Noticing a bit too much hair in your brush lately? Or maybe your scalp tends to get irritated, inflamed, or overly oily? As someone who has struggled with these pesky scalp issues for years, believe me – I know how frustrating it can be. But what if I told you that the solution could be right under your nose, or rather – in your essential oil stash?
Using key essential oils regularly can improve scalp health, reduce hair loss, stimulate growth, and relieve itchiness within 2-4 weeks of consistent use. It sounds almost too good to be true, right? That’s exactly what I thought until I tried it for myself.
So how do essential oils help tackle the root causes of unhealthy scalps in the first place? I’m glad you asked…
How Your Scalp Can Benefit from Essential Oils
Packed with Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Unlike the host of hair products that simply coat your strands, essential oils can penetrate deep into the skin and hair follicles. This allows them to fight issues like fungal overgrowth, excess sebum production, and inflammation at the source. Most conventional dandruff shampoos and treatments just don’t stack up.
Improve Blood Flow and Stimulate Follicles
Many essential oils are known to increase circulation when massaged into the scalp. This brings more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles, resulting in less shedding and thinning. For me, this was a huge reason why oils outperformed supplements for stimulating growth.
Safe, Natural, and Easy to Use
Not only are essential oils generally safe for regular use, but it’s so easy to incorporate them into your hair care routine. Depending on your scalp needs, you can make nourishing oil blends, pre-shampoo treatments, or post-wash scalp tonics. With some consistency, you’ll really start to see and feel a difference in scalp health.
The 10 Best Essential Oils for Scalp Health
Alright, enough chatter – below are my personal top 10 essential oil picks for combatting scalp issues and promoting healthy, luscious hair:
Tea Tree Oil
If an itchy, irritated scalp or dandruff flare-up is your nemesis, tea tree oil should be your new best friend. Thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory superpowers, it can help treat fungal overgrowth and soothe inflammation to unclog follicles. I suggest using a few drops in a scalp massage oil or shampoo to prevent itching and flaking.
Peppermint Oil
Something about that cooling, tingling feeling just screams “my scalp is getting cleaner and healthier!” Not only does peppermint oil feel amazing, but it can also stimulate blood flow to restless follicles. Use sparingly though, as too much could cause irritation. I love adding a couple drops of peppermint oil to my post-wash scalp tonics.
Lavender Oil
Lavender has become popular for its stress-relieving aroma, but did you know it does wonders for your scalp too? It balances sebum production, fights pesky fungi like dandruff, and soothes inflammation. For best results, apply a lavender oil hair mask before shampooing or include it in your nightly scalp massage blend.
Rosemary Oil
If increasing shine while decreasing excess oil and dandruff is on your hair wish list, I’d consider rosemary a scalp savior. As a circulation booster, it also works to stimulate growth when used over time. Blend a few drops into your favorite carrier oil or shampoo to reap the benefits.
Cedarwood Oil
While cedarwood oil may sound unfamiliar, it’s actually quite amazing for scalp and hair health. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory agents to combat issues like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia, and more. I like to use cedarwood in pre-shampoo treatments on my oiliest clients.
Lemongrass Oil
The purifying properties of lemongrass oil make it helpful for clearing away product buildup and dissolving excess oil and sebum on the scalp. This also provides an ideal environment for hair growth. For a scalp-stimulating massage, add several drops of lemongrass oil to a carrier oil like jojoba or grapeseed.
Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage oil is known to help balance oil production while soothing irritation and inflammation. It also contains compounds that boost circulation to hair follicles, making it helpful for boosting growth. Using a few drops in my nightly massage always leaves my scalp feeling refreshed.
Thyme Oil
If you want to seriously tackle an unhealthy imbalance of yeast and bacteria on your scalp, look no further than antimicrobial thyme oil. It also happens to stimulate circulation to the area as well, which is great for improving follicle and hair health over time. I like to add thyme to my homemade shampoos or pre-wash scalp scrubs.
Patchouli Oil
For those struggling with issues like dermatitis, eczema, and dry scalp, moisturizing patchouli oil can come to the rescue. It has amazing anti-inflammatory and antifungal abilities as well. Try using patchouli in a pre-poo hair mask or overnight hot oil treatment for extra conditioning benefits.
Ylang Ylang Oil
Last but certainly not least – no list of hair health oils would be complete without ylang-ylang. This floral, mood-boosting oil balances sebum production, increases circulation to follicles, and repairs damage over time. It makes the perfect addition to scalp massage blends or overnight masks targeting dryness and brittleness.
The Takeaway: Give Your Scalp Some Essential Oil Love
I hope these essential oil suggestions have inspired you to rethink your current hair care routine. Ditch those drugstore products full of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and alcohol. Instead, try adding essential oils like tea tree, peppermint, lavender, and more into DIY treatments, washes, and massage blends. With consistency, you should notice less shedding, oiliness, irritation, and faster growth in 4-6 weeks or less.
Try to spend 5-10 minutes massaging these scalp-saving oils into your roots a few times per week. Your hair will thank you!
So are you ready to finally tackle your scalp issues at the core and see changes fast? Which oil are you most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments!
