What Are the Benefits of Ginger Shampoo?

Small bowl with ginger bar soap (solid shampoo) and wooden hairbrush. — Photo Courtesy: Adobe Images

Ginger is one of the oldest medicinal roots, used for thousands of years to treat health conditions. Its powerful properties reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and boost immunity. You can get ginger in everything from tea to sodas to supplements to oils. While people most commonly ingest ginger for an upset stomach, ginger can also have a powerful impact on your hair.

Between its anti-inflammatory qualities and high vitamin content, ginger can benefit your hair's scalp, roots, and overall strength. One way to reap the rewards of ginger is to incorporate ginger shampoo into your hair care routine. How exactly does ginger contribute to healthier hair? How often should ginger shampoo be used? And where can you find the right ginger shampoo for you?

Why does ginger benefit hair?

Ginger is beneficial for your hair for the same reason that it benefits the gut: it's packed full of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds. Gingerol, an anti-inflammatory in ginger shampoo, can reduce scalp inflammation and improve circulation, stimulating hair growth. Additionally, as a nutrient powerhouse, ginger has the potential to strengthen, soften, and restore damaged or dry hair to a sleeker, healthier state.

Benefits of using ginger shampoo

Ginger contains many hair-healthy ingredients, but how exactly does it improve the quality of your hair?

One of the primary benefits of ginger shampoo is scalp restoration. When the scalp becomes too dry, it can result in flakiness, itchiness, and irritation. Ginger has been shown to improve skin health and retain moisture, which is useful for a dry scalp. Ginger shampoo also is an anti-septic, reducing the chance of developing scalp infections that cause hair loss, dandruff, and permanent bald patches.

Another way ginger shampoo can improve hair health is by boosting the overall strength of your hair. This starts at the follicle level, where ginger improves blood flow to the scalp and stimulates hair growth, even in previously dormant follicles. When nourished at the scalp, new hairs will grow stronger and healthier, reducing loss and breakage.

Lastly, the moisture-retaining properties of ginger shampoo can support the restoration of brittle, dry hair. Plus, its anti-oxidant compounds protect your hair from external stressors. If sunlight exposure or arid climates harm your hair, ginger shampoo can assist in both restoring moisture and preventing brittleness from developing.

Despite its many benefits, there is always the potential for side effects and adverse reactions, including redness or swelling of the scalp. Performing a skin test is the best way to see if you are potentially sensitive or allergic to ginger. Add a small amount of ginger shampoo to a tiny area of your skin, then wait a few hours to monitor reactions before applying it to your scalp. This is especially important for those with other skin conditions, such as eczema or contact dermatitis.

How to use ginger shampoo

As long as you do not experience adverse effects, there are no limits to how often you can apply ginger shampoo. If you wash your hair three to four days a week, using ginger shampoo during all those washes will allow you to get the most out of the product. Those with oily hair are welcome to use ginger shampoo once daily. Overall, ginger shampoo should not limit your weekly wash routine and can replace your regular shampoo.

Where to find ginger shampoo

Fortunately, ginger shampoo is more popular than ever within the cosmetic community, and numerous brands have adopted ginger hair products. Big hair brands like Garnier have brought ginger shampoos into their lineups. There are many sulfate-free ginger shampoos, including those made by DANI Naturals and Love Beauty and Planet.

For vegans, brands like The Body Shop and Seek Bamboo offer naturally-sourced ginger shampoo. Environmentally-conscious shoppers will enjoy ginger shampoos that come in non-plastic or recyclable packaging, such as PURE and Ethique's shampoo bars. Many ginger shampoos also include other hair-nourishing ingredients, such as shea butter and turmeric, which can be spotted on their ingredient labels.

Ultimately, ginger shampoo is widely accessible and often eco- and lifestyle-friendly, so you're certain to end up with the right product. With time, ginger shampoo can help you enjoy softer, stronger, healthier hair.