Lavender oil for hair: 10 best treatments in 2023

Lavender oil is one of today’s most popular essential oils. This oil is often touted for its aromatherapy capabilities, since it helps calm the mind and relieve stress. But did you know it can also be used as a highly effective multitasking hair treatment?

Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the benefits of using lavender oil for hair health. We’ll also discuss the top 10 treatments you can use to work this powerful essential oil into your grooming routine.

The Benefits of Using Lavender Oil for Hair

There are plenty of ways using topical lavender oil can improve the overall health and look of your hair. Early research has shown that, when applied to the scalp, this essential oil can encourage hair growth to help you achieve longer, thicker hair. This is in part due to the fact that it boosts blood circulation, which helps deliver nutrients to the follicles. When hair follicles are well-nourished, they’re better equipped to grow strong, healthy hair. Lavender’s potential to stimulate hair growth may also be due to its ability to help maintain scalp health, which leads us to the next point.

Lavender oil has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This means it can help block the growth of fungi and bacteria on the scalp. It may also play a role in preventing lice, and can be beneficial for anyone dealing with dandruff, itchiness or irritation. In short, it’s a multitasking ingredient that addresses multiple scalp concerns so that your skin and hair can remain comfortable and healthy.

There’s one more benefit that we’ve touched on briefly: easing stress. Stress is one of the biggest triggers of hair loss in both men and women. As a fragrance, lavender has been proven to help decrease stress levels. While lavender oil shouldn’t be your only solution for managing stress, it can be a helpful tool for setting your mind at ease. And, of course, this benefits not just your hair, but your overall health as well. Ultimately, by using lavender oil hair treatments in your routine, you’ll reap the benefits from both topical application and the aromatherapy effects.

How to Use Lavender Oil in Your Hair Care Routine

If you’re thinking of using lavender oil for hair health, the good news is that there is no one right way to add it to your routine. There are plenty of different methods you can try, so it should be easy to work it into the routine you already follow. Here are a few suggestions.

Add Pure Lavender Oil to Your Hair Care Products

If you purchase 100% pure lavender oil, you can add it to some of the hair care products you already use. Consider adding a few drops to your shampoo, conditioner or hair mask to reap the benefits as you shower.

Do a Weekly Lavender Oil Scalp Massage

A popular way to use this essential oil for scalp and hair health is by doing a weekly scalp massage with a lavender oil blend. The key is diluting it with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, coconut, argan or grapeseed oil, all of which offer their own benefits for the hair. You will want to mix approximately three drops of lavender oil with a tablespoon of your carrier oil of choice.

Once you’ve made your blend, use your hands to massage it into your scalp and along the length of your hair. The massaging action will stimulate blood flow in the scalp, which can further encourage follicle health and stimulate growth.

Let it sit for at least 10 minutes, or leave it in overnight (you can wrap your hair in a towel to avoid making a mess). Rinse it out in the shower following your typical hair wash routine, and style as usual.

Use Premade Hair Treatments Containing Lavender Oil

Don’t want to do it yourself? No problem – there are plenty of hair care products that are expertly formulated with lavender and other ingredients that will improve your hair health, so there’s no need to whip up your own concoctions.

Consider buying a lavender hair oil or serum to work the ingredient into your scalp and strands for all day nourishment and support. Alternatively, you can find shampoos, conditioners and masks made with lavender oil. You’ll find a range of options recommended below.

Practice Caution With Pure Lavender Oil

It’s important to note that you should not apply 100% pure lavender oil to the hair or scalp. When undiluted, lavender oil can cause irritation in the skin. It’s important that you mix the pure oil with a carrier oil (like the ones mentioned above), or with another hair care product you already use in your routine.

If you’re worried about getting the proportions right, you might feel more confident using a premade lavender hair product. Whether you choose a premade treatment or make your own at home, it is also a good idea for those with sensitive skin to do a small patch test to ensure they don’t experience any negative effects.

The Best Lavender Oil Hair Treatments

Now that we understand the wide range of benefits of using lavender oil on the hair, let’s dive into our favorite lavender oil hair treatments. Whether you’re looking to boost growth, calm the scalp or just get an aromatherapy boost, these products are the best of the best. Add one or more to your routine to help you achieve your hair care goals.

1. Blu Atlas Hair & Body Oil

One of our favorite lavender oil hair treatments is the Hair & Body Oil from premium brand Blu Atlas. This formula pairs lavender oil with a range of high-quality ingredients that soften and deeply nourish the hair while adding shine.

The ultra-clean formula is made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates or artificial fragrances, and is vegan and cruelty-free. Furthermore, 100% of the ingredients are derived from natural origins, such as minerals, fruits and plants.

In addition to lavender, this blend contains other essential oils that improve scalp health, calm the skin and stimulate growth, including geranium and rosemary oils. These are joined by saw palmetto oil, an anti-inflammatory and hydrating ingredient that is also known to block the effects of DHT, a hormone that often contributes to hair loss.

The Blu Atlas Hair & Body Oil contains a range of nutrient-dense moisturizing oils that further work to support both the hair strands and follicles. They include argan oil, which is loaded with fatty acids, vitamin E and other antioxidants. It works to smooth frizz and boost shine while repairing damage and protecting against environmental aggressors. Another star ingredient is vitamin-rich sweet almond oil, which calms irritation and strengthens the hair while sealing in moisture. These are joined by other highly beneficial oils like castor, pumpkin seed, jojoba, avocado and neem oils, as well as Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and squalane, which further moisturize the strands and scalp.

What’s particularly great about this formula is that you can use it in several different ways. To improve scalp health and help encourage growth, you can use it as a hair oiling treatment by massaging it into your scalp and strands and washing it out after 10 minutes or so. Alternatively, you can use it as a styling and hair nourishing solution, applying a few drops to dry or damp hair to tame frizz, boost shine, moisturize and nourish the strands. Finally, as the name suggests, this multipurpose oil can also be used as a skin-supporting body oil.

2. Aura Cacia Organic Lavender Pure Essential Oil

If you’re interested in taking the do-it-yourself route by adding pure lavender oil to your hair products or a carrier oil blend, one of the best options available is this one from Aura Cacia. This is one of the highest-quality pure lavender oils on the market, and it’s sold at a reasonable price.

When it comes to using essential oils on the scalp and hair, you’ll want to use the best of the best, and this product meets our high standards. The Organic Lavender Pure Essential Oil is made with USDA-certified lavender produced without fertilizers, pesticides or synthetic ingredients. The lavender comes from Bulgaria, where it is picked at peak bloom and immediately brought to a facility to be distilled. This means the formula is made using the freshest, most potent lavender possible. Every batch is also extensively tested to ensure authenticity and purity.

The Aura Cacia Organic Lavender Pure Essential Oil only contains organic lavender oil, which means there are no synthetic preservatives, colors, fragrances or parabens. It’s also produced without any animal testing.

3. Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Scalp Serum

Another of our favorite leave-in treatments that utilizes the power of lavender is this Balancing Scalp Serum from Dr. Barbara Sturm. While it’s a splurge, it is expertly made with some of the most effective, science-backed ingredients.

This serum was created to soothe irritation, hydrate, and enhance scalp health to help you achieve your healthiest hair yet. It works for people with oily, dry or sensitive skin looking to boost the overall health of their scalp, but is particularly well-suited for those dealing with itchiness or dandruff. The high-quality formula is vegan and cruelty-free, and contains no parabens or fragrances.

In this formula, lavender works alongside Japanese camellia extract and both green and brown algae extracts to calm irritation, redness and itchiness on the scalp, and to fight flakiness. These ingredients are joined by pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol), which improves the hair’s resiliency to prevent split ends.

Additional ingredients include extracts from sunflower seed sprout and tara. These extracts serve to protect the hair and skin against the damaging effects of UV stress, pollution and heat. Cationic hyaluronic acid and glycerin pull moisture to the hair and skin and lock it in, while purslane extract soothes any itchiness in the scalp.

4. Wen by Chaz Dean Lavender Mint Treatment Oil

This replenishing oil blend from Wen was created to support the hair and scalp to keep it healthy, happy and comfortable. Lavender is joined by other thoughtfully chosen essential oils, botanicals and extracts that nourish and hydrate while boosting shine and softness.

This formula joins lavender with peppermint oil for a refreshing dose of scalp support. Both ingredients stimulate circulation to encourage healthy and strong hair growth, and to fight irritation, dandruff and other common scalp issues.

This Wen treatment oil also contains organic jojoba oil, which is loaded with vitamins and minerals that fortify the hair and scalp to promote strong, resilient strands. Fatty-acid-rich sesame seed and olive fruit oils deeply hydrate and repair damage, while organic argan oil nourishes and improves hair manageability and shine.

The Lavender Mint Treatment Oil can be used on both dry and wet hair. Apply it to the scalp for an overnight treatment, or work it into the ends of your styled hair to add shine and hydration while taming frizz. You can also use it as a body product. Simply add a few drops to the bath for extra skin nourishment as you bathe, or apply it directly to your skin after showering.

5. John Masters Organics Daily Nourishing Shampoo With Lavender & Rosemary

Using a lavender shampoo is one of the best ways to add this essential oil to your hair care routine. One of our favorites currently available on the market is the Daily Nourishing Shampoo with Lavender & Rosemary from John Masters. This expertly formulated shampoo gently cleanses and purifies the hair and scalp while moisturizing and balancing oil production for healthy, soft strands.

This formula features French lavender oil and organic rosemary oil, both of which add a fresh, herb-forward fragrance. These oils work together to calm the scalp and revitalize the follicles. This John Masters Organics shampoo also features antioxidant-rich extracts and vitamins that protect the hair against the damaging effects of free radicals. Some of the most powerful antioxidant-packed ingredients include white and green tea extracts, vitamin E, and matricaria flower extracts.

A range of oils and other ingredients work to deeply hydrate the skin and hair so that the strands are left feeling soft and manageable. They include Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glycerin, panthenol, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil and linseed oil.

This cruelty-free shampoo is completely free of sulfates, and instead uses the power of naturally derived surfactants. These surfactants work into a creamy lather and whisk away excess oils and debris on the scalp and in the strands, leaving your hair feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. It’s also free of parabens and phthalates.

6. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo

One of our favorite lavender shampoos is the Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo from Paul Mitchell. This is a particularly effective option for anyone with hair in need of a hydration boost, as it’s made specifically for dry and coarse hair.

This shampoo features a potent trio of ingredients that not only create a spa-like scent experience, but also provide serious benefits for scalp and hair health. Of course, first up is lavender, which soothes the scalp and promotes the growth of strong and healthy hair. There’s also tea tree oil, which, like lavender oil, has powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, there is mint, which rejuvenates the senses and soothes the scalp.

In addition to these ingredients, the Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo is infused with a range of amino acids (glycine, tyrosine, cysteine and leucine) to strengthen the hair so that it is more resilient. Additional conditioners boost manageability and shine to help the hair look and feel its best.

This Paul Mitchell shampoo is vegan and cruelty-free, and doesn’t contain parabens. It’s also safe for use on color-treated hair.

7. Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Conditioner

If you want to double up on the lavender power in your hair routine, you should follow up with a lavender-infused conditioner. One of the products we can’t get enough of is the Nourishing Lavender Conditioner from Avalon Organics. The pH-balanced formula is crafted to give normal to dry hair the support it needs to stay hydrated, silky and super manageable.

This Avalon Organics conditioner contains both lavender oil and flower extract to give the hair and scalp the full benefits of this flowering plant. The lavender also creates the natural fragrance for this formula, allowing you to enjoy the aromatherapy effects. Another star in the formula is quinoa protein, a multitasking ingredient that conditions and seals split ends while fortifying the follicles for healthier hair.

This deeply nourishing formula is also powered by babassu oil. This oil is packed with fatty acids, and is a highly effective hair and skin moisturizer with significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It works alongside coconut oil, another fatty-acid-rich oil that provides intense moisture to the hair, helping to smooth, tame frizz and increase overall health. Vitamin E provides additional antioxidant benefits to protect the hair and scalp against damaging free radicals, while Aloe barbadensis leaf juice moisturizes and soothes.

What makes this conditioner stand out is the superior quality of the formula. The Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Conditioner has received the EWG verification seal, which means it meets the group’s strict ingredient standards. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, and made without phthalates, parabens, harsh sulfates, synthetic colors or fragrances.

8. Dr Teal’s Lavender Thick & Full Essential Oil Conditioner

This conditioner, which is suitable for all hair types, is recommended for anyone looking to achieve and maintain the thick, voluminous hair of their dreams. Dr Teal’s Lavender Thick & Full Essential Oil Conditioner is packed with lavender, plant proteins and other ingredients that encourage healthy hair growth while strengthening and protecting the strands. Of course, it also softens the hair and improves manageability so it looks and feels its best.

In addition to lavender essential oil, this conditioner contains hydrolyzed pea and rice proteins, which strengthen the strands while protecting them against damage. It also features biotin (vitamin B7), a highly effective ingredient that is known to stimulate collagen. By supporting the production of collagen, it encourages the growth of resilient, healthy hair.

This conditioner also features coconut oil and glycerin, which ensure the hair is left feeling soft, silky and hydrated. This Dr Teal’s formula is vegan and cruelty-free, and is made without sulfates, parabens or silicones.

9. Being Frenshe Lavender Cloud Nourishing Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

A hair mask is an excellent tool to help you add lavender to your routine. One of the best options currently on the market is the Being Frenshe Lavender Cloud Nourishing Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, which is suitable for all hair types. This mask is designed to deeply nourish the hair, leaving it feeling softer, healthier and stronger in under five minutes. It also has an incredible spa-worthy scent that will rejuvenate and calm your senses.

This hair mask features a range of essential oils that support scalp health and uplift the senses. Along with lavender oil, the blend features cypress, fir, juniper, cardamom and nutmeg essential oils. The formula also contains mango seed butter, which contains fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E. Mango seed butter is able to penetrate the hair and follicles to nourish and strengthen, and also works to minimize breakage and split ends. It also has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it an ideal ingredient for scalp health.

Additionally, this mask contains a range of oils that are known to fortify the follicles and strands, soften, smooth and deeply moisturize the hair. They include safflower seed, castor seed, coconut and avocado oils. These highly effective oils are joined by moisturizing and soothing Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, as well as hair-strengthening baobab seed extract.

Like other products in the Being Frenshe line, this hair mask was crafted using a proven scent technology that is intended to improve well-being. As the formula works into your hair and scalp, you’ll be enveloped in the inviting, tranquil scent, which pairs notes of lavender with sage, coconut milk and purple iris.

This Being Frenshe hair mask is dermatologist tested, so you can feel confident using it on your hair and scalp. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, and made without artificial dyes, parabens, sulfates or phthalates.

10. Alodia Nourish & Hydrate Deep Conditioning Masque

Last but certainly not least, we recommend the Nourish & Hydrate Deep Conditioning Masque from Alodia, a brand dedicated to creating high-quality formulas featuring science-backed ingredients.

This hair mask was created to promote growth and maintain length by supporting overall hair health. It douses the strands and scalp in moisture and nourishment, leaving the hair feeling and looking soft, shiny and undeniably healthy. We’re also fans of the clean formula, which is made without sulfates, phthalates, silicones or artificial colors or fragrances.

In this formula, lavender oil is joined by peppermint and rosemary leaf oils. These essential oils work together to encourage hair growth and maintain a healthy, itch-free and flake-free scalp. Another key ingredient is avocado oil. This oil is loaded with nutrients that are necessary for follicle health and hair growth, including vitamins A, B, D, and E, as well as iron, folic acid and copper. It also deeply moisturizes the strands and scalp for maximum health.

A range of additional ingredients further moisturize the hair while calming the skin, including Aloe barbadensis juice, glycerin and honey. Silk amino acids work to protect the hair against moisture loss and keep it soft, while olive fruit, grapeseed and safflower oils nourish the scalp and hair and seal in hydration.

Need more convincing? In a study, 100% of participants agreed that the mask led to less breakage and improved hair and scalp health after four weeks. Ninety-seven percent reported that it helped them achieve thicker hair in the same amount of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you start including lavender oil in your hair care routine, here are some answers to a couple of the most frequently asked questions.

How often should you use lavender oil in your hair?

This depends on the specific formula you are using. If you’re planning on massaging it into your scalp and strands as a hair oiling treatment, you can use it up to two times per week. On the other hand, if you’re just applying a bit of a lavender-infused hair oil to the ends of your hair, you can use it multiple times a week to style and manage your hair. It’s also safe to use shampoos and conditioners made with lavender oil as frequently as you wash your hair.

Is lavender oil safe for all hair types?

Lavender oil is generally considered safe to use on all hair types. If you have sensitive skin, you should do a patch test before adding it to your routine to make sure you don’t experience any negative reactions.