It should be no surprise that essential oils can be used for healthy hair growth.
Have you ever looked at the labels to see what hair growth ingredients are included in their products? You’ve guessed it essential oils have been used in these products for years.
Hair regrowth treatments are expensive, though. As crazy as it sounds the cost of hair loss treatment can cost $10,200. Here is proof.
If you haven’t already read my article on essential oils and shampoo I would encourage you to do so. It has several recipes that you can use to make your own natural shampoo.
So, down below I am going to show you the essential oils that work best for hair growth.
Lavender
Lavender is a calming and relaxing scent. But, lavender is one of the most dynamic essential oils. Meaning, it is a good essential oil for sleep, great for reducing pain, etc. So, it’s should be no surprise that lavender is good for healthy hair growth.
The main reason why lavender can help hair growth is that it has properties that help cells grow and reduce anxiety and stress. There have been studies done on animals that actually support this. Meaning that hair follicles actually increased. The depth of the hair follicles increased and lavender increased the thickness of the hair follicles.
In addition, lavender also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can make the scalp more healthy. It’s common for people that have a dry scalp to use lavender essential oil on their hair. In order for hair to grow adequately, the scalp has to be healthy and in good shape.
Topically. To use lavender essential oil for hair growth, it needs to be applied topically. Use 3 tablespoons of carrier oil, such as jojoba, and mix in a few drops of the lavender. Work it into your scalp and let it sit for 10 minutes. Jump in the shower and wash it out as normal. This can be done up to 3 times a day.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a stimulating essential oil that has so many different uses. Personally, I use a lot of peppermint essential oil. So, since I use so much of it I buy 4 ounces at once from NOW.
Peppermint oil is great for increasing circulation. You’ll know when it’s doing so because the area will feel cold and tingly. This is why when putting it in your hair your head feels tingly. This increased circulation can help hair grow more in the actual growing phase.
When studies were done on animals, a few things were found out. Peppermint essential oil helped increase the number of follicles, the follicles had better depth and there was more hair growth overall.
Topically. Use a few tablespoons of carrier oil and mix a few drops of the peppermint oil right in. Put the mixture on your scalp and let it sit for at least 5- 10 minutes. Once the time limit is done, wash it out like you normally would. This can be done as many times as you want per week.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil has a lot of different uses.
Rosemary is one of my favorite essential oils. It’s great for cognitive function and also hair growth. By applying rosemary to your hair it can actually serve multiple purposes. For one it will help your hair grow faster and two it will give you a mental edge.
Rosemary oil is really good at helping cells produce. This is one of the reasons why it’s so good at increasing hair growth and making the hair thicker. When studied, it was compared to a popular hair growth product, Minoxidil. The results showed that it did just as well as the product and actually caused less itchiness on the scalp.
Topically. To use for hair growth, you want to start with a few tablespoons of virgin olive oil or unrefined coconut oil. Mix in a few drops of the rosemary oil and put it directly on your scalp. You can let it sit however long you want, but make sure it stays in for at least 10 minutes. Wash it out with shampoo like normal. Do this around twice or three times a week to get the best results.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood essential oil is a very relaxing essential oil. It’s been used to reduce skin irritations and even ward off bugs.
Cedarwood helps balance out the oils in the scalp, which can increase hair growth and limit the amount of hair actually lost. In addition, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help things that can cause hair loss, such as dandruff.
Topically. The process will be the same, but you can either use cedarwood by itself or mix it with rosemary and lavender oils. All you do is take 2 tablespoons of carrier oil and mix in a few drops of the oil you’ll be using. Use your fingers to work it into your scalp and let it sit for about 10 minutes or so. Wash it out with shampoo and do it a few days a week for the best results.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass essential oil is a very useful essential oil. It should be no surprise that lemongrass is good for your hair. It has so many uses. I actually make my own homemade poo pourri with it and bergamot.
One of the biggest causes of hair loss is medical conditions that cause dandruff. It’s been proven that lemongrass is great for reducing dandruff. Lemongrass oil is great at helping to alleviate these conditions and promote a healthy scalp. In fact, lemongrass can reduce dandruff in just one week. As stated before, the scalp needs to be healthy in order for new hair to grow.
Topically. The best way to use lemongrass oil for hair growth is to actually use it daily. Mix quite a few drops into the shampoo and conditioner you use every day, then use them as normal. You could also mix a few drops with a carrier oil and rub it right into your head. Leave it in for about 10 minutes, then wash out as you normally would.
Clary Sage
Clary sage essential oil is a powerful floral oil. Many people have used this essential oil for depression. It has a lot of germ-killing properties in it. But, it’s actually very good for hair growth.
Clary sage oil has some of the same properties as lavender oil. In addition to making hair grow better, clary sage can also make hair grow stronger. This means that it’s much harder for the hair to break. It can also help increase circulation to the scalp and make the scalp healthier overall.
Topically. The first way is to mix in 3 drops of the oil right into the conditioner you use every day. If you’re doing it this way, leave it on for a couple minutes then wash it out.
The other way is to mix in 3 drops with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. If you’re doing it like this, leave in for around 10 minutes or so and wash it out as you normally would.
Thyme
Thyme essential oil is a very potent essential oil. Thyme has so many germ-killing properties in it. For years I have used it in my essential oil cleaning recipes. But, you may be surprised to hear that thyme is actually good for increasing your hair growth.
Not only is thyme great for increasing circulation to the scalp, but it can also keep your scalp healthy. It’s also really good at helping alleviate the symptoms of alopecia areata. It can make your hair grow more and help make the hair thicker.
Topically. Thyme oil is extremely strong, so you want to make sure you use it correctly. Use 2 tablespoons of carrier oil and add 2 drops of thyme oil. Make sure it’s only 2 drops! Work it into your hair and scalp and leave it in for around 10 minutes. Wash it out normally and you can do it 2-3 times a week.
Tea Tree
Typically when you think of tea tree essential oil you think of germ-killing.
Tea tree essential oil is known for having some awesome properties. These are antimicrobial, cleansing and antibacterial.
But, tea tree essential oil is also good at helping with hair growth.
These are great for making the scalp healthy and helping with hair grow better. It can also help clear any blockages in the follicles. Studies showed that using tea tree oil alongside a Minoxidil hair growth treatment gives better results than using the Minoxidil hair growth product alone.
Topically. Mix in 10 or so drops of the oil into your everyday shampoo or conditioner. Use it daily or you can mix 3 drops with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil and rub it right into your scalp. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then wash it out like normal. You can do this multiple times per week.
Ylang Ylang
I love ylang ylang because it’s one of the best essential oils to use to dispell feelings of anger and worry. But, as you have probably already guessed ylang ylang can be used to increase hair growth.
Ylang ylang is great for those that have dry scalps. It can help increase sebum and natural oils. Not having enough of these can make hair very brittle and dry. Ylang ylang can help stop this brittleness and dryness. In addition, it can increase circulation to the scalp and help make hair grow thicker.
Topically. You can mix a few drops of the oil with a few tablespoons of carrier oil that have been warmed up. Work it right into your head and wrap it with a towel that’s also been warmed. Leave it on for around 30 minutes, then wash it out normally. This can be done a few times a week.
Which Carrier Oils Should You Use?
There are three options for carrier oils. They are as follows:
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a fair amount of fatty acids. It includes lauric acid and capric acid. They have antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. These properties will help clean your scalp and hair. Great carrier oil for treating dandruff issues.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is great for hair growth and also moisturizes the scalp. It soothing to the skin and unclogs hair follicles. It also works as an emollient (which means it softens and soothes the skin).
Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E and other antioxidants. It’s a cheap carrier oil that you probably already have in your house. Make sure you are using extra virgin olive oil. It will help hydrate and soothe your skin.
Final Verdict
So, there you have it. Clearly, essential oils can be used to make your hair grow quicker. Many of the products you buy every day actually contain the essential oils I have mentioned in this article.
If used correctly essential oils can be used topically for hair growth. A lot of people just use them in their electronic diffuser, but as I have shown they can be used to help your hair grow faster.
Do you have any questions that were not addressed in this article? Please leave a comment down below.
14 thoughts on “10 Best Essential Oils For Healthy Hair Growth”
Wow, this is so interesting! I love essential oils, but have never used them for my hair before. I think Peppermint sounds like the best one for me to start with – I diffuse it all the time. Just a question about the coconut oil that you have a link to… In the winter, my coconut oil gets really solid because my house is less than 76 degrees. Does this fractionated oil stay liquid in the winter? Thanks so much!
Hey Andrea,
A lot of people think of essential oils or aromatherapy as just scents that they can use in their electronic diffuser (like the URPOWER or Innogear). But, really they are so much more than that.
But, to answer your question no fractionated coconut oil is different than the coconut oil you buy in the stores to cook with. Fractionated coconut oil is actually nicknamed, “liquid coconut oil”. It’s steam distilled and does not change into a solid form.
I have just been getting into oils recently, and I LOVE the benefits that come with them. I also love that you can use one oil for so many different things! Tea Tree has to be one of my favorites so far, although not a lot of people like the earthy smell, I think its soothing. I love to use it on my skin!
I will be trying some of these on my hair! I’m actually going to chop nearly a foot off my hair in a few days, I’m a busy mom and letting my hair grow this long had been kind of annoying to me and it’s a mess now!
With these suggestions, I will have to keep my hair looking great if I’m about to get a nice cut soon!
Thank you for this!
Hey Jenn,
Tea Tree essential oil is one of the most dynamic essential oils you can use. It has so many uses. I have literally met people that hated the smell of tea tree. But aromatherapy is so much more than putting a couple drops in a diffuser and breathing in the scent.
Tea tree essential oil is great for acne. I have actually written an article on acne which you can view by clicking here.
You should certainly use essential oils on your hair. It can drastically help!
Love it! AND love all those essential oils…not ashamed to say that I use them ALL…and yes, I have healthy hair. I use some on and off and my main staple is coconut oil – the best. I use it on my hair and skin…as the saying goes – from head to toe!
Hey Michelle,
Just to clarify there are different kinds of coconut oil. For instance, there is refined and unrefined. You certainly don’t want to use refined coconut oil, though. Also, the coconut oil that is mentioned in this article is fractionated coconut oil. It’s used as a carrier oil which you should dilute your essential oils with.
As a guy that is started to thin on top, I really do need to start looking after my hair and scalp better. I have tried some organic and nutrient rich conditioners, but I think I will try some of these essential oils. But, what about lemon essential oil? I have heard it’s good for hair? Can you elaborate on this?
Hey Kenny,
I know what you are talking about a lot of men are thinning on top. I would highly recommend you start using rosemary and peppermint mixed with liquid castile soap. It’s one of the best combos to use for male pattern baldness.
Sure, I can elaborate on lemon essential oil and the hair. It’s a great essential oil for an oily scalp. Therefore it helps treat dandruff and scalp acne. I have actually written about lemon essential oil which you can check out here.
Here is a simple recipe for lemon essential oil:
6-7 drops of lemon.
2 Tablespoons of jojoba.
You want to massage it into the scalp and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Then you can use shampoo to rinse it out of your hair. Do it 3 times a week.
You have no idea how this article was meant for me. I’ve been experiencing hair loss and i just don’t want to use chemicals and expensive things that I know wont work. This article has given me everything I needed, thank you so much for this. I love peppermint and lavender. Is it ok do combine lavender and peppermint and use it as a shampoo?
Hey Andrea,
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, it’s perfectly fine to mix peppermint and lavender. Both of those essential oils are great for hair growth.
Essential oils have certainly made a resurgence in popularity. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and definitely intend to try some of your suggestions. I think I will start with the lavender because I love its perfume. hair loss is not my problem but my scalp does tend to get dry and itchy so essential oils might be a good solution.
I have some coconut oil so that might be a good carrier oil for me.
I really like the way you explained each oil in turn and listed the benefits and how to mix and use them.
Thank you for a very useful article.
Hey Judy,
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils and does have so many different uses.
But, if you have some coconut oil, make sure you are using fractionated coconut oil. The raw unrefined stuff (stuff you cook with) can be used, but it will be much messier.
You are really knowledgeable about essential oils and it shows in your posts. I found this especially interesting as I have a problem with hair loss at the moment and feel I’m losing more than I used to when I brush my hair. It drives me mad! For the past few months, I have been using a special shampoo and conditioner to help with this and I noticed that it does have a lot of these oils in it. I also add my own rosemary oil as an extra to make it more potent and it’s starting to work.
Another thing that works really well is rubbing some sesame oil with a few drops of rosemary essential oil and rub it into the scalp, leave for about an hour (or overnight if you don’t find rosemary too stimulating) then wash off in the morning. I have noticed awesome results with this technique 🙂
Hey Stefanie,
Good to see that it’s working for you. Might consider using lavender at night if you do find rosemary to be stimulating. Lavender is a powerful essential oil for the hair and actually has a calming effect on the mind.
I actually used to use peppermint and rosemary on my hair. But, at night I use lavender and vetiver because both of them calm me down. While vetiver isn’t actually for hair loss it does have a grounding effect, which does help me unwind from the day.