Essential Oils for Fantastic Hair
All oils are not created equal. I learned this the hard way so you don’t have to. Flashback to 2012 I was just getting hip to essential oils but of course had little to no guidance and thought grapefruit was my signature scent. Sooooo I got a hold of a little bottle of grapefruit essential oil and literally put it directly on my scalp and it burned the HECK outta me! I wasn’t writhing in pain or anything but I definitely was hopping from one foot to the other and sort of wondering if I had to go to the hospital or something.
Lesson! - Essential oils are not to be applied directly to your skin/scalp. The should be diluted in a carrier - either an oil, shampoo, conditioner or lotion. You should add only a few drops which will enhance your entire experience.
So what are essential oils? Essential oils are distilled from the plant itself. They have the signature scent of the plant they came from. And they’re highly concentrated. For instance, it takes 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make a single pound of lavender oil. All that translates to - put it on your skin? You too will be hopping from one foot to the other. Re-read my story of woe above.
Read label instructions for how to dilute oils, and never use more than the recommended amount. Before use, always test the oil on a small area of your skin (not your scalp) to see if you have a reaction.
Point made - let’s move on. Some of my favorite essential oils for your hair regardless of hair type for you to try with a carrier oil or mixed in your favorite hair product are below! Let me know how they work for you in the comment box below!
Rosemary essential oil
If you want to improve both hair thickness and hair growth, rosemary oil is a great choice thanks to its ability to improve cellular generation.
According to some studies, rosemary oil performed as well as minoxidil, which is the central ingredient for Rogaine a common hair growth treatment. Big win over using a chemically based product is also that Rogaine can cause itching as a side effect.
How do you use rosemary oil? Mix several drops with olive or coconut oil, and apply it to your scalp. Leave it in for at least 10 minutes before washing it out with shampoo. Do this twice per week for best results.
Lemongrass essential oil
Lemongrass oil is an effective dandruff treatment, with one study finding that it significantly reduced dandruff after one week. Come. Again.??? Pretty amazing right? Plus it smells so good!
Lemongrass oil for dandruff is most effective when used daily. Mix a few drops into your shampoo or conditioner daily, and make sure it’s massaged into your scalp.
Ylang-ylang essential oil
If you suffer with an oily scalp ylang-ylang is NOT for you! Ylang-ylang oil is ideal for those with dry scalps, as it can stimulate sebum production. If you have found your hair tends to be dry and brittle you can chalk it up to lack of enough oil and/or sebum. The application of ylang-ylang can improve hair texture and reduce hair breakage.
Mix 5 drops of essential with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil preferably warmed up. Massage it into your scalp, and wrap your head with a warm towel. Leave it in for 30 minutes before washing it out.
Interested in essential oils? Try one or two out and let us know how they work for you.
Essential oils have a definite shelf life. As a general rule, don’t keep essential oils more than 3 years. This is because as the oil ages its more likely to get spoiled because of exposure to oxygen. They may not work as well and could irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. If you see a big change in the way an oil looks, feels, or smells, you should throw it out, because it has probably spoiled.
We’d love to hear from you about your use of essential oils. Do you have any oils that are your favorite? Have you made a hair treatment with essential oils that you really like? Please share in the comment section below.
