There is no such thing as a miracle when it comes to your hair and hair growth. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few helpful “elf” products out there — like hair oils that contains specific nourishing ingredients — that can’t help plump up strands and encourage new hair growth at root level.
The products that you use on your hair and scalp matter. Avoiding hair products that contain things like sulfates, parabens, and harsh alcohols can keep your hair in better condition and prevent shedding, but we often place expensive products like luxury shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks on a pedestal, while ignoring the benefits of natural oils that have been shown to help make your hair stronger and encourage new hair growth.
Hair Expert Dr. Arsalan Aspires wades through the many hair oils on the market to focus on three oils that he says contain nutrients shown to improve the state of your hair and scalp.
Dr. Aspires starts off by stressing that no one single oil can make your hair magically grow. What an oil that is rich in fatty amino acids and vitamins E and A can do is lubricate and strengthen the hair shaft and add essential nutrients to your scalp to protect both your scalp and strands. This, in turn, can help make your hair less prone to breakage and provide the best conditions possible for new hair growth. In other words: hair oils can offer a barrier of protection — and set your hair up for success.
Dr. Aspires selects three oils that he recommends for the hair: rosemary, thyme, and pumpkin seed oils. Keep in mind that some essential oils, like thyme, need to be mixed with a gentle carrier oil — one that can dilute it and help cover a larger surface area — before you apply them to the scalp. Examples of carrier oils include avocado, castor, organ, and jojoba oils.
Rosemary Oil
One study tested rosemary oil against 2% minoxidil and found it to be a natural hair-growing alternative to the popular hair growth product. Rosemary oil can boost circulation to the scalp and encourage new hair growth, while also stopping the control of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi — making it a solid natural way to prevent dandruff, as well.
This rosemary oil from Mielle is one of the most popular on Amazon, with close to 80,000 reviews. It’s infused with biotin and comes in a convenient dropper format for easy application.
According to one reviewer: “I got this because I had some thinning along my hair line and wanted my many "baby hairs" to stop sticking up all over the place and needed something to help them grow. It's only been a month in, but I can already tell it is working. What I do is every night when I am doing my nightly routine washing my face/brushing teeth I first wash my face/get all my makeup off, and once I have used my cleanser then washed off I use this. I use this before putting my toner and serums on. I apply it all along the hairline and since this bottle comes with a dropper, it makes it precise and helps it not go everywhere. After I apply a few drops all along my hairline on my forehead I gently rub it in with my fingertips and then take a brow brush or brow spool and brush it in and back like im going to put my hair in a ponytail. I let that sit for about 20 minutes then wash it off with water. This is particularly good on nights if you use or apply masks or skin treatments, because you have to let the mask sit for a certain amount of time so doing this with it helps take care of both at once. I have also started to use this on my eyebrows as well to help with over plucking so I can grow my eyebrows back in and its really actually working! I have been trying so long to try and get my sparse hairs to grow in and full and nothing has worked but this stuff.”
Thyme Oil
Thyme essential oil isn’t as popular or well known as rosemary, but Dr. Aspires says thyme stimulates the scalp and encourages new hair growth. One randomized trial looked at 86 people over seven months and and tried thyme oil, in addition to others, to figure out which help hair growth — thyme was found to be affective.
This thyme oil from HIQILI is pure and undiluted (requiring a carrier oil). It boasts more than 36,000 reviews. One reviewer has this to say: “The amount of time it’s taking for my hair to grow back!! It helps with blood circulation, digestion and it says it improves memory!” You can purchase the oil here.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
If you feel like pumpkin seed oil is another essential oil for hair that always takes a backseat to rosemary oil, you aren’t wrong. But Dr. Aspires points out one 2014 study that found pumpkin seed oil blocks the action of 5-alpha reductase and has antiandrogenic effects on rats. Another study performed in 2019 found it promotes agents that show the promotion of hair growth. Overall, it has promise — and deserves a coveted spot right up there with rosemary oil when it comes to hair-strengthening and growth potential.
If you’re curious about trying it out, this rosemary oil by ReJuveNaturals boasts 4.5-star review and nearly 3,000 reviews. It’s rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and is certified organic by by USDA & ECOCERT. One review attests to its multi-tasking benefits for both your hair and your skin: “Pumpkin Seed Oil is one of those really well-rounded oils that does a lot for the skin and the scalp and has multiple uses.”
