What Oil makes hair grow fast?

Ask a Beauty Editor: The 5 Best Types of Oil to Promote Hair Growth

Hana Hong is the beauty & fashion editor at RealSimple.com. She has been a writer and editor in the beauty and fashion industry for more than six years, sharing her expansive knowledge on skincare, hair care, makeup, fashion, and more. In addition to her broad network of beauty experts, she uses her family’s background and training in skin science and cosmetic chemistry to differentiate between effective skincare formulations and marketing jargon.

Updated on February 2, 2023
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Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College’s literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years.

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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. There are some 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.

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. Some oils won’t do anything but make your hair oily, since they’re too thick to reach the inside of the follicle. And if you’re going to apply anything at all, you might as well use something with properties that support 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.

To help with the breakdown, I tapped two experts—hairstylist Jennifer Korab and Trey Gillen, hairstylist and artistic director of education at SACHAJUAN—to share which oils are best for hair growth.

Natural Hair Growth Oils

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).»

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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. 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.

Best oils to make hair grow quickly

If you want a quick and easy way to grow your hair quickly, then here are some oil options that ensure hair growth. From onion oil to black seed oil, these ingredients give your tresses nourishment.

Best oils to grow hair quickly &nbsp

Key Highlights

• Oiling is one of the most important things to do for the health of your scalp

• Coconut oil protects the hair against heat and repairs your strands

• Argan oil is one of the best oils for rapid hair growth

The winter months have already arrived and if you don’t know, then it is that time of the year when you need to stock up on some really intensive skincare and hair care products. During the cold months, our skin tends to get drier and flaky and even though those who suffer from acne see a reduction in the appearance of pimples, they, too, end up seeing their skin dry.

So as you take time out to nourish your skin, you also need to give attention to your hair. Issues like dandruff, dry scalp, itchy scalp and flakiness arise and all this happens because the dry cold weather, washing the hair with hot water and not regularly oiling the hair.

Oiling is one of the most important things to do for the health of your scalp and the growth of your hair. It removes dandruff, makes your hair follicles stronger and also gets rid of over-production of sebum on the scalp that leads to various issues. Not oiling properly, you tend to under hair loss.

If you want to grow your hair faster and have thick, shiny tresses, then check out these oils below.

Best oils for hair growth

Coconut oil

A good hair oil stimulates hair growth and combats dry scalp, which is one of the major issues in winter. Coconut oil is an age-old ingredient that has been passed down by generations for skin and hair. Although coconut oil doesn’t suit many for their skin, it is great for your locks.

It is a great carrier oil, it is soft, so glides on the scalp and contains carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. It is a conditioner as it is rich in vitamin E and has a high content of antioxidants. It protects the hair against heat and repairs your strands.

Argan oil

There is a reason why this oil is called ‘liquid gold.’ It has a deep golden colour which is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin E. It is very healthy for the hair and is one of the best oils for rapid hair growth. It hydrates and moisturises the scalp, getting rid of dandruff and also treats split ends. If you’re using too much heating equipment on your tresses, using argan oil can reverse any damage caused.

Almond oil

Almond oil is not just great for skin but for hair too. Due to its high content of vitamin E, rich fatty acids, proteins and antioxidants with loads of magnesium, it helps to reduce hair breakage. It is recommended for those who have a dry scalp. If you don’t find argan oil, using almond oil can be an amazing nourisher for your damaged hair.

Grapeseed oil

Though this is not a well-known oil in India, it is slowly gaining hype in the market. Grapeseed oil contains emollients that provide moisture to the scalp and contain high doses of antioxidants that fight free radicals. It also has nutrients that are essential for hair growth. Massaging this oil once every week can make your scalp healthy and grow your hair faster. Being a non-greasy oil, those who have dandruff or oily scalp and apply this oil.

Castor oil

If you have a flaky scalp, castor oil is your go-to. It is thick and rich in vitamin E, proteins, minerals and also contains ricinoleic which relieves scalp inflammations. However, using castor oil directly can be tough to manage given that it is thick and a bit sticky. You can mix it with some coconut oil for better application. You can also use sesame oil to reduce the viscosity.

Hair oils for hair growth? The answer might surprise you.

Are hair oils for hair growth actually worth it? You’ve seen the ads, ”This oil will make your hair grow faster” along with before and after photos. Your friends have recommended these oils to you or you might have even ordered them yourself hoping to have Rapunzel like tresses in time for your big event. Here’s the thing. Hair oils do not make your hair grow, they will not make your hair grow faster and actually they’re completely unnecessary because that’s just not how the body works.

Healthy body for healthy hair growth

Let’s start at the source, your body. Your hair, skin and nails will get the nutrients last. Unless you have a medical condition, your hair is always growing. It’s just a matter of how fast or slow it grows. Hair growth is affected by genetics, age, hormones and diet. Genetics are the most influential factor; if your parents have thick hair, chances are you will too. Age also plays a role in hair growth, as it slows down with age. Hormones can also affect hair growth; when testosterone levels drop in men, so does the rate of hair growth. Finally, diet can make a difference in the health of your hair. Eating foods rich in protein and vitamins B and C can help promote healthy hair growth. So whether you’re using hair oils for hair growth or not, your hair is still gonna grow. So people will say, oh I used it and it worked yeah, because your hair was gonna grow anyway. However, when people say that my hair isn’t growing, what they really mean is that their hair isn’t retaining length and that’s because we’re spendingso much time here,we’re not focusing on here. This is what is happening when our hair is always growing.We’re not retaining length.

Research on rosemary oil for hair loss.

There has been some research proving that rosemary oil has been able to help people with certain types of hair loss regrow their hair. In one study, rosemary oil was combined with other essential oils and applied to the scalp of people with alopecia areata. After 7 months of treatment, 44% of the people who used the mixture had significant hair regrowth compared to only 15% in the control group who used a carrier oil without any essential oils.

Rosemary oil may help stimulate circulation in the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. This is because it contains compounds that can increase blood flow when applied topically. Studies have demonstrated that rosemary oil can lead to an increase in follicles and a decrease in hair loss when tested in clinical trials. Additionally, rosemary oil has antimicrobial properties, which can help keep your scalp free from bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause irritation or infection.

In addition to helping with hair growth, rosemary oil may also be beneficial for improving overall scalp health. This is because it contains antioxidants that can help protect against environmental damage and reduce inflammation. Rosemary oil may also be helpful for relieving dandruff symptoms by regulating sebum production and reducing dryness on the scalp. It may even help strengthen existing hair follicles, making them less prone to breakage or shedding. Finally, rosemary oil has a pleasant scent that many people enjoy when using it as part of their haircare routine.

Will oils actually grow your hair?

Research regarding the efficacy of hair oils for hair growth is limited and specific to certain types of hair loss. Furthermore, it has not been proven to work for everyone. To receive the necessary nutrients, you should focus on obtaining them through diet. Individuals consult with their primary care physician in order to determine any nutrient deficiencies.