Our 5 Favorite Hair Oils

You may have heard of face oil...but have you heard of hair oil? Much like skincare oils, hair oils contain a wealth of naturally beneficial properties (vitamins, fatty acids, antioxidants) that help bring life and luster back into your locks. Hair oils can be used to help prevent damage from heat-styling, split ends, breakage, and even hair loss, and they can also be used to help maintain your scalp health, detangle, de-frizz, and boost your overall hair health. In short: If you haven't already incorporated a good hair oil into your routine, it's time to start doing so. Here are the five best, grouped by category.

WOW Onion Black Seed Hair Oil

That WOW factor can't be beat

Talk about a multitasker: This WOW hair oil can help tame frizz, detangle, reduce hair loss, boost shine, and more.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

When it comes to the best hair growth oil available, there’s no question: WOW Onion Black Seed Oil is an incredible product. This oil will boost your hair health like nobody’s business, with its unique, potent formula that’s packed with nutrients. These include almond oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, and, most notably, onion black seed oil, which works to restore dryness and bring some shine and vitality back into your strands. WOW Hair Oil also contains a host of anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe scalp conditions and flakiness.

Pros:

Nutrient-rich formula comprised of several oils, including onion black seed oil, which boosts moisture and shine.
Contains anti-inflammatory properties, which is great for those who struggle with dandruff and flakiness.
A handy styling tool for taming frizz and detangling.

Cons:

The scent is a little overpowering.

Moroccanoil Treatment

Add some oomph and shine into your life

Enjoy the lustrous locks of your dreams when you use Moroccanoil Treatment.

Best for Shine

Find on Amazon

Frizzy, unruly hair got you down? Smooth some Moroccanoil Treatment onto your strands, and you’ll likely be amazed at the results: silky-soft, lusciously healthy hair that shines like the sun. The formula is infused with argan oil, flaxseed, and several key vitamins, which is why it’s so awesome at, not just detangling and tamping down frizz, but actually improving your hair health.

Pros:

Boosts radiance and softness like almost no other hair oil.
Argan oil- and flaxseed-rich formula helps to improve hair health.
Awesome at tamping down frizz and controlling flyaways.
Use it one of several ways: as a deep conditioning treatment, a styling product, or a shine booster.

Cons:

Not cheap.

OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum

Say goodbye to split ends and breakage

If your hair is prone to split ends and damage, look no further than the OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum.

Best for Breakage Prevention

Find on Amazon

Some of us were born with naturally healthy, split end-free hair…and some of us have to work for it. There’s no shame if you fall into the latter camp, especially because you can always just invest in a bottle of OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum. This hair oil is designed to strengthen and protect your strands from heat styling and environmental damage, support your hair’s natural elasticity, and infuse your strands and scalp with a hefty dose of moisture— all thanks to the premium formula that’s crafted with coconut milk and egg white proteins. Best of all, it’s well-suited for all hair types.

Pros:

Moisturizing formula (mostly comprised of egg white proteins and coconut milk) that protects strands from heat styling and environmental damage, which means fewer split ends.
Revives dull, damaged, stressed-out hair.
Suitable for all hair types.

Cons:

The lid pops off too easily.

Pura d’Or Organic Jamaican Black Castor Oil

One of the best natural emollients on the block

Slather this naturally moisturizing oil from Pura d'Or onto your strands, and bask in your glowing beauty.

Best Castor Oil

Find on Amazon

If you’ve never tried using castor oil on your hair, then you’re in for a treat. This is one of the best natural oils to use on both your hair and scalp, since it has so many beneficial properties: It moisturizes, hydrates, replenishes, and reduces flakes and itchiness caused by dry scalp. And, when you use it regularly, it helps to nourish and strengthen your hair follicles (on your lashes and brows, too), so that hair is in a better position to grow back thicker and longer. Not too shabby for a single product, right?

Pros:

Moisturizes and nourishes better than almost any other natural oil.
Helps to reduce flakes and itchiness caused by dry scalp.
Use it on your lashes and brows to promote health and growth.

Cons:

Not the most pleasant scent.

Garnier Hair Care Fructis Hair Oil

Haircare on a budget

Garnier Fructis makes a wonderful hair oil that's half the price of most others.

Best Value Buy

Find on Amazon

If you’re shopping on a budget, there’s no need to break the bank with expensive haircare—just pick up a bottle of Garnier Fructis Hair Oil. This low-cost hair oil delivers a huge wallop of moisture, with a formula that consists of hydrating, healthy nutrients like avocado oil, olive oil, and almond oil. Particularly if your hair is dry or damaged, this oil can work wonders, leaving you with buttery-smooth, soft, tangle-free strands.

Pros:

Accessible price point.
Super-moisturizing.
Formula contains a bevy of nutrients, like avocado oil, olive oil, and almond oil.
Great for those with dry or damaged hair.

Cons:

If your hair is oily, then this treatment might be too moisturizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do hair oils do, exactly?

Hair oils help to improve the quality and texture of your hair, thanks to their naturally occurring antioxidants and vitamins. They’re also lubricants, which means they’re excellent at detangling, de-frizzing, and protecting hair from heat-styling.

How often can I use a hair oil?

There’s no limit to how often you should use your hair oil, but do be careful not to use too much of it; a few drops can go a long way.

But will a hair oil make my hair greasy?

No, not if you get the right oil for your hair type and you apply it correctly. Also, most (quality) hair oils are designed to absorb quickly, without leaving behind a greasy residue.