5 Best Carrier Oils For Hair Growth That You Should Know

Carrier oils have built a good reputation, especially in the haircare industry, owing to their nourishing and restorative properties. As our hairs are continuously exposed to external harmful stimuli like pollution, heat, and other chemicals, it requires special attention for growth and maintenance. These factors are very well capable of weakening hair roots that lead to hair loss, breakage, and dryness. A healthy hair-maintenance routine isn’t just about looking beautiful, but much more than that. And this is where carrier oil for hair comes in. Though these oils have been used to dilute essential oils for centuries, their moisturising properties are too much to ignore. Being natural remedies, the oils help in strengthening hair roots and rejuvenating scalp health, providing a noticeable difference in your haircare regimen. 

Whether you’re a newbie in the field of exploring carrier oils or you’re looking to enhance your haircare regimen with good carrier oils for hair, you may improve your haircare regimen and select the best carrier oil for hair growth with the help of this article.

What are Carrier Oils?

Before being applied directly to the skin, essential oils are diluted using plant-based oils, called carrier oils. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, these oils are extracted from nuts, kernels, or plant seeds. Their versatile composition makes them perfect for being used both individually and as a medium for essential oils. As the name suggests, the primary function of carrier oil is to "transport" the highly concentrated essential oils to the skin in order to reduce inflammation and dryness. Both using carrier oils for essential oils and having a separate application in hair care can provide numerous benefits.

Though both oils are natural extracts and play a vital role in natural wellness, they both have different properties and applications. Essential oils are extremely concentrated, pungent plant extracts that are obtained from leaves, barks, and flowers. It is possible to apply these oils directly without diluting them. On the other hand, carrier oils are gentle, having little to no smell, and can be applied directly to skin and hair. Essential oils are the active ingredients, whereas carrier oils are a safe nutritional base that ensures health and safety in the formulation. These two oils, when diluted together in the right ratio, can give great results, especially for your haircare regimen.

Carrier oils for hair are one of the best natural and effective methods for strengthening the hair, locking in the moisture, and improving overall scalp health. Not only this, but these oils are effective for combating dryness, reducing breakage, and maintaining the hair’s natural texture. From coconut oil’s deep conditioning effect to jojoba’s scalp-balancing properties, each carrier oil is different and has unique benefits. Adding these oils to your daily regimen can be a great add-on, especially if you are someone who’s looking for clean, natural, and effective alternatives to synthetic beauty products and treatments.

How to Choose the Right Carrier Oil for Your Hair Type?

Knowing your hair type is the first and most important step in selecting the best carrier oil for it. The reason is thskijat each type of hair, be it frizzy, oily, dry, curly, or straight, each type has its own set of requirements. For example, castor and coconut hair oils are thicker, making them suitable for frizzy or dry hair types, while grapeseed or jojoba oils are best suited for oily hair types, as they are light and don’t weigh the hair down.

Knowing the state of your scalp is just as important as knowing your hair type. You can use nourishing carrier oils like almond or argan for a dry or flaky scalp, as they help in soothing the scalp and support skin health. Non-comedogenic carrier oils can be used for an oily or acne-prone scalp to avoid buildup. The common mistake that people commit while selecting good carrier oils is not understanding how fast the oil gets absorbed into the skin or scalp, and how it reacts with your hair structure. Having full knowledge about your hair and scalp health can help you choose the best essential oil and carrier oil pair for your day-to-day wellness regimen.

Top 5 Best Carrier Oils for Your Hair Growth

1. Castor Oil

• Key Nutrients: Omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, ricinoleic acid, and omega-6 fatty acids.

• Benefits: Scalp nourishment, healthier hair follicles, reduction in hair fall, and overall hair and scalp health.

• How to use: After gently applying it to the scalp, let it sit for 30 minutes to overnight.

• Suitable hair type: Works best for all hair types. However, it works best for thinning hair.

• Tips: Dilute it with a light carrier oil like jojoba or coconut, due to its thick consistency.

• Best Application: Apply 1-2 times a week for best results.

2. Coconut Oil

• Key Nutrients: Vitamin E, lauric acid, iron, and essential fatty acids

• Benefits: Helps in strengthening hair roots and preserving protein in hair follicles.

• How to use: Apply a tiny amount that has been warmed up carefully from head to ends. Rinse after an hour or leave overnight.

• Suitable hair type: Suitable for dry, frizzy, or damaged hair types.

• Tips: To enhance hair-boosting effects, blend it with peppermint or rosemary essential oil.

• Best Application: Use it 2-3 times as a pre-wash treatment.

3. Argan Oil

• Key Nutrients: Ferulic acid, vitamin E, and antioxidants.

• Benefits: Encourages scalp elasticity, adds shine, and reduces hair breakage.

• How to use: Before going to bed, massage your scalp with a few drops or apply it to damp hair.

• Suitable hair type: For curly, rough, and coloured hair types.

• Tips: Works best for controlling split ends and frizz, but use carefully.

• Best Application: Use it as a post-wash serum or as a styling oil.

4. Jojoba Oil

• Key Nutrients: Vitamins B, C, E, zinc, and copper.

• Benefits: The oil cleans hair follicles and maintains scalp health by balancing excess oil production.

• How to use: Blend with a shampoo/conditioner or massage directly onto the scalp.

• Suitable hair type: Oily and sensitive scalps.

• Tips: Both tea tree and lavender essential oils pair best with this oil. Use it for dandruff relief. 

• Best Application: Leave it on damp hair or scalp as a leave-in serum.

5. Sweet Almond Oil

• Key Nutrients: Magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and fatty acids.

• Benefits: Promoting blood flow to the scalp, softening hair strands, and preserving the general health of the scalp and hair.

• How to use: Massage onto the scalp or blend with castor oil for weekly treatment.

• Suitable hair type: From dry, normal to finely-textured hair, this oil is great for all.

• Tips: Ideal as a foundation for essential oils, particularly for sensitive scalps.

• Best Application: Use once a week as a hot oil treatment for best results.

How to Use Carrier Oils Effectively for Hair Growth

You can use carrier oil for hair growth in several ways that help nourish both hair and scalp for maintaining overall wellness.

Methods of Application

One of the most often used techniques for applying carrier oil is hot oil massage. Just apply a small amount of heated oil to your scalp and massage gently.  It will provide a relaxing experience and boost blood circulation to the scalp. For better nourishment, you can also apply the oil before bed and rinse it in the morning as an overnight treatment. Besides this, safely diluting carrier oils with essential oils like rosemary and lavender can improve overall hair health without causing any irritation.

How Often Should You Use Them?

You can use carrier oil once or twice a week, depending on your hair type. If you have dry or curly hair, regular application can be effective, while oily hair types can begin by applying it once a week. The firmness, texture, and general health of your scalp can all be enhanced by using the best essential oil carrier.

Precautions and Allergies

If you’re blending a new carrier oil with essential oil, it is recommended to do a patch test in a small area to be safe from any irritations or side effects. People with allergies should check the content of the oil before application. To prevent buildup, keep the oil away from direct sunlight and in a cool, dark place.

DIY Carrier Oil Blends for Hair Growth

Recipes for Different Hair Goals

You can target specific hair concerns by creating your personalised hair mixes with carrier oils and essential oils in the right proportion.

• For Dry Hair

You can hydrate dry hair and soften it by adding 3 drops of lavender essential oil with 2 tablespoons of argan oil and 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil.

• For Oily Hair

To balance sebum production without blocking pores, mix 1 tablespoon castor oil with 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil and 2 drops of essential rosemary oil. 

• For Dandruff-Prone Hair

The scalp’s flakiness can be reduced by applying the soothing blend consisting of 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, and 3 drops of tea tree essential oil.

Storage Tips for Oil Blends

To keep your homemade carrier oil mixtures safe from heat and light, store them in amber-glass bottles. Before using, give them a good shake and store them in a cold, dry location. You can maintain the shelf life and quality of your high-grade carrier oils by storing them properly.

Conclusion

Simply including carrier oil in your day-to-day regimen can make an actual difference in your hair and scalp health. Using carrier oils alone or by diluting them with other essential oils, regular application of the blends will surely provide you with positive outcomes. The various methods of applying, like hot oil massage, personalised blends, or overnight treatment, help your hair absorb the nutritional value and benefit over time. Therefore, selecting the best carrier oil that suits your hair and scalp type and consistently using it will, in turn, give you great results. Therefore, make an informed decision and begin your natural hair wellness journey right now.