Essential oils have become very important in the last decade. People are raving about their effectiveness in various aspects of their health from improving asthma to minimizing migraines and arthritic pain, providing a sense of calm, and their effectiveness as a beauty regimen. In this article, we’ll walk you through the best essential oils good for hair health and those that will improve your skin health, as well.
Basic Guide for Mixing Essential Oils for Beauty Purposes
Below is how to mix essential oils for the purpose of improving your hair and skin health.
- First, you want to be sure that a large percentage of your recipe is base oils, also known as carrier oils; their hydrating properties are good for your skin and hair. Also, they help to dilute the essential oils, making them safe for use on skin and hair.
- Next, add your specific target treatment oil and in the smallest quantity; a few drops of a strongly-scented essential oil that also provides benefits for your hair and skin as a final touch. See this article to learn the essential oil to carrier oil ratio.
Note: When using anything with essential oils for the first time, especially when you make the concoction yourself at home, you should try it out on only a small patch of skin or hair first to make sure you won’t have any adverse reactions from its use.
Essential and Carrier Oils for Skin and Hair
There are many essential oils that offer benefits to promote better health, quicker healing, and even healthier and better-looking skin and hair.
Best Carrier Oils for Hair Growth
1. Almond
Sweet almond oil is rich and nourishing. It helps restore skin elasticity, promotes cell regeneration, and improves skin circulation.
2. Argan
Argan has Vitamin E and essential fatty acids that help to moisturize your skin, hair, and nails. It has a nutty smell that tends to complement a lot of recipes for hair products.
3. Avocado
Avocado oil offers the same omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants for your skin when you apply it as it does for your body when you eat it. It also boosts collagen production and skin elasticity.
4. Coconut
Coconut oil is amazing for the hair and skin alike. It absorbs quickly and easily into the skin, making it seem like it has a faster-acting effect. It’s solid at room temperature and contains protein, fatty acids, and vitamin E. It is also antibacterial, antifungal, and has cleansing properties.
5. Grape Seed
Grape seed works as a natural astringent and has both healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a great option for those plagued by acne.
6. Olive
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and E. It’s great for treating dry skin and eczema conditions.
7. Sesame
Sesame oil should definitely be the base oil if you’re creating a remedy for any irritated patches of skin. It especially helps with skin irritation caused by sunburn or wind.
Treatment Oils for Hair and Skin
1. Aloe Vera
We’re not talking about the gel you buy at the store when you get a sunburn. Aloe vera oil is a thicker oil that can be used as a treatment for eczema, dandruff, and psoriasis. It can help with myriad skin irritations.
2. Castor
Castor oil is great for helping your hair grow faster as well as helping seal in moisture for those with coarse hair. It’s a thicker oil, making it work well in conditioners, shampoos, and lotions.
3. Tea tree
Tea-tree oil can help fight off infections, which is great for those with autoimmune diseases or immunity deficiencies. Nail fungus, acne, lice, dandruff, and bug bites can all be treated by tea-tree poultice as it has bacteria-killing properties.
Essential Oils Good for Hair Health and Glowing Skin
The following are essential oils good for hair health and skin care
1. Calendula: Has good sun protection properties and protects the skin from UV radiation. Also, it maintains the natural pigmentation of the skin.
2. Chamomile: Essential oils of chamomile are used extensively in cosmetics (skin and hair inclusive) and aromatherapy.
3. Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus receives high marks for its multiple uses. First, it’s a natural antiseptic and antibacterial. Its health benefits are numerous and include wound healing, sinus pain relief, nasal congestion, itchy scalp relief, and cavity prevention.
4. Geranium: Geranium essential oil delivers radiant, healthy skin. This oil helps to balance hormones while also relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression.
5. Lavender: The queen of all essential oils. Ever present in almost all essential oil recipes. Lavender oil is one of the most valuable aromatherapy oils with its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. It is a strong antiseptic. Therefore, it is an additive to pharmaceuticals (salve and lotions for hard-to-heal wounds, eczema, and anti-rheumatic preparations), as well as cosmetics. It is used in mouth, throat, upper respiratory tract, and lung infectious diseases, as well as in dermatology to treat difficult-to-heal wounds, ulcers, and burns, and in cosmetology. All of these properties make lavender oil one of the best essential oils good for hair.
6. Peppermint: Peppermint oil offers a wealth of natural benefits from head to toe. It serves as a natural analgesic and functions as an antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent. Peppermint oil relieves respiratory issues, boosts energy, soothes an itchy scalp, provides clarity and mental focus, treats bad breath, and reduces stomach pain.
More Essential Oils Good for Hair Health and a Glowing Skin
7. Rosemary: A recent study found that when individuals rubbed rosemary oil into their scalp, they experienced a “22.4% increase in new hair growth.” Rosemary oil is packed with nutrients that increase microcirculation, or blood flow, to the scalp. This promotes healing and a strengthening of the scalp which results in optimal hair growth. In addition, adding rosemary oil into your hair care routine can help to prevent immature baldness or even receding hairlines.
8. Tea tree oil: Melaleuca oil, also known as tea tree oil, is an excellent oil with first aid qualities. It is particularly useful for cuts, insect bites, and scrapes. If you suffer from scalp conditions such as dandruff, tea tree oil can provide relief.
9. Lemongrass: Are you struggling with hair loss? Many naturalistas swear by the powers of lemongrass in the prevention of hair loss. This oil strengthens hair follicles and can be a method of scalp therapy for an itchy or inflamed scalp.
10. Ylang-Ylang
11. Thyme
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9828867/
