10 Best Essential Oils For Thinning Hair

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Looking to help your hair grow? Learn about the 10 best essential oils for thinning hair.

Alopecia is a blanket term for hair thinning and hair loss. It can be hereditary, the result of aging, hormones, malnourishment, or caused by an underlying immune system disorder. Either way, it’s frustrating. But if your hair is thinning, you’re not alone. 70% of men and more than 50% of women will experience thinning hair.

Essential oils have been used to heal and beautify humans for hundreds of years and using essential oils for thinning hair is no exception. Discover how concentrations of botanical, fruit oil, herb, and flower oils can strengthen, thicken, and maintain locks. 

Where to Source Essential Oils

Before making your purchasing decision, there are two very important things that you must consider: The quality of the oil and the source. Only buy essential oils that are of high quality and from a reputable source! We recommend Rocky Mountain Oils – you can find out why here.

Here are The 10 Best Essential Oils for Thinning Hair

Geranium

Geranium contains a high amount of monoterpenes that considered general tonics and stimulate an immune response. Immunodeficiencies that result in hair loss are worsened by inflammation. Geranium can significantly reduce inflammatory properties on the skin–balancing the skin, soothing irritation, and improving an environment for hair growth.

Rosemary

If you’re looking to promote scalp health and hair growth, Rosemary may soon become your favorite essential oil for thinning hair. Considered a regenerative oil, studies performed on mice demonstrated Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract (Rosemary essential oil) to be an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia. 

A similar study on humans also proved to strengthen hair and increase the number of hair follicles. It took 3-6 months of use to see substantial results. The study measured the outcome of hair growth, thickness, and strength by comparing rosemary essential oil with minoxidil with rosemary proving to be better in all three categories. 

Thyme

Thyme is great for stimulating the scalp to prevent hair loss but not as effective at thickening the hair or causing more follicles to grow.  Thyme is a strong essential oil, so a little goes a long way. Thyme essential oil is commonly used to treat alopecia areata, the balding that occurs on the crown of the head.

Lavender

It’s no surprise that lavender is one of the most common essential oils used in natural and conventional shampoos and conditioners. Similar to its soothing effect in aromatherapy, this floral essential oil relaxes inflammation on the scalp. Its natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties improve scalp health and strengthen hair follicles.

In an animal study, lavender essential oil generated hair growth on mice faster than any other tested essential oil.

Clary Sage

Not to be confused with common sage, This stimulating oil can be used to reduce hair loss and promote hair loss. Clary Sage essential oil can be used to regulate hormonal imbalance and improves thinning hair in those who experience hair loss due to stress. Because of how it can impact estrogen levels, it is not recommended to use Clary Sage while pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang is a go-to essential oil for thinning hair, especially for those with a dry scalp. Ylang Ylang essential oil promotes sebum production preventing hair from becoming dry, brittle, and prone to breaking. If you suffer from excessive oil production on skin or scalp, replace Ylang Ylang with Lavender, Geranium, or Clary Sage.

Peppermint

Substantial research supports that Peppermint essential oil is a safe, non-toxic way to promote hair growth on scalps that are balding for a myriad of reasons. Peppermint smells delightful and works beautifully in natural cosmetic products. We love it even more since it demonstrates higher bio-markers for the enhanced hair growth compared to leading conventional hair restoration products.

Cedarwood

Antifungal, antibacterial, and oil-balancing properties found in Cedarwood oil make it a beautiful treatment for thinning hair and scalp rejuvenation. Cedarwood attacks bacterial bad guys and sebum that weakens and loosen hair follicles. A 1998 study showed that 44% of patients showed improvement with their alopecia after 7 weeks of treatment that included an essential oil blend that contained Cedarwood essential oil.

Lemongrass

Maintaining a healthy, hydrated, scalp-free scalp is a critical part of preventing hair loss and promoting the regrowth of follicles. A 2015 study shows that using Lemongrass oil on the scalp just once a week will significantly reduce dryness, flaking, and dandruff. But in some cases, daily use can prove even more beneficial. Lemongrass oil is a powerful supplement to the essential oils that have stimulated hair growth.

Tea Tree

The undeniably synergistic and normalizing properties of Tea Tree essential oil will land it on nearly every essential oil list we created. Tea Tree oil contains unmatched cleansing, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that will strengthen the ecosystem of your scalp creating an environment for hair health, growth, and thickening. Tea Tree oil can create the scalp and hair benefits offered from every one of the best essential oils for thinning hair. This oil is the safest all-in-one found in your cosmetic cabinet. 

How to Use the Best Essential Oils for Thinning Hair

Ready to use these essential oils for scalp restoration and hair growth? Before you dive in, keep in mind that even though essential oils are natural and often organic, you must approach with caution and awareness. 

First and foremost, never apply essential oils directly onto your skin or scalp to avoid irritation, redness, itching, or burning. To apply safely use the following guidelines to repair your alopecia and scalp health.

Use a Carrier Oil

The goal is to dilute the essential oils with ingredients that will also benefit the skin and allow the oils to work their magic without any uncomfortable side effects. A diluting agent best for your scalp will be a carrier oil, water, or wax/balm.

The best oils to use when applying essential oils for thinning hair include:

• Jojoba
• Sweet Almond
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Grapeseed
• Argan
• Macadamia
• Kalahari Melon Seed
• Baobab 
• Marula
• Crambe Seed oil

Opt for oils that are liquid at room temperature, organic, and skin safe.

Mix 2-3 drops of essential oil per 1 Tbsp of carrier oil and massage into the scalp in the evening and rinsing the morning if the oil becomes too heavy for the daytime.

Spray Bottle

If oil takes too much time or feels uncomfortable, dilute essential oils into purified, distilled, mineral, or rose water. You can use up to 10-20 drops of essential oils per 1 cup of water. Add a splash of witch hazel into your spray recipe for added scalp benefits.

A spray treatment feels more lightweight than oil and is appropriate for any time of the day or night. Separate hair into parts to ensure the mixture lands directly onto the scalp.

Balm

Balms are similar to the oil in that they require massaging into the scalp. But a balm will contain higher quality oils that remain solid at room temp but are even more soothing if stored in the fridge.

Oils that make the best balms include:

• Coconut oil
• Shea butter
• Cocoa butter
• Beeswax/Soy Wax (as a thickening agent)

Use 4 drops of essential oils per 1 Tbsp of oil. Using a double boiler, melt oils together then store in a tin, place in the fridge to solidify. Apply by collecting a dime-sized amount in the middle of palms, rub hands together to melt oil and massage into the scalp.

Allow up to 7 weeks of continuous application to begin to see results. Enjoy the gentle hair restoration and scalp rejuvenation properties of the best essential oils for thinning hair.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this list of the best essential oils for thinning hair. Remember to get your essential oils from Rocky Mountain Oils for the best quality and to support small businesses!