Cedarwood Oil

SEE-der-wood OYL

Conditioning Agent, Fragrance 8/10 Safety CG ApprovedClean Natural Vegan

What Is Cedarwood Oil?

An essential oil from cedarwood bark with a warm, woody scent. Research shows it can stimulate hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the scalp and balancing sebum production.

Source: Cedarwood bark (Cedrus atlantica or Juniperus virginiana)

Origin: Natural

Also known as: Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil

What Does Cedarwood Oil Do to Your Hair?

Stimulates hair growth by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and balancing scalp oil production. Has antifungal and antibacterial properties that support a healthy scalp environment. Clinical research supports its alopecia treatment potential.

Best For

Thinning hair, alopecia areata, dry scalp, oily scalp, dandruff

Not Recommended For

Sensitive skin (at high concentrations), pregnant women

Concentration Matters

0.5-1.5% in products; 1-3% in carrier oils

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Approved
CG Approved

Safety & Regulation

8/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Generally safe when properly diluted. Research from the Archives of Dermatology showed efficacy in alopecia areata treatment when combined with other essential oils. Always dilute to 1-3% in carrier oil.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA considers safe for cosmetic use at standard concentrations.

EWG Score: 2/10

HairAide Verdict

One of the essential oils with actual clinical evidence for hair growth in alopecia. The warm, woodsy scent is a bonus. Works best in combination with lavender, rosemary, and thyme oils.

Products That Contain Cedarwood Oil

Hair growth treatments, scalp oils, anti-hair-loss products, shampoos

Alternatives to Cedarwood Oil

If you want to avoid Cedarwood Oil, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Rosemary Oil, Lavender Oil, Thyme Oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cedarwood Oil safe for hair?

Yes, Cedarwood Oil has a safety rating of 8/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Generally safe when properly diluted. Research from the Archives of Dermatology showed efficacy in alopecia areata treatment when combined with other essential oils. Always dilute to 1-3% in carrier oil.

Is Cedarwood Oil bad for curly hair?

Cedarwood Oil is CG-method approved and is generally considered safe for curly hair.

Is Cedarwood Oil CG-method approved?

Yes, Cedarwood Oil is approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Cedarwood Oil?

Some alternatives to Cedarwood Oil include: Rosemary Oil, Lavender Oil, Thyme Oil

Get Our Free Ingredient Decoder Cheat Sheet

Take the guesswork out of reading product labels. Our printable cheat sheet helps you decode ingredients while you shop.

Check What's In Your Products

Use our free Hair Product Label Analyzer to check any product's ingredient list instantly.

Analyze My Product →