Using essential oils is becoming more popular every day. But knowing which ones to use and how to use them can be overwhelming. Below I share the 10 best essentials for healthy hair, hair growth, split ends, frizzy hair, and how to use them.
Several essential oils can be used to promote healthy, strong hair. Now, using essential oils in your hair doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as adding a few drops straight to your shampoo and conditioner, or it can be as involved as making your own hair care products.
Either way, using essential oils in your hair may promote hair growth, reduce split ends, frizzy hair and leave a long-lasting scent.
10 Best Essential Oils for Hair
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Tea tree
- Cedarwood
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Clary Sage
- Bergamot
- Basil
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil has been used in the hair care industry for many years. It is known for its ability to stimulate hair follicles which can help with hair growth, thickness, and strengthening locks.
Rosemary is one of the best oils to add to your hair routine if you are experiencing thinning hair or slow hair growth. Using rosemary oil may also help with overly oily hair and extremely dry hair.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil can aid in producing more hair follicles which will help with hair thickness and growth. Using lavender oil in the hair will leave a lasting, beautiful floral aroma that can promote calmness and reduce stress.
Lavender is used in my hair clarifying shampoo. It has cleansing and purifying properties that can help keep hair and scalp healthy.
Peppermint
When applied topically to the skin or scalp, Peppermint essential oil has a cooling and soothing effect. This oil can be especially helpful when dealing with a dry, itchy scalp.
Peppermint may help with hair growth and strengthening the hair.
Tea Tree
Tea tree essential oil is one of the best oils for the scalp. It may help reduce dandruff, itchy scalp, and dry hair.
Add tea tree essential oil to your shampoo, or make a spray with witch hazel.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood essential oil is the go-to oil when dealing with thinning hair. The cedarwood oil stimulates hair follicles and increases circulation to the scalp.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil is the best essential oil to use if you have overly oily or greasy hair. Add a couple of drops to your shampoo for a natural degreaser.
With its high amount of vitamin C, lemon essential oil can be used to naturally lighten the hair. Make a spray with lemon essential oil and water and generously spray the hair.
WARNING: Lemon essential oil is a photosensitive oil and should be used with caution in the sun.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass has a refreshing citrus scent similar to that of lemon but still quite different. When used on the hair, lemongrass can enhance hair growth, reduce dandruff, and help with hair loss.
Clary Sage
Similar to lavender essential oil, clary sage contains linalyl acetate. The linalyl acetate can improve hair strength and promote hair growth. Clary sage is one of the best essential oils to aid in combating hair loss and breakage.
Bergamot
Bergamot essential oil has a beautiful citrus aroma that has many benefits for your hair. It can help bring dull hair to life by adding shine and softness. Bergamot promotes healthy hair growth and can strengthen hair follicles.
Basil
Basil essential oil can help with oily hair as it regulates sebum production. It will leave hair hydrated and smooth. Basil oil may help with hair growth and reduce thinning hair.
Find all of these essential oils listed here.
How to Use Essential Oils for Hair
The easiest way to use essential oils in your hair is by adding a few drops to your shampoo, conditioner, or serums. However, the best way would be to make your own hair care products using natural ingredients.
If making a shampoo or conditioner sounds overwhelming, start with something simple like a hair spray or hair serum. Both of those recipes are simple enough that I share them below.
Adding Essential Oils to Shampoo
When adding essential oils to your shampoo, mix in about 15-20 drops per 8 ounces of shampoo or conditioner.
Making a Hair Serum
Add 10 drops of essential oils (picking from the list above) to a 2-ounce glass dropper bottle and fill the rest of the way with a carrier oil. Shake well, apply along the part line, and massage into the scalp.
The best carrier oils for hair are fractionated coconut oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil.
How to Make a Hair Spray with Essential Oil
Another great way to use essential oils in your hair is by making a hair spray. Hair spray can be made using distilled water, rose water, coconut water, or witch hazel. Start by adding 10 drops of essential oils to a glass spray bottle and top off with a liquid of choice—mist damp hair and then style like normal.
Essential Oils for Oily Hair
The best essential oils for oily hair are rosemary, tea tree, and lemon. Add 1-3 drops of essential oil to a quarter-size amount of shampoo and wash hair like normal. For best results, do this 3-5 times weekly.
Essential Oils for Split Ends
Lavender and cedarwood essential oil can be used to reduce split ends. Mixing a few drops of lavender and cedarwood with a carrier oil like fractioned coconut oil makes a good spray for split ends. Lightly mist the hair after washing and while the hair is damp to strengthen hair and reduce breakage.
Essential Oils for Frizzy Hair
The best essential oils to use for frizzy hair are lavender, rosemary, cedarwood, and peppermint. You can make a hair spray or serum to apply to your hair before styling. To make a hair serum, you will need a carrier oil and essential oils. Combine 1 teaspoon of carrier oil with 3-5 drops of essential oils. Apply to the scalp as needed.
Or make a spray by filling a 2-once spray bottle with water and adding 10-15 drops of essential oil. Spray on hair as needed.
Essential Oils for Damaged Hair
Adding essential oils to your hair care routine can help restore damaged hair. Lavender, rosemary, clary sage, or basil essential oil can be used to promote healthy-looking hair and scalp. Add a few drops of essential oil to your shampoo or make your own shampoo with these essential oils in them.
Essential Oils for Hair Growth
Lavender, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, and cedarwood essential oils can help with hair growth. You can make a DIY hair growth spray by mixing these essential oils with water and misting the hair several times a week. Then, spray directly on the roots for best results.
Sylvia says
Hi, may I ask is there is different in essential oil in oiling hair before washing and using essential oil in as scalp serum after washing?
Which is prefer for oily scalp but thinning with hair loss? I do wish to do a scrap serum as well, but worry that using jojoba oil as carrier will make mys calp more oily? Is Witch Hazel better as replacement carrier for scalp or with Hazel only suitable for hair strand?
What is the maximum oil that I can mix?
KIM HARRISON says
i have learned so much about the essential oils alone with combining all the oils to help with the different hair problems. thank you because ill be trying to do some of them for my business. Thank you.
Wanda says
Can these oils for hair growth be mixed with black castor oil?
Laura says
Black castor oil is a carrier oil and can be used to dilute essential oils.
Max says
Is there somewhere where I can read on the chemical properties of these Essential Oils? I want to do research on their uses and benefits.
barbara A newport says
What is best for the ends after styling
Laura says
Lavender and rosemary
Liz says
So much great and useful information I just read I’m going to try alot of these. Very much appreciated Thank you!
Cori says
Thank you so much for this information!! For the essentials oils drops amount for the spray or serum, is it 10 drops total or 10 drops of each oil I’m adding?
Laura says
10 drops total
Scarlett freeman says
I have very oily hair and it’s flat but is it okay if I put essential oils in my hair because my hair gets oily after 1 to 2 days after a shower
Laura says
Yes, and know that it can take a little time for hair to adjust to natural products.
Brian says
Love the website seems very trustworthy information. Just wondering I have curly hair and it can get a bit frizzy. Also I have thick hair which can tend to get dry on the ends. My hair is thinning but would like all the help I can get to stop this. Is there any essential oils to stear clear of as my scalp can get irritated with some scents as I have sensitive skin. P.s. your hair looks gorgeous in the video and in my opinion better than models for other commercial/ unnatural products! 😁
Laura says
Aww, thank you so much! I would try my hair growth spray with rosemary and lavender for thinning.
Marie says
Hey I was wondering… I made the honey vanilla candle and my vanilla is sitting on the bottom of the jar now? Did I use the wrong stuff?
Laura says
Possible, did you stir well? Mine did not sink.
Neha says
Thanks Laura for your blog it’s really helpfull for hairs I just love all ur post n follow them I just don’t miss any of ur blogs the best n easiest way for everything healthy thanks alot for superb suggestions.
Monica Teunissen says
What would be the best carrier oil for hair?
Laura says
Argan, castor, and jojoba are my favorite!
Anna says
Thank you Laura for all the good information you give using essential oils.
Laura says
You’re welcome!
Karen Clark Nagy says
I love all your DIY recipes. They are very detailed and you cover different scenarios. No need for an FYI. The descriptions and tips are perfect. Thanks for your thoughtful contribution. I was interested in the shampoo, but have made several others by now. Thanks you and blessings.