If your crowning glory is looking a little less luxuriant than it used to, you’re not alone.
As we move through life, and as we change our diet, lifestyle and routines, our hair evolves with us. Hormones too, have a huge part to play.
So much changes, it’s a wonder we’re even surprised. And yet, many of us are, when our long-favoured shampoo or go-to styling approach just doesn’t do it any more.
While much is made of male hair loss, women too, often experience challenges; finding locks lacking in oomph, a visible scalp, or strands that have lost their density or lustre are all common issues.
We are quick to reach for pharmaceutical solutions, but what else can we do to ensure the best health of our hair?
What’s to blame?
The first thing to do is to unravel the clues as to what is causing any issues. According to Nicky James-Baird, Cosmetic Chemist, Trichologist and Co-Owner of natural haircare line Holistic Hair, these influences can generally be grouped into four categories: internal, external, lifestyle, and psychological factors.
“As the body ages, it undergoes significant changes that play a critical role in scalp and hair health,” she says. “Each stage of life – infancy, childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood – brings unique shifts that impact how hair looks and ages.”
She points out teenagers often experience increased scalp oiliness due to hormonal changes during puberty, while women in perimenopause and menopause commonly face hair thinning or
loss caused by hormonal imbalances.
In addition to internal factors, external, lifestyle, and psychological influences present their own challenges.
“Everyday exposure to pollution, for instance, can lead to toxin build-up on the scalp, causing irritation and clogging hair follicles,” says James-Baird.
“Poor dietary habits, such as relying on processed or convenience foods, can result in nutrient deficiencies, particularly in iron and protein, which are essential for healthy hair growth.” She says prolonged stress from work or personal life can also disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, exacerbate conditions like dandruff, and even contribute to hair shedding.
Given our busy lives, these challenges can overlap. If you suddenly begin losing large quantities of hair or see big changes, it’s worth seeing your doctor. They may recommend blood tests to help identify any specific issues or treatable causes. Low iron levels are thought to play a part in some forms of hair loss, as is an underactive thyroid, as well as the hormonal condition polycystic ovary syndrome.
According to experts, natural ingredients can be a key ally in helping support healthy hair and counter some common challenges.
However, James-Baird says when it comes to thinning hair or hair loss, it’s important to be aware that evidence supporting the effectiveness of each approach is often limited and generally falls into two categories: scientific research and anecdotal reports.
Natural ingredients inside & out
Natural ingredients can be used in two ways: externally (topically) or internally (orally).
“When applied topically, ingredients such as rosemary, lavender, bergamot, neroli, peppermint, and aloe vera may offer benefits for hair thinning or hair loss,” says James-Baird. “These ingredients are believed to support scalp health, stimulate hair follicles, and promote a balanced environment for growth.”
For internal support, she says achieving the most holistic results starts with a well-balanced diet.
“Foods rich in protein, essential minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats are particularly important for maintaining hair health and encouraging growth.”
She says a comprehensive approach would ideally combine internal nourishment with targeted topical care, creating the best conditions for optimal hair health.
Products to try: Holistic Hair Quinoa Pro NPNF Colour Protect Shampoo; Holistic Hair Essential Scalp Spray; Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum; Act + Acre Cold Pressed Stem Cell Scalp Serum; Sukin Volumising Thickening Spritz.
Rosemary oil for hair
If you believe the hype proliferated on social media in recent years, rosemary oil is one particular ingredient claimed to help make hair thicker or to stimulate hair growth.
Its use mirrors other ingredients plucked from traditional approaches that have recently come back into favour and amplified in beauty and skincare. According to reports, therapeutic use of rosemary has been recorded back to ancient times in Mediterranean cultures.
There are a number of theories about how rosemary oil might work for hair when applied to the scalp regularly.
James-Baird says rosemary is rich in compounds like ursolic acid and antioxidants, and helps improve blood circulation to the scalp, delivering essential nutrients to hair follicles and supporting healthy growth.
“Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties also make it particularly effective for addressing scalp conditions such as dandruff, while it may also help block DHT, a hormone associated with hair thinning,” she says.
Some small studies have suggested its benefits for hair, such as one oft-mentioned one in men with male pattern balding, which showed results comparable to that of minoxidil, the drug typically used to treat androgenetic alopecia to stimulate hair growth. In the trial, patients were assigned to either apply minoxidil 2% or rosemary oil. It didn’t make a difference at three months, but six months in, regular use had increased average hair count, with no substantial differences in the results for the two approaches highlighted.
Another, using tests on mice, suggested hair growth-promoting activity, but mice are not humans, and further wide-scale studies and definitive details on specific concentration of rosemary oil solutions are needed.
James-Baird says if you are interested in seeking rosemary-based hair products, look for a reputable brand that emphasises natural formulations, combining rosemary with other complementary natural ingredients.
Pantry solutions
There are a number of home remedies for hair passed down through generations, as well as shared online. Again it’s hard to find definitive proof for these ideas.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is often used as a natural hair treatment because of its acidity and antimicrobial properties, touted for its ability to remove build up, restore the scalp’s natural pH and help combat dandruff.
Coconut oil is often recommended as a mask and scalp treatment to deliver deep hydration and to tame frizz, particularly for very dry, coarse or curly locks. Potentially the messiest option, mayonnaise is sometimes offered as a suggestion for hair health. Used as a mask, the egg, oils and vinegar are to contain protein, vitamins and fatty acids, which can contribute to hair’s shine and strength.
While these options may offer some benefits for hair, they also can be smelly and create problems other than those you are seeking to manage. For example, oils that are too heavy for your scalp or hair type can leave strands heavy and greasy.
Natural hair products
A good middle ground is to seek out hair products formulated to help. Haircare brands are increasingly exploring natural ingredients, from plant-based direct-to-consumer brands, to supermarket options and more luxury options from the likes of department stores, Mecca and Sephora.
Holistic Hair is created using plant-based ingredients like quinoa to protect coloured hair, and a sensitive range that combines aloe vera, lavender, ACV and chamomile.
Act + Acre uses Apple Stem Cells and a Bamboo and Pea Sprout Blend in its serum to support the health of hair follicles and Vegamour uses clean vegan ingredients like Microalgae in its density serum.
Australian natural skincare brand Sukin has branched out into hair products with a range including scalp scrub, mask and options for volumising or hydrating shampoos.
