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Peppermint Oil for Hair: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects

Knox Beasley, MD

Reviewed by Knox Beasley, MD

Written by Sian Ferguson

Published 01/06/2021

Updated 07/17/2024

If you search for natural hair growth treatments, you’ll quickly find that many people recommend peppermint oil for hair loss. It’s a popular natural hair loss solution — but does it actually work?

In short, there’s not much research to back up the claim that peppermint oil treats hair loss or stimulates hair growth. In other words, you can try it, but it may be a waste of time (and money). And since hair loss often gets worse over time, it’s important to go straight to the clinically proven treatments.

Below, we’ll look into the alleged benefits of peppermint oil for hair health and offer some advice on how to use peppermint oil as part of your hair care routine. We’ll also go over some (well-researched) alternatives.

Peppermint oil is one of the more popular essential oils. Beyond its refreshing smell and cooling sensation, it has antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Peppermint oil is made from, well, peppermint leaves. A hybrid of watermint and spearmint, the plant’s official name is mentha piperita.

Like other mints, peppermint contains an organic compound called menthol. This is what gives the peppermint plant its unique minty flavor, as well as the mild cooling and anesthetic effects you feel when it’s applied to the skin. 

This is partly why peppermint essential oil is such a popular oil in aromatherapy — the minty scent is said to be super relaxing and stress-busting. It’s also why peppermint is a common ingredient in hair products, such as shampoos and conditioners. You might also find it in skin care products. 

Unfortunately, the benefits of peppermint on hair haven’t been studied extensively, which is similar to other essential oils that are said to promote hair growth, like rosemary oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil.

As with other essential oils, peppermint oil is often promoted as a cure-all that can solve just about every ailment under the sun — including many forms of hair loss.

Currently, there appears to be only one study that has looked at peppermint essential oil’s effects on hair growth. The study compared peppermint oil to two other treatments for hair loss and a non-therapeutic saline solution in lab mice.

Prior to treatment, the mice were shaved, with their hair follicles synchronized in the telogen (resting) phase of the hair growth cycle. Over the course of four weeks, the mice were treated with saline, jojoba oil, 3% peppermint oil (diluted in jojoba oil), or a 3% minoxidil solution. 

After four weeks, the mice in the peppermint oil group had significantly more rapid hair growth, beating every other group — including those treated with minoxidil. The researchers concluded that peppermint essential oil may improve blood flow to hair cells, causing hairs to enter the anagen (growth) phase of their growth cycle

This study is certainly interesting. But it’s not conclusive proof that peppermint oil is effective at promoting hair growth in humans. Why not? Several reasons: 

  • It’s an animal study. While humans and mice share some characteristics, the fact that an ingredient produces a certain effect in mice doesn’t necessarily mean it will have the same effect on humans. 

  • It was a very small study, involving only about 20 mice.

  • The study has yet to be replicated, making it far from conclusive evidence.

Beyond this study, there doesn’t appear to be much other research looking at peppermint oil for hair growth. But one study from 2016 did find that menthol is a vasodilator, meaning it widens blood vessels and boosts blood circulation in the skin.

In theory, boosting blood circulation could help your hair follicles get the nutrients they need to function and grow healthy hair cells. A similar response is seen with other topical hair loss treatments, like FDA-approved minoxidil. 

However, there’s really no research to prove that menthol actually promotes hair growth. 

All in all, although these studies are interesting, there’s definitely not enough evidence to say peppermint oil promotes hair growth in humans.

So, if it doesn’t make it grow, what does peppermint oil do for hair?

Even if peppermint oil doesn’t improve hair growth, it can have some positive effects on your hair and scalp. For example, you can use peppermint oil to:

  • Soothe an itchy scalp

  • Address fungal and bacterial infections on the scalp

  • Make your hair smell better

  • Give yourself an invigorating scalp massage 

Many people swear by using peppermint oil to treat dandruff. Dandruff can be caused by scalp fungus or an inflammatory skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. 

Since peppermint has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it may make sense to use it for dandruff. But unfortunately, there’s no research showing that peppermint oil helps reduce dandruff. 

Currently, there’s very little research to support most of the purported medicinal benefits of undiluted peppermint essential oil — let alone peppermint diluted with a carrier oil.

Look, we’re not trying to stop you from using peppermint oil. Generally speaking, we think you should stick with science-backed treatments for hair loss — especially if you’ve noticed the signs of thinning hair.

But if you’d like to try peppermint oil  for hair growth, there are a few ways to go about it:

  • Buy hair care products containing peppermint oil. You can find peppermint essential oil in many shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and other hair care products.

  • Add peppermint oil to your regular hair care products. Mix a few drops of essential oil into your favorite shampoo or conditioner. Add three to five drops per ounce of liquid of shampoo or conditioner in the bottle.

  • Apply peppermint oil directly to your scalp (but with a carrier oil). Want to go the DIY route? Mix one to two drops of peppermint oil into a tablespoon of carrier oil, then massage your scalp with the mixture before washing your hair with shampoo.

As a rule of thumb, use peppermint oil with a carrier oil. Essential oils are very concentrated, and applying them on their own can cause irritation — think burning, itching, and dryness on your scalp. 

Consider carrier oil options like jojoba oil, sunflower oil, pumpkin seed oil, or coconut oil, as these dilute the essential oils and moisturize your scalp at the same time.

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When applied topically in normal doses, peppermint oil is generally safe for most people — we’re hard-pressed to find toxicological research that says otherwise.

That said, you do need to be careful. Peppermint oil may cause skin irritation and rashes when you apply it topically. Don’t apply peppermint oil to the faces of infants or children, as the menthol in the oil could be harmful if inhaled.

When taken orally, peppermint oil may cause side effects like: 

  • Dry mouth

  • Heartburn

  • Nausea

  • Abdominal pain 

  • Allergic reactions 

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Starting to lose your hair? A range of hair loss treatments are available to help slow down or stop thinning and even promote hair regrowth.

Here are some options that are backed by more research than peppermint oil for hair:

  • Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a medication that improves blood flow to encourage hair growth. While it’s typically used as a topical medication in the form of minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution, oral versions are also available. When used daily, it can help to slow down hair loss and may even help you grow back “lost” hair.

  • Finasteride. Finasteride is an oral medication that blocks DHT, the hormone that causes male pattern baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia). Used on its own or with minoxidil, finasteride can slow down hair loss and promote new hair growth. 

  • Saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is an herb that may block the hormone DHT and promote hair thickness. It’s available over-the-counter and as an ingredient in our DHT-blocking shampoo.

  • Biotin. Although biotin doesn’t have any direct effects on male pattern baldness, it’s an essential vitamin for healthy hair growth. Try a biotin hair supplement like our biotin gummies, which contain a range of important vitamins. 

It’s also a good idea to avoid things that put strain on your hair follicles, like harsh chemicals, rough hair styling techniques, and super-tight hairstyles. Brush (or comb) your hair gently, don’t heat style it too much, and try switching to a satin pillowcase to reduce hair breakage.

Overwhelmed by the options? Don’t stress. If you’ve noticed the signs of balding, your first place to turn should be a healthcare professional. They will help assess your hair loss and take you through your treatment options.

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Peppermint essential oil is great for popping into a diffuser or adding to a massage oil. But sadly, there’s no research to suggest that it promotes hair growth. Perhaps future research will give us a more definitive answer on peppermint oil benefits for hair. 

In the meantime, before you entrust your hair follicles to peppermint oil, keep the following in mind:

  • Although research into peppermint oil’s effects on hair growth looks promising, there isn’t yet enough scientific evidence available to confidently say whether it works.

  • While it's unclear if peppermint oil for hair growth will work, it may help to soothe an itchy scalp or just make your hair smell nice and fresh.

  • If you’re going to use peppermint oil on your scalp, make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil or add it to a hair care product. Otherwise, it could irritate your scalp.

If you’re dealing with hair loss, there are a few legit, science-backed hair loss treatments out there, like minoxidil and finasteride, that you might try out instead. To learn more, make an appointment with a healthcare professional through our online portal — they can help you explore your options.

9 Sources

  1. Badri T, et al. (2024). Minoxidil. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482378/
  2. Bazzano AN, et al. (2017). Use of Camphor and Essential Oil Balms for Infants in Cambodia. Journal of tropical pediatrics. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5301968/
  3. Craighead DH, et al. (2016). Topical menthol increases cutaneous blood flow. Microvascular research. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5406845/
  4. Kinter KJ, et al. (2022). Biochemistry, Dihydrotestosterone. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557634/
  5. Oh JY, et al. (2014). Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicological research. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/
  6. Singh R, et al. (2015). Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Mentha piperita L. Arabian Journal of Chemistry. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535211000232
  7. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Menthol. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Menthol
  8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-b). Peppermint oil. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Available from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/peppermint-oil
  9. Zito PM, et al. (2022). Finasteride. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/
Editorial Standards

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Knox Beasley, MD

Dr. Knox Beasley is a board certified dermatologist specializing in hair loss. He completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and subsequently attended medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. 

Dr. Beasley first began doing telemedicine during his dermatology residency in 2013 with the military, helping to diagnose dermatologic conditions in soldiers all over the world. 

Dr. Beasley is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Originally from Nashville, TN, Dr. Beasley currently lives in North Carolina and enjoys spending time outdoors (with sunscreen of course) with his wife and two children in his spare time. 

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  • Dermatology Residency. San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium

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