Hair Oils for Every Hair Type

By Sharon Perry On Jan 5, 2024

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Avid users of blowdryers and straighteners beware: you might be in for a dull, frizzy scare. If you’ve been experiencing excess breakage lately (even without heat tools), you may want to consider adding a hair oil to your self care routine. Your hair, of course, produces its own oil (we’ve all seen what happens in-between wash days), but everything from excess heat, to over-washing, and chemical processing can strip them. Even if you’re not looking to add another step to your styling routine, a little oil can help even the driest scalp look (and feel) more moisturized than ever.

Unlike hair serums (which only coat the strands of your hair), the best hair oils can protect your cuticles while simultaneously adding much-needed shine and softness — sans adding additional grease into the mix. According to the pros at L’Oréal, “applying hair oil on a regular basis can enhance lubrication of the shaft and help prevent hair breakage.” Along with preventing split ends, they also say that the right hair oil could even help rebalance oil overproduction and reduce your dreaded greasy hair days.

From those with fine hair, to thicker curl patterns, standard advice might be to reach for a hair oil depending on your type of strands. But consider first what you want the oil to do specifically for your hair, too. Just trying to add some shine to those locks? Formulations with olive or jojoba oils can be more helpful. Looking to bounce back from over-drying? Silicone-infused products can form a barrier to protect your hair’s cuticles, so there’s less direct damage from the heat. Want a thicker head of hair? Certain oils (like the TikTok-famous rosemary oil drops) have been known to help with promoting hair growth.

The Best Hair Oils

When searching for the best hair oils to add to your haircare routine, we considered formulas made for various hair types (including thick, curly, and textured hair), specific hair concerns, and results. We chose products based on our own personal testing as well as well-reviewed products from trustworthy hair brands. Here are our top picks below.

BEST OVERALL: The Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil

BEST FOR DRY SCALPS: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Oil

BEST FOR HEAT STYLING: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil

BEST FOR SHINE: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil

BEST FOR FRIZZ: Ouai Hair Oil

1. The Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil

Amazon

One of the most well-loved formulas on the market, Moroccanoil’s Treatment Hair Oil brings the gold standard for intensive moisturization. Infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil (and partially responsible for the boom in seeing argan oil in just about everything hair care in the past few years) along with essential fatty acids, the brand claims the oil can help boost shine by up to 118%. A little goes a long way here to achieve a silky sheen, so use just a few drops to instantly up your hair’s luster.

Promising Customer Feedback: “Worth every penny, super satisfied with this purchase. Love how it smells, how it feels in my hair. I started using it about a month ago and I can tell the difference on my hair it looks more alive, bright and soft, it has also helped me with the humidity keeping the frizz away.” —Flamenco

2. Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Oil

Rosemary oil has grown a dedicated fanbase on TikTok lately, with rave reviews for this Mielle scalp oil praising its ability combat dandruff, and comfort itchy, sensitive skin. There is some truth to the magic, with rosemary having been shown to increase blood flow, and therefore help that blend of 30 essential nutrients penetrate deeper into your scalp. You’re going to want to use these drops consistently for at least six months to achieve the maximum results possible.

Promising Customer Review: “Love this oil, and it’s great for ethnic hair! It definitely penetrates the scalp and moisturizes very well. I used to have the worst dandruff and after a month of using this it’s gone. I also notice bouncer curls and less split ends.” —Cedess

3. Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil

If you’ve put your hair through the heat-styling ringer, then Olaplex’s No. 7 Bonding Oil is up to the task. This beloved hair oil not only features grapeseed oil to infuse damaged hair with extra moisture, but the brand has a secret weapon here in the form of bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate. This ingredient (found across the Olaplex line) works to repair broken disulfide bonds so your hair is heat protected up to 450 degrees, and will feel (and look) stronger.

Promising Customer Review: “It’s the Holy Grail for color-treated/damaged hair. I’ve styled my somewhat wavy and medium-density fine hair several times now using this oil. It really transforms the look of my hair, and it’s soft, shiny, smooth and has movement. It helps diminish frizz and flyaways without flattening my hair. My hair styles more easily using a round brush and blow dryer and/or flat iron/curling wand, and actually seems like my hair is holding the style created by heated tools better than when I did not use the oil.” —Patilu

4. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil

Made from honey harvested from the founder’s own bee garden, the golden ingredient in Gisou’s hair oil acts a natural humectant, restoring the natural moisture down to the hair shaft for locks with a superior silky shine. Along helping achieve a glossier head of hair for those with dull strand, it’s also packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants for a truly nourishing formula that’s anything but superficial.

Promising Customer Feedback: “This product has worked wonders for my dry ends! I have extremely curly hair so it can be hard to get any moisture to the ends of my hair and this has been a godsend! It has no smell but it works very well! Caution though, you need less than other oils, and a little goes a long way.” —Audrey and Donna Turner

5. Ouai Hair Oil

We can thank celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin for Ouai hair oil, with an ultra-lightweight formula that’s made to streamline your hair care routine, using borage oil to smooth and reduce the appearance of frizz. It also addresses the root causes of frizziness as opposed to weighing down your locks, including ama oil to penetrate and moisturize hair fibers while shielding your hair from humidity. Overall, its a potent, multipurpose spray that delivers maximum frizz protection with minimal fuss.

Promising Customer Feedback: “This hair oil is perfect for all hair types (mine is wavy curly). It works great on slightly damp hair, and you can use it on dry hair for fly away hairs. The oil smoothes the cuticle and makes hair frizz-free and manageable, gives great shine with no greasy feel, smells amazing and is the best hair oil I have ever tried (and I have tried tons!)” —Michelle Walters

6. K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

Whether you’ve color-treated your hair back to back, or straightened it out one too many times, K18’s hair oil is the ultimate reparative solution. Designed to mimic the organic structure of healthy, growing hair strands, the oil reverses structural damage that causes frizz long-term with natural lipids like avocado and sunflower oils. Not only does it smooth flyaways, adds shine, and reduces split ends, but it also helps to protect your hair from future damage, too, with up to 450-degree heat protection.

Promising Customer Feedback: “The oil worked so well to help me combat the dryness of my damaged ends. I have only used this one time and I am sold. It has already made a huge impact in the feel and appearance of my very bad ends.” —MackenzieL

7. Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil

Designed especially for curl types 3A-4C and textured hair, Bread Beauty’s oil goes out to all the locks that needs a deep drink. This lightweight formula instantly coats your scalp with Australian vitamin C-rich kakadu plum oil, while safflower oil and caprylic triglycerides softens and moisturizes strands for the ultimate glossy look. Just scrunch a few drops in your curls or add directly to your scalp (the best part? it smells like strawberry lip smackers).

Promising Customer Feedback: “Have you ever just wanted to consume a hair product? Seriously, this smells so delicious and uplifting. It reminds me of a lollipop! Because it’s such a light product, my hair doesn’t look greasy or feel weighted down. It just looks more sleek, more styled, and tamed! (Instead of frizzy, which my extremely thick and wavy hair tends to be) I have used it both after washing my hair and after heat styling my hair and both instances produced awesome results!” —stateofheartisonfire

8. Davines OI Oil

Gentle and silky-smooth, Davines OI Oil has a lightweight feel that won’t weigh down thinner hair. This weightless hair oil adds shine and controls frizz thanks to the vitamin and antioxidant-packed roucou oil made from annatto seeds. The plant-based formula targets dry and dehydrated strands and helps lock in moisture for fine hair types, so your hair will stays soft, bouncy, and luscious.

Promising Customer Feedback: “I love this product, I have very fine hair and it’s easily weighed down by product. I use two pumps for my hair and apply it when it’s wet. Then blow dry it and it’s so smooth and soft. The scent is light and floral. I’m in love.” —Quinn

9. OGX Coconut Miracle Oil

If you’re looking to soften up those strands without breaking the bank, then OGX’s Extra Strength Damage Remedy Coconut Miracle Oil will turn dry, course hair into smooth perfection for less than most of the competitors. The nourishing, anti-frizz coconut oil blend helps add luster and softness, and helps tame flyaways especially for medium to coarse-textured hair types. This budget-friendly formula also smells amazing thanks to the addition of vanilla bean extract, like a tropical vacation for your hair.

Promising Customer Feedback: “Turned my blonde hair from straw to satin. My friend had recommended this and I didn’t really believe her. I put it on about 30 minutes before I shower and then wash it off by shampooing and conditioning regularly. I have somewhat thin hair so I don’t recommend it as a defrizzer after you’ve done your hair, but as a prewash treatment I can’t recommend enough.” —MJS 1994

10. Guerlain Abeille Royale Scalp & Hair Youth Oil In Serum

This luxe-feeling hair oil is definitely worth the splurge in our eyes, with a unique texture that’s as rich as an oil and as light as water for maximum absorption without a greasy finish. Made up of 97% naturally-derived ingredients and sustainably-sourced honey, it’ll help leave hair visibly thicker and shinier than before while also contributing to your scalp’s health.

Promising Customer Feedback: “Fantastic scalp oil, smells divine. You can use it on your damp scalp before blow drying, or at night before bed. Either way, there is never any oily or greasy residue. The smell is amazing — I tend to have a dry scalp, but this product calms it down. I am on my third bottle and yes, it’s expensive but worth every cent.” —Mari1275

11. British M Annatto Hair Oil

For luscious locks that achieve that shine and softness you’re looking for in a vegan package, go for British M Annatto’s hair oil. It’s got the optimal ratio of organic pumpkin seed to argan oil, all mixed with annatto oil to keep those delicate outer cuticles hydrated. Annatto oil has smaller-sized molecules that immediately penetrate into the hair, leaving it moist without feeling sticky or weighed-down.

Promising Customer Feedback: “I’ve used other hair oils before but this Annatto oil is just different. I love the scent and a little goes a long way. I used it right after my shower and did a no-heat curling for the night. The next day, my hair smells amazing and the curls are springy.” —CT

12. Ceremonia Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil

Inspired by a ritual from the Dominican Republic, this Latinx-owned haircare brand’s Ceremonia hair oil was made to support a balanced scalp with a pre-shampoo formula. With a heavy dose of omega-3 fatty acids, the Ecuadorian maracujá oil (otherwise known as passionfruit oil) forms a protective film over your hair before you wash, leaving you with glossier, shinier hair by the end of your styling routine. The addition of castor oil also supports healthy hair growth, and aloe vera helps to soothe any dryness or itchiness from your scalp.

Promising Customer Feedback: “I used this oil as a pre-wash routine on my scalp. For the 3-4 months I was using this oil my hair did feel soft and I experienced less fall out. I’d massaged it on my scalp and leave it overnight, and it smells great. Would definitely buy it again.” —NatashaLintang

Buying Guide: What We Look for In A Hair Oil

When looking for the best hair oils for various texture types and specific needs, this is what we considered. All of these top hair oils are also highly-rated by thousands of users online who back up our opinions with their own hands-on reviews.

Hair Type and Texture: We tried to choose hair oils with formulas that are meant for a wide variety of textures, but some hair types are are better suited to handle certain hair oils than others. Thicker hair types can handle heavier oils like coconut oil that are meant to trap in moisture. If your hair is fine or brittle, consider lightweight ingredients like avocado oil.

Ingredients: As a basis, we avoided hair oils that were full of parabens or synthetic dyes on this list, but you should always check the ingredients before you buy any hair oil. While all hair oils work to make your hair and scalp healthier, consider the active ingredient in the oil and what they’re meant to do. Argan oil has plenty of antioxidants to help protect against heat damage, while rosemary and castor oil can help with scalp dryness and promote hair growth.

Purpose and Hair Need: We picked as many multi-purpose hair oils as possible, but there are specific oils that are meant for specific hair concerns. There are lightweight hair oils meant to add moisture without weighing down thinner hair, while there are others that intensely moisturize to help hydrate hair damaged from heat exposure or chemical processing.

How to Use Hair Oil

According to experts at L’Oreal, the frequency and how you apply hair oil all depends on your hair type and its needs, but overall “only a few drops are necessary thanks to hair oil’s high concentration.”

There are plenty of different ways you can use it — no matter which top-rated hair oil you pick, dab them on as pre-shampoo treatment, use it in place of a leave-in conditioner, or style with it afterwards to your heart’s desire. On wet hair, hair oil locks in precious moisture and can protect your strands from the high heat of your dryer or straightener. On already-dry hair, hair oil can help smooth out frizz or flyaways, and can add a glossy shine to your locks.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.