Essential Oils for Hair Removal

At least 20 million women regularly remove excess hair from their faces, often seeking safe and natural methods. One of the primary causes of facial hair growth in women is hormonal fluctuations, commonly associated with perimenopause and menopause.

Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also contribute to increased facial hair. If you’re interested in gentle, natural ways to reduce facial hair growth and manage unwanted body hair, essential oils may offer a helpful solution.

While methods like plucking, waxing, and other techniques can be effective, they often irritate the skin. Why not choose options that soothe and moisturize your skin while effectively removing excess hair? Here’s how you can do it.

Which Essential Oils Should I Use?

If you have excess facial hair, which is also known as hirsutism, there are several essential oils that can help. While many address the actual hair itself, others are effective for treating the underlying cause of your excess hair.

Lavender and tea tree oils have both been found to help reduce the growth of excess facial hair. Both of these have anti-androgenic properties, which means they combat the hormonal changes that result in hair growth.

Applying a mixture of five parts lavender to one-part tea tree oil to the affected area twice daily has been shown to reduce hair growth significantly. Lavender alone has been shown to slow and even stop hair regrowth, once it has been removed.

Turmeric essential oil has been used to treat skin related problems for centuries, and it is also great for getting rid of excess facial hair. Like tea tree oil, turmeric counteracts androgenic hormones in the body, blocking the growth of excess facial hair.

Other essential oils that are good for treating the hormone fluctuations that cause excess hair growth include fennel, nutmeg, chamomile, frankincense, and grapefruit oils.

How Should I Use These?

Hair Removal Mask

Lemon essential oil, when mixed with oatmeal and honey, makes an excellent facial mask that helps get rid of facial hair. Lemon is a natural antiseptic, and honey and oatmeal can help your skin look and feel healthier.

Combine two drops of lemon essential oil with one-half of a tablespoon of oatmeal and one tablespoon of honey to create a paste. Apply this mask and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with water.

Hair Inhibiting Mask

If you want to inhibit the growth of new hair after it has been successfully removed, you can try this facial mask. Combine one-quarter cup of chickpea flour with one-half of a tablespoon of turmeric powder or two drops of turmeric essential oil.

To do this, add two drops of lavender essential oil and three drops of tea tree essential oil. Slowly add water until you form a paste that is smooth.

Apply to your face after excess hair has been removed, then allow it dry before rinsing thoroughly. Use this mask once a week to slow the regrowth of hair.

Hair Inhibiting Spray

You can also create an effective spray to slow the growth of hair on any part of your body. In a small spray bottle, combine 1/4 cup distilled water with 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel. Shake until blended. Then, add three drops of tea tree oil, two drops of lavender essential oil, and one drop of grapefruit oil.

Shake again to combine the ingredients, then spray wherever you want to slow hair regrowth.

Sources:

Koulivand, P. H., Khaleghi Ghadiri, I. M., Gorji, A. (2013). Lavender and the Nervous System. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. March.

Tirabassi, G., et al. (2013). Possible efficacy of Lavender and Tea tree oils in the treatment of young women affected by mild idiopathic hirsutism. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. Jan: 36 (1):50-4.