Even if you've (finally) found the products that work best for your hair, you may cringe at some of the ingredients found in the formula. Whether it’s to deeply cleanse, encourage hair growth, or decrease oil build-up, the best essential oils for hair can serve as an alternative to many chemically-infused, lab-manufactured products.
Many products, even those that claim to be "all-natural," are still diluted with unfriendly ingredients that you may be trying to avoid. So, if you’re looking for something that’s effective, approachable, and completely natural, essential oils really are the best solution.
Most likely, you've already used formulas that include essential oils before, but they were likely mixed in with alcohol or sulfates, which can be very harsh on the hair and scalp. For many textures, natural ingredients are the best way to promote growth without causing dryness. As a certified aromatherapist, I must mention that essential oils, while quite versatile, aren’t all going to do the same thing — but there's certainly an option out there for your specific needs (you might just have to do some mixing and matching). For example, if you’re looking to create your own hair rinse to replace shampoo, cleansing oils like those made from eucalyptus, tea tree, and rosemary are going to be your best bet, while still offering some of their own unique benefits that treat an assortment of different problems.
Luckily, you don’t have to switch careers and become an aromatherapist to figure out how to incorporate essential oils into your hair routine — just read through this article, and I'll guide you through the rest.
1To Stimulate Hair Growth: Carrot Seed Oil
If you're looking for a way to stimulate hair growth, this restorative carrot seed essential oil can help. While carrot seed is a popular vegetable oil rich in beta-carotene and vitamins, the essential oil of this root vegetable can actually increase circulation and stimulate the development of new cells, which creates a healthy environment for hair to grow. This formula by Plant Therapy offers a pure essential oil that's free of fillers, additives, or carrier oils. The oil is steam distilled, which preserves the plant's luxurious hair benefits and retains its warm, herbaceous scent.
2To Eliminate Product Build-Up: Lavender Tea Tree Oil
If you like to maintain a poo-less wash routine (like myself), you’ll love using rosalina essential oil to remove excess oil and product build-up. Also known as lavender tea tree oil, this formula is often used as a gentler alternative to pure tea tree and a more potent alternative to pure lavender. It’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and incredibly soothing, and it helps to purify the scalp while still retaining moisture.
3To Control Oil Production: Rosemary Oil
Naturally antibacterial and stimulating, this organic rosemary essential oil is wonderful for cleansing the hair and stimulating oil production. In addition, it's also known to increase circulation, reverse the development of grays, and promote hair growth. It’s a wonderfully potent oil that should be used moderately — five drops per ounce should be more than enough to keep your scalp moisturized.
4To Ease Itchy Scalps: Lavender Oil
One of the reasons why this lavender essential oil is a coveted favorite among aromatherapists is because of its versatility and calming properties. Its gentleness is extremely effective in alleviating dryness, dandruff, and sunburns, as it's known to heal wounds and burns by disinfecting and soothing the area. This lavender oil is especially comforting because it’s undiluted and steam distilled. When added to a hearty carrier oil, it sends nourishment and moisture down each strand to promote healthy hair growth.
5To Freshen Things Up: Chamomile Hydrosol
This chamomile hydrosol is a lovely way to freshen up your hair in between washes. Hydrosols are bi-products of essential oils that deliver similar benefits without the same potency. This chamomile hydrosol is water-based and loaded with the gentle antiseptic properties of chamomile that gently cleanse, soothe, and nourish hair. Since this product is less potent, it’s going to be great for folks with dry or especially oily hair. You can use it on its own as a spray or infuse it into a water-based hair product instead of distilled water.
6To Rejuvenate Hair: Eucalyptus Oil
Another stimulating ingredient that’s sure to promote hair growth, eucalyptus essential oil rejuvenates the hair follicles, which promotes shine and produces a gentle tingling sensation. This oil has significant anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, to result in a deep cleanse. Due to its substantial cleansing ability, the essential oil should be safely diluted and used in moderation. You’ll be getting a very high-quality product from Majestic Pure, as this formula is double-distilled and unfiltered. You can use this essential oil in a DIY hair rinse as an alternative to shampoo or as a stimulating co-wash. This is a great option for anyone with an oily scalp, dandruff, or stubborn hair growth.
7To Nourish Dry Hair: Cedarwood Oil
With a light, woodsy aroma, cedarwood essential oil is a great way to promote healthy oil production from the scalp all the way to the ends. You may have noticed that many essential oils help to control excess oil because they're so highly antiseptic, but cedarwood is pretty great to use on dry hair (and even oily skin) because of its gentle astringent properties. It stimulates hair growth without the same potency of some of the other essential oils on this list, so it's ideal for folks that have a naturally dry or coarse texture. This is a great essential oil to use in a mist before bed to wake up with soft strands.
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