DIY Hair Growth Oil Recipe (Essential Oil Blend That Actually Helps)
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Struggling with hair thinning or hair loss? This DIY hair growth oil uses simple essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, and lavender to support scalp health naturally. It’s an easy, affordable addition to your routine that may help encourage healthier hair over time.
When I was in college, I never thought I'd some day be writing about a DIY Essential Oils for Hair Growth Blend. Back in those days, some people referred to me as the “big hair girl.”
I think some of it had to do with how I wore my hair, and also because I was temporarily obsessed with perms.
Thankfully, that “obsession” ended about 10 years ago.
Since my “Big Hair Girl” Days, however, I've had some issues with hair loss on and off. It's hard for anyone to lose hair or have thinning hair, especially for us women.
Thankfully, there are options to help and I do feel like this blend has helped support my hair over time.
Possible Reasons for Hair Loss
Here are some of the possible reasons that you might be finding that your locks aren't quite what you would like them to be.
– thyroid issues
– iodine deficiency
– stress
– adrenal stress
– iron deficiency
Ideally, for any of these conditions, you need to get to the root cause of your hair loss and figure out what is causing it, and work on getting healthier, so that you can have a more stable condition for your hair (and your health).
However, one of the things that I have leaned on whenever I have had hair loss, is this simple DIY Essential Oils for Hair Growth Blend and I do think it has really helped me.
Initially, the recipe consisted of only 2 oils. Recently, I added another and I feel like it works better.
Hair Loss Remedies I’ve Tried
Over the years, I’ve tried a number of approaches to support hair growth, including supplements, different shampoos, and scalp massage.
While some helped a little (especially reducing stress and improving scalp care), others didn’t make much difference for me.
One of the simplest things I keep coming back to is using the targeted essential oil blend below—it’s easy, affordable, and supports overall scalp health.
Best Essential Oils for Hair Growth
Following are the best essential oils for hair that may help support hair growth based on research and traditional use.
- Rosemary oil – the most studied for supporting hair growth
- Peppermint oil – may stimulate the scalp and improve circulation
- Lavender oil – may help support hair thickness and scalp health
Why This Blend Works
There are a number of essential oils and other ingredients that can be useful for hair growth. Following are the ones that I chose and why I chose them.
Rosemary Oil helps with hair growth, and it has been proven to do so. In fact, it's been shown to be more effective than minoxidil.
Peppermint Oil has also been shown to aid hair growth in studies.
Lavender Oil has also been proven to help with hair growth.
Olive Oil seems to be great for hair health as well, as outlined in this source.
Melatonin – The topical use of melatonin has been shown to assist hair health. Studies show effectiveness at various concentrations, but you might feel a bit drowsy using higher amounts. Adding 1 capsule to 1 batch of these oils should be fine, but pay attention to how you feel when using it and consult with your physician if you have concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results from this blend?
While scalp health may improve within as little as 2–4 weeks, hair density increase and new growth will likely take longer because they both depend on hair growth cycles.
Can essential oils thicken hair?
Yes, essential oils can cause an improvement in both hair density and the thickness (diameter) of hair strands.
Here’s how to make a simple, effective hair growth oil blend at home.
How to Make a Hair Growth Oil
Combine carrier oil and essential oils and optional ingredients as desired in a small opaque container. Store in a cool dark place.
Essential Oil Hair Growth Blend
Ingredients
Oil Blend
- 3/8 cup olive oil (or other oil as desired)
- 6 drops Rosemary Oil
- 6 drops Peppermint Oil
- 6 or 7 drops Lavender Oil
- 50 g Vitamin E (optional)
- 1 capsule melatonin (optional)
Water Blend
- 3/8 cup filtered water
- 6 drops Rosemary Oil
- 6 drops Peppermint Oil
- 6 or 7 drops Lavender Oil
- 50 g Vitamin E (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Diatomaceous Earth (bentonite clay, collagen, or gelatin are good options as well)
- 1 capsule melatonin (optional)
Instructions
Oil Blend
- Put oil in a small glass container.
- Add essential oils and melatonin, if using.
- Stir to combine. Put some of the mixture on your fingertips and massage into scalp.
Water Blend
- Put about 1 teaspoon of an emulsifier like Diatomaceous Earth, bentonite clay, collagen, or gelatin in a small glass container.
- Add essential oils to the emulsifier.
- Add the filtered water.
- Blend the emulsified mixture into the filtered water.
- Put some of the mixture into the filtered water.
- Put some of the mixture on your fingertips, and massage into scalp.
- Keep mixture in a covered container in the fridge and discard after 4 days or so.
Notes
Other Essential Oils That May Support Hair Growth
In addition to the oils in this blend, there are a few others that are have been used to support scalp health and hair growth:
You could also just add these oils to your shampoo, but since you are rinsing it out, using the DIY blend and leaving it on your scalp is more effective.
You can experiment with adding small amounts of these, but keeping your blend simple is often the most effective approach
Have you struggled with hair loss?
What have you tried and how has it worked?
Photo Credits: Naomi Huzovicova
I used to have super thick hair too. As I’ve grown older my hair has thinned quite a bit on top. I have thyroid problems as well. I’m trying to find something that will help my hair loss. Have you heard of that cap that you plug in and heats on your scalp? I wonder if that works? I think not wearing my hair in a pony tail all the time might help and not washing my everyday as well. Thank you for your advice on essential oils. I will give it a try!
Hi there. I have heard about those. I think it’s the lights that are supposed to work, rather than the heat, however–correct? I would highly recommend trying the mixture and the massage that I mentioned and watching stress and address overall health. Please do tell me how it works for you. I’m researching other options as well! Are you using safer / less toxic hair products?
How long does this hair oil recipe last in a glass bottle? Is there an expiry date for a solution that’s made up?
The oil will last as long as the components but the EOs will likely have a longer shelf life than the carrier oil.
Hi.
So my daughter lost all her hair–Would any of these blends work on a completely bald head?
Thank you!
Kathryn
Hi there, Kathryn – so sorry to hear about your daughter. I would try it for sure but I think you would likely need more things including good nutrition. I’m actually looking into some more things for hair growth. One of them is high quality liquid collagen. I just did a video interview on this–you can check it out here. I’m looking into more things as well–have you seen this kind of cap? )affiliate link) I just started researching them–let’s keep in touch and feel free to ask any questions.
Will this essential oil blend work for men as well and when will it show results?
Hi there. I don’t see why it shouldn’t. I personally do a few of the things in the post and while I have had thinning occasionally over the years, in general my hair is doing quite well for my age. I do a scalp massage almost daily with this and take the He Shou Wu that I featured in the post.
Try diluting the castor oil (Jamaican Black castor oil is even better) with another liquid oil, like sunflower or safflower, 1 oz castor to 4 or more other oil. Absorbs better. I keep mine in an old hair color bottle with the narrow applicator tip so it is easy to apply directly to my scalp. I also infuse the safflower oil with peppermint, rosemary, and sage, besides adding the EOs.
HTH
Hi Davette! Nice to see you again! Do you have to wash your hair after using this? I would assume so, correct?
No, my scalp is so dry it absorbs it all. I have to oil it at least twice a week and After every shampoo.
The peppermint and rosemary helped my hair grow back after it broke off from wearing my CPAP headgear.
(sorry if this is a duplicate, my computer shutdown in the middle of posting this)
PS: Thanks for remembering me 🙂
Wow so interesting! I’m so sorry you are having to use a CPAP. No fun! Are you still wearing that?
P.S. Oh of course! I always enjoyed you!
I still have to wear it, but I got smart and now use a hair bonnet to protect my hair. I look hideous but it gets the job done 😉
Take care!
Glad you figured something out! You might wish to check out Vivos Life. I just started with it and while it’s not cheap, they are having a ton of success re: sleep issues. You take care too!
Have you tried and egg shampoo? Can’t get anymore natural than that, plus it really suds up very well! Just scramble 1 egg, pour on hair and massage in. Be sure to use warm water and rinse with cool! Plenty of sites on line. Use once or twice a week. Just plain goats milk soap works well too. I’ve had a problem with thinning hair for years and I don’t use commercial shampoos anymore. Seems to at least give it some strength to my thin hair!
I have never done that – but I do have this post that has an egg mask in it https://wholenewmom.com/diy-hair-masks/.
Interesting that it’s doing well for you!!
Thank you for this recipe. I wanted the best of both worlds, so I tweaked it a bit. I made it with both carrier AND essential oils and water.
Here is my adjusted recipe:
6 drops Rosemary Oil *7 drops
6 drops Peppermint Oil *3 drops
6 or 7 drops Ravintsara Oil *7 drops
50 g Vitamin E
*4 drops Cedarwood
*4 drops Cypress
*Ylang Ylang 3 drops
*Sage 3 drops
*Roman Chamomile 4 drops
*Lemon 3 drops
*Frankincense 4 drops
1 -2 drops each following carrier oils:
Jojoba
Castor
Argan
Evening Primrose
Emu
Meadowfoam seed
I also added both bentonite clay and diatomaceous earth, and doubled the recipe and keep most of it in the refrigerator. This has absolutely NO greasy or oily feel when used. I use it on my hair, which acts as a bit of a ‘fixative’, giving it both volume and shape. I also use it on my eyebrows and lashes. I put it on and brush it on with a lash brush and massage it in. I use it morning under makeup and evenings after washing my face.
I believe that this has helped my hair since using it. I feel like my hair, for the first time, has a bit more to it….my lashes and brows aren’t ‘thicker, per se, but they feel like there are more of them. (It hasn’t increased the dimension of each strand, but they feel like there are more in number, both hair and lashes and brows.)
I’m adding the He shou Wu herb into my morning “coffee” drink, allowing it to brew for 45-60 minutes.
Thank you so much for this recipe, I believe it works!
Just an FYI and suggestion: if you tweak any recipe, write down the additions or substitutions and amounts WHEN you are creating it! I didn’t and think I may have added in other carrier oils that are good for the hair, but can’t remember! I just looked up good essential oils and carrier oils that are great for hair and added them in.
Hello again Carol. Wow sorry for the delay in responding to this. I have a pile of comments to get through!
So are you saying that you only do these EOs and these carrier oils and you are putting it on your scalp and hair – how much DE and clay are you adding?
So interesting. Thank you!
It’s been great reading your all your useful advice so thank you very much ! I would really like to try your water based hair growth oil recipe but I am a bit confused with the quantity of oil and water ? I am new to essential oils so I am a bit worried I get it wrong . Thank you x
Thank you for the kind words and you are so welcome! Tell me what is confusing you and I’m happy to help!
Thanks so much for emailing me back !
I made your hair growth oil recipe but found it a bit hard to wash out of my hair so I would love to make the water one . Not sure how many drops of essential oil to put in with water and I don’t know what the emulsifier is or where to buy it from ? I live in France so it might make it more difficult to find . Thank you x
X
Hi there – sorry for the delay. Emulsifiers are hard to figure out. I am not an expert at all- I would look at this post and see if it’s helpful to you. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/essential-oil-emulsifier/
I’m hoping to learn more in the future.
I love the fact of you sharing your story to all of us. As of right now i been growing my hair for 2 years and its shoulder length or tad past when stretched in braids i am on a new spritual journey where i can not cut trim or line up my hair for 10 years. i been very carful with my hair on this jurney this far by using only salfate free shampoo and condition and leave in conditioners only use salfate shampoo ones a month since i always suffered from dermatitis. As for essential oils i use a forumla given from alternative doctor 4oz of coconut oil or olive oil 10 drops of lavender 10 drops of rosemary and 3 drops of lemongrass and now i been mixing my carrier oils 1 oz black castor oil 2 oz of coconut oil an 1.5 oz of olive oil. now i plan to grab up peppermint oil and maybe clary sage
Thank you!
Thank you so much for this article. I really appreciate you input on what you’ve tried, what worked for you and what hasn’t. It has been really stressful since I noticed my loss and with stress being a possible cause, it doesn’t help my worries. I’ve tried Biotin for about a year now and it hasn’t seemed to helped at all. I am grateful and excited to try essential oils thanks to this article.
You are so welcome! One other thing I should mention is mold–if you have that issue going on in your home it can cause stubborn hair issues. I can help w/ that if you’d like to talk about it more. Hope you find answers!
Yeah biotin only makes a difference if you your body is low of it in your system which is rare unless you don’t eat meat or nuts
I have heard this too. So that is odd b/c so many people seem to report benefits from using it.
Hi Adrienne?? Hope all is well with you & yours. I came across your online blog & was very much intrigued with your valuable topics. I too enjoy healthy holistic living & I think it’s so awesome that you devote time to sharing your experience & knowledge with others. The reason I’m reaching out is because I read where you stated recently that you suffer from hair loss after using chemicals for so long, which many of us have experienced. That’s the story behind why I decided to go natural & rid myself of all those nasty paraben/toxins & was blessed with the idea to start creating natural toxin free products for me & my Sun(Son). I have a product line with very effective/innovative products & would like to send you some product if you’re interested. Since I’m a new company I will send you the growth kit free in exchange of a product review. Its products that can be used on all hair/skin types & I would love for you try us out. Please let me know if interested. Also feel free to check out our website for research purposes. We’re not currently taking orders at the time, but the site is still viewable.
Thank you for your time & we hope to hear from you soon!
Hello and thanks. I just reached out to you.