Essential oils have become staples in every home due to their natural healing properties. Shampoos and other hair products are filled with toxic ingredients that can strip the hair of its natural oils, which often leads to hair challenges such as dandruff, frizziness, a dry scalp, and hair loss.
Oils and hair care
While it may seem bizarre to apply oil to your hair, by doing so, you can help replenish the natural oils that are stripped from the hair as a result of toxic hair products or other environmental factors.
Moreover, the use of essential oils can also help to strengthen the hair, encourage growth, eradicate dandruff and soothe an irritated scalp.
The following essential oils can be used to maintain the health of one’s locks. However, as essential oils are highly potent and concentrated- it’s important to always use them with carrier oils such as coconut oil and jojoba oil. Carrier oil helps carry the essential oils into the skin, preventing skin damage as well as ensuring that it’s properly absorbed by the skin. These are our top favorites and why we think they are fabulous.
1. Cedarwood essential oil
Cedarwood oil, with its wood-like scent, helps to encourage hair growth by balancing the natural oils found in the hair.
One study has highlighted its potential to reverse hair loss resulting from the autoimmune skin disease alopecia areata. The study saw that cedarwood oil, when mixed with lavender, rosemary, and thyme oil, helped to improve symptoms associated with alopecia areata after a period of 7 months. Its antibacterial properties also help treat the dandruff build-up.
2. Chamomile oil
While essential oils can be extracted from a variety of different types of chamomile, the most common one associated with hair care is the Roman Chamomile – the same one used for tea.
With its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile oil helps to soothe a dry and itchy scalp. Also, if you’re looking to add some shine to your hair – simply adding chamomile oil to condition your hair will create a beautiful golden shine.
3. Rosemary oil
Rosemary, with its minty scent, is often reserved for kitchen use but as an essential oil, it can help to stimulate hair growth. The oil promotes blood circulation, which then stimulates the hair follicles, which then lessens the chances of thinning hair. By doing so, it helps to prevent premature baldness and, according to this study, it does that better than most conventional treatments.
Moreover, rosemary oils help to balance sebum production, leading to a less greasy scalp as well as hair. It also helps to relieve both itchy scalps and dandruff.
4. Lavender oil
With its sweet scent, lavender oil is perfect for hair health due to its growth-promoting properties.
According to an animal study published in the journal Toxicology Research, the use of lavender oil in female mice resulted in an increase in hair follicles. It also deepened said hair follicles, and this lowered the risk of the hair falling out.
Furthermore, lavender has also contributed by helping to naturally lower stress levels. As hair thinning and hair loss are often symptoms of stress, the application of lavender oil can induce relaxation, which can then lower both your stress levels and the risk of hair loss.
Topical scalp applications of lavender oil can also moisturize the scalp and improve circulation. Additionally, its antibacterial properties can help to combat dandruff.
5. Patchouli oil
Patchouli is a plant that’s native to Asia. Its oil is often cultivated to be used as an ingredient in perfumes. The oil contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. This can help with hair and skin issues such as dandruff, eczema, and dermatitis.
6. Tea tree oil
With its vast number of anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties, many gave start to view tea tree oil as their new favorite essential oil. As a result of its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil is occasionally added as an ingredient to many hair products aimed at alleviating dandruff. It also maintains the health of hair follicles by unclogging them and encouraging the flow of the hairs’ natural oils.
7. Vetiver oil
Vetiver is a type of grass that’s native to South Asia. It is often planted to help protect the soil against erosion.
In the same way that the grass helps protect the soil against environmental factors, vetiver oil does the same for one’s hair. Vetiver oil helps to prevent hair loss as a result of excessive heat in the body which stems from stress. Stress-induced body heat can also lead to premature graying.
8. Ylang ylang oil
Ylang ylang is a tropical tree that is native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The name translates to flower of flowers. This makes sense as the tree produces flowers that are three separate colors ─ yellow (which the essential oil comes from), pink, and mauve. Ylang-ylang oil stimulates the production of the hairs’ natural oils. This helps to prevent a dry and itchy scalp, and it’s also used in some lice treatment products.
Using essential oils on hair
As mentioned, it’s not the best idea to ever directly apply essential oils onto the scalp. Instead, you can add a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner. You can also add it to a carrier oil before using it as a leave-in deep conditioning treatment.
Before you purchase an essential oil, be sure to consult a professional. Also, do a skin patch test to find out if you’re allergic to any of the oils. Symptoms of skin irritation include redness, burning, painful tingling, or a rash. If you find your tongue swelling, or you’re having difficulty breathing, then you may be allergic to the oil.
Essential oils are staples in every home and for good reason. In regards to hair care, they’re not only easy to use, but they can help to promote growth, strength, and shine.
