Peppermint Oil for Hair: Here's What You Need to Know

With so many new hair trends making waves in the beauty world, it can be hard to pinpoint the right one for you. And if you suffer from various hair concerns, you’re probably looking for hair care products that can help address them all—or at least get a handle on things. This is where peppermint oil for hair comes in. The minty oil has received quite a bit of attention lately, and if you’re not familiar with this ingredient, it’s a great time to get educated! Read on to get the 4-1-1 on peppermint essential oil benefits and how the oil can be introduced to your mane.

WHAT IS PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL? 

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NBCI), peppermint essential oil comes from peppermint trees that are native to Europe. The principal ingredient of peppermint oil, menthol, is primarily responsible for its beneficial effects. In fact, peppermint essential oil has a long history in the beauty world! The NCBI also reveals that peppermint essential oil is regarded as an excellent fragrance ingredient and cooling agent. It's used in various cosmetics products ranging from skin care to hair care. Intrigued? Read on to explore peppermint oil’s benefits for hair—both fact and fiction.

DOES PEPPERMINT OIL WORK FOR HAIR GROWTH?

If you’ve ever used peppermint oil, then you’ve felt a tingly, cooling sensation that makes it feel like something is working. When applied to the hair and scalp, you may get that feeling, but does anything happen? According to the same NCBI study, it does. In their study, peppermint oil showed that it could possibly stimulate hair growth and induce thick and long hair after a four-week topical application. This study was done on an animal model, but the study concludes that peppermint oil could possibly be used for hair loss in humans. However, this would require further research. The idea that peppermint oil may help with hair growth is a big part of the reason you may see peppermint oil showing up in shampoos, hair treatments, and other hair care products!

OTHER PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS FOR HAIR AND SKIN

Peppermint essential oil may be getting quite a bit of attention for its effect on hair growth, but it actually offers other hair and skin benefits. According to the NCBI study noted above, peppermint is reported to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, as well as antioxidant activity and antiallergenic actions. That’s a lot for one oil, if true!

Peppermint oil may also be beneficial if you’re dealing with itchy skin. Per a study from Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, peppermint oil can be effective for helping with pruritus, which is a skin concern that refers to itchy skin that creates the desire to scratch.

HOW TO USE PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL FOR YOUR HAIR

Ready to upgrade your hair care routine? We’ve got you covered! Below, check out some of the best ways to experience hair care products with peppermint essential oil.

1. USE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER WITH PEPPERMINT OIL

Try introducing your strands to products with peppermint oil via shampoo and conditioner—after all, they’re the core of your hair care routine. Try a product duo formulated with peppermint essential oil or extract for an invigorating shower experience.

Our favorite option? Reach for the L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Conditioner, both of which are formulated with peppermint leaf extract and help promote thicker-looking hair.

2. TRY A PEPPERMINT OIL HAIR TREATMENT

Another popular way to give peppermint oil a try is with a hair treatment. This could be as part of a hot oil treatment or a leave-in formula.

3. GIVE YOURSELF A SCALP MASSAGE WITH PEPPERMINT OIL

Treating yourself to a wonderful scalp massage is never a bad idea. Hello, relaxation! Even better, add peppermint oil into the mix. Try massaging a peppermint hair oil onto your scalp for max relaxing—and hair benefits.

Now that you know all about peppermint essential oil, what do you say about adding another hair growth oil to your hair care arsenal? Next, check out our article, Does Castor Oil Work for Hair Growth?