February DIY: Lemon Essential Oil Scalp Rinse

There’s just something about the scent of lemon: it’s clean-smelling, bright, and uplifting. But as it turns out, lemon essential oil benefits us in ways that go beyond aromatherapy. In fact, lemon essential oil may do wonders for your hair and scalp. And if you want your hair to get the most out of lemon essential oil, there are few better ways than a hair rinse! Read on for our DIY recipe.

Before we get started with our DIY lemon hair rinse, let’s talk about the ways lemon essential oil benefits our hair and scalp, aside from making it smell fresh & clean.

#1: Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antifungal
When it comes to fighting germs, lemon essential oil may hold a lot of promise. As an antimicrobial agent, lemon essential oil has been proven to fight not only acne-causing bacteria but e-coli pathogens as well, as shown in this 2019 study.

It’s also been shown in studies like this 2017 trial that one of the lemon essential oil benefits is that it holds antifungal properties. That can be especially helpful for fighting dandruff-causing fungus.

#2: Hair Lightening
Due to its mild bleaching properties, lemon essential oil benefits can naturally add some dimension to your hair. The best way to enjoy these benefits is with a dilution of lemon essential oil spread throughout the strands. Lay out in a sunny spot for 30 minutes to an hour. Don’t forget your thick!

While this method won’t get you salon-quality results, it might just be the perfect way to achieve that sun-kissed summer look, any time of the year.

#3: Anti-Inflammatory
It’s no secret that dandruff often comes with a dry scalp. But that’s just the beginning of what goes on in the skin.

Dandruff often occurs when the skin is inflamed. This can occur due to a number of reasons like diet, stress, or an irritating product. While it’s important to try and eliminate the cause, it may help to give your scalp a little bit of lemon essential oil, which is anti-inflammatory.

#4: Hair Growth
While research is still limited, it’s been suggested that the limonene and linalool in lemon oil may inhibit chemicals known as 5 alpha-reductase, which slows hair growth.

And this is especially interesting because the onset of alpha-5 reductase is one of the leading causes of hair loss in men! And believe it or not, there are even more lemon essential oil benefits not only for hair but for the body and skin, as well!

As we can see, lemon essential oil benefits the hair in a number of ways. But it’s also important to use hair treatments that work best for your hair’s needs. So, who benefits from a lemon essential oil hair rinse? For starters, those with dandruff.

As we touched on above, lemon essential oil benefits include the fact that it is antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. And for similar reasons, lemon essential oil benefits may be useful for those with oily scalps who need to keep sebum in check.

Plus, our rinse incorporates apple cider vinegar. This is known for not only its detox properties, but also for restoring pH balance. That makes this rinse especially great for natural and curly hair. On top of that, this stimulating scalp rinse is great for the occasional hair growth boost and burst of shine.

This hair rinse features not only lemon essential oil benefits, but also the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can do wonders for loosening up build-up on the scalp, which can often make hair appear dull and limp. While apple cider vinegar purifies, lemon essential oil soothes, invigorates, and encourages healthy hair growth.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup filtered water

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, preferably with the mother

• 6 drops lemon essential oil

• Clean spray bottle

Directions:
In your spray bottle, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, and essential oil. Screw on the lid and shake until blended.

To use as a hair rinse, pour or spray onto the hair and scalp after shampooing, making sure to avoid the hair and eyes. Allow the mixture to soak in the hair for 3-5 minutes before rinsing with cool water.

Alternatively, you can also use this recipe as a pre-wash hair mask. To do so, spray onto the hair and scalp before showering, distributing throughout. Leave in the hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out and shampooing as usual.