13 Best Hair Oils for All Hair Types, Tested and Reviewed for 2023
I tested the most-popular formulas and ranked them all, just for you.
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It's taken me many years to come around to oils—both in skincare and in haircare—but I'm seriously glad I did. All my fears of looking like a greasy mess were squashed when I finally started using cleansing oils and facial oils on my naturally oily skin, along with hair oils on my fine, straight hair. Because the right oils and the correct use of those oils can make all the difference, especially when it comes to your hair. From smoothing (and even helping to prevent) split ends, to laying down frizz and flyaways, to calming dandruff and moisturizing dry scalps, hair oils are are the unsung MVP of the hair world.
But to find the best hair oils takes a lot of testing, experimenting, and patience—which is where I come in. To save you the trouble, the time, and, let's be honest, the money (in this economy?!), I tested a ton of hair oils myself, pulled tester reviews, and gathered first-person opinions from editors and experts, such as trichologist Kerry E. Yates and celebrity hairstylist Priscilla Valles. Ahead, the 13 absolute best hair oils for all hair types, hair textures, and scalp needs.
Our top picks for the best hair oils of 2023:
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- 5
Ahead, the 13 best hair oils tested by yours truly, my editors, and hair experts. But wait! There's more. Keep scrolling for answers to all your FAQs because sometimes hair oils can be a sticky subject.
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Molecular Repair Hair Oil
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Molecular Repair Hair Oil
Pros
- Strengthens damaged hair as it protects from future damage
- Easy-to-use dropper applicator
Cons
- Has a slightly medicinal smell
This hair oil is the top pick of celebrity hairstylist Pricilla Valles, and honestly, it's one of mine, too. “It's not only for styling but for also treating your hair,” Valles says. “K18 helps reduce frizz, smooth out the cuticle and give it a better appearance, and at the same time, hydrates your hair.”
Just note this hair oil does contain fragrance, and the scent is the only tiny drawback for me. I love scented products (always have, always will), but this one has a medicinal scent that wouldn't be my first choice. That said, it's a very faint smell, so it's an easy thing to look past, especially if it gives good results—and that it does.
- Key ingredients: Avocado oil, squalane
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 1 oz / 30 mL
THE REVIEWS: “I have noticed a huge difference in the visible health of my hair since using this!" one tester writes. "My frizziness on my ends is gone, and my hair is smooth! Pricy but worth it!! Go buy now. :)”
Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil
Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil
Pros
- Dried faster than almost all the other oils I tried
- Incredibly lightweight feel
Cons
- Contains fragrance (the brand's signature scent), which could be a downside if you avoid fragrance
They weren't kidding or exaggerating when naming this product, because it took actual seconds (I counted) for this formula to soak into my hair and my hands with absolutely no greasy residue. On the contrary, this silicone-free oil has an almost gritty or powdery texture to it, which, as someone who's hesitant to put more oil on top of already oily hair, I liked.
The formula has the scent Living Proof is known for that lingers even once the oil has soaked in, which I personally really like. But I mostly loved how my hair still looked smooth (not greasy) by the end of the day.
- Key ingredients: Hemisqualane, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 1.7 oz./50 mL
THE REVIEWS: “This is probably my sixth bottle of this stuff!” writes one reviewer. “Love it, it soaks into your hair without making it greasy. It helps nourish and calm down flyaways. I have very coarse hair, and I get so many comments on my silky, healthy hair! Highly recommend!"
JVN Complete Nourishing Hair Oil Shine Drops
JVN Complete Nourishing Hair Oil Shine Drops
Pros
- Dries incredibly fast with no sticky residue
- Has a light, clean scent
Cons
- Could weigh the hair down if you use too much
Sometimes all you want is a little extra shine, and this is the formula to turn to on those days. Perfect for finishing off a sleek hairstyle sans silicones, this oil works surprisingly well on dry hair to smooth flyaways and frizzies without totally slicking your hair down à la the wet hair look. It has a clean scent (I liken it to an expensive hand soap) that isn't overpowering, and it feels like a normal oil (not too dry, not too greasy), and dries down quickly.
- Key ingredients: Squalane, jojoba esters, and meadowfoam esters
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 1.7 oz./ 50 mL
THE REVIEWS: “FINALLY I have something that takes away my abundance of frizz, doesn’t make my hair greasy, doesn’t make my head itchy, and doesn’t have a super overpowering scent! Yay!” one reviewer writes.
R+Co On A Cloud Baobab Oil Repair Splash-On Styler
R+Co On A Cloud Baobab Oil Repair Splash-On Styler
Pros
- Works as a protein spray to protect weak, brittle hair
- Also protects hair from further damage while heat-styling
Cons
- Contains silicones, so it's not the best choice for fine hair
Let's be honest: Hair-oil packaging could use an update in general. The majority of the oils I tested required you to pour the product into your hands before you putting it in your hair, but this spray-pump nozzle lets you cut out the middle man (aka your palms).
The formula works great as a detangler, too, so you can spray it on the lengths of your damp hair and comb it through to disperse the product. It also contains trichologist Kerry E. Yates' favorite multi-tasking ingredient, baobab oil (an oil that helps moisturize and potentially strengthen hair strands), making this the ultimate multi-tasking oil.
- Key ingredients: Baobab oil, grapeseed oil
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? No
- Size: 4.2 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “I this leaves my hair feeling soft and smelling so good,” one reviewer writes. “I have very fine hair so oil products tend to weigh my hair down and make it look super thin and stringy. This product adds shine without weighing my hair down. I LOVE IT.”
Fable & Mane MahaMane Smooth & Shine Hair Oil
Fable & Mane MahaMane Smooth & Shine Hair Oil
Pros
- A little bit goes a long way, so the bottle lasts a while
- Has a good consistency (not too thick, not too runny) that is easy to apply evenly
Cons
- Reviewers say the scent is amazing but is on the stronger side
Honestly, what oil doesn't this formula contain? It's packed with safflower, castor, coconut, rice bran, babassu seed, and jojoba oils (plus a few more, but you get the picture). Basically, it's the ultimate hair oil for dry hair and curly hair. In fact, Cosmopolitan's deputy beauty director Chloe Metzger, who has 2b/3a curly hair, calls this potion the “unicorn of oils” because it can be used on both fine and coarse hair.
She recommends using anywhere from a few drops (for fine hair) to the whole dropper (for coarse hair) to help add shine, define your curl pattern, protect your hair from potential damage, and moisturize dry ends.
- Key ingredients: Castor oil, coconut oil, safflower seed oil
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 1.8 oz. / 55 mL
THE REVIEWS: “Love this oil on my super fine dry hair,” one reviewer writes. “I mix 2-3 drops of this with the Crown Affair Leave-in Conditioner before blow-drying and love how it leaves my hair super moisturized and shiny. I also use a drop or two on dry hair after using heat. Another bonus is it smells fabulous!!”
Cantu Hair & Scalp Oil
Cantu Hair & Scalp Oil
Pros
- Filled with tea tree oil to help treat scalp issues
Cons
- Some reviewers say the squeeze bottle isn't the best at dispensing the oil
Tea tree oil (TTO, if you're in the know) is one of those fixes-everything ingredients, so it's really no surprise that TTO has made it on this list of the best hair oils. If your main concerns stem from your scalp rather than your ends, you'll love this scalp oil.
It has a mix of tea tree oil (which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to help with dandruff and irritation), and jojoba oil (which is actually a wax ester that's lighter than most oils and mimics your skin's natural sebum production). The result? A moisturizing—but not greasy—scalp-treatment oil that calms as it hydrates.
- Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, jojoba oil
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 6 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “I really love the smell of the product,” one reviewer writes. “It is a thicker oil and it can be tough to squeeze, but I picked up this product because I struggle with dry hair/scalp. To really get the product out, I wash twice with a gentle shampoo, and it makes my hair feel so nice and relieves the uncomfortable feeling for a few days. I try to do it once a week!”
Aunt Jackie's Curls & Coils Elixir Essentials Hair & Scalp Oil Enriched with Biotin, Rosemary & Mint
Aunt Jackie's Curls & Coils Elixir Essentials Hair & Scalp Oil Enriched with Biotin, Rosemary & Mint
Pros
- Our own tester with 4c hair swears by this oil for major moisture and scalp health
- You get a lot of product for the price
Cons
- If you're not someone who can tolerate essential oils, you may not like the minty feel
This rich hair oil is *so good* that it won a Cosmopolitan Holy Grail Beauty Award this year for Best Scalp Oil. Cosmopolitan's beauty editor-at-large, Julee Wilson, says, “I love the cool feel this gives my scalp—and thanks to the rosemary oil and biotin in the formula, my hair looks and feels fuller too.”
You can also thank castor oil, tea tree oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil for the incredible moisturizing powers, making it perfect for type-4 hair, curly hair, or high-porosity hair.
- Key ingredients: Rosemary oil, castor oil, tea tree oil
- Fragrance free? Yes* (*but contains essential oils)
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 2 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “This oil has all the herbs needed to maintain my dry 4c hair,” one reviewer writes. “I use it before shampoo day and daily. Unlike all the other oils I've used, a small amount goes a long way, and my hair really absorbs the oil and retains a shine longer.”
Dr. Hauschka Hair Oil
Dr. Hauschka Hair Oil
Pros
- The pump dispenser makes it easy to apply
- You get a good amount of product for the price
Cons
- It contains alcohol and fragrance, which can be irritating for some skin types
This hair oil from Dr. Hauschka is another favorite of Cosmo beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson, and also a 2022 Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner. So, yeah—it's v good. “Whether your hair needs oil all the time (*raises hand*) or just sometimes, this plant oil-based bb is the way to go,” notes Wilson. “It's silicone-free and works great as a hot-oil treatment.”
Just warm up a few pumps of this oil between your hands, work it through the lengths of your hair, and let it sit for 30 minutes (or overnight!), before washing it out.
- Key ingredients: Neem oil, chamomile, wheat germ oil
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 2.5 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “My hair tends to go into the straw direction when I don’t do anything about it,” one reviewer writes. “I spray a little of the oil in my hands, mix it with water, and put it just on the surface of the upper layer of my hair. I use it always before I wash my hair. The best is to put it on the night before, or at least half an hour before I wash it. But it also works right before I wash it. My hair is silkier and softer.”
Kenra Professional Dry Oil Control Spray 14
Kenra Professional Dry Oil Control Spray 14
Pros
- Extremely lightweight—like, didn't weigh down my super-fine hair
- Aerosol packaging makes it easy to evenly disperses through your hair
Cons
- Has an alcohol scent to it much like a hairspray
It looks like hairspray, smells like hairspray, feels like hairspray—it must be just a hairspray, right? Wrong. This, my friends, is an aerosol dry-oil spray that provides medium hold and adds just a skosh of oil (a blend of argan, grapeseed, sweet almond, and coconut oils) to lay down any stray hairs, flyaways, or frizzy halos. I sprayed this in my hair before heading out on a humid summer night and was honestly impressed with how my hair held up.
- Key ingredients: Grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 8 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “I have coarse, frizzy hair that I like to wear straight and is frequently foiled by the slightest humidity,” one reviewer writes. “This smooths with a nice finish and is moveable/brushable without feeling like you're breaking your hair.”
Pattern Argan Oil Hair Serum
Pattern Argan Oil Hair Serum
Pros
- Heavier oil that's not the best for fine or thin hair
- Good price for the quality and amount of product
Cons
- Leaves a bit of a residue on your hands after applying
Argan oil is one of those overachiever oils that works as a moisturizer and a sealant to keep all that moisture locked in. Nicknamed "liquid gold," argan oil is pretty precious (i.e., pricey) stuff, so you'll want to be discerning when picking out your bottle. Enter: This hair serum-slash-oil that comes in a dark bottle (key for protecting the formula inside from degrading in the light).
The cult-favorite formula has a pretty thick consistency that's ideal for dry or coarse hair and also has no noticeable scent, so you can mix it and layer it with other products with no problem.
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, castor oil, sweet almond oil, apricot oil
- Fragrance free? Yes* (*but contains essential oils)
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 3.9 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “I love the oil,” one reviewer writes. “I mix a little in with the leave I'm conditioner. It helps to lock in the moisture that my curls crave.”
Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Strengthening Treatment Oil
Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Strengthening Treatment Oil
Pros
- Gives silky results without silicones
- The bottle has a small opening that prevents you from over-pouring and using too much product.
Cons
- Testers say it's expensive for the amount of product
This formula skips on silicones, but it doesn't skip on that silky finish and feel that you love, thanks to the macademia nut derivative (a silicone substitute) it contains. It's also formulated with rose flower oil—hence the bottle design—but don't worry if rose perfume is a turnoff to you: I didn't notice any discernible scent, let alone a strong rose smell.
The formula is also packed with ceramides and essential fatty acids that help moisturize your hair strands to help mitigate future damage and breakage. In other words, it's the perfect oil for anyone who has perpetual split ends.
- Key ingredients: Ceramides, ethyl macadamiate, rose flower oil
- Fragrance free? No
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 1 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “LOVE THIS SO MUCH,” writes one reviewer. “Cons: a little pricey. When I purchased my first bottle, I was a bit shocked that it was so small. Now for the pros: no silicone, smells AMAZING, totally hydrates, high-quality ingredients abound, makes my hair more soft, supple, and provides nice shine (not greasy oily look).”
Verb Moringa + Jojoba Treatment Oil
Verb Moringa + Jojoba Treatment Oil
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight yet moisturizing
- Made with just three ingredients—no fragrance, no silicones, and nothing you don't want
Cons
- Won't leave you with major moisture, so super-dry hair types may need to layer on an extra oil
Sometimes what you want is a simple, straightforward hair oil, and that's especially the case for those with fine hair that's easily weighed down by silicones, heavier or thicker oils, and filler ingredients. This lightweight formula has just three total ingredients (three fantastic ones for adding and maintaining moisture, I should add: moringa, jojoba, and vitamin E), and that's all you need for soothed scalp and soft hair with minimal frizz and ample shine.
- Key ingredients: Moringa oil, jojoba oil, tocopherol
- Fragrance free? Yes
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 1 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “I like this Verb oil,” one reviewer writes. “It's lightweight, so it doesn't weigh my hair down. It's unscented, which is nice because it doesn't compete with other haircare products I use that are scented. Its ingredient list is small and without fillers or silicones.”
Kreyòl Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil Rosemary Mint
Kreyòl Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil Rosemary Mint
Pros
- Simple ingredient list
- Great for type-4, curls, locs, and braids
Cons
- May not encourage hair growth (no proven evidence)
If you're set on giving hair-growth oils a try, add this one to your shopping cart. Although research behind the efficacy of hair oils is lacking (I'll get into this more below), this formula from Kreyòl Essence contains every popular hair-growth ingredient people have sworn by for ages, like rosemary oil, castor oil, and peppermint oil.
And even if you don’t end up with tons of new growth after slathering on this oil, you will at least have a scalp and roots that feel healthier and more moisturized.
- Key ingredients: Castor oil, peppermint, and rosemary
- Fragrance free? Yes* (*but contains essential oils)
- Silicone free? Yes
- Size: 2 oz.
THE REVIEWS: “I purchased this to help with itchy scalp and scalp build-up,” one reviewer writes. “It did so much more. I applied it to my roots and combed through it. Left it in a few hours. My hair was softer, silkier, and shiner than ever. It didn't drag my curls down too much either—just a little because of how soft and healthy my hair was. And no dandruff or itchy scalp after using. Highly recommend.”
What hair oil is best for dry and frizzy hair?
Frizz is totally normal and natural, but it's also fine if you're not feeling your own flyaways some days—which is where a hair oil comes in. The best hair oil for dry and frizzy hair will be quite literally any oil (all oils will naturally smooth your hair cuticle and help prevent frizz-causing moisture from entering the hair strand, says Yates).
If you're looking to smooth flyaways and frizzies, the experts recommend avocado oil, castor oil, tamanu oil, moringa oil, and baobab oil. “I especially like baobab as it enhances shine two-fold, improves suppleness, helps to camouflage the appearance of split ends, and has thermal protection benefits,” Yates says.
For a (lightweight) baobab-based oil, try the R+Co On A Cloud Styler, and for a (heavyweight) castor oil-based oil, go for the Fable & Mane MahaMane Hair Oil.
How do you apply hair oil?
In general, Yates says the best way to apply hair oil is by gradually adding it to your hair to prevent yourself from accidentally overdoing it. Here's the general idea:
How to apply hair oil:
- Massage a few drops of oil between your hands.
- Lightly sweep your hands over your hair, starting at the mid-lengths and sweeping them down to your ends.
- With the rest of the oil residue left on your hands, smooth them over the top half of your hair, avoiding the roots (unless you have coarse, dry, curly hair).
If you're using hair oil with the hopes of growing new hair, you'll want to focus on your scalp, and you'll also want to scroll to the next slide for more details on that. To get more specific, here are some pointers for applying hair oil to different hair types and hair textures:
For fine, thin hair:
If you have naturally oily hair, Valles recommends using a dry hair oil (like the Kenra Dry Oil Control Spray 14) and applying it when your hair is damp. “Use the oil to moisturize before the heat comes into play," she says, "but don't apply it after, because it can sometimes leave your hair looking heavy and dirty."
And if you're looking for a moisturizing scalp or hair treatment, you can also apply oils as a pre-poo treatment and wash it out to get the good stuff without the extra grease.
For coarse, thick, or curly hair:
Try a hot oil treatment, an overnight hair treatment, or even as a leave-in treatment to intensify the moisturizing benefits. Yates also suggests adding hair oil to your other products. “Mixing hair oils with gels and/or styling cream will help dilute the hold factor and add shine to the result,” she says.
Does oil stimulate hair growth?
The evidence for whether or not oil stimulates hair growth is still lacking and inconclusive, which is why most dermatologists and hair experts err on the skeptical side. More often, oils help to coat and protect the hair, which in turn prevents hair thinning caused by damage and breakage.
That said, some small-scale studies have found that rosemary oil could be effective as a hair-growth treatment. Take, for instance, this 2015 study that compared rosemary oil extract to minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) when used on men with androgenetic alopecia and found rosemary oil to be as effective at stimulating hair growth.
Still, if hair growth is a concern, your best bet is to see a dermatologist or trichologist to get to the root of your hair loss. And if you do decide to try rosemary oil for DIY hair growth, it's important to note that the oil would need to be applied directly to your scalp rather than the length or ends of your hair to really have any kind of effect—not ideal for someone with thin or fine hair that greases up quickly.
How to choose the best hair oil:
Know your hair porosity
Your hair porosity is the measure of how porous your hair strands are—meaning how capable your hair is at absorbing moisture and retaining that moisture—and it's seriously vital when choosing any hair product, but especially when picking the best hair oil. Your porosity determines whether your strands love (or loathe) heavy oils, or whether they need something lightweight to thrive. Not sure of your porosity? Take this porosity quiz.
Choose the right ingredients
Though some hair oils can be great for almost all hair types, some are better than others for what you need. Valles recommends jojoba, avocado, and argan oils for low-porosity hair (hair that gets weighs down easily and has difficulty absorbing moisture), like the Verb Moringa + Jojoba Treatment Oil.
On the other side of the spectrum, Valles likes castor, coconut, and olive oils for high-porosity hair (hair that loses moisture quickly and easily), like the Aunt Jackie's Curls & Coils Elixir Hair & Scalp Oil. And if you have fine hair, Yates recommends avoiding all oils that contain silicone or heavy oils, which can make fine hair look oilier.
Meet the experts:
- Priscilla Valles is an LA-based celebrity hairstylist that specializes in extensions. Valles's clients include the Kardashians and Jenners, Megan Fox, Hailey Bieber, and Christina Aguilera.
- Kerry E. Yates is a trichologist and the founder of Colour Collective, a group of brand development partners that work in design, beauty testing, and formulation.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer at Cosmopolitan with 10 years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from the best hair straighteners to hair dusting. She’s an authority in all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to choosing the best hair oils, thanks to her extensive research on cosmetic ingredients. She regularly tests and analyzes hair oils for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top hairstylists and trichologists to assess new formulas and brands.
Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.
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