair easier to comb. 

The same fats that help your skin also help reduce moisture loss from the scalp. That’s one reason a warm mustard oil champi can feel so comforting when your scalp is dry or tight. 

If the flakes keep coming back despite regular oiling, though, you may be dealing with dandruff rather than simple winter dryness, and that needs a different approach. For everyday dryness, here’s how to get the champi right. 

How Do You Use Mustard Oil for Hair? 

You don’t need to drench your hair or leave the oil on for days to see the benefits. 

How often you oil depends on your scalp. Dry scalps usually do well with a couple of oilings a week, while normal scalps may need just one. If your scalp tends to get oily, focus on the lengths and ends instead. 

  • Warm two spoons of oil until it feels comfortable on your wrist. If you like the old home mix, add a few methi seeds or a crushed garlic clove while it warms, then strain. 

  • Massage it into your scalp for five to ten minutes, then smooth the remaining oil through the lengths and ends. 

  • Leave it on for an hour or two, or overnight with an old towel over your pillow. 

  • Wash it out with a mild shampoo, twice if needed. 

Keep the oil away from your eyes. Mustard oil’s warming tingle is far less enjoyable when it ends up where it shouldn’t. 

Of course, all of this works best when the oil in the bottle is the real thing.

Which Mustard Oil Is Best for Skin and Hair? 

For skin and hair, cold pressed mustard oil, also called kachi ghani mustard oil, is usually the better choice. It’s pressed without high heat, so it keeps more of the seed’s natural compounds. Refined oil is heated and deodorised, which your nose may thank you for, but some of that goodness is lost along the way. 

When you’re shopping, check three things. 

  • Read the label. Mustard oil should be the only ingredient, with no supporting cast. 

  • Check the manufacturing date and skip the bottle that’s been on the shelf since last Diwali. 

  • See whether the brand shows how its oil is pressed, through videos or mill visits. 

At home, good mustard oil looks golden and smells strong and sharp. Very pale oil with barely any smell is likely refined, and a stale or sour smell means it’s time to let it go. 

Keep it in a cupboard away from sunlight and the heat of the stove, and try to use it within a few months for the best quality. 

The same bottle can handle your tadka, your champi and your winter skincare routine. At this point, the only thing it doesn’t seem to do is pay the electricity bill. 

Closing Thoughts 

Every winter, we read reviews, compare ingredients, and add yet another moisturiser to the cart. And by evening, our skin still feels tight. 

Meanwhile, sarso ka tel has survived generations without a single five-star rating. 

Before buying something new, give the old bottle in the kitchen a try. Nani might have been onto something after all. 

A Note from GirOrganic  

At GirOrganic, we believe an oil should carry the full character of what it came from. Our wood-pressed mustard oil is extracted using the traditional kachi ghani process, slow, cool, and without chemical solvents, so that what reaches your kitchen still smells, tastes, and performs the way mustard oil was always meant to.  

If you have been thinking about switching, try ours and taste the difference yourself.

FAQs About Mustard Oil for Winter Skin and Hair 

1. Does mustard oil really work for hair, and does it help hair grow? 

It does help winter hair that feels dry and frizzy, and a scalp that feels tight. Its fats coat each strand and make it softer, so fewer strands snap when you comb. Over time, that can make hair look fuller and healthier. But there’s no proof that it makes hair grow faster, so it’s best to use it for softness, not growth. If you’re dealing with a lot of hair fall, it’s worth seeing a dermatologist. 

2. Is mustard oil heating or cooling? 

Ayurveda considers mustard oil warming, which is why it has always been a winter favourite. In summer, many people switch to lighter oils like coconut. 

3. How long can I leave mustard oil in my hair? 

An hour or two is enough for most people. If your hair is very dry, you can leave it on overnight with an old towel over your pillow. Just wash it out well with a mild shampoo the next day. 

4. What are the disadvantages of applying mustard oil on hair? 

The strong smell can linger, and it can take a couple of washes to get it out completely. Its sharp compound may also irritate a sensitive scalp or sting if it gets into your eyes, so a patch test is a good idea before the first use. 

5. How do you store mustard oil? 

Keep it in a cupboard, away from sunlight and the heat of the stove. Mustard oil is mostly made of unsaturated fats, and light and heat make them react faster with oxygen in the air. Over time, this turns the oil rancid. Its smell goes stale or sour, and it loses some of its vitamin E. Stored in a cool, dark place with the cap closed, it stays fresh for longer. 

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