Would you be surprised if a friend told you that they got rid of dandruff using peppermint, or that they got thicker, more lustrous hair with rosemary?

If you didn’t know any better, you’d think they were going crazy after spending a little too much time in the kitchen!

Since you’re here at Aroma Outfitters, you know that your hypothetical friend isn’t talking about new and creative ways to use their spice rack; they’re talking about the often-surprising properties of all-natural essential oils. These substances are so useful in everyday life, offering us fantastic ways to alleviate head and neck tension, reduce stress, soften our skin, and yes, natural and wildly effective do-it-yourself hair care.

Essential oils can have remarkably positive effects on your hair, often even better and for significantly less cost than their chemical-y counterparts which claim to do the same. They can be used to thicken and strengthen hair, say goodbye to dandruff, lighten your hair naturally, and so much more.

In a moment, we’ll take a look at 5 effective-yet-simple DIY essential oil recipes for hair care that you can brew up in only minutes and in the comfort of your own home. But first, a word on carrier oils.

Carrier Oils for Hair Care

“Carrier oils” are the other kinds of oils you’ll need to use to dilute your essential oils. Since most recipes only call for a few drops of essential oil, a carrier oil is almost always a necessity—the good news is that there are plenty of all-natural options and carrier oils are extremely affordable.

Some great choices of carrier oil for hair care recipes include argan oil, grapeseed oil, and evening primrose oil. If you’re in a pinch and want to use something you may already have around the house, try coconut, castor, or even olive oil—they’re all great for your hair.

Just a quick reminder: after making your DIY hair care recipe, dash a just little bit of it onto the back of your hand or your forearm to make sure your skin won’t be irritated by it. If redness, itching, or any other kind of irritation occurs,  trying something else is a ton more preferable to having it all over your head!

If you do end up experiencing a small amount of irritation, you might not have to completely scrap the recipe—a lot of the time all that’s needed is more carrier oil. This will dilute the essential oil even more. If you have particularly sensitive skin, try doubling the amount of carrier oil (or halving the amount of essential oil).

 

Now, let’s get on with the Essential Oil Hair Care Recipes:

 

#1 – Essential Oils for Beginners: Moisturize While Promoting Hair Growth

The Recipe:

• Cedarwood essential oil (5 drops)
• A half-pint of your carrier oil of choice OR your favorite conditioner

The Purpose:

• Moisturizes
• Promotes hair growth

Why it Works:

This super-simple recipe is a great beginner’s choice. If you’re just starting out with essential oil hair care experiments, it couldn’t get any easier than adding a few drops of cedarwood to your already existing conditioner. Cedarwood is a strong moisturizer that can help thicken your hair. If you’re ready for the advanced version, check out Recipe #2 below.

#2 – Hair Thickener Secret Recipe

The Recipe:

• Cedarwood essential oil (roughly 30 drops)
• Rosemary essential oil (roughly 30 drops)
• Clary Sage essential oil (roughly 30 drops)
• 3 ounces of your preferred carrier oil (for this recipe, we recommend half and half jojoba and grapeseed oil)
• Put in a glass bottle and shake well

The Purpose:

• Thickens & strengthens hair
• Makes hair shinier
• Moisturizes

Why it Works:

The combination of cedarwood, rosemary, and sage doesn’t just smell delightful—it’s a powerful moisturizing concoction that increases circulation in your scalp and stimulates your hair follicles. Note that this is a somewhat concentrated recipe and you may need to dilute it with more carrier oil depending on the sensitivity of your skin.

Massage this recipe into your scalp and hair thoroughly and let it rest for about 20 minutes. Don’t be afraid to leave it in longer, as it’s perfectly safe to leave in overnight. Do this three times a week for a month and prepare to be amazed.

#3 – Repair Dry, Damaged Hair

The Recipe:

• Clary sage essential oil (3 drops)
• Rosemary essential oil (3 drops)
• Lavender essential oil (3 drops)
• Tea tree essential oil (3 drops)
• ½ or 1-ounce carrier oil, preferably jojoba oil

The Purpose:

• Repair dry or damaged hair

Why it Works:

This concoction is intended to repair dry or damaged hair, perhaps after you’ve dyed it or gone a little too far with your blow dryer. Massage the mixture into your hair and scalp, wrap a towel around your head, and wait at least 30 minutes before rinsing. Like the previous recipe, you can leave this one in overnight as well. Apply twice a week until hair has been restored.