Homemade hair oils for gray hair are the best way to deal with this prominent sign of aging.
Graying is an unavoidable part of the process of aging. But, if your hair begins to gray before you reach your thirties, you should be concerned. Hair pigmentation can be affected by a variety of factors, ranging from underlying health conditions to extreme UV exposure. You can use DIY oils to enhance your hair texture and health (unless you have an underlying health condition). In this article, we have listed the 11 best natural oils you may make at home to help you manage gray hair. To learn more about them, keep reading!
In This Article
11 Homemade Hair Oils To Manage Gray Hair
Note: Be cautious while heating the oils to prevent accidental burns. Heat the blends on a low flame (not beyond 350°F) to maintain their efficacy.
1. Coconut Oil And Curry Leaves
Preparation Time
15 minutes
You Will Need
- A handful of curry leaves
- 3 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil
Method
- Heat the curry leaves and coconut oil in a small saucepan until the mixture turns black.
- Let the oil cool and massage your hair and scalp with it.
- Leave it on for at least an hour.
- Wash it off with shampoo and condition your hair.
- Repeat this 2-3 times a week.
Precaution: The leaves may splutter. Hence, stand away from the oil while heating the mixture.
Benefits
The mixture of curry leaves and coconut oil improves the hair tone and promotes hair growth (1).
2. Amla Powder And Coconut Oil
Preparation Time
15 minutes
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons of amla powder
- 3 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil
Method
- Heat the mixture on a low flame until the powder starts to char.
- Let the oil cool down a bit.
- Massage your scalp and hair with the warm mixture.
- Leave it on for at least an hour or overnight.
- Wash off with shampoo and condition your hair.
- Repeat this 2-3 times a week.
Benefits
Amla or Indian gooseberry can darken premature gray hair and reduce dandruff and itching, while coconut oil prevents protein (keratin) loss from hair and strengthens the strands (2), (3).
3. Almond Oil And Lemon Juice
Preparation Time
5 minutes
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of almond oil
Method
- Heat the almond oil for about a minute until it is warm.
- Add the lemon juice to it and massage your scalp and hair with the blend.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.
- Repeat this twice a week.
Benefits
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the blend of lemon juice and almond oil may prevent premature graying, add shine to the hair, and make it appear glossy.
4. Coconut Oil And Hibiscus
Preparation Time
5 minutes
You Will Need
- 4-5 leaves of hibiscus plant
- 4 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil
Method
- Heat the coconut oil for 30 seconds and add the leaves to it.
- Let the oil cool down completely.
- Massage your scalp and hair with the oil.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Follow up with a shampoo and conditioner.
- Repeat this twice a week.
Benefits
Hibiscus leaves are natural colorants and used in traditional formulations to prevent gray hair (4). This mixture can also strengthen your hair and reduce breakage.
5. Coconut Oil And Ribbed Gourd
Preparation Time
15 minutes
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons of dried ribbed gourd powder
- 3 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil
Method
- Mix the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat until the powder starts to char.
- Let the oil cool down a bit.
- Massage your scalp and hair with the oil mixture.
- Leave it on for at least an hour or overnight.
- Wash off with shampoo and then condition your hair.
- Repeat this 2-3 times a week.
Benefits
Ribbed gourd (also called ridge gourd or Chinese okra) powder prevents premature graying (5). This oil mixture can strengthen the hair, nourish the follicles, and prevent breakage.
6. Coconut Oil And Bhringraj Powder
Preparation Time
15 minutes
You Will Need
- 3 teaspoons of bhringraj powder
- 4 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil
Method
- Mix the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat on low flame for a minute.
- Let the oil cool until it is warm enough to touch.
- Massage your scalp and hair with the blend.
- Leave it on for at least an hour.
- Wash off with shampoo, and condition your hair.
- Repeat this 2-3 times a week.
Benefits
Bhringraj powder is used in Ayurvedic formulations to nourish the hair and prevent premature graying. It can darken the hair and reduce dandruff and itching (2).
7. Black Seed Oil And Olive Oil
Preparation Time
5 minutes
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of black seed oil
Method
- Mix the two oils and massage your scalp and hair with the blend.
- Leave it on for an hour, and wash it off with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat this every day.
Precaution: Black seed oil may cause mild irritation. Do a patch test before using it.
Benefits
Anecdotal evidence suggests that black seed oil (extracted from nigella seeds) can prevent premature graying. This oil blend is said to reduce hair fall and strengthen the strands.
8. Mustard Oil
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons of mustard oil
Method
- Heat the mustard oil for 30 seconds.
- Massage your scalp and hair with it and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a shampoo and condition your hair.
- Repeat this twice a week.
Benefits
Anecdotal evidence suggests that mustard oil can significantly slow down premature graying and strengthen the hair.
9. Castor Oil And Olive Oil
Preparation Time
5 minutes
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of castor oil
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or any other vegetable oil)
Method
- Mix the two oils and massage your scalp and hair with the blend.
- Leave it on for an hour
- Wash off with warm water.
- Repeat this every day.
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Precaution: Castor oil may cause mild irritation. Do a patch test before using it.
Benefits
Castor oil is widely used in home remedies to promote hair growth and retain hair color. While there is no scientific proof for the claims, this blend may work if used regularly.
10. Coconut Oil And Lemon
Preparation Time
5 minutes
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil
Method
- Heat the coconut oil for about a minute until it is warm.
- Add the lemon juice and mix. Apply it to your scalp and hair.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Follow up with a shampoo and conditioner.
- Repeat this twice a week.
Benefits
Anecdotal evidence suggests that lemon juice mixed with coconut oil can significantly slow down premature graying and strengthen the hair.
11. Henna And Coconut Oil
Preparation Time
5 minutes
You Will Need
- 4 tablespoons of henna powder
- 5 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil
Method
- Heat the coconut oil for about a minute and mix with henna powder.
- Cool it down completely and strain the mixture.
- Massage your scalp and hair with it.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Shampoo and condition your hair.
- Repeat this twice a week.
Benefits
Henna is a natural colorant and can cover up premature gray hair (4).
Other than these traditional recipes, you can also use certain oils to keep your hair healthy. However, there is no empirical data to back the claims. All of these are based on anecdotal evidence. Check them out in the next section.
Other Effective Oils For Managing Gray Hair
1. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary essential oil can reduce hair loss and promote hair growth (6). Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may darken gray hair if used over an extended period. Dilute it with a carrier oil before using it.
2. Argan Oil
Moroccan argan oil is a rich source of antioxidants and polyphenols. It keeps the hair moisturized (7). It is also said to promote hair growth and slow down hair graying. You can use it as a deep conditioner and leave it on for an hour before washing it off.
3. Sage Oil
Anecdotal evidence suggests that this essential oil can prevent premature graying. You can use sage essential oil in combination with thyme, rosemary, and carrier oils. Use 2-3 drops of the essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil. If you are using multiple essential oils, adjust the quantity as per this ratio.
4. Fish Oil
Fish oil is highly beneficial if it is included in the diet regularly (8). Anecdotal evidence suggests that taking fish oil supplements may even help with premature graying. However, there is no proof to support the claims.
5. Grapeseed Oil
Anecdotal evidence suggests that using grapeseed oil regularly may prevent premature graying. You can mix the oil with any carrier oil, preferably coconut oil, or add it to DIY hair recipes and use it regularly.
Premature graying of hair can be caused by multiple factors. The best way to treat gray hair is to consult a doctor for a medical diagnosis and get to the root cause. In most cases, the graying ceases once you address the underlying condition. The hair oils mentioned above can help improve your hair quality and health and enhance your hair color to prevent premature graying. But, remember to apply these hair oils for gray hair more than once a week for best results. Massaging your scalp with these oils can also help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is apple cider vinegar good for gray hair?
ACV can be used to make gray hair smooth, frizz-free, and shiny.
Which oil is best for turning gray hair black?
Graying cannot be reversed. However, using a blend of carrier (coconut, jojoba, olive, almond) and essential (lavender, sage, rosemary) oils may help reduce premature graying. If you have gray hair due to aging, it will improve your hair health, but cannot color your hair black.
Sources
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Medicinal Profile Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Murraya koenigii and Its Primary Bioactive Compounds
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070712/ - Herbal cosmetics in ancient India
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2825132/ - Effect of mineral oil sunflower oil and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12715094/ - Study of colouring effect of herbal hair formulations on graying hair
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471652/ - Therapeutic Potential of Luffa acutangula: A Review on Its Traditional Uses Phytochemistry Pharmacology and Toxicological Aspects
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6232903/ - The Use of Natural Ingredients in the Treatment of Alopecias with an Emphasis on Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia: A Systematic Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7595365/ - Hair Cosmetics: An Overview
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/ - Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Benefits and Endpoints in Sport
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6357022/
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Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya Syeda is an editor at StyleCraze. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and… more
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