If you haven’t been using it yet, these surprising benefits of peppermint essential oil on hair and skin will get you running to the store!
Extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant, the peppermint essential oil packs many amazing benefits and is one of the most widely used EOs worldwide. In this article, we will explore some of the surprising benefits of peppermint oil on your hair and skin, boosting your health!
Surprising Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil on Hair
1) Supports Hair Growth
Peppermint oil is one of the best essential oils to help boost blood circulation to the scalp. With increased blood flow that feeds the hair roots, peppermint oil can thus help in hair growth. Moreover, when applied, menthol in peppermint oil also helps invoke a cool, refreshing feeling to the scalp.
This oil also stimulates the scalp and hair follicles, enhancing oxygenation in the scalp, which promotes stronger hair roots and healthier hair. If you are dealing with hair damage or hair loss caused by chemical treatment, using products with peppermint oil can help restore healthy conditions for your hair and scalp.
One way to use peppermint oil for hair is to mix four teaspoons of coconut oil with five to ten drops of peppermint oil in a bowl and massage well into your scalp and hair. Let this mixture stay in your hair for at least a few hours before rinsing it off. You could also leave it overnight and then wash your hair with your favorite mild shampoo.
2) Improves Scalp Health
Several studies have shown that peppermint oil can greatly benefit your scalp.
Peppermint oil has antimicrobial properties that can help fight against fungi and inflammation on your scalp, consequently helping maintain a healthy scalp. These antimicrobial and antiseptic properties help cool the scalp and get rid of dandruff and excessive oil build-up.
If you have a dry, itchy scalp, the cooling sensation of menthol in peppermint oil can soothe and moisturize it, helping you have better scalp health.
3) Enhances the Look and Smell of Your Shiny Tresses
Besides making your hair shine and appear more vibrant, adding peppermint oil to your haircare routine is really beneficial. Another reason for that is its scent, which keeps your tresses smelling fresh for longer and is also quite effective as a lice treatment. That is because the nice, refreshing scent that we all enjoy is like poison to the lice, which ultimately suffocate because of it.
4) Tackles Dandruff
If you live somewhere humid, you would be no stranger to dandruff or scalp infections. Remember that a dry, flaky scalp can often look like a dandruff problem, but both causes are different. Dandruff is actually caused by excessive oil build-up due to a fungal infection on the scalp. But worry not if you have either of the problems!
The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint essential oil can combat and help you deal with both problems! Peppermint oil is your key to getting rid of dry or itchy scalp or excessive dandruff once and for all, so try the DIY peppermint hair mask below.
In a bowl, warm it, and then let half a cup of coconut oil cool down. Mix in 20 drops of peppermint oil, 10 drops of tea tree oil, and one teaspoon of vitamin E oil. Transfer this mixture to a bottle for storage. Gently apply it to your scalp, leave it on for a couple of hours, and finally rinse off with a mild shampoo.
5) Helps Achieve Ideal pH Level
Before you can hope for less hair loss and healthier hair, you must ensure that your scalp is in the best condition. This means your scalp should be at the ideal pH level of 4.5 to 5.5. Often, environmental factors like weather conditions, exposure to harmful particles and dust, or stress can cause the balance of the scalp to get lost. With peppermint oil, you can help your scalp maintain the ideal pH level, thus also keeping away germs, fungi, and bacteria.
Surprising Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil on Skin
1) Soothes Skin Irritation
Like peppermint oil soothes and calms the scalp, its soothing effect also extends to the skin. Thanks to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, peppermint oil can provide much relief and help reduce inflammation if you have itchy, irritated, and inflamed skin. If you suffer from skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis, dilute this potent oil with a carrier oil before applying it topically.
Another benefit of menthol in peppermint oil is that it soothes the skin, restoring moisture, and is effective against rashes, dry skin, and burn pains.
If you want to use peppermint oil to treat your face’s dry, irritated skin, mix 40 ml of apple cider vinegar with 30 drops of peppermint essential oil in a bowl of filtered water. After mixing well, transfer this mixture to a spray bottle and store it in the fridge. You can spray this mixture onto your face as a facial mist or toner throughout the day.
2) Reduces Acne
As mentioned earlier, peppermint oil has powerful antimicrobial properties that can kill acne-causing bacteria. But besides that, peppermint oil has several other benefits. This oil balances sebum production on your skin. In fact, peppermint essential oil forms a protective layer on the skin, keeping any external factor from damaging it. This is because of peppermint oil’s natural astringent qualities, which control excessive oil production in the skin and prevent pore congestion and clogging.
If you have oily, acne-prone skin that frequently gets breakouts and blemishes, peppermint oil can be your holy grail to tackle all of those. For this type of skin, it would be best if you use peppermint oil masks. Here is one that can really come in handy.
Mix two tablespoons of grated cucumber juice and clay and five drops of diluted peppermint oil. Dilute the oil with a carrier oil. Mix thoroughly and apply gently all over your face. Let the mask dry on your face and wash off with warm water. Repeat this routine twice a week for best results.
3) Reduces Inflammation
If you have been suffering from chronic itchiness and inflammation on the skin, it’s time to remedy the situation with peppermint essential oil. Not only does it soothe itchiness, inflammation, and irritation on the skin, but it also promotes wound healing and relieves pruritus, a common skin infection that causes hives, itching, and rashes.
In a small study conducted in 2016, researchers found that even a 1% solution of peppermint oil had a major relieving effect on chronic itching, that is, on how long the itchiness lasted and also on the severity of the itch.
4) Brightens Dull Skin And Promotes a Youthful Glow
While the cooling effects of peppermint oil can seem like an attribute that can be ignored at first glance, it actually plays many roles. It creates a sensation of rejuvenation and energizing on your skin. It also promotes better blood circulation in your skin, stimulates it, and helps brighten up dull skin. Using skincare products with peppermint oil can help you achieve healthy, radiant skin. Look for facial masks, cleansers, and toners that contain peppermint oil as an ingredient to achieve bright, youthful skin.