Peppermint Oil for Hair Growth: What Helps and How

You probably recognize peppermint oil from toothpaste, but have you spotted it in hair care? Its use stretches back thousands of years with the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Many believe they first distilled oil from Mentha piperita leaves to ease digestive problems and headaches.

Today, peppermint oil is a widely used essential oil known for a brisk, cooling feel. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity that can calm and cleanse the scalp, supporting a healthy setting for hair growth.

We’ll walk through the benefits of using peppermint oil for hair growth ahead, including how peppermint oil may support growth and how to work it into your hair care routine for healthy hair.

Key Takeaways

• Menthol in peppermint oil can increase scalp circulation and stimulate early anagen growth.

• Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions can soothe itch and support a healthier scalp.

• Proper use requires dilution with carrier oils, and small additions to shampoo are options.

• Topical risks include irritation and allergy, never ingest, and patch testing helps.

What is peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil is the concentrated essence of peppermint in an oil form. Some versions are more potent than others. The most concentrated types are made by modern distillation and are called essential oils.

Peppermint essential oil is the form you’ll most often find in stores. People use it for health, beauty, and even cleaning tasks.

Peppermint contains menthol, a key compound. Menthol drives many of peppermint oil’s effects and gives the herb its flavor, scent, and cooling sensation.

Hair Benefits Of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil offers several hair perks. Its cooling feel can calm an itchy, dry scalp, easing discomfort and support a healthier scalp overall.

Stimulate Hair Growth

One standout benefit is its potential to encourage hair growth. Research found that 3% peppermint essential oil could thicken hair follicles more than minoxidil, an FDA-approved drug for hair loss.

By improving blood flow to weak, undernourished follicles, regular use of peppermint oil could support hair growth and help hair look fuller and healthier.

Boosts Scalp Blood Circulation

Menthol in peppermint essential oil acts as a vasodilator, relaxing blood vessels and boosting circulation to the scalp. Better blood flow can activate dermal papilla cells and bring on the early anagen (growth) phase, which supports improved hair growth.

Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties

Peppermint oil also shows antifungal and antibacterial effects, adding to its hair care value. By supporting scalp health, it sets the stage for hair growth and overall hair health.

Calms an Irritated Scalp

Scalp irritation from dryness, dandruff, or product buildup can get in the way of healthy hair. Peppermint oil’s cooling feel can calm the scalp, easing inflammation and discomfort, which may suit sensitive or easily irritated scalps.

Increases Oxygen Flow

Along with nutrients, stronger circulation helps deliver oxygen to the scalp and hair follicles. Oxygen is essential for normal cell function. Improving blood flow helps follicles get a steady oxygen supply, which can support healthier hair.

How to Use Peppermint Oil in Your Hair Routine

You can work peppermint oil into hair care in a few ways, and most people do best when it’s part of their regular routine.

Here are a few options to try:

1. Make Your Own Hair Treatment

Like other essential oils, peppermint oil is very concentrated and should be diluted before use to minimize irritation.

Carrier oils such as batana or argan pair well with peppermint oil and bring their own hair benefits. If you’re prone to acne or excess oil, jojoba often absorbs fast without clogging pores.

Mix 2 drops with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. For me, two drops per teaspoon kept the tingle comfortable. Massage the scalp and run any excess through mid-lengths to ends.

A mild tingle is common from menthol, so don’t be surprised if you feel it.

Let the blend sit for a few minutes before rinsing; longer contact can raise the chance of irritation.

2. Add Peppermint Oil to Shampoo or Conditioner

An even easier method is to add peppermint oil to your shampoo or conditioner.

Place about 5 drops into the bottle, shake well, and use as usual.

This route suits anyone who prefers minimal changes to their routine, though results may take longer.

Plenty of shampoos and conditioners include peppermint for its soothing feel and fresh scent.

However, many won’t contain true essential oil, so the hair benefits may be more limited.

3. Massage a Diluted Blend Into the Scalp

Using a diluted peppermint oil mixture during a scalp massage can help energize hair follicles and support overall scalp health.

If you often deal with tension headaches, a peppermint oil massage to the head and neck may help, as a clinical trial showed greater pain reduction versus a placebo.

Myofascial trigger point-focused head and neck massage for recurrent tension-type headache: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Potential Risks When Using Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil’s natural properties can benefit hair and skin, but using it the wrong way can also cause problems.

Always dilute it before applying to scalp or hair, since direct use could lead to irritation or an allergic reaction.

One of the simplest ways to dilute is with a carrier oil, and you can check our dilution guide for tips on mixing the two correctly.

Never ingest peppermint oil; swallowing it can be dangerous for your organs and may cause serious health issues.

If you’re new to peppermint oil, do a small patch test first before adding it to your hair or skin routine.

Start Safe Peppermint Oil Dilution Today With Keyoma

Use peppermint oil as a targeted, well-diluted aid for scalp comfort and hygiene, not a solo regrowth fix. Blend a couple of drops with a teaspoon of batana or jojoba, massage briefly, then rinse to limit irritation. For step-by-step routines and evidence-informed ingredient guides, follow Keyoma’s blog and social channels for ongoing hair care tips.