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The Best Essential Oils For Natural Hair Growth

May 17, 2020

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Essential oils can do amazing things for natural hair.

And when we’re talking about the best essential oils for natural hair growth, we’re talking about hair growth in just a few weeks.

If used correctly, essential oils can deliver benefits that no other oil can. You can, quite literally, accelerate your natural hair growth by adding them into your natural hair routine.

The best part? Essential oils are cheap AF.

But many naturals are using essential oils ineffectively, and we’re here to clear the air (pun intended).

Let’s get into the best essential oils for natural hair and how exactly to use them.

What Are Essential Oils, Anyway?

Essential oils are a concentrated serum of plant essence, taken from the plant through a process called distillation (steam/water). 

The difference between essential oils and carrier oils (which are more commonly used oils such as olive oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil) is that they are more concentrated, thus more irritating to the hair if not used correctly.

Another difference: they’re very affordable. Only a few drops are necessary to truly feel their effects, making them a practical addition to your natural hair routine.

As they are highly concentrated, the best way to use them without irritating your scalp (and damaging your hair) is to add a couple drops to your shampoo or deep conditioner. 

You could also do a hot oil treatment using a carrier oil of choice with a few drops of the essential oils. The list goes on!

Here are the general rules of using essential oils:

  • Speak to your doctor before using essential oils if you are pregnant or before using them on a child;
  • Never put them directly on the skin or scalp;
  • Always mix with a carrier oil (ex: jojoba oil, with a few drops of each essential oil).

Now, let’s get into the best essential oils for natural hair!

ROSEMARY OIL: Nature’s Minoxidil

Best for Hair Loss / Shedding

Forget castor oil – rosemary oil is truly the goat for thickening natural hair.

Best of all: it’s a little over $10 bucks! If you’re looking for an affordable way to thicken your hair, look no further.

Scientific studies have shown that using rosemary oil for patients with alopecia has seen dramatic hair growth, similar to medicinal hair growth options such as minoxidil (but without the nasty side effects)!

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BLACK SEED OIL: Miracle in a bottle

Best for Hair Thickening, Moisture

African, Middle Eastern and Asian cultures all around the world have been using black seed oil for its miraculous properties. Queen Nefertiti apparently used it on her skin to remain looking youthful, and the Islamic Prophet Muhammed (swt) stated that “black seed oil can even cure everything except death”. Black seed oil is not only antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, but has been found to treat various diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, AND various cancers! For your hair, the high concentrations of hair-loving vitamins and minerals such as zinc, vitamin B, C, E, biotin and folic acid will both strengthen your hair shaft and soften it, too.
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LAVENDER OIL: For tenderheaded naturals

Best for Hair Scalp inflammation

Lavender oil is a popular essential oil, known for its ability to calm anxiety when applied topically or put in a diffuser. But it can do a lot more for natural hair than you might think. It can control sebum production on your scalp (reducing dandruff), but also helps with hair shedding and hair loss, similar to rosemary oil. If you’re tenderheaded like most naturals, lavender oil is great for soothing your scalp after a thorough detangling session, calming inflammation.
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TEA TREE OIL: Scalp health 101

Best for Dry, flaky, itchy and sensitive scalps

If you’re someone with known scalp fungal issues like psoriasis, or deal with general scalp inflammation, tea tree oil is the perfect oil for you! Similar to the oils above, tea tree oil can reduce inflammation in your follical cells, which can further support your follicles on retaining and growing as much hair as possible.
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PEPPERMINT OIL: Tea tree oil but stronger

Best for Dry, flaky scalps; hair loss or thinning

Now, if your scalp can tolerate it, peppermint oil is a fantastic essential oil to use to both thicken hair and soothe the scalp. Peppermint oil has been used from time for various hair issues such as dry scalp, alopecia and hair loss. But studies have shown that it can also stimulate blood flow into the scalp, recharging inactive follicles. Add a few drops into your shampoo – the menthol in peppermint oil will also give you a cool, refreshing sensation. But those with sensitive scalps or those that are tender-headed should stick with tea tree oil!
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The Bottom Line

Essential oils are a game changer for natural hair when used in conjunction with a carrier oil. These potent oils are concentrated enough that only a few drops of each are needed to see some effects!

The Curl Market is a natural hair blog catered to helping black naturals grow their curls into a long, luscious manes.

We use the latest evidence-based scientific research to provide you with the top tips on growing your curls, regardless of hair type.

We also provide lifestyle tips, both self care and mental care, to ensure you are optimizing your body’s natural hair growth cycle – because you can’t grow natural hair if you’re stressed out!

Come as you are.

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WRITTEN BY

Ayana Aden

Ayana is The Curl Market’s brand founder. When she’s not deep in natural hair research or creating content, she’s hanging on the couch with her husband and her cat, reading a book or scrolling through TikTok. Follow her on Instagram at @tothecurlmarket.

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