Thinking about making your own shampoo and/or conditioner? You’ll find TONS of recipes online, and many of them may call for carrier oils and essential oils. The first question, though, is: Which oils are best for my hair type? This post will help you decide!

First off, let me explain a bit about what carrier oils and essential oils are. Carrier oils do just what their name implies: they carry the essential oil to the skin (or in this case, hair). Essential oils can be quite potent, so carrier oils dilute them a bit to make them gentler for your skin. Essential oils are naturally occurring compounds found in the seeds, roots, bark, flowers, and other parts of plants. Read more about them here.

So now back to the question at hand: Which carrier oils and essential oils should I choose for my hair type?

Carrier Oils

Normal Hair:

• Jojoba oil: moisturizes, feeds, protects against the sun, inhibits over-production of oil
• Olive oil: prevents dry scalp and dandruff, gives hair a shine
• Virgin coconut oil: softens hair, acts as a great scalp conditioner, prevents moisture loss

Oily Hair:

• Grapeseed oil: lightweight, fast-absorbing
• Jojoba oil: moisturizes, feeds, protects against the sun, inhibits over-production of oil
• Hazelnut oil: softens hair

Dry and/or Damaged Hair:

• Castor oil: attracts and retains moisture, boosts growth
• Jojoba oil: moisturizes, feeds, protects against the sun, inhibits over-production of oil
• Olive oil: prevents dry scalp and dandruff, gives hair a shine
• Sweet almond oil: fast-absorbing, non-greasy, best for dry hair and sensitive skin
• Apricot kernel oil: fast-absorbing

Dandruff:

• Avocado oil: softens hair
• Castor oil: attracts and retains moisture, boosts growth
• Olive oil: prevents dry scalp and dandruff, gives hair a shine
• Sesame oil: moisturizes (tends to be a bit thick and is thus best used in conjunction with another carrier oil)
• Virgin coconut oil: softens hair, acts as a great scalp conditioner, prevents moisture loss

Thinning Hair:

• Avocado oil: softens hair
• Castor oil: attracts and retains moisture, boosts growth
• Grapeseed oil: lightweight, fast-absorbing
• Olive oil: prevents dry scalp and dandruff, gives hair a shine
• Sweet almond oil: fast-absorbing, non-greasy, best for dry hair and sensitive skin

Essential Oils

Normal Hair:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Lemon
• Geranium
• Cedarwood
• Thyme

Oily Hair:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Lemon
• Peppermint
• Melaleuca

Dry and/or Damaged Hair:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Sandalwood
• Geranium

Dandruff:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Lemon
• Cedarwood
• Thyme

Thinning Hair:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Lemon
• Roman chamomile
• Thyme