If someone had told us a couple of years ago that onion would be the key ingredient for healthy hair, we would have been more likely to believe another TikTok challenge. But no—it’s already a serious beauty trend. According to Spate’s Popularity Index, searches for onion shampoo have grown by more than 1000%, and the hashtag #onionextract has increased its views on TikTok by 309.7%. This isn’t virality—it’s the early stages of global demand.
Why onion?
The hair industry has moved far beyond promises of “smoothness and shine.” Now, scalp health is the top priority. And here, onion has proven surprisingly relevant. It was actively used in Ayurveda long before we learned how to create lamellar emulsions or exosome serums.
And its properties perfectly match consumer needs in 2025–2026:
• Strengthening follicles,
• Preventing hair loss,
• Stimulating growth,
• Increasing hair density,
• Improving scalp microcirculation.
The main active ingredient is sulfur, essential for keratin synthesis, plus antioxidants (quercetin!) and pronounced antibacterial properties. In other words, onions are a natural stimulant and protector at the same time.
Science confirms everything.
This trend is not based on teenagers’ likes, but on research:
• Sharquie & Al-Obaidi, 2002 — showed that using onion juice stimulates hair growth faster than in the control group.
• WHO, 1999 — recorded the pronounced antimicrobial activity of onion extracts.
• Muñoz Navarro, 2005 — demonstrated the antioxidant effect of flavonoids, including quercetin.
• Draelos, 2008, and Jenwitheesuk, 2012, noted a wound-healing effect when applied topically.
Thus, onion has three main effects:
biochemical growth support,
anti-inflammatory action,
strengthening the skin barrier.
For the industry, this sounds like a dream come true.
Brands Leading the Wave
While onion shampoos haven’t yet flooded the mass market, those who took the plunge are winning:
• Fable & Mane — a line with onion oil has already become a bestseller at Sephora.
• Natural Sant — steadily growing thanks to “next-generation botanical shampoos.”
• Tara Formula — uses onion in serums and sprays to strengthen roots.
Today’s consumers want a recognizable, “human” ingredient that’s familiar from real life, yet scientifically proven. Onion fits this psychology perfectly.
But what about scent?
That’s the main drag on the trend.
But the industry has found two solutions:
purified extracts with preserved activity but odorless,
aromatic compositions that mask the onion note.
Modern extraction technologies allow you to extract the benefits and leave everything else at the door.
Why is this a trend and not a fluke?
According to global statistics, the three main goals of consumers in hair care are:
scalp health – 37%,
hair loss prevention – 36%,
hair restoration – 32%.
Onion achieves all three goals simultaneously.
And this makes it not just a viral ingredient, but a candidate for a key asset for scalp care in 2026.
Experts believe that onion has already passed the TikTok curiosity phase and is entering the “conscious demand” phase. That is, at first they laughed, then they were surprised, and now they’re buying it.
We’ll likely see more onion-based shampoos, toners, masks, and serums, but in advanced formulas that prioritize science over homespun romance.
What do you think? Are you ready for onions to return to your beauty routine?
In the Open Beauty Hub community, we continue to track ingredients that are quietly becoming the next big thing.