Do Adaptogens in Haircare Actually Work? Here’s What Skincare Science Says
You’ve probably seen the word “adaptogen” floating around – on beauty labels, in your feed, or in wellness circles. These ancient plants are getting a lot of love lately, and not just in supplements or teas. Now they’re showing up in haircare and skincare, too.
But do they actually do anything for your scalp, hair, or lashes? Let’s break it down in plain language, so you know what’s hype and what’s worth your time.
1. First Off: What Are Adaptogens (and Why Are They Everywhere)?
Adaptogens are herbs and roots that have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, especially Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine – to help the body handle stress. Not just emotional stress, but things like fatigue, inflammation, and even environmental toxins.
They don’t force the body to do anything extreme. Instead, they gently nudge things back into balance. Which is kind of perfect for modern life, right?
2. Why Hair and Scalp Can Benefit From Skincare-Like Ingredients
We don’t always think of the scalp as skin, but it absolutely is. And just like the skin on your face, it can get irritated, dry, inflamed, or out of balance – especially with heat styling, dry shampoo buildup, or stress.
That’s why more people (and brands) are starting to treat the scalp more like skin. Gentle, calming ingredients. Barrier repair. Thoughtful hydration. That’s where adaptogens come in – they’re known to help soothe, nourish, and support long-term resilience.
3. So What Can Adaptogens Actually Do for Hair and Scalp?
Let’s be real: they’re not magic wands. But adaptogens like ginseng, horsetail, ashwagandha, and rhodiola have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and circulation-boosting properties in early studies. And over generations, they’ve been used to support healthy hair, skin, and mood.
What’s especially cool is how they work over time. They don’t just fix a surface-level issue – they help restore balance deeper in the system. Think of them as long-term support for your body’s stress response, which can absolutely show up in your hair and skin.
4. Where You’ll Actually Find Them in Your Routine
If you're curious about trying adaptogens, you don’t have to change everything at once. A few thoughtful swaps in your daily care routine can be a great start.
Here are a few ways to bring them in:
- Mars Sand Volumizing Adaptogenic Dry Shampoo – Perfect for in-between washes. It absorbs oil without gunk, and includes adaptogens like ginseng and horsetail to gently support scalp health at the roots, where stress tends to show up first.
- Renaissance BetterHair Restoring Oil – This one’s like a deep breath for your scalp. It’s full of botanical oils and adaptogenic herbs that support hair resilience, hydration, and strength over time. If your scalp feels tense or your strands are brittle, this kind of oil can feel like a little ritual of repair.
- Moon Boost Lash & Brow Serum – Yup, even your lashes and brows can benefit. This serum uses adaptogens like horsetail and gotu kola (alongside amino acids and bamboo extract) to support fuller, healthier-looking lashes – without harsh synthetics.
You don’t have to use all of them. Just pick what fits naturally into your routine, and trust that small steps add up.
5. Why This Isn’t Just a Trend
It’s easy to write things off as hype, especially when they show up everywhere all of a sudden. But adaptogens have been around forever. The fact that we’re now applying them to beauty just shows how interconnected everything really is: skin, scalp, hair, stress, lifestyle... it’s all related.
And in a world that moves fast, it's kind of nice to slow down and use ingredients that are gentle, smart, and work with your body instead of pushing against it.
Final Thought: Build a Routine That’s Rooted in Care, Not Quick Fixes
If there’s one thing adaptogens can teach us, it’s that the best results take time – and that consistency is more powerful than intensity.
So whether it’s through an adaptogenic hair oil, a calming dry shampoo, or even a few minutes of breath work while massaging your scalp, these little choices send a message: you’re taking care of yourself, slowly and steadily.
That’s where the magic happens.