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Essential oils have been advertised as ingredients in our haircare products for decades, but do we ever really stop to think about what they are and what they do? This broad category includes a host of different individual plants, all of which can heavily impact the health and well-being of your hair or scalp.
If you've ever been curious about what essential oils do for your hair, how to use them, and which ones are right for you, we've got you covered. We spoke with hairstylist and scalp expert Mayara Macedo and board-certified dermatologist Justine Park, MD, to help you understand everything you need to know. Read on for what they shared.
Meet the Expert
- Mayara Macedo is a hairstylist and scalp specialist at The Second Floor Salon in New York.
- Justine Park, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin and Beauty Center in West Hills, California.
Before moving forward, an important note: Essential oils are quite potent and should never be used undiluted. Instead, they should be added to carrier oils such as coconut, grapeseed, argan, or jojoba. They should be added via dropper: Do not touch them with your bare hands, as they can be heavily irritating.
01 of 09
Tea Tree
- What It Is: Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca, smells similar to eucalyptus. It’s “a great skin detoxifier and strengthener,” says Macedo.
- What It Does: On the scalp, Macedo says “It is excellent at removing product buildup and clarifying the hair of dulling minerals and debris.” Additionally, Park says “If your main concern is dandruff, you could consider using tea tree oil… to help limit the extent of yeast on the scalp.”
- Who It’s Best For: People with scalp issues can benefit from its use. “I like to recommend products that contain tea tree oil to those with oily or thinning hair, [or] a flaky or irritated scalp because of its antimicrobial properties,” says Macedo.
- How to Use It: Tea tree oil is often added to shampoos. “Shampoos containing tea tree [oil]… will also help maintain hair color vibrancy and true tone,” Macedo says.
02 of 09
Lavender
- What It Is: Derived from the flower we know and love, lavender oil soothes the scalp and can benefit people with multiple scalp issues.
- What It Does: Macedo says lavender oil can help balance the scalp’s natural oils, with “anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties that aid in treating dry dandruff.” In addition to this, she says that “it soothes and nourishes the scalp, providing relief from inflammatory conditions.”
- Who It’s Best For: If you have dandruff, lavender oil can help. Thanks to its soothing effects, it’s also useful for people who can’t handle harsher oils.
- How to Use It: Shampoos and conditioners are available with lavender oil. Additionally, Macedo suggests “mixing it with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or grapeseed oil, and using it as a scalp mask to help soothe irritated scalps.”
03 of 09
Rosemary
- What It Is: Yes, you probably know it as a food ingredient; that same pine-scented plant we eat can also be used for our hair, particularly for its growth.
- What It Does: “If hair loss is your main concern, I would recommend rosemary oil, as it is known to stimulate hair growth,” suggests Park. Adds Macedo: “Rosemary is a well-known, naturally stimulating ingredient that is noted to help with hair growth because it boosts circulation.”
- Who It’s Best For: People with thinning hair looking for more growth are the prime candidates for rosemary oil.
- How to Use It: “Because of its invigorating benefits like keeping the hair shaft and follicles function optimal, you can use cleansing, conditioning, and treatment products [with rosemary] as a therapeutic routine,” suggests Macedo. She recommends adding three drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo.
04 of 09
Chamomile
- What It Is: Turns out the flowering plant we drink as tea is as soothing to our scalps as it is to our minds and bodies.
- What It Does: "Chamomile oil is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties," explains Macedo. "It can help calm an irritated scalp, reduce dandruff, and promote hair growth."
- Who It's Best For: There are numerous concerns that chamomile oil can address. If you have thinning hair, dandruff, or an itchy scalp, it's worth a try.
- How to Use It: Outside of being prevalent in haircare products, you can add a few drops to a carrier oil and use it that way. "A good way to add [chamomile to] your routine is using it at night before going to bed to treat irritated scalps and also enjoy the calmness," recommends Macedo.
05 of 09
Clary Sage
- What It Is: Clary sage is an herb—one with several uses for your hair and scalp.
- What It Does: “Sage is associated with cell-regenerating properties, particularly for the scalp,” Macedo says. So, “in addition to promoting hair growth, it can combat oiliness and dandruff by reducing the excessive secretion from the sebaceous glands.”
- Who It’s Best For: If you have thinning hair, clary sage is a great fit. It’s also useful for anyone who experiences dandruff or an oily scalp.
- How to Use It: “Use it mixed with a carrier oil as a scalp mask before going to bed and wash hair the next day,” recommends Macedo.
06 of 09
Sandalwood
- What It Is: Often used in perfumery, sandalwood is a fine-grained, aromatic wood. In addition to its benefits for your hair, it smells lovely.
- What It Does: Sandalwood "adds shine and smoothness by moisturizing and conditioning the hair," explains Macedo. Unlike some other essential oils that smell medicinal, it offers a softer, sweeter scent.
- Who It’s Best For: Curly-haired folks are a fit for sandalwood because our hair errs on the dryer side. It's also useful for enhancing those curls.
- How to Use It: This ingredient is often found in hair oils.
07 of 09
Geranium
- What It Is: Geranium oil features the same delicate and sweet scent as the fresh flower it’s derived from.
- What It Does: This little flower has a surprising number of benefits for both your hair and scalp. It calms scalp inflammation while enhancing circulation, which is useful for hair growth. For your hair itself, it can add shine to dull curls and strengthen your hair, thanks to its amino acid profile.
- Who It’s Best For: Curly-haired people can benefit from its use, as can anyone just seeking some extra shine. If you have scalp irritation, it’s a great fit for that too.
- How to Use It: This is a little tougher to find in products, so using it with a carrier is your best bet. Mixing a few drops into a hair-friendly oil—such as coconut or argan—then rubbing that through your scalp and lengths will give you instant shine.
08 of 09
Almond
- What It Is: The nut we love to eat and drink is also awesome for our strands. Unlike some oils that are best only for your scalp, almond oil is great for your hair.
- What It Does: “Almond oil is nutrient dense and great for drier hair types, thick and textured hair, and to repair split ends,” explains Macedo.
- Who It’s Best For: People with thick, textured, and/or dry hair can all benefit from almond oil. Beyond that, because it’s “naturally rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, it can strengthen weak and damaged hair,” says Macedo.
- How to Use It: If you want to try almond oil and can’t find it already in a conditioner or leave-in, Macedo recommends the following: “You can add a few drops to your conditioner or apply it directly onto the hair ends to smooth and hydrate split ends and to tame frizz.” Additionally, Park says “If you have tight curls, you may want to use oils daily to condition your hair [and] keep it smooth.”
09 of 09
Peppermint
- What It Is: Not just for the holiday season, the peppermint plant is a culinary herb that is also useful for our scalps. If you feel invigorated by smelling the extract in the kitchen, imagine how it’ll feel on your scalp. “Peppermint works similarly to rosemary to invigorate and stimulate the hair and scalp,” says Macedo.
- What It Does: Peppermint oil “improves growth performance, helps keep the scalp clean by reducing dandruff, and is effective for hair thinning,” says Macedo. “Similarly, it offers hydration, [and] provides relief from dryness, itchiness, and flakiness on the scalp.”
- Who It’s Best For: If you’re managing dandruff or an itchy scalp, peppermint oil may be for you. You can also use it if you’re looking for more length to your hair.
- How to Use It: Found in an array of products, Macedo specifically recommends “shampoos that contain this ingredient for the instantly energizing effect it can provide.”
The Final Takeaway
Essential oils offer a huge array of benefits for your scalp and your hair, and there are many to pick from. Try tea tree or lavender if you're dealing with an itchy scalp. To stimulate growth, consider clary sage or rosemary. Add shine to dull curls with geranium or sandalwood. Just remember: Never, ever use essential oils straight. Always dilute them in a carrier oil.
