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How Do I Choose the Best Henna Oil?

Kristeen Moore
Kristeen Moore

Henna oil is a type of ingredient often combined with powders derived from the Lawsonia inermis plant. Also called the henna plant, the powders are used to create dyes for the skin as well as the hair. Choosing the best essential oil with the powder extracts depends on whether you are looking for a natural plant-based version, or a conventional type that contains certain chemicals. This type of oil can also be made at home with a few ingredients. No matter which type you choose, the best henna oil should work with powder extracts by preventing them from drying out too quickly.

Essential oils are traditionally derived from plants or flowers, and they have a variety of home and beauty uses. Henna oil is primarily used to work with the corresponding plant’s flower before applying to the hair or skin. Temporary tattoos made with henna often utilize the essential oil to help to ease the application process. Although skin uses are more traditional, henna has increased in prevalence in the hair dye market due to its speedy results. Henna oil is often combined with such hair products to make the application process easier, and it usually creates more dramatic, long-lasting color.

Most essential oils are made from flowers or plants.
Most essential oils are made from flowers or plants.

The best type of henna oil that you choose first depends on for what you are using it. Essential oils are prevalent in natural food, beauty, and online stores. If you are applying a henna tattoo, you will want to look for a product that is specifically designed for skin use, which may be sold in some types of tattoo parlors. Hair oils are sometimes easier to find because they are present in a wider variety of stores. Henna oil can also be used to take corresponding tattoos off, and it might help to minimize certain hair dyes when mistakes are made.

Organic and conventional henna oils are available, so choosing one or the other depends on your personal preferences. Traditional oils sold on the market often contain chemicals, while organic versions are made from plant ingredients. Organic henna oil is most often sold in natural food stores, but it is increasing in prevalence within online outlets as well. A truly organic product is made from ingredients that are not treated with pesticides.

An alternative to bottled henna oil is to make a homemade version with a few simple ingredients. Black tea, lemon juice, and eucalyptus oils are common ingredients used together to make homemade henna essential oil. You might consider testing the mixture on a small area of your hair or skin after combining with henna powder to ensure that it is the correct consistency and color that you desire.

Discussion Comments

stoneMason

@literally45-- You might want to ask a professional about this. I believe henna oil can be added in small amounts to the paste to improve color. It can also be used after removing the henna paste, directly over skin to make sure that the design lasts longer.

Actually, any type of oil can be used for this purpose, to protect the color of the design later. So I'm assuming that henna oil is actually added to the paste to make it more effective.

donasmrs

@literally45-- I have no idea. I've never used henna oil for that purpose.

I use henna oil in my hair as a hair moisturizer and cure. Henna oil is wonderful for hair. It makes hair strong, healthy and shiny. I have auburn hair and I believe that the henna oil brings out the various shades of brown and red in my hair. My hair just looks and feels better.

I massage the oil into my hair once or twice a week and leave it in for several hours before I wash it off.

literally45

I've never used henna oil for henna art before. How do I use it? Do I simply add some to the henna powder and water mixture when I'm making henna paste? How much oil should I add?

Has anyone used henna oil this way before? I'm actually curious, won't the oil actually limit the amount of henna that the skin absorbs? Won't it reduce effectiveness of the dye?

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    • Most essential oils are made from flowers or plants.
      By: Lucie Říhová
      Most essential oils are made from flowers or plants.