Ayurvedic hair oil quick picks
For all hair types: Fable & Mane HoliRoots Prewash Hair Treatment Oil
Beginner-friendly: Squigs Gooseberry Delight Hair Oil
Organic formula: Banyan Botanicals Organic Healthy Hair Oil
Rooted in the ancient Indian cultural practice of Ayurveda, hair oiling is famed for its ability to address a variety of different hair concerns, from thinning and frizz to dullness and graying. But how does it actually work, what ingredients should you look for and how long does it take to see results? Naturally, we tapped a few experts to teach us everything we need to know about the benefits of Ayurvedic hair oil, plus a few products worth trying if you don’t feel like going the DIY route.
What is Ayurvedic hair oil?
Put simply, Ayurvedic hair oil refers to oil — whether it be coconut, almond or castor — that’s infused with different Ayurvedic herbs, which are believed to have an array of different medicinal properties. “Ayurvedic hair oil involves herbal ingredients such as amla, bhringraj, brahmi, fenugreek and neem being infused into moisturizing carrier oils, in addition to essential oils like rosemary, peppermint and tea tree oil that help to improve blood circulation,” says Dr. Pooja Rambhia, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York who grew up using Ayurvedic hair practices. “According to the ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda, these ingredients have a long history of anecdotally strengthening and moisturizing the hair shaft and promoting hair growth.”
With that said, Rambhia notes that, unfortunately, rigorous clinical studies are greatly lacking when it comes to Ayurvedic hair oiling, so more non-anecdotal evidence is needed in order to know exactly how it works and why.
What are the benefits of Ayurvedic hair oil?
“Ayurvedic hair oil can be customized based on different hair concerns but is believed to nourish the scalp, strengthen hair follicles and promote hair growth,” Rambhia says. “The massage involved with this ancient hair oiling practice is also thought to stimulate the hair follicle and increase blood flow, thereby optimizing nutrient delivery to the hair root.”
Additionally, Ayurvedic hair oiling is specifically known to promote relaxation and encourage mindfulness. Ananta Ripa Ajmera, an Ayurvedic practitioner and host of the “True to Yourself” podcast, echoes this sentiment. “In addition to helping your hair to look thicker and shinier, Ayurvedic hair oiling is also a wonderful stress-relieving practice that, when done right before going to bed, also promotes sound, restful sleep,” she says. “This practice also strengthens all the sensory organs in your head and is a wonderful self-care ritual to help you give yourself love in a very tangible, hands-on way.” Fun fact from Ajmera: The Sanskrit word “sneha” means both “to oil” and “to love.”
According to Rambhia and Ajmera, there are eight benefits to Ayurvedic hair oiling.
- Improving thickness.
- Preventing hair loss.
- Boosting shine.
- Relieving dry strands.
- Enhancing hair texture.
- Promoting scalp health.
- Reducing hair breakage.
- Alleviating dandruff.
What kind of ingredients are used in Ayurvedic hair oiling?
Akash and Nikita Mehta, the founders of hair care brand Fable & Mane, note that Ayurvedic hair oils are typically made from a blend of natural herbs, roots and oils that are chosen for their specific properties and benefits. “Some key ingredients include castor oil, which helps to enhance the health of the hair follicle and reduce scalp inflammation; dashmool, to encourage healthy roots and hair growth by promoting scalp circulation; and amla, a plant known to reduce premature pigment and hair loss, stimulate hair growth and prevent or treat dandruff and dry scalp,” the duo says.
How to use Ayurvedic hair oil
Scroll through TikTok and you’ll likely find myriad recommendations on how to use Ayurvedic hair oil, but according to our experts, your main goal should be to massage the oil on the scalp and roots to increase absorption and blood circulation. “It’s especially effective to pair oiling with a head massage because it increases the blood flow in your scalp,” the Mehtas says.
Technique aside, Rambhia adds that you should always patch test a small area of skin prior to applying the hair oil to your entire scalp, as some essential oils may cause irritation. “It’s also important to regularly wash your hair when using Ayurvedic hair oils to avoid buildup on the scalp that can clog pores,” she says. It’s common to do a hair-oiling routine before your shower, or you can do it before bed and let the oil and herbal ingredients treat your hair and scalp overnight.
As for when you can expect to see results, Ajmera says you’ll typically see some improvements in the appearance of your hair (and your stress levels!) immediately after oiling. “For best results, it’s strongly recommended to be consistent in your application of the practice,” she advises.
Best Ayurvedic hair oils to try
“This oil contains amla, an antioxidant that has been shown to promote the anagen growth phase of the hair cycle and inhibit 5a-reductase in animal studies, an enzyme implicated in androgenetic alopecia,” Rambhia says of one of her favorite Ayurvedic hair oils. “It also contains ashwagandha, which has demonstrated reduction in hair shedding and an increase in hair density, growth and thickness in a human prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” She says this formula works best as a pre-shampoo treatment for all hair types and can be left on overnight prior to washing.
Packed with loads of time-tested Ayurvedic ingredients, including castor oil, hibiscus and brahmi, this strand-enhancing elixir comes in a base of vitamin E, coconut, sesame, almond and Indian argan oils for supreme nourishment. “This oil helps strengthen the hair from root to shaft,” Rambhia says about why she loves it. For optimal results, leave on for at least 20 minutes but ideally overnight.
This award-winning amla-infused product is a great option to start your hair oiling journey with, since it's lightweight and easy to rinse out. Beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw loves its citrus scent and that it can be used on the ends of your hair to add smoothness and shine, as well as an overnight treatment on 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-dense oil contains a powerhouse blend of amla and coconut oils, along with eclipta alba (aka bhringaraj), an herb that’s been used in Ayurvedic hair treatments for centuries to help restore damaged hair. It also features sunflower seed, sweet almond and sesame seed oils for added moisture and nourishment. You can either use it daily to boost shine and prevent breakage or as a biweekly deep treatment to support scalp health and hair growth.
This handcrafted oil contains bhringaraj in a soothing base of coconut and sesame oils to fortify and strengthen strands from the roots. All the ingredients are certified organic and work together to support thicker, healthier-looking hair.