8 Best Essential Oils for Hair

Essential oils have been in the spotlight lately – from soothing stress to elevating your skincare routine, these little vials of plant essence hold some serious power. However, their magic is not limited to just skin and mood. Those fragrant oils can also transform our locks from dull and lifeless to glossy, bouncy, and full of life. And let’s face it – who wouldn’t want a luscious mane that looks like it walked straight out of a shampoo commercial? So, whether you’re fighting frizz, trying to strengthen your strands, or simply looking for a natural way to boost hair growth, there’s an essential oil ready to step up to the plate and impress. So, sit back, relax, and breathe in the captivating aromas as we dive into the world of the 8 Best Essential Oils for Hair that will make you feel like a haircare alchemist in no time.

What Are Essential Oils?

Oh, essential oils, those magical, aromatic potions that suggest benefits for our minds and bodies! They’ve quickly become the cool kids of the holistic health world, conquering the market with their fascinating properties. Essential oils are highly concentrated versions of the natural oils found in plants, extracted through steam distillation or cold pressing. They carry the plant’s essence (hence the word “essential”) in a tiny little bottle that benefits you and me. From relaxing with lavender to uplifting with citrus, these plant potions have been used for centuries to enhance our mood, improve our skin, and even address some health concerns.

Essential Oils + Hair Benefits

If you’re having a bit of a *hairy* situation with your luscious locks, essential oils may be the secret weapon you’ve been searching for! The following essential oils have many benefits for your hair, from pampering your scalp to strengthening frail hair. They help nourish and moisturize your hair, and essential oils can also promote hair growth and give it extra bounce and shine. Outsmarting dandruff and keeping those pesky split ends in check are just a few more hair benefits essential oils can offer.

Best Essential Oils for Hair

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Aroma: Dry & Woody

If you’re looking to give your hair an extra boost, try using Cedarwood Essential Oil. There are two varieties—either Cedarwood Atlas or Himalayan —and you’ll experience the power of nature while helping to absorb moisture into the scalp and promote healthy hair growth.

Other Uses: Supports Awareness, Reduces Appearances of Breakouts, Supports Joint Function, Cleanses Skin, Centers, Supports Respiration, Promotes Rest, Deters Insects, Soothes Skin 

Lavender Essential Oil

Aroma: Fresh & Floral

With its enchanting aroma and intriguing properties, Lavender Essential Oil promotes healthy hair growth and provides a stress-soothing aromatherapy experience

Other Uses: Promotes Brain Health, Soothes Skin, Promotes Youthful Skin, Uplifts, Soothes Head Discomfort

Rosemary Essential Oil

Aroma: Herbal & Woody

Rosemary Essential Oil is our go-to for taking care of hair! Not only will it help to lengthen, but it strengthens and thickens hair, too. That’s why we highly recommend it–we’ve seen the beautiful results firsthand.

Other Uses: Promotes Brain Health, Detoxifies, Calms, Supports Joint Function

Clary Sage Essential Oil

Aroma: Herbaceous & Floral

Clary Sage Essential Oil is packed with cleansing properties that will give your hair a fresh start and eliminate impurities. And guess what? Clary Sage is also a great pal to lean on when calming your nerves after a long, hard day.

Other Uses: Supports Women’s Wellness, Promotes Circulation, Supports Heart Wellness, Soothes Skin

Peppermint Essential Oil

Aroma: Sharp & Minty

Peppermint Essential Oil contains stimulating properties that will wake your senses, making every hair flip like a victory celebration. It also helps lengthen your hair, making this essential oil a superstar multi-tasker. 

Other Uses: Supports Respiration, Eases Seasonal Discomfort, Soothes Head Discomfort, Aids Digestion, Soothes Muscles

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Aroma: Medicinal & Herbaceous

Tea Tree Essential Oil soothes scalp discomfort, such as dandruff, itchiness, or pesky irritation. It also elevates your hair game by keeping your scalp fresh and clean.

Other Uses: Reduces Appearances of Breakouts, Soothes Skin, Eases Itching, Cleanses Skin, Supports Respiration

Lemongrass Essential Oil

Aroma: Earthy & Citrusy

Lemongrass Essential Oil might be the secret ingredient to leveling up your hair. This zesty and fragrant oil not only kicks dirt and grime to the curb but also pumps some life into those gorgeous locks by strengthening them. 

Other Uses: Deodorizes, Deters Insects, Detoxifies, Supports Women’s Wellness, Aids Digestion

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Aroma: Sweet & Floral

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil steals the show when it comes to healthy hair. Besides giving off an exotic aroma that instantly uplifts your spirits, this essential oil can soothe that pesky, irritated scalp we all dread. This oil also thickens hair naturally.

Other Uses: Promotes Youthful Skin, Supports Romantic Feelings, Centers

How to Use Essential Oils for Your Hair

Adding essential oils to your hair care routine is an easy and effective way to naturally nourish and protect your beautiful strands. A great place to start is using essential oils directly by diluting them in a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil. Here’s a FREE Dilution Chart you can use as a guide when diluting essential oils.

Another simple option is adding a few drops of essential oil to an all-natural hair care product, like shampoo or conditioner. Try making your own nourishing recipes using these rich oils. If you don’t know where to start, check out our database of simple and effective all-natural recipes you can follow.

Whichever route you take, remember that the best way to benefit from essential oils on your hair is consistency—so make it part of your regular routine!

More About Essential Oils + Hair Care