a berry balancing oil
a Berry balancing oil | Midday scalp soother
This Berry Balancing Hair Oil is one of those blends you can come back to seasonally. Especially when your scalp feels a little off, or your hair needs some love after fun in the sun or even dry weather. It’s inspired by the plants that grow along hedgerows and field edges, or those resilient and mineral-rich leaves and petals that know how to nourish and protect.
In this recipe, I use raspberry leaf and nettle for their that deep earthy strength. Raspberry leaf is known for it’s astringent yet toning qualities that are not just for the womb, but can be great for the scalp too. It helps tighten pores and bring balance to oil production. Nettle is like a multivitamin for your hair being rich in silica, iron, and other minerals that support healthy growth from the root up. Keep reading for more details on why we chose these ingredients!
This isn’t meant to be a heavy oil and isn’t intended to coat your strands like a gloss. Think of it more as a supportive tonic. This is a blend you can massage into your scalp before a shower (optionally try leaving for 5-10 minutes before any rinsing), or smooth lightly onto your ends when they’re feeling parched. You can think of it as a love letter to the plants that grow quietly and patiently on the edges, waiting to share their strength when we need it.
What is a balancing oil?
You know that moment halfway through the day when your scalp starts to feel…off? Maybe a little greasy at the roots, maybe dry or itchy in patches, maybe just blah. That’s where a midday balancing oil comes in.
This kind of oil isn’t meant to soak your strands or act like a heavy treatment. It’s more of a gentle touch-up—a way to help your scalp reset and come back into balance without stripping your natural oils. I like to imagine it like a facial toner except for your scalp: calming, refreshing, and just enough support to get you through the rest of the day.
Our scalps are skin, after all, and they go through rhythms—just like our face. There are more oil glands up there than most other parts of the body, which means they’re quick to react to stress, hormones, or the weather. And when the scalp gets out of sync, it can throw everything else off: dryness, overproduction of oil, flakiness, even stunted hair growth.
One thing I always like to bring up is pH. A healthy scalp tends to sit around a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. That slightly acidic layer is part of what keeps us protected from bacteria, yeast, and general irritation. Harsh products, frequent washing, and even the mineral content in your water can mess with this natural acidity and potentially lead to more irritation. A midday oil made with supportive and astringent herbs can help to gently bring things back into range without overwhelming the skin or clogging follicles.
So when I say “balancing,” I mean it quite literally. The goal is to bring the scalp back toward its natural equilibrium. This is especially helpful in dry climates, during seasonal transitions, or if you’re someone who sweats, wears hats, or ties your hair up often during the day.
A Berry Balancing Oil recipe
Ingredients (+ Why They Matter)
This blend is formulated with purpose:
Strawberry Leaf (1 tsp.) | Soothes irritation, gently exfoliates, calms inflammation.
Rose Petals (1 tsp.) | Cools heat, softens skin, uplifts the senses.
Wild Raspberry Leaf (1 tsp.) | Tones tissue, balances oil, supports scalp resilience.
Wild Nettle (1 tsp.) | Strengthens roots, boosts circulation, rich in minerals.
Jojoba Oil (15 ml) | Balances sebum, softens skin, deeply absorbs.
Almond ~ (3-5 ml) | Soothes dryness, nourishes scalp, gentle on sensitive skin.
MCT Oil (15 ml) | Lightweight, fast-absorbing, carries herbs deep.
Grape-seed Oil (5 ml)| Tightens pores, calms inflammation, rich in antioxidants.
A few drops of Vitamin E Oil (optional) | Preserves freshness, supports healing, protects barrier.
Rosemary Essential Oil (2 drops) | Boosts circulation, encourages growth, sharpens focus.
This recipe is meant to be flexible to your needs. Experiment with different oils to find the texture, smell, and benefits of your liking! Use what you have on hand and experiment to make it your own! Or optionally try a tiny tester (limited availability but may do more per special request)
Instructions
You’ll need:
Dried Herbs (Nettle, Strawberry Leaf, Rose Petals, Raspberry Leaf)
Oils for infusion (Almond + Jojoba + MCT + Grapeseed, or others such as sunflower, temanu, etc.)
Vitamin E Oil
Essential Oil (Rosemary)
Sterilized Jar
To Infuse:
Measure out all dried plant material by using a scale or chosen method. Sterilize jars by boiling in water for about 15 minutes fully submerged. Add herbs into bottom of clean and DRY jar. You can ensure the jar is dry by using your oven light, letting sit, etc. The introduction of water and/or air can cause things to spoil quicker. Pour oils over your herb material. For the quick method, place oil infusion still in jar inside your crock-pot (filling with water until it reaches the top of the oil) and let sit around 170 degrees for 8-48 hours. For the longer method, place somewhere away from sun to let infuse 6-8 weeks. This may vary with different plants, materials, and environments. I recommend using a heat source to ensure a more potent infusion, even setting it in the sun for a day or so could work just fine!
How to Use this midday balancing oil
This oil is great for calming and balancing your scalp anytime it feels irritated.
Step 1: Slowly pour a few drops on your fingertips. You could slightly warm it between you palms if preferred.
Step 2: Gently massage into your scalp really focusing on any itchy or dry spots.
Step 3: Let it absorb, there no need to rinse!
Use whenever your scalp needs a quick soothing boost without feeling heavy, greasy, and honestly just gross.
Want to Try first?
If you’d rather try this blend before buying all the ingredients, I will consider doing a special mini tester order. Each month I try to create mini batches of each recipe to allow you to try it before you DIY it. Ingredients can cost a lot of money, and if you don’t know how much you will like something it can be hard to allow the purchase.
Educational Note
Because this oil is light and balancing, it’s safe to use throughout the day as needed.
Patch test first if you have sensitive skin or allergies, especially with essential oils.
Store in a cool, dark place to keep it fresh and effective.This recipe is part of my education-based skincare path. I’m not here to sell you a shelf of products, I want to help you reconnect with what your mind, body, and spirit actually needs!
I offer:
DIY Recipes on the blog
Hands-on classes & seasonal sessions (Limited Spots)
Monthly free events to inspire and educate
Join the mailing list to get updates, new formulas, and invitations to upcoming events.
~ Suggestions ~
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly support and use or just really love. Thank you so much for supporting my small business!
Organic MCT→ [Purchase Here]
Organic Almond Oil → [Purchase]
Organic Grape-seed oil → [Purchase Here]
Organic Jojoba Oil → [Purchase]
Quality Vitamin E Oil → [Purchase Here]
Dried herbs → [Mountain Rose Herbs or Starwest Botanicals]
Airtight jars→ [UV Protected]
Quality essential oils (Mountain Rose, Eden’s Garden, or Young Living.)
