It’s 2025, and we’re all about a healthy scalp—and in turn, healthy hair. Harmful ingredients, ineffective products and overly expensive hair care is out, and we’re turning to simple, natural ingredients more than ever. Take rosemary, for instance, an inexpensive, natural ingredient that does wonders for hair growth. But we’re not stopping at rosemary; peppermint has entered the chat, and it’s a game-changer for creating a healthy scalp environment. Here, we talked to a trichologist to get her thoughts on peppermint oil for hair, its benefits and the best peppermint hair care products to try.
The benefits of peppermint oil for hair
One of the main benefits of peppermint for hair is that it helps support a healthy scalp environment. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifungal, says trichologist and founder of Colour Collective, Kerry Yates. Peppermint is the “perfect support for anyone suffering from itchy scalp and dandruff; a great addition to one’s hair care routine, especially for oily scalp sufferers,” explains Yates.
Further, peppermint oil is an emollient. Emollients help moisturize and nourish hair, which in turn will make our hair feel softer and silkier. “It’s not as common as other oils like jojoba, but peppermint can help soften the hair, smoothing down the cuticle and improving pliability and suppleness,” Yates affirms. This is especially great during these dry, cold winter months where we may experience a drier scalp and hair.
Last but certainly not least, peppermint is amazing for sensory support, says Yates. “Energizing oil (like peppermint oil) is commonly used for aromatherapy and works brilliantly to help offset the unpleasant odor some oily consumers and dandruff sufferers experience.” It can help our scalp as well as ourselves feel more “awake” and invigorated.
Can peppermint oil help with hair growth?
As of now, there are not many reliable studies backing peppermint oil for hair growth, making us skeptical on the efficacy of peppermint oil for hair growth. Yates isn’t sold, either: “I have not read a credible study concluding that peppermint oil will help regrow hair,” she affirms. However, peppermint oil has been shown to promote blood circulation on the scalp, which can potentially support hair growth.
“A study conducted in 2014 on mice assessed hair growth using four different solutions (saline, jojoba oil mix, minoxidil and peppermint oil) over four weeks. In the study, the report suggests that peppermint oil will ‘grow/create’ new hair follicles. That is impossible for humans as we are born with a finite number of hair follicles; your body cannot create more follicles,” Yates explains. “As the study’s conclusions are unrealistic, I would not necessarily use this study as fact, and I question the testing protocol.”
How to apply and use peppermint oil for hair
While peppermint oil certainly can have amazing benefits for our hair, it’s not as simple as just applying pure peppermint oil straight to our scalp. In fact, Yates says you absolutely should not do this: “It should be diluted in water (or) your favorite product (shampoo) and a good measure is a max of 5 drops of oil to 1 ounce of liquid (water/shampoo).”
“The key is not to overdo it; too much is not a good thing,” Yates warns. “Applying undiluted peppermint oil directly on the scalp can be very irritating.”
The 4 best peppermint hair products
Keep reading for the best peppermint hair care products, including top picks from Yates.
