Essential oils are a controversial topic when it comes to beauty because they contain a large amount of volatile fragrance molecules that are very irritating. So they are not the best thing to put on the skin of your face. When it comes to hair care, however, the story is a little different.
When essential oils are diluted with other carrier oils that we normally use to massage our scalp and strands, or when added to shampoos, they can have some significant hair benefits. Let’s see what they are.
But first, a word of caution with essential oils
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Essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin and thus to the scalp. They are terribly damaging to the skin barrier and a strict no-no for sensitive scalps. A drop or two in a full teaspoon of oil or shampoo is more than enough when diluted. If you have cuts or scratches on your scalp, don’t use essential oils as these can cause more itching.
The essential oils should NOT be used topically
There are some essential oils that should only be used for aromatic purposes, such as: B. Room fragrances. They must not be applied to the skin at all as they have been shown to be irritating.
Citrus oils like bergamot, lemon, tangerine, grapefruit, orange are notoriously poor in this sense and cause bad reactions. So avoid them. They make the skin or scalp really sensitive to light, so the second UV rays come into contact with the area where you applied them. The skin burns.
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Somehow reputed to be calming, lavender oil has been shown to be irritating and should also be avoided. Smelling it may be soothing to the senses, but your skin and scalp will feel like they are burning when you use this!
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The essential oils we recommend for the hair benefits don’t contain these as they are known to cause irritation, while the ones we recommend aren’t as harsh.
The hair benefits of essential oils
Rosemary oil definitely helps reduce dandruff
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Rosemary oil is arguably the most popular oil in hair care products and is known for its ability to strengthen, strengthen, and heal the scalp. So it’s used in many anti-dandruff formulas. Rosemary oil does not have a very strong odor either, so it is not as sensitizing, although it can still cause sensitivity as it is an essential oil with fragrances.
Tea tree oil is great for oily scalps and boils, but not for sensitivity
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We all know tea tree oil is used to shrink and dry out pimples, but the truth is it can be a sensitizer that can be too harsh on the skin. But it can be good for cleaning the scalp as it has antimicrobial properties and helps with oily, dirty follicles. Whether you have an oily and dirty scalp or have lots of boils due to oiliness, this will help with both. Remember to dilute it with water or a gentle shampoo to keep it from hardening.
Peppermint oil promotes hair growth and thickens the scalp
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Normally we wouldn’t recommend peppermint oil as it is quite strong and therefore can be too much for a sensitive scalp. But if your scalp is really oily and not sensitive, you can give it a try because there is research to prove its effectiveness in promoting hair growth. Mixing a drop or two in your scalp oil or shampoo in the summer is ideal as it is very cold. This presence of menthol does not have a calming effect, but rather energizes and stimulates blood circulation.
Ylang Ylang oil is good for moisturizing the hair and ideal for massaging on dry, brittle locks
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Ylang Ylang Oil is great for dry hair. Like all essential oils, it stimulates the scalp due to the scent molecules that trigger blood flow to the follicles, which is actually an inflammatory response. Aside from the aftermath of its smell, it is a good addition to your conditioner or hair oil as it strengthens hair and prevents hair loss from breaking dry strands. So add a drop or two to your coconut oil before you a Champior mix a few drops into your bottle of conditioner or hair mask.
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