What are the benefits of rose geranium essential oil for hair?

The rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a shrub belonging to the Geraniaceae family. Its essential oil is widely used for the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits it provides. As such, it is found in skincare products, but also in haircare products such as shampoos, conditioners, and hair serums. In these products, it is credited with soothing and purifying properties for the scalp, and improved hydration of the hair fibre.

However, to date, there is no scientific evidence to suggest any benefits of rose geranium essential oil for hair.

Nevertheless, assumptions can be made about its potential effects on hair. Firstly, in a study, Maamar MEKARNIA and his team found that the topical use of rose geranium essential oil could reduce symptoms of skin inflammation, such as oedema, and that it could decrease skin thickness, a phenomenon associated with the proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes caused by inflammation. It is therefore possible to assume that the anti-inflammatory properties of rose geranium essential oil, contained in shampoos for example, can limit scalp irritations and soothe associated redness and itching.

Furthermore, this essential oil is attributed with antioxidant activity. Petar D. MARIN and his colleagues observed that rose geranium essential oil could reduce free radicals by up to 50%, thereby stabilising them and limiting their impact. Several studies have shown that photo-aggravation of hair oxidation results in a loss of hair fibre quality, linked to lipid oxidation (lipoperoxidation). Hair pigments provide photochemical protection for hair proteins, such as keratin, by absorbing and filtering radiation, then dissipating this energy as heat.

However, in the process of preserving these proteins, the pigments themselves can be affected, leading to the onset of grey hair. It can be hypothesised that rose geranium essential oil, with its antioxidant effect, could protect the hair against the action of oxidative stress. This would allow them to be less dry and less irritated. Furthermore, it is possible that it may contribute to preventing or reducing the greying of hair by preserving the hair pigments.

All these ideas remain hypotheses, and scientific evidence is necessary to confirm these statements.

• LEE W. S. Photoaggravation of hair aging. International Journal of Trichology (2009).

• MARIN P. D. & al. Chemical composition, antifungal and antioxidant activity of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science (2014).

• MEKARNIA M. & al. Rose geranium essential oil as a source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs. Libyan Journal of Medicine (2014).