10 Best Essential: Oils for Hair

Using essential oils is becoming more popular every day. But knowing which ones to use and how to use them can be overwhelming. Below we share the 10 best essentials for strong 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 homemade shampoo and homemade conditioner, or it can be as involved as making your own hair care products.

Either way, usingessential 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 has been known to help with hair growth and thickness. We share more about how we use it in different ways in our post on rosemary essential oil uses. We'll even use it in some of our DIY protein hair masks.

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 our DIY 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

Clary sage is one of the best essential oils to aid in combating hair loss and breakage. Similar to lavender essential oil, clary sage contains linalyl acetate. The linalyl acetate can improve hair strength and promote hair growth.

Bergamot

It can help bring dull hair to life by adding shine and softness. Bergamot promotes healthy hair growth and can strengthen hair follicles. Bergamot essential oil has a beautiful citrus aroma that has many benefits for your hair.

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 DIY hair spray or homemade hair serum. Both of those recipes are simple enough that we 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

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. Another great way to use essential oils in your hair is by making a hair spray.

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

Lightly mist the hair after washing and while the hair is damp to strengthen hair and reduce breakage. 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.

Essential Oils for Frizzy Hair

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. The best essential oils to use for frizzy hair are lavender, rosemary, cedarwood, and peppermint.

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

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. Adding essential oils to your hair care routine can help restore damaged hair.

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.