Summer is a time of fun and relaxation, but it can also be very challenging for your hair. Between the sun's UV rays, the sea's salt water, and the chlorine in swimming pools, your hair is subjected to repeated stresses that can dry it out, make it brittle, dull, and often difficult to style. To repair this damage and restore vitality and shine to your hair, it's essential to adopt a proper hair care routine. Essential oils, thanks to their natural properties, offer a natural solution for caring for your hair after summer.
In this article, discover how to use essential oils to nourish, repair, and protect your hair while enjoying their aromatic benefits.
3 essential oils for your hair
Ylang-ylang: For balanced and shiny hair
Ylang-ylang essential oil is a real treasure for your hair, especially after summer. Rich in sesquiterpenes and esters, it helps regulate sebum production, making it an ideal choice for balancing oily hair and nourishing dry hair. This oil is also known for adding intense shine, revitalizing dull, sun-damaged hair.
- Top Tip: Add 2 drops of Ylang-ylang essential oil to your usual conditioner or hair mask for a revitalizing effect.
- Caution: Do not apply pure to the skin - Prohibited for pregnant women under 3 months and children under 3 years old.
Rose Geranium: For hydrated dry hair
Rose Geranium essential oil is perfect for deeply moisturizing dry, sun- and sea-damaged hair. Thanks to its high concentration of monoterpene alcohols, such as citronellol, it helps retain moisture in the hair fiber, restoring softness and suppleness to the hair.
- Top tip: Mix 2 drops of Rose Geranium essential oil with a carrier oil (such as argan or coconut oil) to create a moisturizing hair mask. Apply only to the lengths of hair, leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
- Caution: Not suitable for pregnant women under 3 months - Nor for children under 3 years old - Do not apply pure.
Rosemary cineole: For protected and shiny hair
Rosemary cineole essential oil is ideal for protecting your hair from external aggressions, while enhancing its natural shine. It is rich in terpene oxides, which help strengthen the hair fiber and stimulate hair growth. With regular use, it can also prevent split ends and maintain the vitality of your hair after the summer months.
- Practical tip: Add 2 drops of Rosemary cineole essential oil to your rinse water after shampooing for a protective and shiny effect.
- Caution: Prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding women - Prohibited for children under 6 years old - Dilute with a vegetable oil for cutaneous application.
Natural Hair Care Recipes
After-sun repair lotion
This after-sun hair lotion is ideal for soothing and revitalizing your scalp while restoring shine to your damaged hair.
Ingredients
- 100 ml of Roman Chamomile floral water (soothing)
- 10 drops of Ylang-ylang essential oil (shine and regulation)
- 5 drops of Rosemary cineole essential oil (protection and revitalization)
Preparation
- In a spray bottle, mix the Roman Chamomile floral water with the essential oils.
- Shake gently to ensure the mixture is well blended.
Use
- Spray this lotion onto damp hair after shampooing. Focus on the lengths and ends, then let it air dry. Do not rinse.
Nourishing balm for dry ends
This nourishing balm is perfect for repairing dry and split ends, often caused by prolonged exposure to the sun and salt water.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of shea butter (nourishing and restorative)
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (moisturizing and protective)
- 5 drops of rose geranium essential oil (hydration and regeneration)
Preparation
- Melt the shea butter in a double boiler over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and add the coconut oil and the drops of rose geranium essential oil.
- Mix well until you get a smooth texture.
- Place the mixture in an opaque glass jar and let it cool.
Use
- Apply a small amount of balm to the ends of your hair, concentrating on the driest areas.
- Leave on for 30 minutes.
- Then rinse thoroughly before using a gentle shampoo.
- Avoid applying this balm to the scalp to avoid weighing it down or making it greasy.
Revitalizing and hydrating mask
This avocado-based hair mask is ideal for nourishing and revitalizing your hair after summer, restoring softness and shine.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado (nourishing and hydrating)
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil (restorative and protective)
- 5 drops of Ylang-ylang essential oil (shine and vitality)
Preparation
- Mash the avocado in a bowl until smooth. Add the olive oil and ylang-ylang essential oil and mix well.
Use
- Apply this mask to the lengths and ends (avoid the scalp).
- Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Make sure to rinse the mask out thoroughly to avoid leaving any avocado residue in your hair.
General precautions
- Dilution: Always dilute essential oils before skin application to avoid irritation.
- Tolerance test: Before use, carry out a skin tolerance test by applying a small amount of the diluted synergy to the inside of the elbow and wait 24 hours to check for an allergic reaction.
- Medical Consultation: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have specific medical conditions, consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils. Your doctor is the only primary care provider for your health.
- Avoid mucous membranes and eyes: Essential oils can cause severe irritation. In case of accidental contact, rinse thoroughly with a carrier oil, not water. Consult your doctor.
The 2 good practices
- Frequency of use: For optimal results, use the treatment once or twice a week. This allows your hair to benefit from the benefits without the risk of overloading the scalp or lengths.
- Targeted application: When applying hair care, focus on the areas that need it most, such as dry ends. This avoids unnecessarily greasing unintended areas.
Summer can be hard on your hair, leaving it dry, dull, and damaged by the sun, salt, and chlorine. To repair this damage and restore your hair's vitality, essential oils are a powerful, natural solution. Incorporating them into your post-summer hair routine, whether in the form of lotions, balms, or masks, helps restore your hair's health while naturally enhancing it.
By adopting these natural hair care products, you are giving your hair everything it needs to regenerate and regain its shine, for healthy, shiny and vibrant hair all year round.
Sources of information (bibliography):
Julien Kaibeck, Adopt slow cosmetics, Éditions Leduc, June 11, 2018, 256 p, ISBN: 9791028503130
Françoise Couic-Marinier, Dr Anthony Toubol, The Living Earth Guide to Essential Oils, Living Earth Edition, November 17, 2017, 477 p. ISBN: 9782360982752
Study reference: JM Marsh, MG Davis, MJ Flagler, Y. Sun, T. Chaudhary, M. Mamak, DW McComb, REA Williams, KD Greis, L. Rubio, L. Coderch. Advanced hair model damage from ultraviolet radiation in the presence of copper. First published: April 29, 2015 https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12231
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained on this page is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified health professional is obviously recommended.
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