May 2, 2022

Essential Oils for Healthy Hair

Each of us has likely fought a battle with dry scalp, dullness, breakage, or one of the many other issues that can arise with our hair. Whether we’re looking to fight one of these problems or just focus more on the needs of our specific hair type, it might be time to switch up our hair routine. Much like our skin, each of us has unique hair and how we choose to care for it must reflect that. The specialized products we see in stores might be great, but it is difficult to know exactly which ingredients are helping or hurting our hair and what is simply filler. Just like any other part of our beauty routine, natural haircare is most effective when we focus on a few key ingredients that best meet our hair's needs.

Among their many other benefits, essential oils can also work to keep our hair and scalp healthy. When diluted and applied topically, certain essential oils help moisturize, nourish, and strengthen our hair while tackling any issues we might have and leaving behind a beautiful natural aroma.

Lavender Essential Oil is beloved in natural skincare, but its powerful benefits also extend to the hair. It helps to soothe and moisturize the scalp and has antibacterial and antifungal properties that combat dandruff. Lavender Essential oil works to strengthen hair strands and encourage growth for full, healthy hair.

Rosemary Essential Oil can balance the oils in the scalp, helping to reduce dryness as well as excess oil issues. It is also known to stimulate the hair follicles to boost hair growth and give the hair a shinier, smoother appearance.

Tea Tree Essential Oil is deeply cleansing and can help to eliminate dandruff and excess product from the scalp. It can also soothe irritated scalp and works to reduce excess oil to give hair more volume.

Peppermint Essential Oil helps to invigorate the hair follicles and remove excess oil from the scalp, working to diminish dandruff and add volume. It is also known to strengthen the hair shaft and improve hair growth and thickness.

Cedarwood Essential Oil helps to balance oil production on the scalp to keep hair moisturized, combat breakage and improve volume. It also works to increase circulation on the scalp, helping stimulate hair growth and improve overall hair health.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil can help to manage dry and brittle hair by stimulating oil production on the scalp, leaving hair moisturized and strong. It is also known to boost hair growth and decrease fall out and offer protection from lice.

Here are a few ways to utilize essential oils in a minimalist hair care routine…

Super Strength Hair Mask

Ingredients

1/2 cup of Unrefined Coconut Oil
1/2 cup of Sweet Almond Oil
1/4 cup of Shea Butter
20 drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil
20 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

Instructions

Add coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and shea butter to a bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, whip the oils together until a fluff consistency is formed. Add essential oils and mix again until thoroughly combined. Store in an airtight container.

Directions for Use

Apply all over the hair and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Shampoo and condition hair as normal.

Growth Boosting Deep Conditioner

Ingredients

4 oz of Shea Butter
1 oz of Castor Oil
1 oz of Aloe Vera Oil
50 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
30 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
20 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Instructions

Add shea butter, castor oil, and aloe vera oil to a bowl and heat on a double boiler until fully melted. Remove it from heat, add essential oils, and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to cool until it starts to harden. Using a hand mixer, Mix on medium speed until a smooth and creamy consistency is reached. Scoop into an airtight jar for storage.

Stir thoroughly to combine.

Directions for Use

Apply a small amount to the scalp and hair and massage the scalp gently. Allow it to sit for 10-30 minutes and rinse with warm water. Shampoo and condition the hair as usual.