Homemade oils for gray hair are one of the best ways to deal with this very noticeable sign of aging that we all will have to deal with at some point or another in our lives. Hair pigmentation can be affected by a variety of factors, ranging from underlying health conditions to extreme UV exposure, but you can use DIY oils to enhance your hair texture and health.

Below are some of the best natural oils you can use at home to help slow down the graying process and to help manage your gray hair naturally.

COCONUT OIL AND CURRY LEAVES

You Will Need

  • A handful of curry leaves
  • 3 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil

Directions

  1. Heat the curry leaves and coconut oil in a small saucepan until the mixture turns black.
  2. Let the oil cool and massage your hair and scalp with it.
  3. Leave it on for at least an hour.
  4. Wash it off with shampoo and condition your hair.
  5. Repeat this 2-3 times a week.

Precaution: The leaves may splutter. Hence, stand away from the oil while heating the mixture.

Benefits

Curry leaves help restore melanin, the pigment that gives your hair its natural color, in the hair follicles. It is also rich in vitamin B which is vital for hair growth. The mixture of curry leaves and coconut oil for grey hair makes your hair strong and restores elasticity.

AMLA POWDER AND COCONUT OIL

You Will Need

  • 2 teaspoons of amla powder
  • 3 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil

Directions

  1. Heat the mixture on a low flame until the powder starts to char.
  2. Let the oil cool down a bit.
  3. Massage your scalp and hair with the warm mixture.
  4. Leave it on for at least an hour or overnight.
  5. Wash off with shampoo and condition your hair.
  6. Repeat this 2-3 times a week.

Benefits

Amla contains high amounts of vitamin C which is essential for healthy hair growth, owing to its collagen-boosting abilities. It also contains antioxidants that keep the hair follicles healthy by fighting away damage causing factors. A healthy follicle is better equipped at producing healthy and pigmented hair.

Mustard Oil & Castor oil

You Will Need:

  • 1 tablespoon Castor Oil
  • 2 tablespoons Mustard Oil

Directions

  1. Combine the oils and heat them for a few seconds until they’re warm.
  2. Apply the warm oil to your scalp and hair.
  3. Massage your scalp for 10 minutes and let the oil sit for an additional 45 minutes.
  4. Wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo and then condition.
  5. Repeat this 2-3 times a week.

Precaution: Do not overheat the oils you need it be slightly above room temperature.

Benefits

Mustard oil contains zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, and selenium. It is a rich source of minerals that keeps your scalp nourished while the high protein content of castor oil repairs and prevents damage. Proper nourishment is key is preventing grays. This oil blend will also speed up the rate at which your hair grows and improves hair health in terms of shine, smoothness, and strength.

ALMOND OIL AND LEMON JUICE

You Will Need

  • 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons of almond oil

Directions

  1. Heat the almond oil for about a minute until it is warm.
  2. Add the lemon juice to it and massage your scalp and hair with the blend.
  3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
  4. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.
  5. Repeat this twice a week.

Benefits

Using almond oil on your hair gives it a softer texture over time. Once almond oil is incorporated into your hair care routine, you may also notice that your hair is easier to comb through and style. And lemons are rich in vitamins B, C, and phosphorus. These vitamins and mineral are vital for maintaining the health of the pigment cells that are present in your hair follicles. While lemon juice keeps your follicles healthy, coconut oil provides them with nourishment to produce healthy, pigmented hair.

COCONUT OIL AND HIBISCUS

You Will Need

  • 4-5 leaves of hibiscus plant
  • 4 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil

Directions

  1. Heat the coconut oil for 30 seconds and add the leaves to it.
  2. Let the oil cool down completely.
  3. Massage your scalp and hair with the oil.
  4. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
  5. Follow up with a shampoo and conditioner.
  6. Repeat this twice a week.

Benefits

Hibiscus leaves are natural colorants and used in traditional formulations to prevent gray hair. This mixture can also strengthen your hair and reduce breakage.

COCONUT OIL AND BHRINGRAJ POWDER

You Will Need

  • 3 teaspoons of bhringraj powder
  • 4 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil

Directions

  1. Mix the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat on low flame for a minute.
  2. Let the oil cool until it is warm enough to touch.
  3. Massage your scalp and hair with the blend.
  4. Leave it on for at least an hour.
  5. Wash off with shampoo, and condition your hair.
  6. 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.

COCONUT OIL AND LEMON

You Will Need

  • 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil

Directions

  1. Heat the coconut oil for about a minute until it is warm.
  2. Add the lemon juice and mix. Apply it to your scalp and hair.
  3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
  4. Follow up with a shampoo and conditioner.
  5. Repeat this twice a week.

Benefits

Lemons are rich in vitamins B, C, and phosphorus. These vitamins and mineral are vital for maintaining the health of the pigment cells that are present in your hair follicles. While lemon juice keeps your follicles healthy, coconut oil provides them with nourishment to produce healthy, pigmented hair.

HENNA AND COCONUT OIL

You Will Need

  • 4 tablespoons of henna powder
  • 5 tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil

Directions

  1. Heat the coconut oil for about a minute and mix with henna powder.
  2. Cool it down completely and strain the mixture.
  3. Massage your scalp and hair with it.
  4. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
  5. Shampoo and condition your hair.
  6. Repeat this twice a week.

Benefits

If you have way too many grays, this is the best possible oil blend you could use to color them while giving your hair and follicles the nourishment they need. The penetrative properties of coconut oil will lock the color from henna into the shafts of your hair so that it won’t fade out easily.

Other than these traditional recipes, you can also use certain oils to keep your hair healthy. Such as…

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary essential oil can reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. It may also darken gray hair if used over an extended period. Be sure to dilute it with a carrier (1) oil before using it.

Argan Oil

Moroccan argan oil is a rich source of antioxidants and polyphenols. It keeps the hair moisturized. 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.

Sage Oil

This essential oil may 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 (1) oil. If you are using multiple essential oils, adjust the quantity as per this ratio.

Grapeseed Oil

Using grapeseed oil regularly may prevent premature graying. You can mix the oil with any carrier (1) oil, preferably coconut oil, or add it to DIY hair recipes and use it regularly.

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. Also, as with anything, be sure to do a small patch test first to make sure there will be no irritations or allergic reactions to any of the oils.

(1) Carrier oils are often plant-based, made from seeds and nuts. Some of the most common include sweet almond, cold-pressed coconut, grapeseed, jojoba, and olive oil. Essential oils are steam distilled or extracted from aromatic leaves, flowers, and other parts of plants.