Essential oils for hair - how effective they are for hair problems
Hair care is a topic that we probably enjoy just as much as skin care. Shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments accumulate very quickly and then lie in the drawer because they have not achieved the desired results. But how do you look after your hair properly? To care for your damaged hair, you don't need tons of hair care products, just a few essential oils to restore shine through natural hair care.
What are essential oils?
The very word "essential", which is derived from the Greek word "aither" and means "heavenly", reveals that these are very special oils. The highly concentrated plant substances come from the leaves or flowers of a plant, or more precisely: from the oil glands. They are tiny droplets that belong to the secondary plant substances. This is because essential oils volatilize easily and are not greasy. This is why they do not leave greasy stains, but they can be easily dissolved in alcohol or base oils such as jojoba oil for further processing.
How are essential oils made?
The production of essential oils is very complex. They are obtained using a variety of methods, but the most common is probably steam distillation. In this process, the plants, leaves or flowers are heated over steam and the dissolved fragrances are transferred to a cooled kettle where the essential droplets are collected. Cold pressing, on the other hand, is more commonly used for citrus fruits, as their fragrances are contained in the peel. Would you like to make your own essential oil? Alcohol extraction or base oils are suitable for DIY experiments. So collect a few flowers on your next walk or cut some lavender from the garden.
A lot of plant material is needed to produce even just a few drops of the essence. For this reason, you sometimes pay a little more for pure oils. The slightly cheaper oils are usually stretched or made from artificial flavorings and are not suitable for body care. In the worst case, they can even cause irritation or allergies. When buying, make sure that you use certified, high-quality or organic products. You can read on the label whether it is 100% pure essential oil and whether it is intended for external or internal use.
How do essential oils work?
The effect of essential oils is not only physical, but also psychological. They reduce stress, provide relaxation and can brighten the mood. This is why they are also used in aromatherapy and are used, for example, for sleep disorders or anxiety. Fragrances are absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes. If some essential oil is spread on the skin, it can be detected in the blood just a few minutes later. And about 1-2 hours after application, the essences can be detected in the exhaled air. This is because the essential oils are highly concentrated. You need approx. 100 kg of rosemary for 400 ml of rosemary oil.
5 essential oils for optimal hair care
For natural hair care, you can rely on a handful of essential oils. These 5 essences are good for nourishing damaged hair and promoting hair growth. However, make sure that you use pure oils, preferably diluted with a little coconut or olive oil. No matter how you apply the natural oils, leave them on for a few minutes before washing them out again.
Rosemary oil
Goodbye dandruff! Rosemary oil has a calming effect on the scalp and prevents dandruff or can provide relief for itchy and flaky scalps. Blood circulation is stimulated right down to the hair roots, which accelerates hair growth. Strengthened hair not only smells good, but is also easier to comb through and regains its natural shine.
Geranium oil
Have you only known geraniums as ornamental plants on your balcony? They not only make your balcony more beautiful, but also your hair. Just a few drops will repair damaged hair. This is because it promotes blood circulation to the scalp, which stimulates hair regeneration. The use of geranium oil regulates sebum production and the hair becomes less greasy.
Sandalwood oil
Do you have hair loss or is your hair growing too slowly? Then take care of your hair with sandalwood oil. A study has shown that the hair follicles (an invagination of the epidermis in which the hair root is embedded) react positively to sandalwood and the growth phase is extended as a result. Hair growth is stimulated and they grow faster.
Thyme oil
Thyme is also known as a natural antibiotic and has an antibacterial effect. If you massage your scalp with it, oily dandruff will soon be gone. It also stimulates blood circulation, strengthening your hair right down to the roots. This can reduce hair loss if it is not genetic or hormonal.
Ylang-ylang oil
Ylang-ylang oil makes your head smell like you're on vacation and also gives your hair a little rest. It is the perfect hair care product to restore a healthy shine to dry hair. It strengthens the hair and provides more volume. And if you're not in a good mood, you can even smell it, as it has a mood-lifting effect.
4 hair types and their problems
The right way to care for your hair depends on your hair type. Roughly speaking, there are 4 different hair types: straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair and frizzy hair.
Straight hair:
If your hair is really straight all the time and doesn't curl even after showering, then you belong to the straight hair type. Do you often have the problem that your hair is simply too flat, the roots get greasy quickly and the ends dry and fray quickly? Then mix a few drops of sandalwood and ylang ylang oil with some coconut oil and massage the natural hair care into the ends from the roots. This will strengthen your scalp and hair roots and restore moisture to the ends - your hair will shine again.
Wavyhair:
Do you think you have straight hair, but when it gets wet, it starts to wavy slightly? Then you are more the wavy hair type. Wavy hair usually needs a little less moisture than curly hair. And to strengthen your natural waves, you can mix some rosemary oil into your shampoo. This will stimulate blood flow to the scalp and strengthen your hair right down to the ends.
Curlyhair:
Can't hide the fact that you're the curly hair type because your curls dance around your face? Curly hair is often damaged and dry, so it needs a lot of moisture. Coconut oil is quickly absorbed and gives your hair the moisture it needs. Together with a little geranium oil, it acts like a hair repair treatment.
Frizzy hair(kinky hair):
If your curls are difficult to tame and quickly become dry and brittle, then you are probably the kinky hair type. That's why it's best to use a mixture of rosemary, thyme and coconut oil to give your curls back their bounce.
How to use essential oils for hair care
For healthy and strong hair, you first need a healthy scalp. Because if it is damaged by various styling products or coloring, this affects the entire hair. However, you can restore the health of your hair with the help of essential oils.
If you want to try natural cosmetics for hair care, you should always have a base oil such as coconut oil, argan oil or a good olive oil to hand. Essential oils should only be used as an additive because the power of pure essences is so strong.
Hair treatment with essential oils
For a quick hair treatment, mix approx. 50 ml of base oil with 3-5 drops of your chosen essential oil. Massage the oil mixture from the roots to the ends and leave the treatment on for a few minutes before rinsing it out with lukewarm water. You can of course also leave it on overnight for more intensity.
Another option is to mix a pot of yogurt with a little honey and your chosen essential oil. Simply massage in again, leave on and rinse. And if the essential oil is also suitable for consumption, you can simply stir the rest of the treatment into your muesli.
Hair conditioner with essential oils
This hair conditioner is quick and easy to make yourself. All you have to do is add a few drops of essential oil to lukewarm water and massage into your hair after washing.
Hair shampoo with essential oils
Natural hair care can be so easy. Simply mix approx. 8-10 drops of essential oil into approx. 100 ml of shampoo. You can use it as normal and do something good for your hair with every wash.
Hair care spray for on the go
If you need to pimp your hair quickly, simply make your own spray with essential oils that you can take with you wherever you go. All you need is a small bottle with an atomizer attachment, jojoba oil and, of course, your favourite essential oil. Mix everything, spray and look good.
Essential oils for beautiful hair
With their antibacterial and strengthening properties, essential oils have a positive effect on the hair. You may have to dig a little deeper into your pockets for pure essences, but it will be worth it. Whether you want to promote hair growth, fight dandruff or simply want strong and shiny hair - essential oils are a real wonder weapon of natural cosmetics. You can make your own natural hair care products quickly and easily and customize them to suit your individual needs. And if you want to give something homemade as a gift, a DIY hair care spray is perfect for this.
Regular use of natural hair care with essential oils is important for beautiful hair. A one-off treatment is good for your damaged hair, but you will only notice success after repeated use. So just give it a try.
