Essential Oils for Hair Growth: The Ultimate Guide to Fuller, Healthier Hair

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts known for their strong aroma and natural healing properties. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which help nourish the scalp and hair. When used properly, essential oils can stimulate hair growth by improving blood circulation to hair follicles, balancing the scalp's natural oils, and providing an environment for healthy hair growth. Additionally, they offer anti-inflammatory and antifungal benefits, keeping the scalp clean and reducing hair fall caused by unhealthy scalp conditions.

Top 10 Best Essential Oils for Hair Growth

Here are the top 10 best essential oils for hair growth:

1. Rosemary Oil

Because rosemary essential oil promotes cellular production, it may help increase hair thickness and growth. An earlier 2015 study (Trusted Source) found that rosemary oil outperformed minoxidil, a popular therapy for hair growth, with fewer side effects, including less scalp irritation. Other research has also utilized it for alopecia and other essential oils (Trusted Source), making it one of the top oils for stimulating hair follicles and new growth.

Nevertheless, larger research is still required to confirm its efficacy and application, even in non-alopecia individuals.

Note: Do check out our guide on Rosemary oil benefits for hair.

2. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil's Trusted Source menthol can give the skin a chilly, tingly sensation when used topically. According to a 2014 study, when applied to mice, peppermint oil enhanced follicle count, follicle depth, and total hair growth. Nevertheless, more investigation is required to ascertain whether these advantages extend to human hair.

According to the NCCIH Source, applying diluted peppermint oil topically is probably safe and may offer some advantages, such as easing tension headaches. However, some people may also get rashes and skin irritation.

3. Lavender Oil

Lavender essential oil may promote hair growth for those who suffer from alopecia (a disorder that causes hair loss). In one study, compared to 15% of the control group, 44% of patients who took lavender oil combined with thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood oils reported improved hair loss from one kind of alopecia.

Compared to 30% in the placebo (false treatment) group, 75% of participants in another trial who used lavender in combination with thyme, rosemary, cedarwood, and evening primrose oils reported better hair growth.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Shampoos and other hair care products frequently contain tea tree oil. Research suggests that it may assist with dandruff. In a study, 5% tea tree oil successfully decreased dandruff. Participants in the tea tree oil group improved by 41%, while those in the placebo group improved by 11%.

There is proof that head lice can be effectively treated with tea tree oil. According to a previous study, 2% tea tree oil successfully eliminated louse eggs and head lice after 30 minutes after five days.

5. Cedarwood Oil

It is believed that by regulating the oil-producing glands in the scalp, cedarwood essential oil can increase hair growth and decrease hair loss. Additionally, it contains antifungal and antibacterial qualities that may help with conditions that cause dandruff or hair loss (Trusted Source).

6. Chamomile Oil

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities of chamomile oil may help heal eczema on the scalp. In rat research, skin healing was twice as short when chamomile was administered in a topical gel carrier as when chamomile oil was treated without the carrier gel.

7. Lemongrass Essential Oil

The essential oil called lemongrass may help reduce dandruff. Researchers discovered that a hair tonic containing lemongrass essential oil successfully decreased dandruff.

It had drastically decreased after one week and decreased much further after two weeks. Although the 5%, 10%, and 15% formulations were all successful, the 10% formulation appeared to be the most successful.

8. Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme essential oil enhances blood and nutrient circulation, encouraging healthy hair development and inhibiting hair loss. Its anti-inflammatory qualities keep follicles from getting infected. Additionally, thyme essential oil is a successful treatment for alopecia areata, much like cedarwood oil.

9. Clary Sage Essential Oil

Hair is strengthened by clary sage essential oil, which makes it less likely to break. This essential oil successfully adds volume to your hair and contains linalyl acetate, stimulating cell growth. It also possesses stress-reducing effects that aid in preventing stress-induced hair loss. Clary sage essential oil prevents hair loss, softens hair, and fights against scalp diseases.

10. Sage Essential oil

According to a 2020 study, common sage may promote hair development by putting the cells that produce it into a proliferative phase. This prospective advantage must be further assessed in human research to determine if it has the same impact. More investigation is required to ascertain the necessary quantity and the application timeline.

Also, do have a look at our most viewed blog where we have mentioned some of the best herbal oils for hair growth.

11. Ylang-ylang Essential oil

Ylang-ylang essential oil comes from the flowers of the ylang-ylang tree. Some early research shows it might have positive effects like reducing swelling, stopping microbial infections, and acting against cell damage by free radicals.

A study in 2021 examined essential oils used in cosmetics. It found that ylang-ylang oil might help mend skin and tissues.

Another study in 2024 made a gel with tiny particles to help ylang-ylang oil get absorbed better into the scalp. The researchers suggest this might help with scalp psoriasis and dandruff, but they didn't directly test whether the oil helps.

More studies are still needed to determine whether ylang-ylang essential oil provides benefits to hair and scalp. The early findings are promising but not conclusive. Further high-quality research should directly examine whether this oil improves scalp and hair health.

How to Use Essential Oils for Hair Growth?

Here are ways to use essential oil for hair growth:

Here are ways to use essential oil for hair growth:

1. Use Carrier Oils: Always mix essential oils with olive, jojoba, or grapeseed oil. The carriers dilute the concentrated essential oils.
2. Choose Compatible Carrier Oil: If your hair is dry, use moisturising carrier oils like shea, coconut, or avocado. For oilier hair, use lighter oils like grapeseed, apricot kernel, or almond oil.
3. Dilute Properly: Only 2-3 drops of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil. Too much can irritate the scalp.
4. Massage Vigorously: Massage the oil mixture into your scalp for 2-3 minutes, rubbing small circles with your fingertips. This stimulates blood flow.
5. Cover Entire Scalp: Dip your fingers periodically in the oil and continue applying it thoroughly over the entire scalp—front, sides, back, and middle.
6. Rinse or Leave In: Some people rinse right away, while others leave the oil in overnight for deeper conditioning.
7. Blend Oils: Combining oils can boost effectiveness. Common blends are rosemary, thyme, lavender or peppermint, and lavender with coconut oil.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils for Hair Growth

Below are some of the benefits of using essential oils for hair growth:

1. Stimulates Hair Follicles: Essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, and lavender improve blood circulation when massaged into the scalp. This increased blood flow to hair follicles can encourage healthy growth by delivering essential nutrients to each follicle, resulting in stronger, thicker hair over time.
2. Reduces Hair Fall and Breakage: Essential oils such as cedarwood and clary sage help balance the scalp’s natural oils, preventing hair from becoming too oily or too dry. By maintaining this balance, essential oils can minimise hair breakage and reduce hair fall, keeping your hair fuller and healthier.
3. Strengthens Hair Strands: Oils like argan and rosemary contain antioxidants and vitamins that nourish each hair strand, making it more resilient to daily wear and tear. This nourishment strengthens hair from the roots to the tips, reducing split ends and giving hair a smoother, shinier appearance.
4. Protects Against Scalp Issues: Scalp health is essential for hair growth, and essential oils such as tea tree and eucalyptus are known for their antifungal and antibacterial properties. They help clear the scalp of dandruff, irritation, and other issues that may block or slow down hair growth, promoting a healthier environment for hair to thrive.
5. Encourages Relaxation and Reduces Stress: Lavender and chamomile essential oils are widely used for relaxation and stress relief, indirectly supporting hair growth. High stress can lead to hair thinning or loss, so using these oils in your routine can help maintain a calm mind, which is beneficial for overall hair health and consistent growth.

Risks and Potential Complications

Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oils, exercise caution when using them for hair or other purposes.

Know the risks connected to essential oils:

• Coughing inflammation of the throat and nose
• Breathlessness
• Reactions to allergens

Individuals with allergies or asthma are more vulnerable to adverse responses when they inhale essential oils or come into contact with them.

Conclusion

Essential oils offer a natural and effective way to promote hair growth, reduce hair loss, and maintain scalp health. Whether through scalp massages, hair masks, or adding them to your hair care routine, these oils can help you achieve stronger, healthier hair. However, always be cautious of potential allergic reactions and dilute essential oils properly before use.

FAQs

1. Which oil grows hair faster in a week?

One of the most widely used essential oils on the market, rosemary oil, is well-known for its ability to promote hair development and provide deep nourishment. It makes the scalp healthier and gives the follicles a healthy surface to grow.

2. Which oil is natural for natural hair growth?

Clary sage oil stimulates the scalp and encourages hair development. Coconut oil makes hair softer and more glossy. Geranium oil strengthens hair. Jojoba oil offers nourishment, hydrates hair, and stimulates the scalp.

3. How to use essential oils for hair?

The two simplest methods for using essential oils on hair are mixing them into your conditioner or shampoo. Just unscrew the cap, add a few drops, and give it a good shake to blend. Making your hair serum as an excellent method to incorporate essential oils into your hair product's customisations.

4. Can I leave essential oils in my hair overnight?

Yes, diluted essential oils can be left in your hair overnight for deep conditioning, but always ensure they are mixed with a carrier oil.

5. Does amla oil grow hair?

Certain studies support these kinds of assertions. According to a few modest studies, amla seems useful in preventing hair parasites, enhancing hair appearance, and promoting hair development.

References:

1. Rosemary oil boosts circulation, fights dandruff, and prevents hair loss.(https://www.nature.com)
2. Cedarwood oil increases circulation to stimulate dormant hair follicles. It also reduces hair loss by balancing oil production.(https://www.sciencedirect.com)
3. Chamomile oil soothes the scalp and reduces irritation that can block follicles.. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih)
4. Using essential oils to massage your scalp can help to increase blood flow and promote hair growth. (https://www.sciencedirect.com)