What Benefits Does Mayonnaise Have for Your Health and Beauty?

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

Often viewed simply as a high-calorie condiment, mayonnaise actually provides a source of beneficial vitamins and healthy fats. Beyond the kitchen, a number of surprising topical applications exist, leveraging its rich, creamy texture for hair and skincare.

Quick Summary

Mayonnaise provides essential vitamins E and K and contains healthy unsaturated fats that aid nutrient absorption. It is also popularly used as a deep conditioning hair mask and a hydrating face mask, offering both culinary and topical benefits when used correctly.

Key Points

Healthy Fats: The healthy unsaturated fats in mayonnaise, especially from oils like olive or avocado, aid nutrient absorption and support heart health.
Vitamin Source: It provides essential vitamins E and K, which support the immune system and blood clotting, respectively.
Deep Conditioning: The oil and protein in mayonnaise make it an effective, natural hair mask for moisturizing and strengthening dry or damaged strands.
Skin Hydration: When applied topically, mayonnaise can hydrate dry skin, soothe sunburn, and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Supports Eye Health: The egg yolks in mayo are a source of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that can protect the eyes from age-related diseases.
Moderation is Key: Due to its high calorie and fat density, mayonnaise should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Quality Matters: Opting for homemade mayonnaise or commercial brands with healthier oils can maximize nutritional benefits.

Mayonnaise, an emulsified sauce of oil, egg yolk, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice, has long been a staple in kitchens around the world. While its culinary uses are well-known, many people overlook the surprising health and beauty benefits it can offer. The key to unlocking these advantages lies in understanding its nutritional composition and the distinction between commercial and homemade varieties. When chosen wisely and used in moderation, this creamy condiment is more than just a spread.

The Nutritional Benefits of Mayonnaise

Contrary to its reputation as an unhealthy indulgence, mayonnaise can contribute positively to your diet, primarily through its healthy fat content and key vitamins.

Healthy Fats for Heart and Brain Health

Traditional mayonnaise is predominantly made of oil, which, depending on the source, contains a high concentration of healthy unsaturated fats. Brands made with olive or avocado oil are particularly rich in monounsaturated fats, while those using soybean or canola oil offer a good source of polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The American Heart Association notes that replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The omega-3s are also beneficial for cognitive function and memory retention.

Vitamins E and K

From the egg yolks in its recipe, mayonnaise provides a small amount of essential vitamins E and K.

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage and supporting a healthy immune system.
Vitamin K is vital for proper blood clotting.

Choline for Brain and Nervous System Function

Egg yolks are a good source of choline, a nutrient that is essential for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. Including mayonnaise in your diet can contribute to your daily intake of this important nutrient.

Enhanced Nutrient Absorption

The fats in mayonnaise play a crucial role in helping the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) from other foods. This means adding a small amount of mayonnaise to a salad with leafy greens and vegetables can help you get more nutritional value from your meal.

Mayonnaise for Topical Use: Hair, Skin, and Nails

Beyond the plate, mayonnaise has a long history as a popular and accessible DIY beauty treatment. Its moisturizing properties make it particularly effective for hair and skin.

Deep Conditioning for Hair

Using mayonnaise as a hair mask is a common home remedy for dry, damaged, or frizzy hair. The combination of nourishing oils and protein-rich egg yolks offers several benefits.

Here's how to make a basic mayonnaise hair mask:

Whisk together 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with a tablespoon of olive oil and a few drops of an essential oil like lavender to mask the scent.
Apply the mixture to clean, damp hair, focusing on the ends.
Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and shampoo as normal.

Hydrating Face and Skin Mask

The moisturizing properties of mayonnaise can also be applied topically to the skin, making it an excellent natural treatment for dryness and chapped areas.

Benefits for the skin include:

Moisture and Radiance: The oils and proteins can help restore the skin's moisture barrier, leading to a softer, more radiant complexion.
Soothing Sunburn: Mayonnaise's cooling properties can help soothe skin that has been overexposed to the sun.
Exfoliation: A mask can help remove dead skin cells, giving the face a smoother feel.

Strengthening Nails

For weak and brittle nails, a short soak in mayonnaise can help strengthen and moisturize them. The emollient properties soften the cuticles and add shine to the nail bed.

Considerations and Making Healthier Choices

While mayonnaise offers several benefits, it is calorie-dense, so moderation is essential for maintaining a healthy weight. The type of mayonnaise you choose also plays a significant role in its overall health impact.

Mayonnaise Comparison Table


Feature	Regular Mayonnaise	Light Mayonnaise	Homemade Mayonnaise
Main Ingredients	Oil (often soybean/canola), egg yolk, vinegar	Water, modified food starch, often extra sugar and thickeners	Oil (e.g., olive, avocado), egg yolk, acid (lemon/vinegar)
Calories & Fat	High in calories and fat (approx. 94 kcal/tbsp)	Lower in calories and fat, but may have more sugar	Can be customized, but generally high in healthy fats
Additives	Preservatives and stabilizers	Thickeners, extra sugars, and stabilizers	Free of additives; made with whole ingredients
Healthy Fats	Contains healthy unsaturated fats, but often higher in omega-6s	Reduced fat content means fewer healthy fats per serving	Can be made with omega-3 rich oils like flaxseed or olive oil
Health Risk	Low risk due to pasteurized eggs	Low risk, but watch for added ingredients	Risk of salmonella if raw, unpasteurized eggs are used

Homemade vs. Commercial Mayonnaise

For maximum health benefits, homemade mayonnaise allows complete control over the ingredients, particularly the type of oil used. Using a high-quality oil, like avocado or olive oil, can significantly boost the content of heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Just be sure to use pasteurized eggs to avoid the risk of salmonella. While commercial mayonnaise is safe due to pasteurization, lighter versions often replace fat with sugar or starches, which can diminish the health advantages.

Conclusion

Mayonnaise is a versatile product with benefits that extend far beyond its traditional culinary role. As a condiment, it can serve as a vehicle for healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins, provided it is consumed in moderation and made with quality ingredients. For beauty purposes, it offers an effective and natural way to moisturize and strengthen hair, soften skin, and fortify nails. The key is to be mindful of its calorie density and to choose the healthiest option available, whether homemade or a high-quality commercial brand made with beneficial oils. Making informed choices ensures you can enjoy all the benefits mayonnaise has to offer. For further dietary guidance, consult resources like the American Heart Association (AHA) to learn more about healthy cooking oils and fats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, mayonnaise can be beneficial for hair. The oils and protein help to deeply condition, add shine, improve elasticity, and strengthen hair follicles, making it a popular DIY treatment for dry or damaged hair.

Mayonnaise can be used on the face as a hydrating mask, particularly for dry or chapped skin. Its moisturizing properties can help soften skin, reduce inflammation, and give it a healthy glow. However, it is not recommended for oily or acne-prone skin.

Yes, mayonnaise contains vitamins E and K, derived from the egg yolks and vegetable oil used in its production. These vitamins contribute to immune function and healthy blood clotting.

Yes, store-bought mayonnaise is safe to eat as it is made with pasteurized eggs, which eliminates the risk of salmonella bacteria. Proper refrigeration after opening and storage according to food safety guidelines is important to prevent spoilage.

The vinegar or lemon juice present in mayonnaise can help balance the scalp's pH, which may aid in soothing dry and flaky skin associated with dandruff. However, more research is needed to prove its efficacy as a primary treatment.

The healthiest mayonnaise is typically homemade, as it allows you to control the ingredients and use heart-healthy oils like olive or avocado oil. When buying commercial mayonnaise, look for varieties made with healthier oils and simple ingredients to avoid unnecessary additives, sugars, or starches.

Mayonnaise is calorie-dense, so it should be consumed in moderation. A typical serving size is one tablespoon. Paying attention to portion sizes and balancing it with other nutritious foods is key for a healthy diet.

Yes, the healthy fats in mayonnaise aid the body in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) from other foods eaten at the same time, such as in a salad.