Add These Essential Oils to Your Shampoo for Thicker, Healthier Hair
Fuller, healthier hair is within reach, thanks to a secret add-in: potent essential oils! A growing body of research demonstrates the benefits of these natural remedies. Not only do certain oils treat itchy, oily, and flaky scalps, but they also promote hair growth.
Essential oils are concentrated plant compounds, extracted from the original plant through pressing or distillation. It takes an enormous amount of raw product to create the oil — you would need 220 pounds of fresh lavender, for example, to create just one pound of lavender essential oil. The idea is to create a rich concentration of polyphenols, or the antioxidants found in plants.
Ready to test out an essential oil yourself? Find the oil you need based on your scalp type. Then, mix 12 drops with a dollop of shampoo on wash days.
Soothe a flaky scalp.
If you’re experiencing more dandruff or flakiness than usual, the cold weather could be to blame. Wearing a warm hat traps heat, creating a breeding ground for dandruff-causing yeast. This leads to flakes, itching and shedding.
The fix: lavender essential oil. The antimicrobial oil kills the yeast responsible for dandruff within three days, while its anti-inflammatory agents calm itchiness to end fallout. Better yet, studies show that lavender oil may promote the growth of hair cells and reduce stress, a major contributor to hair loss. To reap the benefits yourself, we recommend Naturenics Premium Lavender Essential Oil (Buy from Amazon, $15.99).
Treat an oily scalp.
Dry air prompts the scalp to overcompensate with even more oil, causing a buildup around follicles that can stall new growth. But astringent compounds in rosemary essential oil limit excess oil production. Plus, the herb’s rosmarinic acid boosts circulation to the scalp to promote new growth as well as minoxidil. Ready to try it? We like SVA Organics Rosemary Essential Oil (Buy from Amazon, $9.94).
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
