Homemade Carrot Oil for Hair Growth, Softness & Shine

Carrot oil…for hair? The first time I heard about this, I was in wonder too. What is carrot oil? How do you make it? What does it do for hair? I’ll show you how to use homemade carrot oil for hair growth and more in this post: 

Carrot Oil vs Carrot Seed Oil

Before we get into the gist of this article, we need to get some facts straight. There are two different types of what one would call ‘carrot oil’ in the beauty world:

• Carrot Seed Oil

Now, carrot seed oil is concentrated essential oil extracted through steam distillation of carrot seeds from the plant Daucus carota (Queen Anne’s Lace). It is not got from the carrot plant we all know, Daucus carota subsp. sativus. It is an essential oil, meaning it is highly concentrated and must be added in drops, to a carrier oil before use. A carrier oil is basically a vegetable/plant oil such as olive oil, grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil. 

• Carrot Oil

Carrot oil, on the other hand, is a simple infusion created by soaking or heating shredded carrot in a vegetable or plant oil. The oil is then cooled down and strained into a container. This is the carrot oil we shall be talking about in this article. 

Benefits of Homemade Carrot Oil for Hair

What makes carrot oil special for hair? Apart from being nourishing for your scalp with nutrients like beta carotene and vitamin E,  there are other benefits of using carrot oil:

• Gives hair a beautiful sheen 
• Improves hair elasticity 
• Retains moisture in the scalp and hair strands 
• Reduces the appearance of split ends 
• Strengthens the hair follicles and hair strands 
• Reduces breakage 
• Tames frizzy hair 
• Helps stimulate hair growth

How to Make Homemade Carrot Oil 

Now that we have cleared any confusion that may arise from which carrot oil is being talked about, let’s get to the exciting part – which is how to make homemade carrot oil. Follow the steps below: 

What you Need 

• 2 carrots 
• 1 cup carrier oil of your choice (such as coconut oil, grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil) 
• A saucepan 
• Cheese grater 
• Strainer

Directions 

1. Thoroughly wash two carrots and peel the skin. 
2. Dry the carrots using a towel. 
3. Shred them using a cheese grater. 
4. In a saucepan, pour 1 cup of a vegetable oil of your choice. 
5. Heat the oil over a low flame.
6. Once the oil is warmed, add your shredded carrots and cook them in the oil until the shredded carrot lose most of their orange color and start separating from the oil. This process should last about 15-20 minutes. Do not forget to stir the mixture every 5 minutes.
7. Do not cook for long or the shredded carrots will get burned.
8. When your oil turns a lovely orange color and your shredded carrots have separated from the oil, turn off the flame and allow the oil to completely cool off. 
9. Strain the cooled oil into a glass container.
10. Your homemade carrot oil for hair growth is ready! Tip: You can add 5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil into your carrot oil to mask the scent of the carrot oil and add extra hair boosting properties! I like to add lavender, peppermint or geranium essential oil. 
11. Store in a cool dry place for up to 2 weeks. Tip: Store it in the refrigerator to maximize shelf life to 4 weeks! 

How to Use Carrot Oil for Hair Growth, Softness & Shine  

The best way to use carrot oil for to make your hair longer, softer and shinier, is by applying it as a hair mask. I like applying it as a hair mask and keeping it on for 1-2 hours before washing my hair. You could also use it as an overnight hair mask by applying it and keeping your hair wrapped in an old shawl or shower cap. 

1. Pour a small amount of your carrot oil into a bowl. If your carrot oil is from the refrigerator then let the oil warm up in the microwave before use. Do not overheat it, just warm it a little.
2. Next, section your hair, then use your finger tips to apply the carrot oil all over your scalp. Your scalp should be saturated with the oil.
3. Use the rest of the oil down the length of your hair. 
4. Now tie your hair up into a bun or clip your hair up and cover it using a shower cap. 
5. Leave the shower cap on for about 1-2 hours.
6. When the time is up, wash your hair as you normally would. You can shampoo twice to remove excess oil. 
7. That’s it! Enjoy softer and shiny hair after this treatment! You will also notice baby hairs growing longer! 
8. Use this carrot oil hair mask twice a week. Or, according to your hair wash days, for curly hair queens. 

What do you think? Are you ready to try homemade carrot oil for hair growth?