Eucalyptus oil is a popular ingredient in inhalers, toothpaste and natural cleaning products. Did you know eucalyptus components can also work wonders for your hair and scalp, especially if you're looking for scientific remedies to improve hair volume, strength and texture?
The Health Benefits of Eucalyptus for Your Scalp
The leaves of Eucalyptus globulus yield a benefit-laden essential oil with potent antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Oil extraction involves pressing the eucalyptus leaves and distilling the oil, with roughly one pound of leaves producing a single 15-ml bottle of essential oil. The tree growth conditions, geographical location, leaf harvest season and extraction method all influence the properties of the eucalyptus oil.
People worldwide use eucalyptus oil for a host of purposes, from easing symptoms of respiratory infections to combatting head lice and repelling mosquitoes.
Thanks to the antiseptic and antifungal properties of eucalyptus oil, it can help soothe the scalp and promote hair follicle health in conditions like:
- Scalp inflammation
- Dandruff
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Piedra, a fungal infection resulting from Trichosporon ovoides
A study from 2020 shows eucalyptus oil can reduce allergic reactions and relieve allergic dermatitis. The researchers found that eucalyptus oil suppresses inflammation by inhibiting the degranulation of mast cells, which is a core physiological mechanism of allergic reaction. This study's results support the idea that people suffering from hair loss because of inflammatory skin conditions may benefit from a topical application of eucalyptus for hair and scalp.
Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe?
Eucalyptus oil applications are incredibly safe for adult skin, provided that the essential oil comes diluted in a carrier like coconut oil, olive oil or a lotion. Undiluted eucalyptus essential oil is so potent that it may cause skin irritation. When you use a clinically researched product like Divi's Scalp Serum, you know you're applying a safe, optimal and regulated amount of eucalyptus oil.
Does Eucalyptus Oil Have Any Side Effects?
Despite the safety and efficacy of eucalyptus oil, occasionally, it can cause side effects or interact with prescription medicines or other skin care products you use. Consult your health care provider before using any product that contains eucalyptus oil if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have low blood pressure
- Suffer from liver or kidney disease, asthma or seizures
Eucalyptus oil products are unsuitable for children younger than 2 years old and are for external use only. Any oral consumption requires urgent medical intervention.
An allergic reaction to eucalyptus oil is rare but possible. If you've never used eucalyptus-containing products on your skin before, keep an eye out for any symptoms like itching, skin rash, swelling, redness and eye sensitivity. Stop using any new product immediately if you notice side effects. It is best to test every new skin care product on a small patch of your skin and scalp before moving on to full-scale use.
Understanding Hair Loss in Men and Women
Hair loss is a common complaint in both men and women, although males usually experience earlier and more extensive hair thinning. Men typically lose hair because of androgenetic alopecia, also known as male-pattern baldness, which causes hair to start receding from the forehead as early as the teen years. After the age of 50, more than 50% of all men experience hair loss to some degree.
Although women suffer from androgenetic alopecia, female-pattern baldness typically manifests as hair thinning all over the scalp rather than a receding hairline. Androgenetic alopecia usually affects women after menopause. Younger women may also lose hair because of hormonal imbalances associated with pregnancy, childbirth and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
Both men and women may experience hair loss because of:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Environmental triggers and oxidative stress
- Dramatic weight loss
- Autoimmune conditions like lupus, psoriasis, and Hashimoto's disease
- Thyroid function disruptions
- Certain cosmetic procedures
Medical Treatments for Hair Loss
While some people resign themselves to losing hair, many others experience a significant dip in self-confidence with hair loss. Men who wish to restore hair growth sometimes try Finasteride, a medication that blocks the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is a sex hormone that may interfere with hair growth. Both males and females might also use minoxidil, a hair growth stimulator that enhances blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles.
These medical treatments may help combat hair loss but also have side effects. Finasteride can cause low blood pressure, problems with sexual function, and depression. Topical minoxidil application may involve itching, scalp irritation, redness, swelling and unwanted facial hair growth.
Understandably, people suffering from hair loss often prefer to try clean, plant-based alternatives to promote scalp and hair health.
How Eucalyptus Works on Your Hair and Scalp
So how exactly does eucalyptus oil work its magic on your scalp? Like every plant-based extract, eucalyptus oil contains a plethora of active compounds that trigger complex physiological mechanisms.
The main active ingredients in eucalyptus oil are 1,8-cineole and alpha-pinene. Isolated 1,8-cineole has spasmolytic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Alpha-pinene is likewise a powerful anti-inflammatory compound and a potent antioxidant agent.
Let's break down the many ways eucalyptus may improve your hair and scalp condition.
Enhancing Ceramide Production
A Japanese study from 2008 explains how using eucalyptus extract lotion can increase the amount of ceramide in the scalp. Eucalyptus oil is an excellent source of beneficial ceramides.
Ceramides, which are waxy lipid compounds that form a part of the skin barrier, serve as a kind of natural laminate for your hair. Just as a laminated page will be glossier, sturdier and thicker than an unlaminated page, hair richer in ceramide will be bouncier, more lustrous, readier to withstand bending stress, and less prone to breakage.
Another study from Japan suggests that Macrocarpal A, an essential active component in eucalyptus extract, is the compound responsible for the beneficial effect of eucalyptus oil on human skin cells. Macrocarpal A may play a key role in ceramide synthesis in the outer epidermis.
Producing Less Dandruff
Persistent dandruff can sabotage even the most meticulous hair care routine. Itchy, annoying and unsightly, dandruff is notoriously hard to get rid of. Studies show the efficacy of eucalyptus oil against dandruff, possibly owing to the antifungal properties of eucalyptus.
Additionally, the ceramides in eucalyptus oil retain moisture, so when your scalp has a higher ceramide level, it is less prone to drying—and, by extension, dandruff.
Protecting From Free Radicals, Scalp Infection, and Fungus
Constant exposure to environmental free radicals may cause your hair to age prematurely. The flavonoids and antioxidants in eucalyptus oil may protect your hair from free-radical damage with constant use.
Eucalyptus oil's antimicrobial properties may help kill bacteria and other pathogens causing scalp inflammation and interfere with hair growth. 1,8-cineole, the major active component in eucalyptus oil, is such a potent antibacterial agent that it can act even against powerful pathogens like MRSA and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Eucalyptus oil may also battle Candida, a prevalent fungus with increased resistance to common antifungal drugs. Candida may settle all over the body, including the scalp, where it can cause a pesky, itchy yeast infection.
Scientists worldwide keep researching the many properties of eucalyptus oil and its effects on skin, scalp and hair health. We may have more precise data on how eucalyptus oil can enhance hair care products in a few years.
How Divi's Scalp Serum Harnesses the Eucalyptus Oil Effect
While eucalyptus oil contains potent compounds to promote scalp health, on its own, it may not be enough to inhibit hair loss resulting from conditions like androgenetic alopecia, eczema or psoriasis. Eucalyptus for the scalp works best when combined with other science-backed ingredients that nourish hair follicles and help reduce hair thinning.
Divi's Scalp Serum's vegan-friendly, hypoallergenic formula includes clean, science-backed ingredients all working together to create a powerful synergistic effect for your scalp’s health. In addition to eucalyptus oil, Divi's Scalp Serum also contains:
- Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu): GHK-Cu, a naturally occurring human peptide, has multiple physiological functions. Studies show GHK-Cu promotes blood vessel growth, stimulates collagen and elastin production, and facilitates tissue repair. Divi’s Scalp Serum taps into the powerful cellular-level effect of copper tripeptide-1 to help you achieve a more nourished scalp.
- Peppermint oil: Mentha piperita, a native European plant with many uses from cooking to traditional medicine, is also a promising agent for promoting hair growth. A study in mice shows how after four weeks of topical application, the hair of animals treated with 3% peppermint oil showed higher follicle number and depth compared to both the control group and animals that received minoxidil.
- Green tea leaf extract: Green tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) contains powerful health-promoting flavonoids, including the well-known EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which may also have a beneficial effect on hair growth. A study from 2019 demonstrates how a green tea leaf extract application improves both hair growth speed and hair weight.
- Rosemary leaf extract: The leaf extract of rosemary, or Rosmarinus officinalis, promoted hair growth in mice that received testosterone treatment. Rosemary's anti-inflammatory and antioxidative compounds can enhance scalp blood circulation and drive more oxygen to hair follicles.
- Tea tree oil: Derived from Melaleuca alternifolia, tea tree oil offers potent therapeutic benefits. Its antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties may help you maintain a clean scalp and strong, dandruff-free hair. Dandruff often appears because of Pityrosporum ovale, a type of yeast that tea tree oil topical treatment can help control.
- Caffeine: Caffeine, the world's most popular stimulant, is also great for your scalp and hair strands. On topical application, caffeine easily penetrates the skin barrier, stimulates hair follicle metabolism, and promotes hair growth. Caffeine's possible action mechanism on hair may involve blood vessel dilation, similarly to minoxidil.
- Menthol: Menthol, the main ingredient of peppermint oil, produces the well-known cooling sensation that leaves your scalp feeling clean and refreshed. Menthol also promotes microvascular blood flow in the scalp and thus enhances oxygen supply to hair follicles.
- Additional nourishing components in Divi Scalp Serum include Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids like arginine, glycine, serine and threonine.
In combination with eucalyptus oil, Divi's Scalp Serum's carefully selected ingredients soothe, revitalize, and moisturize your scalp without inducing greasiness or nasty side effects. The serum can help increase hair follicle size, promote the hair growth cycle, and reverse hair loss. Divi's Scalp Serum's clean, cruelty-free formula has helped many people enjoy thicker, healthier hair with a lush, shiny and smooth texture.
How to Use Divi's Scalp Serum
There are few things easier than using Divi's Scalp Serum. Simply apply the serum once daily, either in the morning or at night, onto your scalp. You don’t need to rinse it out, either!
To use the serum:
- Shake the bottle well
- Fill the dropper ¾ full and apply to towel-dried or dry scalp
- Massage the serum into the scalp and leave it to work during the day or overnight. You may experience a slight tingling sensation, but this is just menthol working its magic.
Keep in mind that Divi's Scalp Serum treats the symptoms of hair loss and scalp conditions rather than the underlying problems. If your hair loss results from an issue like hormonal imbalance or a nutritional deficiency, Divi’s Scalp Serum may have a limited effect unless you get a diagnosis and treatment for the original condition. Please consult your healthcare provider in any case of sudden, severe or inexplicable hair loss.
Enhance Hair and Scalp Health with Divi's Scalp Serum
In Divi's Scalp Serum, eucalyptus for your scalp health combines with other potent plant-based extracts to promote hair growth, support follicle renewal, and combat hair shedding and thinning. Divi's clean, vegan, innovative Scalp Serum formula will give your hair and scalp a boost of vigor and energy.
Are you ready to help your hair thrive with Divi's groundbreaking solution? Place your first Divi's Scalp Serum order and enjoy 10% off with a subscription.
