There are many No Poo essential oils for hair care. Each oil has its own properties that can help overcome many of the common problems that hair often has.
Essential oils have a reputation for being invaluable for our health. In addition to the benefits for our bodies, essential oils can boost the health of our scalp and hair. Tea tree and aloe vera oils soothe and nourish dry and itchy scalps, whilst lemon oil can give hair a wonderful shine.
Whilst some oils are useful for treating a dry scalp, others are excellent at adding shine.
A word of caution though, essential oils are potent. Therefore, if you are pregnant, nursing, or have an existing medical condition, it is vital that you consult a registered EO practitioner before using any essential oils.
As we all need a little help sometimes, I thought I would investigate the benefits that each essential oil could have on your hair.
No Poo Essential Oils For Hair
Washing your hair without using traditional shampoos is called No Poo.
Followers of No Poo use natural products such as baking soda and ACV to keep their hair clean and keep it in good condition.
Whilst shampoos can be used by No Poo followers, it is important that the shampoos do not contain the following:
- Sulfates
- Silicons
- Parabens
- Other Man-Made Chemicals
So why would a No Poo’er add essential oils to their No Poo haircare regime? … Let’s find out!
A number of the oils are regularly used in No Poo to help with dry hair and scalp; to promote growth, and to add shine (source 1).
With over 130 essential oils to choose from though, selecting the correct oil to use can be a daunting prospect.
Each oil has its own characteristics and can be useful to help with many common ailments.
Here are some key benefits to using essential oils within your No Poo haircare routine:
- Hair growth
- Scent
- Moisturizes hair
- Moisturizes scalp
- Adds shine
- Helps texture – can soften hair
- Combats dandruff
- Helps reduce split ends
- Reduces hair loss
- Antibacterial properties
- Can regulate oil production
- Soothes scalp
This is not an extensive list of the possible benefits of using essential oils alongside your normal No Poo method.
However, this list does show how advantageous using essential oils can be for your hair.
Essential oils should be used sparingly; a couple of drops should be sufficient for your hair.
If used directly on your scalp, a carrier oil should be used as essential oils are very strong. Ideally, a patch test should be carried out 24 hours before including it in your hair care regime.
Before you start using essential oils, it is worth mentioning, however, that some No Poo’ers consider the use of essential oils to be against No Poo ethics.
Much of their concern is focused on the potential damage that essential oils can do if not used correctly; for instance, skin burns, or allergic reactions.
If you wish to use essential oils within your No Poo hair care routine, keep in mind that essential oils require a carrier oil and do not dilute when mixed with water.
25 No Poo Essential Oils For Hair
Here is a list of 25 different No Poo essential oils that can be incorporated into your natural hair care routine.
I have listed the potential benefit of each essential oil (source 1,2,3):
1. Aloe Vera
Moisturizes hair and scalp.
Helps to relieve symptoms of dandruff, adds shine and volume, and helps encourage hair growth.
2. Bergamot
For shine and hair strength.
Aids in hair growth.
3. Carrot Seed
Antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory actions make this a go-to essential oil.
4. Chamomile
Used to de-frizz hair.
Also a hair brightener, and natural dandruff repellent.
5. Cedarwood
This is a moisturizing oil that helps those with dry and flaky scalps.
6. Clary Sage
Soothing and moisturizing for dry scalps.
Used for growth and strength.
7. Eucalyptus
This essential oil is famous for having insect-repelling properties.
Eucalyptus is often used to rid scalps of lice.
8. Frankincense
This oil has antimicrobial, anti-fungal, moisturizing, and pain-relieving qualities.
9. Geranium
Used in plenty of recipes to rid the scalp of dandruff.
Geranium is a moisturizer with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
10. Ginger
Should be used sparingly as often used in hair removal.
11. Grapefruit
Naturally removes dirt and excess oil from your hair and scalp.
Also has antibacterial properties.
12. Lavender
This oil has a pleasant scent and some users believe it aids hair growth.
13. Lemon
This essential oil is good as a fungal infection preventative and is often used to add shine and luster.
14. Lemongrass
Generally used to remove dandruff.
15. Orange
Antifungal and antibacterial actions along with a pleasing aroma.
Potent cleaning abilities.
16. Peppermint
Another oil that helps dandruff sufferers owing to its antimicrobial properties.
17. Pine
This fresh-smelling essential oil will help remove build-up on scalps. It can also prevent dandruff and lice infestation.
18. Rosemary
A very popular essential oil.
Known for helping remove dandruff, and healing scalp issues such as alopecia.
Antimicrobial action.
19. Sandalwood
Makes hair look healthy and voluminous.
Has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
20. Sweet Basil
Softening action, with some users believing that it prevents hair loss.
Has been said to help regulate the scalp’s sebum production.
21. Tea Tree
A natural treatment for head lice.
Antibacterial action helps combat dandruff.
22. Thyme
A calming essential oil for scalps.
23. Vanilla
Anti-oxidant and antibacterial with a popular aroma.
24. Vetiver
This essential oil Relieves inflammation, aids hair growth, and adds volume.
25. Ylang Ylang
Said to be a calming oil with antiseptic properties.
How To Make Hair Smell Good With Essential Oils
Making your own shampoo and incorporating essential oils can help add a lovely scent to your hair.
If you use a No Poo shampoo, then adding a couple of drops of lavender oil to the shampoo can leave your hair smelling beautiful.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to wash your hair, but still want to have a lovely aroma, put a few drops of essential oils on your boar bristle brush and brush your hair as usual.
Can You Leave Essential Oils In Your Hair?
Whether you can leave essential oils in your hair depends on what you are using the essential oils for.
If it is just a couple of drops on your hairbrush to help scent your hair then yes, leaving the essential oil on the brush should cause no ill effects.
However, if you are using essential oils in a hair mask or shampoo then washing the mask off after the appropriate time will also wash off the essential oils.
There are different views on leaving oils in hair overnight:
- A carrier oil should be used if you are using more than a few drops of essential oil, or if the oil is going to touch the scalp.
- If you put essential oils directly onto your scalp you are likely to find it too harsh and damaging.
- EO should not be left overnight as your hair may come in contact with your face and cause a reaction. The essential oil is also likely to stain the bed linen.
- Others No Poo’ers see no problem leaving oiled hair overnight if it’s covered with a shower cap or similar.
The important thing to remember is to carry out a patch test before using new essential oils, then wash it out after a reasonable interval.
Otherwise, the oil may block the scalp pores and result in itchy and poorly growing hair.
Essential Oils For Hair Growth And Thickness
It is recognized that the best essential oils for hair growth are peppermint and rosemary.
Whilst a number of essential oils appear to aid hair growth, these two essential oils (EO) are the go-to essential oils in DIY hair growth shampoos and remedies (source 1).
Other essential oils that may increase hair growth and thickness are (source 1):
- Coffee
- Aloe Vera
- Bergamot
- Lavender
- Clary sage
- Sandalwood
- Vetiver
- JoJoba
Any essential oil that encourages a healthy scalp will lead to healthy hair which will appear more lustrous and seem like it’s growing better than before.
How To Mix Essential Oils For Hair Growth
Unless you are very clued up on the use of essential oils, it is always best to follow a recipe. Make sure that the recipe comes from a trusted source though.
Essential oils are very potent and can do just as much harm as good if you guess or deliberately increase the number of essential oils given in a recipe.
The following recipe claims to be great for hair growth, and mixes several essential oils (source 1):
What You Need
Here is a list of the items you will need:
- Small glass container
- Wooden stirrer
- Essential Oils:
- Thyme
- Cedarwood
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Carrier Oil
Method
- Place 2 drops of thyme and 2 drops of cedarwood into the glass container.
- Then, add 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of rosemary into the container.
- Add 4 teaspoons of carrier oil to the container.
- Mix well
- Massage the mixture onto the scalp
- Wrap your head in a warm towel
- Leave for 2 minutes every night
- Shampoo or rinse out if desired
There are a number of essential oils that are said to promote growth, add strength, and make hair thicker.
Hair will always be distinct to every individual, and therefore what works for one person may not work the same for another.
The good thing is that there are so many oils and recipes to choose from.
Conclusion
Over time essential oils have been proven to have many health benefits, so it is likely that they will make a positive impact on your hair health if used correctly.
There are many No Poo essential oils for hair that claim to do wonderful things for your hair.
Rosemary and Lavender are the most notable essential oils for hair growth and thickness, whilst geranium and aloe vera will help cure dandruff and soothe irritated scalps.
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