Adding Essential Oils to shampoo can transform a generic cleanser into a salon-quality, scalp-nourishing treatment. By incorporating pure Essential Oils into your natural hair care routine, you can promote healthier-looking hair, support scalp balance, and encourage stronger strands. Plus, choosing clean, plant-based ingredients may inspire you to take a closer look at which harsh chemicals to avoid in conventional hair care products.

In this helpful guide, we’ll explore the best Essential Oils for hair growth, dandruff control, scalp health, and hair strengthening. Discover how to use Essential Oils in shampoo safely and effectively, and find your new favorite natural hair care solution in the process.

The Best Essential Oils To Add To Your Shampoo

When it comes to essential oils for hair care, these are some of the best and most restorative scalp-supporting and growth-promoting oils to add to your shampoo.

Rosemary

Native to the Mediterranean coastline, Rosemary essential oil features a warm, herbaceous, and invigorating aroma loved in aromatherapy and natural beauty routines worldwide. But beyond its scent, Rosemary essential oil for hair growth has gained major attention in clinical research.

A randomized, double-blind clinical study on volunteers with alopecia revealed that a 1% dilution of Rosemary essential oil outperformed a 2% dilution of minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine).[1] These findings have positioned Rosemary as one of the best essential oils for thinning hair and hair regrowth support.

At Edens Garden, we love adding Rosemary essential oil to shampoo when hair needs extra encouragement to grow longer, look fuller, and feel stronger.

Peppermint

The minty, cooling, and refreshing aroma of Peppermint essential oil does more than awaken the senses. Peppermint oil for hair growth is known to stimulate circulation in the scalp, which can help support thicker, healthier-looking hair.

In research similar to the Rosemary study, Peppermint oil was tested against minoxidil for hair loss. A 3% Peppermint dilution outperformed minoxidil, significantly increasing the appearance of hair growth.[2]

For a powerful DIY hair growth shampoo, combine Rosemary and Peppermint essential oils in your shampoo base to help promote circulation and scalp vitality while enjoying a refreshing wash experience.

Tea Tree

Native to Australia, Tea Tree essential oil carries an earthy, medicinal, and clarifying aroma. For centuries, Tea Tree has been used in traditional wellness practices for its cleansing and purifying properties. Today, Tea Tree oil for dandruff and itchy scalp remains one of its most popular uses.

In a randomized trial of 126 patients with dandruff, participants used shampoo containing 5% Tea Tree oil or a placebo. The Tea Tree group experienced significant improvement in dandruff severity, itchiness, and greasy scalp.[3]

If you’re seeking a natural dandruff remedy or essential oils for scalp buildup, Tea Tree oil is an excellent addition to your shampoo routine.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is a staple in aromatherapy, prized for its calming floral aroma and wide range of therapeutic benefits. But did you know Lavender oil for hair growth and scalp care has also been studied?

In a seven-month randomized, double-blind study conducted in Scotland, a blend containing Lavender, Thyme, Rosemary and Cedarwood essential oils diluted in Grapeseed and Jojoba carrier oils was massaged daily into the scalps of alopecia patients. The essential oil group showed significantly greater hair growth improvement compared to the control group.

Beyond growth support, Lavender essential oil may help with dry scalp, oily hair, itchiness and dandruff, making it a versatile addition to your shampoo.

Citronella

Citronella essential oil offers a fresh, citrusy and slightly earthy aroma. Native to Indonesia, Citronella has long been used for its cleansing and protective properties.

In addition to its well-known use in natural insect repellents, Citronella oil supports scalp health by helping combat fungal concerns. Research evaluating multiple essential oils found Citronella to be one of the most effective against the fungus responsible for white piedra, a hair infection that can cause brittleness and scalp discomfort.[4]

Adding Citronella to your shampoo can help support a balanced scalp environment while delivering an uplifting aroma.

Commercial Shampoo Ingredients 

Once you’ve selected your favorite Essential Oils for shampoo, the next step is choosing a clean shampoo base free from harsh ingredients.

Many conventional shampoos contain chemicals that may disrupt scalp balance or contribute to buildup:

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS): A common synthetic detergent responsible for foam. While effective at cleansing, SLS can strip natural oils and irritate sensitive scalps if not properly formulated.
• Amodimethicone: A conditioning polymer that smooths hair but may lead to buildup over time, potentially affecting scalp health.
• DEA (diethanolamine): A foaming agent associated with irritation concerns.

Instead, look for a natural shampoo base featuring ingredients like coconut milk, olive oil, Castor oil, Coconut oil and Sweet Almond oil. Tools like EWG and INCIDecoder can help you research ingredient safety and make informed clean beauty choices.

DIY Shampoo

Having trouble finding a shampoo that’s right for you? Create your own homemade Essential Oil shampoo tailored to your hair type. DIY shampoo allows you to control ingredients while customizing benefits for growth, scalp care or hydration.

Try the following:

Hair Growth

12 drops Hair Love blend
2 tbsp shampoo base

Healthy Hair & Scalp

12 drops Healthy Scalp blend
2 tbsp shampoo base

DIY Dry Shampoo

Dilute Essential Oils in Grapeseed oil, then whisk together all ingredients. Transfer to a shaker bottle and apply to dry hair between wash days, tousling until invisible.

2 tbsp Cornstarch
2 tbsp Magnesium Carbonate
2 tbsp Flour
1 tsp Grapeseed oil
1 drop Lavender
1 drop Peppermint
1 drop Citronella

Tips For Making Liquid Shampoo

Use these Essential Oil shampoo recipes as you would your regular shampoo. Massage into the scalp, rinse thoroughly and follow with a natural conditioner. Each recipe yields approximately 1 oz, which is enough for about one week of daily washing. While Castile soap can be used as a base, a gentle natural shampoo base is generally recommended for optimal scalp balance.

Hair Love

From DIY hair scrubs and texturizing sea salt sprays to tips on using Carrier Oils for hair and mastering heat-free styling, Edens Garden provides expert guidance for natural hair care. Explore more Essential Oils for hair growth, scalp health and clean beauty routines on our blog, and discover plant-powered ways to nourish, strengthen and love your hair, naturally.

SOURCES:

1. Hay, I. “Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy. Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata.” PubMed, Nov. 1998, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9828867.
2. Oh, Ji Young. “Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs.” PubMed Central (PMC), 1 Dec. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931.
3. Satchell, Andrew. “Treatment of Dandruff with 5% Tea Tree Oil Shampoo.” PubMed, Dec. 2002, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12451368.
4. Saxena, Seema. “Inhibitory Effect of Essential Oils against Trichosporon Ovoides Causing Piedra Hair Infection.” PubMed, Oct. 2012, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24031963.