When it comes to strengthening your hair and boosting hair follicle health, there are a number of effective oils and serums on the market that can do great things for your roots and strands. Unfortunately, they aren’t all affordable, and some contain filler ingredients that you shouldn’t be paying for in the first place.
According to Dr. Dray, a board-certified dermatologist, the best oils for your hair aren’t fancy at all — they are simple one-ingredient oil products that you can blend with a carrier oil (when necessary). They have been proven to contain anti-inflammatory and often antimicrobial or antibacterial properties, making them highly effective oils for other conditions that can make hair loss worse, like clogged follicles and dandruff.
Before you go out and spend a fortune on hair serums, consider these three affordable oils that Dr. Dray stands behind for hair health and loss.
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1. Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in protein and fatty acids and its anti-androgen properties are even helpful for people with enlarged prostates. This oil may help for the hair the way it has been shown to help with prostate issues — there is even a randomized trial that was performed with men that showed those who received pumpkin seed oil capsules experienced 40 percent more hair growth, compared with 10 percent in the placebo group. More research is still needed, but pumpkin seed oil may be an alternative to topical Minoxidil, which is effective for hair growth but can also be irritating and drying on the scalp.
2. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is one of the most talked-about oils for hair growth. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory. The reason this last point is important is because inflammation on the scalp can create more oil and dandruff, which clogs hair follicles and can prevent proper hair growth. There was even a trial in which rosemary oil was compared with 2% Minoxidil. At the end of the study, participants experienced just as much hair growth with rosemary oil as they did with Minoxidil, and they were more likely to stick with the oil — it’s moisturizing, more comfortable to use, and less irritating than Minoxidil.
However, you should not just pour any random rosemary oil on your scalp. It’s important to do your research and choose organic oils from reputable brands. Rosemary oil should be diluted with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil to prevent irritation.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has not been shown to grow hair, but because of its size, it can enter into the hair shaft and penetrate it with intense amounts of moisture. This hydration can cut down on breakage and fragility, which may in turn reduce shedding and split ends. One way to use coconut oil is as a pre-shampoo mask that you then wash out.
Dr. Dray reminds us that compelling data doesn’t exist yet to prove that one particular hair oil is the best at helping to regrow hair. But incorporating oils into your haircare routine may help promote a healthy scalp and more hydrated strands — as a hair assistant, they show tons of promise.
