Ayurvedic hair oil recommendations
Rooted in the ancient Indian cultural practice of Ayurveda, hair oils are renowned for their ability to combat a variety of hair ailments, from thinning and frizz to dullness and gray hair. But how do they actually work, what ingredients should you look out for, and how long do they take to see results? Naturally, we asked a few experts to tell us everything you need to know about the benefits of Ayurvedic hair oils, as well as some products worth trying if you don’t feel like making your own.
Simply put, Ayurvedic hair oil refers to oils infused with various Ayurvedic herbs, such as coconut, almond, and castor oil, that are believed to have a variety of medicinal benefits. “Ayurvedic hair oils contain herbal ingredients like amla, bhringaraj, brahmi, fenugreek, and neem infused in a moisturizing carrier oil, plus essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oil that help improve blood circulation,” says Pooja Ranveer, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York who grew up on Ayurvedic hair care methods. “According to ancient Indian Ayurvedic practices, these ingredients have a long anecdotal history of strengthening and moisturizing the hair shaft, promoting hair growth.”
That said, Ranveer points out that unfortunately there has been very little rigorous clinical research on Ayurvedic hair oils, so more non-anecdotal evidence is needed to know exactly how and why they work.
“Ayurvedic hair oils can be customised for different hair concerns, but they are believed to nourish the scalp, strengthen hair follicles and promote hair growth,” says Ranveer. “The massage that accompanies this ancient hair oiling practice is thought to stimulate hair follicles and increase blood flow, thereby optimising the delivery of nutrients to the hair roots.”
Plus, Ayurvedic hair oils are especially known for promoting relaxation and encouraging mindfulness. Ananta Lipa Ajmera, Ayurvedic practitioner and host of the True to Yourself podcast, agrees. “Not only does Ayurvedic hair oiling make your hair thicker and shinier, it’s also a great stress-reducing practice and, when done right before bed, promotes a good, restful sleep,” she says. “This practice is also a great self-care ritual that strengthens all the sensory organs in your head and helps you give yourself some love in a very tangible, practical way.” Fun fact from Ajmera: The Sanskrit word “sneha” means both “to oil” and “to love.”
According to Ranveer and Ajmera, Ayurvedic hair oil has eight benefits.
- Increase thickness.
- Prevents hair loss.
- Enhances shine.
- Relieves dry hair.
- Improves hair texture.
- Promotes scalp health.
- Reduces hair breakage.
- Reduces dandruff.
Akash Mehta and Nikita Mehta, founders of haircare brand Fable & Mane, point out that Ayurvedic hair oils are usually made from a blend of natural herbs, roots, and oils selected for their specific properties and benefits. “Key ingredients include castor oil, which promotes hair follicle health and reduces scalp inflammation; dashmoor, which increases blood circulation to the scalp to encourage healthy roots and hair growth; and amla, a botanical known to reduce pigmentation and hair loss, stimulate hair growth, and prevent or treat dandruff and dry scalp,” they say.
Scroll through TikTok and you’ll find countless tips on how to use Ayurvedic hair oils. But experts say the main goal is to massage the oil into your scalp and roots to increase absorption and circulation. “Combining oil application with a head massage is particularly effective, as it increases blood flow to the scalp,” says Mehtas.
Technique aside, Ranveer adds that some essential oils can cause irritation, so you should always patch test a hair oil on a small area of skin before applying it all over your scalp. “When using an Ayurvedic hair oil, it’s also important to wash your hair regularly to avoid buildup on the scalp that can clog pores,” she says. While it’s common to apply a hair oil before the shower, you can also do it before bed to allow the oil and herbal ingredients to treat your hair and scalp overnight.
As for when you’ll see results, Ajmera says you’ll often notice an improvement in the appearance of your hair (and your stress levels) immediately after oiling. “For best results, I highly recommend making it a consistent oiling habit,” she advises.
Packed with time-tested Ayurvedic ingredients like castor oil, hibiscus and brahmi, this hair-strengthening elixir is made with a base of Vitamin E, coconut, sesame, almond and Indian argan oil for maximum nourishment. “This oil helps strengthen your hair from the roots to the shaft,” says Ranveer about why he loves it. For best results, leave it on for at least 20 minutes, ideally overnight.
This award-winning, amla-infused product is a great place to start your hair oil journey because it’s lightweight and easy to wash out. Beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw loves the citrus scent and the fact that it can be used on ends to add smoothness and shine, or as an overnight treatment for the scalp and roots. In addition to amla extract, it contains nourishing castor oil, coconut oil, apricot extract, and olive oil.
Recommended by Ajmera, this antioxidant-rich oil contains a powerful blend of amla and coconut oils, as well as Eclipta Alba (also known as Bhringaraj), an herb that has been used in Ayurvedic hair treatments for centuries to repair damaged hair. It also contains sunflower seed, sweet almond and sesame seed oils for extra moisture and nourishment. Use daily to add shine and prevent breakage, or as a fortnightly deep treatment to support scalp health and hair growth.
This handcrafted oil contains Bhringaraj, a coconut and sesame oil based herb that strengthens and strengthens hair from the roots onwards. All ingredients are certified organic and work together to support thicker, healthier hair.
