12 Effective Homemade Hair Oils For Gray Hair

Graying is an unavoidable part of the process of aging. It can significantly impact physical appearance and may have a damaging effect on the self-esteem for many people. 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). Krysta Biancone, a hair stylist, says, “Moisturizing gray hair with homemade oils is a great way to keep it looking soft and healthy. Some great oils to use are coconut oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil. Massage the oils into the scalp and strands of your hair to help lock in moisture.” This highlights the importance of effective, natural solutions to maintain a youthful look while embracing one’s natural beauty. In this article, we have listed the 12 best natural oils you may make at home to help you manage gray hair. To learn more about them, keep reading!

12 Homemade Hair Oils To Manage Gray Hair

If you want to know how to cover gray hair, we are here with some perfect recipes. 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 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). This is also how you can get rid of white hair!

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 Benefits Coconut oil is best for gray hair. Adding it with amla or Indian gooseberry can darken premature gray hair and reduce dandruff and itching. Coconut oil also 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 Benefits Anecdotal evidence suggests that the blend of lemon juice and almond oil may prevent premature graying, add shine to the hair, make it appear glossy, and support overall hair revitalization.

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 Benefits Hibiscus leaves are natural colorants and used in traditional formulations to prevent gray hair (4). This mixture can also strengthen your hair, reduce breakage, and increase hair elasticity, hair shine, and hair volume.

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 Benefits Ribbed gourd (also called ridge gourd or Chinese okra) powder prevents premature graying (5). This oil mixture can strengthen the hair, nourish the hair follicles, support hair repair, and prevent breakage, thus providing overall hair protection.

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 Benefits Bhringraj powder is used in Ayurvedic formulations due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties that 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 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. Joe Moody, a blogger, shared his personal experience with organic olive oil on his blog. While talking about how using olive oil after a shower rather than other chemical products, he exclaims, “After some years (of) using it, I also noticed I had less gray hair than my brother who is two years younger than me (i).” He goes on to say, “This is an ingredient I can pronounce, an ingredient I can trust, an ingredient I can digest”, pointing out that it is a simple ingredient with various benefits and minimal side effects, which is often underappreciated.

8. Mustard Oil

You Will Need

2 teaspoons of mustard oil

Method BenefitsAnecdotal 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 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 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 Benefits Henna is a natural colorant and can cover up premature gray hair (4).

12. Carrot Seed And Sesame Oil

Preparation Time 5 minutes You Will Need

½ tablespoon of carrot seed oil 4 tablespoons of sesame oil

Method Benefits Sesame oil penetrates deeply and reaches the hair follicles to improve blood circulation to the scalp. This may boost hair growth and reduce gray hair (6). This oil, when combined with carrot seed oil, may improve hair shine and texture. It also nourishes the scalp, repairs split ends, and helps reduce dryness (7). 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 (8). Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may darken gray hair if used over an extended period. Dilute it with a carrier oil before using it. Biancone says, “Regular scalp massages with essential oils, such as rosemary, can help to stimulate hair growth and encourage healthier hair follicles.”

2. Argan Oil

Moroccan argan oil is a rich source of antioxidants and polyphenols. It keeps the hair moisturized (9). 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 help in gray hair prevention. 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 (10). 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 care recipes and use it regularly. Incorporating these homemade oils into your hair care routine can combat graying, enhance shine, and improve overall hair health. Further, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can support the vibrancy of your hair as you age. What vitamin am I lacking if my hair is turning gray? Krysta Biancone says, “When it comes to nutrition, there are certain vitamins and minerals that are essential for good hair health. Vitamin B12 helps to protect hair from premature graying, so make sure to include foods like eggs, fortified cereals, and fish in your diet. Vitamin D is also important for hair growth, so make sure you get plenty of sun exposure. Finally, vitamin E encourages growth, so make sure to include nuts, avocados, and olive oil in your meals.” 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? While gray hair reversal is not possible, 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. Can I mix different oils for better results? Yes, mixing different oils can boost their benefits. For example, combining coconut oil with rosemary or sage can be more effective for managing gray hair. This way, you can also customize your hair oil recipe to suit your specific hair care needs.