Ever wanted to pick the brain of a beauty editor? Or get beauty product recommendations from someone who has tried them all? You’ve come to the right place. In our weekly series, beauty editor Hana Hong answers your biggest skincare, hair care, and makeup questions, all submitted by Real Simple readers. Tune in every Tuesday and submit your own burning beauty questions here for a chance to be featured.
Reader question: What are some natural remedies for women’s hair growth? —prisysam1980
There are a lot of myths regarding hair growth and hair loss—cutting your hair makes it grow faster, plucking gray hair will make normal hair grow in its place, etc.—that makes dealing with hair loss more confusing and overwhelming than it already is.
While there’s no magic remedy to quickly regrow lost hair, when it comes to natural remedies for hair growth, it really boils down to hair oils. You’ve probably heard a lot about these oils—studies have shown that a hot oil treatment or even a quick scalp massage with oils can promote hair growth and thickness by mechanically stimulating and penetrating hair follicles. But don’t be so quick to grab just any oil from your pantry. Hairstylist Jennifer Korab and Trey Gillen, hairstylist and artistic director of education at SACHAJUAN—share which oils are best for hair growth.
I also want to give a quick disclaimer that there’s no single oil that will magically give you a full head of Rapunzel-length locks. But it can help give your scalp a boost so your strands are more resistant to breakage and hair growth is accelerated. Just make sure to stay on a strict and consistent regimen once you start—natural ingredients take longer to actually work, and do require a commitment before seeing results.
Natural Hair Growth Oils
Green tea oil
Green tea oil, also known as camellia oil or tea seed oil, is known to be rich in antioxidants and catechins that help reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can shrink your hair follicles. It’s also antimicrobial, meaning it can clear up scalp buildup due to dandruff and styling products, which is crucial for healthy hair growth.
A huge plus is that it’s one of the least greasy of the bunch and can absorb into the scalp quickly, making the oil ideal for application. If you don’t have the essential oil on hand, you can alternatively opt for a green tea rinse. To apply, simply steep the tea bags in some water and cool for 30 minutes to an hour before pouring the tea into either a spray bottle or an oil applicator bottle.
Try: Nature’s Answer Green Tea Extract ($11.50; iherb.com)
Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil for hair growth has a lot of street cred going for it. A clinical review published in BMJ found that when massaged into the scalp daily, rosemary can help with hair growth. This was further confirmed by another study published in SKINmed Journal, which discovered that it can also protect against hair loss. “Rosemary effectively promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss by soothing the scalp and stimulating new hair growth,” says Gillen. “In fact, it’s commonly used to treat alopecia.” To apply, mix a few drops of rosemary oil with your favorite hair oil and massage it into your hair and scalp a few times per week.
Try: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil ($9; amazon.com)
Geranium oil
A 2017 study in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that this flower extract has major potential as a hair growth product. Why? The oil was found to regulate sebum production and maintain secretions around your hair follicles. It’s also chock-full of amino acids, which have been shown to nourish the hair and boost blood circulation.
“Geranium is an effective antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory, making it an all-around amazing skincare product,” says Gillen. “It can also help strengthen, hydrate, and restore your hair.” Application rules are the same as the above—either dilute it with your hair care products or massage a couple drops of geranium oil to your scalp a few times per week.
Try: Young Living Essential Oil Geranium Essential Oil ($63; youngliving.com)
Castor oil
First things first: According to Korab, when it comes to castor oil, there is very little scientific research that it actually helps hair grow. The benefits of castor oil for hair growth are mainly anecdotal, but that is worthy enough of giving it a try—especially considering its long history of use. The idea is that its high content of ricinoleic acid can help improve blood circulation in the scalp. The humectant is also composed of a powerful mix of fatty acids (read: super moisturizing), and as we know, moisturized hair is more likely to grow at a faster rate.
“Castor oil is one of the few oils that I have found actually works,” says Gillen. “It can penetrate all the way down into the hair follicle while other oils may penetrate slightly but won’t reach the inside of the follicle.” Gillen also adds that you must apply castor oil directly on the scalp or skin. “I like to use a mascara wand to apply the castor oil on my hairline and a gel liquid liner brush to apply along my eyelids (for lash growth).”
Try: Briogeo Curl Charisma™ Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil ($26; sephora.com)
Peppermint oil
The menthol in peppermint oil causes vasodilation of the blood vessels—meaning it causes blood vessels to widen, increasing blood flow. And blood flow is essential to successful hair follicle growth. If you have oily hair, peppermint also balances the pH of your scalp, which can help regulate your oil production.
Try: Pattern Scalp Serum ($28; patternbeauty.com)
Just one thing to keep in mind: According to Gillen, peppermint oil should always be mixed/diluted with a carrier oil—never apply it raw to your skin.
Lavender oil
Known for it’s relaxing abilities (think: zen-inducing linen sprays, candles, and diffusers), lavender oil may also help promote hair growth and increase the number of follicles on your head. Another bonus: It’s antimicrobial so it keeps the scalp clean and flake-free, giving hair a healthy foundation and environment to grow. Put a few drops into your shampoo or mix it with your favorite carrier oil (like grapeseed or almond) and massage it into your scalp.
Try: Christophe Robin Paris Hair Oil With Lavender ($47; christopherobin.com)
Cedarwood oil
If you struggle with really dry or oily hair, this oil could be a great option for you, thanks to its scalp-balancing benefits. Derived from needles, leaves, bark and berries of cedar trees, the essential oil boasts antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory benefits like soothing an itchy scalp—ahh. It also helps boost circulation so it could help with hair thinning and loss.
Try: Now Cedarwood Oil ($7; nowfoods.com)
Other Hair Growth Remedies
Now that you’ve got a better understanding of the best hair-boosting hair oils, there are some other hair remedies that have proven to be beneficial. The properties in rice water, for example, can strengthen hair roots and help in the regeneration of hair. Properly using a good hair brush for thin hair can stimulate the scalp to encourage more hair growth. Similarly, scalp massagers also increase blood flow in the scalp which also promotes hair growth. Additionally, there are plenty of great hair-thickening shampoos on the market for those who want to build up with thinning hair.
