The Best Hair Oils of 2023

For a mane that exudes vitality and luster irrespective of the season, hair oils are your veritable secret weapon. Unlike most traditional hair care products, these nutrient-dense elixirs bestow a natural sheen to your tresses that echo the resplendent effects of a day spent basking in sunlit beaches or a rejuvenating hair spa. Particularly potent for those wrestling with dryness, hair oils, by their very nature, deliver more intensive hydration and nourishment, breathing life into parched strands and taming unruly texture.

Hair oils are not just cosmetic solutions, they’re indeed an infusion of wellness for your hair. Choose from an array of varieties each boasting of distinct properties: rejuvenating argan, soothing lavender, or perhaps stimulating rosemary. The beauty of these oils lies in their adaptability—apply them directly to the roots for a nourishing scalp treatment, or massage them into your ends to seal split ends and add gloss. For a more even distribution, consider running a fine-toothed comb through your lengths, ensuring each strand basks in the nourishment.

Hair oils can be found encased in elegant glass droppers or practical squeeze bottles. Regardless of their vessel, the ritual remains the same: a few drops warmed between your palms, applied from root to tip, and you’re all set. And if you’ve been a little heavy-handed? No worries—simply blot out the excess using a clean, dry towel, and your hair will still benefit from the intensive nourishment.

This guide is teeming with knowledge, encompassing everything from wallet-friendly options acclaimed for their value to cutting-edge formulas stirring excitement within the hair care community.

OLAPLEX’s Nº.7 Bonding Oil is a high-concentrated, weightless formula that restores healthy appearance and texture to damaged and compromised hair.

The lightweight oil strengthens and protects the hair structure, increasing shine, softness, and color vibrancy. This product is known for its ability to repair damaged and compromised hair, especially if you use a heating iron often.

It also helps to strengthen weak areas of the hair structure that are more susceptible to breakage.

“Received countless compliments about how smooth and voluminous my hair was,” shared one reviewer. “I felt like it gave my hair an extra boost of volume plus shine, which is so hard to find!”

Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Oil is a must-have for every hair care routine.

Much like the name hints, this natural oil is enriched with honey and formulated to repair and rebuild the hair from the inside out. The honey acts as a humectant, maintaining the hair’s natural moisture balance and resulting in healthy, soft, stronger locks with a silky shine.

The formula also has anti-aging properties that help prevent premature graying and hair loss. It’s great for all hair types—from coarse to fine, curly to straight—so you can use it as a pre-styling product or finishing product as needed.

As an added bonus, it works well on both wet and dry hair and can be used as an overnight treatment!

You need a product that can do it all when it comes to keeping your cuticles looking their best. That’s where L’Oréal’s Oil Serum comes in.

It’s the perfect blend of oils and botanical extracts that are designed to hydrate and seal your cuticles, providing weightless nourishment while also leaving them with a silky touch.

But what makes this product stand out is its ability to provide deep nourishment while still being price friendly. You can use it after shampooing and conditioning your hair for instant shine, or you can use it as part of your daily routine for long-term results.

According to one user, “This is by far the only hair oil that works on my way without leaving my hair greasy. It makes my hair so soft and shiny, and I love putting it on my ends after I get out of the shower. “

With a little bit of Verb’s Ghost Oil, you can make all your hair dreams come true.

It uses moringa oil as its base, which is one of the most potent natural oils on the planet. With just two to three drops, you can tame your hair into something that’s silky smooth, soft, and shiny.

This everyday oil will protect against dryness and breakage while also giving you an extra layer of protection against sun damage.

If you’re in need of a quick styling fix (or just want to add some shine), this product is perfect for you! Just apply it to damp or dry hair and watch as the magic happens before your eyes.

When you’re looking for a product that will deliver optimal hydration and nourishment to your hair, Kérastase’s oil serum is a good pick.

This lightweight serum is made up of a combination of four oils—camellia oil, marula oil, argan oil, and procaxi oil—which work together to smooth out frizz and make your hair noticeably healthier. And not only does it leave your hair feeling soft and shiny, the subtle fragrance of this serum will have you smelling fresh all day long.

The formula contains marula oil, which adds softness, suppleness, and moisture to your mane. Elsewhere, it’s infused with camellia and argan oil for increased elasticity.

Melanin Haircare’s Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend infuses your hair with nourishing oils to rebuild, lock in maximum hydration and restore manageability.

This product gives your strands the softness, shine, and bounce they deserve without the greasy residue. It’s ideal for those with natural or relaxed hair that needs a little extra moisture boost.

It’s designed to soften, nourish and seal as it detangles and restores manageability so you can style your hair however you want to style it. The formula is made up of jojoba oil, glycerin, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E, among others.

“Works well as a carrier oil, and it is multi-purpose. Although I typically use it on my hair, I have used it as a body oil on occasion, and it works great for that too,” explained one reviewer.

OUAI’s Heat Protectant Oil is a must-have for anyone who ever uses a blow dryer or flat iron.

The lightweight oil contains a blend of African galanga, ama, and Asian borage oils to smooth frizz, seal split ends, and give you a shiny finish. It can be applied on wet or dry hair and protects your hair from heat damage and color fading.

Moreover, the light consistency makes it an excellent option for those with fine hair. It’s perfect for people who have trouble finding products that don’t leave their hair feeling greasy after use!

One reviewer raved, “I have super fine hair and have trouble finding products that don’t leave my hair heavy, wet, or crunchy. This is the best oil I’ve come across!”

Living Proof’s No-Frizz Hair Oil is a lightweight leave-in hair oil that smooths hair to tame frizz and enhances shine.

With a lightweight formula that vanishes into your strands to hydrate and block humidity, this product is a must-have for anyone who has coarse or curly hair. It works best on dry hair—the last thing you want is to add more moisture to your strands!

Start with a small amount of oil and work it through the ends of dry hair. However, if you have coarse or curly hair, it may require more product.

Argan oil is a powerhouse ingredient for hair, and Redken’s All Soft Argan-6 Oil is packed with it.

This oil features omega-6 enriched argan oil that gently cleanses while providing intense nourishment to severely dry, medium to thick hair. It adds shine and provides softness, making it the perfect solution for damaged hair that needs intense care.

The hair oil can be used as a leave-in or rinse treatment for your mid-lengths and ends, focusing on those areas most susceptible to damage. You can also use it on dry or damp hair—what you choose depends on your personal preferences!

It has a bit of a pricier price tag compared to other options on the market, but it’s worth every penny when it comes to getting gorgeous locks back in no time!

Sol de Janeiro’s Nourishing Anti-Frizz Hair Oil does exactly what it says and adds shine. The formula locks in your style while moisturizing and repairing.

Pequi oil smooths cuticles and split ends, fighting frizz and providing heat protection. Meanwhile, patauá oil restores hydration levels and adds high shine.

This product is great if you want something light that will help fight frizz without weighing down your hair or making it greasy—and even better if you’re looking for a product that will help repair damaged strands while also adding shine!

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What to Look for in Hair Oils

Ingredients

When perusing hair oils, the list of ingredients is a critical element to consider. Look for oils that are all-natural and free of silicones, sulfates, and parabens. Different oils serve different purposes; for example, argan oil is renowned for its hydrating properties, while coconut oil is great for promoting hair growth. Choosing an oil that aligns with your hair’s needs will yield the best results.

Consistency and Absorption

The ideal hair oil should have a consistency that’s not too thick nor too thin. It should absorb well into your hair and scalp without leaving a greasy residue. If an oil sits heavily on your hair, it might weigh your strands down, making your hair look flat and lifeless. Lighter oils are generally better for fine hair, while thicker oils are more suited to coarse, curly hair.

Scent

While this may seem trivial, the scent of the hair oil can significantly impact your overall experience. An overpoweringly strong fragrance might be off-putting, while a pleasant, subtle scent can make the oil a joy to use. Some hair oils also harness the benefits of aromatherapy, offering calming or invigorating effects.

Packaging

Packaging plays a pivotal role in the application process. Hair oils packaged with a dropper or a pump dispenser allow for easy, mess-free application and help control the amount of product dispensed. This way, you can avoid applying too much oil, which might weigh your hair down.

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FAQ

What is hair oil?

Hair oil is a product that is designed to improve the health and appearance of hair. It is typically made from a blend of natural oils, such as argan oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil, among others. Hair oils can also contain vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial ingredients.

How do you use hair oil?

The way to use hair oil can vary based on the type of oil, your hair type, and what you want to achieve. Generally, you can apply a few drops of oil to your hands, rub them together to warm it up, and then work it through the ends of your damp or dry hair. For a deep treatment, you can apply a larger amount of oil to your hair and scalp, leave it in for several hours or overnight, and then wash it out. Some people also use a small amount of oil as a finishing touch after styling to add shine and tame frizz.

What does hair oil do?

Hair oil serves multiple purposes. It can moisturize and nourish the hair and scalp, help reduce frizz, add shine, and make hair more manageable and easier to style. The specific benefits can vary based on the ingredients in the oil. For example, argan oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that can help improve hair health and increase shine, while coconut oil is known for its deep conditioning properties.

It’s worth noting that while hair oil can be beneficial, it’s important to use it sparingly, as too much can make your hair look greasy. It’s also typically more beneficial for those with dry or damaged hair; those with fine or oily hair should use it sparingly or opt for lighter oils.