You can never have too many essential oils, especially when it comes to your hair care. And if you haven’t added these into your daily routines yet, you’re truly missing out. Using these oils are an easy and cost effective way to bring a little luxury into your life. In this post, you’ll learn about the 5 best essential oils for hair care!
*Disclaimer: Heads Up! This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission from any products purchased through these links at no additional cost to you.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are fragrant compounds extracted from plants that have proven benefits and healing properties.
Not only are they made from the earth, they have many different uses in areas like aromatherapy, personal care, healthcare, religious ceremonies, beauty treatments, household cleaning products and even cooking.
How to Use Essential Oils
Though essential oils are derived from nature, they are extremely potent and can be harmful if used incorrectly. Here is a list of precautions and guidelines according to doTerra, a popular brand of essential oils:
- Avoid applying oils to sensitive areas like the nose, ears, eyes, or broken skin.
- Always read labels and package instructions before using an essential oil for the first time.
- Use dilution to minimize skin sensitivity.
- Be aware of oils with sun sensitivity warnings.
- Practice safe storage—keep oils out of reach of children.
- Always supervise young children when applying essential oils.
- If you have specific health concerns, talk to a healthcare professional before trying essential oils.
There are a variety of brands of out there, with a range of concentration percentages. It’s best to make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions to get the most out of your product.
When applying your essential oil topically- whether that’s on your hair or skin, you must dilute it with a carrier oil. Why? Because these are super potent and can potentially cause irritation if applied neat (without diluting) directly to skin.
Different carrier oils have different properties. Some are more moisturizing, while others work better as sealants. Personally, I’ve found coconut oil is great for all my DIY needs when it comes to skin or hair care. It’s super affordable and lasts quite some time. If you are interested in learning more, check out my post on the Best Carrier Oils.
5 Essential Oils For Your Hair Care
Lavender
Lavender Essential Oil is most known for reducing stress and creating a calm, relaxing aroma. It is antibacterial, improves scalp stimulation and helps to induce regrowth of hair cells. If you have a sensitive scalp, this is the perfect essential oil to add into your hair care.
Tea Tree
Tea Tree Essential Oil has a very powerful scent. Not only is it a deep cleansing essential oil, but it has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. If you have an oily scalp or experience dandruff, this essential oil is a must have. It works to remove impurities from product build up, promoting new growth. If you have issues with clogged hair follicles, this works to reduce inflammation to free the follicle.
Rosemary
Associated with enlightenment, if you are trying to grow those locks, long and strong, Rosemary Essential Oil is going to be your go-to. It’s great for stimulating the scalp, which is needed for strong follicles. It works to enhance hair fullness while reducing future hair loss. If you experience lots of shedding, you’re definitely gonna want to add this to your next wash day!
Peppermint
Stimulate your senses with some good ole peppermint essential oil, used in energy cleansing. It gives off a super cooling and fresh feeling on your scalp. If you suffer from migraines or headaches, this is a great reliever to clear out the buildup of energy. With this oil, a little bit goes a long way. It is super strong so I don’t suggest leaving this on your hair for a very long time, especially if you experience scalp sensitivities.
Frankincense
If you’re looking to promote spiritual growth, encourage meditation and combat stress and anxiety, well here you have it. Frankincense is known to not only promote healthy roots for shiny, dandruff-free hair, but its soothing properties can reduce inflammation for those who experience psoriasis or eczema.
Ways To Use Essential Oils For Hair Care
So maybe you’re not into DIYs, or just don’t have the extra time to invest into them. And that’s okay. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the amazing benefits of essential oils in your daily rituals. Here are some quick ways to reap the aromatherapeutic and hair care benefits.
Get A Diffuser
Diffusers like this one are not only affordable, but a great way to incorporate essential oils into your daily habits. I bet you’re wondering how this helps your hair care, right? Simple. It’s one of my holy hair virtues. Stress-free environments support a healthy immune system which is essential for healthy hair growth. Fill the diffuser with some water and a few drops of lavender essential oil and luxuriate in your new zen-filled space.
Add Oils To Your Shampoo & Conditioner
Feel free to add a couple of drops to a mild shampoo and conditioner of your choice. In this instance, mild just means no harsh chemicals. You’ll want to stay away from adding essential oils into product lines like Nioxin and Rogaine which are medically formulated. Try this shampoo/conditioner pair which is free of sulfates, parabens, PFAs, and harsh fragrances. Add about 10 drops of the essential oil of your choice directly into the bottles and shake it well.
Make A Hair Oil
This is more of a DIY if you find yourself having a little extra down time. Hair oiling is an ancient ritual with proven benefits of strengthening the hair strands and promoting growth. For a more spa-like experience in your home, heat up your carrier oil using a double boiler on the stove (I literally only use my microwave for popcorn, sorry not sorry). Add the essential oil of your preference. Rosemary and lavender are my faves!
*Stylist Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix and match. You can get multiple benefits from more than one essential oil, and you can create a custom scent. It can be a process of trial and error until you find what works best for you!
If you’re looking to find more natural alternatives to artificial fragrances, with added hair care benefits, consider adding one of these five essential oils to your daily routines. Remember, not all brands are created equally, so it is important to read over the manufacturer’s instructions for safety measures. You can patch test for allergic reactions on the skin of your inner wrist as a precaution. And of course, whatever essential oils you decide to use for your hair care, have fun with it. Mix and match to create your desired scent and reap the benefits of gorgeous and healthy hair.
Tell me in the comments below if you have a favorite essential oil you use for your hair care!