Hair oil has become increasingly popular, with countless celebrities and influencers lauding its ability to smooth, protect and support hair growth. Some apply hair oil to their scalp, others to their strands; some apply oil to wet hair before styling, others use it on a finished style. With so many uses, it's worth thinking about your goals before buying.
Beauty journalist Sarah Matthews worked her way through 11 bottles, from a cheap-and-cheerful £9.99 to a steeper £65, to bring you this list of the best hair oils. Whether you're looking for thick, nourishing oils to help nurse damaged hair to life or a featherlight option to add shine and scent to your strands, there's something on this list for you.
Besides testing on her own locks, Matthews spoke with trichologist Hannah Gaboardi to find out if and how hair oils can actually support hair growth.
Best hair oil overall: Gisou honey infused hair oil
Gisou's honey-infused hair oil has been Matthews' go-to for more than a year. Its thicker texture is perfect for nourishing the dry ends of hair, adding a dose of hydration and shine where it needs it most.
Gisou is known for its honey-powered hair care, and the hair oil is a hero product. The Mirsalehi honey included in this formula is rich in protective antioxidants and minerals, but also has humectant properties to hydrate each hair strand. It also works beautifully alongside the emollient coconut and sweet almond oils in the formula to smooth out hair.
In Matthews' experience, a small amount of this hair oil goes a long way. She found it easy to disperse through her long hair after warming it in her hands and loved the glossy shine it gave, while making her hair strands feel stronger and preventing breakage. As with all the Gisou honey products, it also smells divine.
Its slightly thicker texture won't be for everyone. If you don't have issues with dryness or have very fine hair that can't handle richer products, opt for something else.
Best budget hair oil: Hask Repair Series hair oil mist
If you want to avoid greasy hands, this lightweight hair oil mist from Hask is ideal. Simply spritz over your hair to evenly disperse a fine layer of oil, leaving smooth, shiny and lightly scented locks. It shone in Matthews' tests, despite its low cost, demonstrating brilliant value for money.
Other than its bargain price and clean application, Matthews found this oil added shine without weighing her hair down or making it feel greasy. Its atomiser consistently produced a fine mist, giving a lovely, even coating of fresh floral-scented oil on her locks.
The spray contains hydrating argan oil, as well as Hask's trademarked RepairPro, which it claims can "repair" bleach-damaged hair by up to 98%. Matthews could not test this claim at home, but can attest that her hair felt noticeably smoother after use. The silicones in the formula help to seal and smooth the hair cuticle, preventing snagging and further damage.
These silicones can build up over time if they aren't washed off correctly, or if they're overused, which leads to more brittle hair in the long term.
Best hair oil for damaged hair: K18 Molecular Repair hair oil
If you're looking to include hair oil in your routine, chances are you're hoping to counteract the signs of damaged hair – dryness, frizz and dullness. While no hair product can fuse split ends back together, the "molecular repair" element of this hair oil refers to an increase in hair strength and elasticity observed on bleach-damaged hair strands in the brand's testing. After use, bleach-damaged hair should be less prone to breakage and more resilient to daily stressors, such as brushing, sun exposure and heat styling. This is easily the hardest-working hair oil you can buy, justifying its high cost – and it's Matthews' favourite oil on test if you don't take price into consideration.
This hair oil works to help hair strands look and feel stronger using K18's patented peptides. The formula mimics the natural peptides that give healthy hair its structural integrity, which are diminished when hair is bleached, dyed or styled with heat. Packed in, you'll also find antioxidant avocado and sunflower oils to condition the hair. Meanwhile, squalane and hemisqualane soften the hair and smooth the cuticle, locking in that goodness without the need for heavy silicones.
This oil can be used either on damp hair before heat styling or as a finishing flourish to add shine to styled hair. It offers heat protection up to 232C. It's a concentrated oil, giving a lightweight, even coating, and just a few drops left Matthews' locks looking instantly shiny and healthy.
It is expensive. If you already have healthy-looking hair, you really don't need to spend this much.
Best lightweight hair oil: Goldwell Smooth Weightless Shine oil
Even the best hair oils can be too thick and goopy for some people, especially those with fine locks and oily scalps. This lightweight and affordable oil from Goldwell is perfect for adding a touch of glossy shine without weighing down the hair.
This oil has an incredibly thin texture that feels completely weightless when applied. Matthews used it to top off a bouncy blow-dry and it added a lovely shine while keeping the movement and volume she wanted. She was also impressed by how it handled frizz – Goldwell claims it can tame frizz for up to 72 hours, and she confirmed her hair stayed silky smooth on a particularly humid day in central London.
Inside the formula, you'll find Himanthalia elongata extract (or sea spaghetti), which helps to moisturise hair. This is another oil that can be used on damp or dry hair, and Matthews loved its uplifting, sweet, fruity scent.
Like many hair oils, it uses dimethicone, a silicone that could build up on the hair if overused and not cleaned out properly. It also doesn't have as many oils blended in as other options, so it doesn't feel quite as nourishing as heavier, oilier formulas.
Best smoothing hair oil: Arkive the Good Habit hybrid oil
If you have thick, frizzy hair that takes a lot of taming, this affordable hair serum-oil hybrid could be the fix you need. Simply add a pump or two to damp, clean hair after washing and conditioning, style your hair as usual and watch it work its magic.
This hybrid oil contains baobab and jojoba oils, which add shine and moisture to the hair. Jojoba oil is also an emollient that forms a protective layer to lock in the hair's moisture and to give super sleek, smooth results. Used before styling, the oil helps protect your hair from heated tools, creating a shiny finish that was humidity-proof in Matthews' tests.
Matthews loved this oil's delicate scent, with slightly fruity top notes, a light floral heart and a musky vanilla base. She was also pleased to learn that this fragrance stuck around after application.
The next thing she noticed was its very thick, gel-like consistency. Even after warming the oil in her hands, it had a sumptuous, thick texture that properly coated each strand. This coated feeling vanished as soon as she styled her hair using a hot brush, leaving her strands looking hydrated, healthy and frizz-free.
It uses the silicone dimethiconol to smooth the hair, which is effective at smoothing and preventing frizz, but can cause buildup when not washed out properly.
What you need to know about hair oils
"Hair oils are a more natural way of moisturising the hair shaft," says trichologist Hannah Gaboardi. "They penetrate into the cuticles and provide them with the vitamins, nutrients and fatty acids needed for healthier hair." Hair oils can add moisture to support dry, brittle hair, she adds, and when applied regularly, they can add shine and tame frizz.
Some people apply hair oil to their scalp. This "can help promote hair growth by improving the circulation", Gaboardi says. "More blood flow to the scalp allows the follicles to receive more nutrients." Just always make sure you cleanse your scalp thoroughly afterwards to prevent clogging.
Hair growth rate is determined by many factors, including age, hormones and scalp health. Hair oils can only help with scalp health, and they need to be used correctly to make a big difference.
"Hair oil won't directly grow your hair, especially when your hair loss is caused by genetic factors or health conditions," says Gaboardi. The good news is that the nutrients, vitamins and fatty acids that make for healthier hair also benefit the hair follicles. "Hair oil also helps moisturise the scalp to create a healthy environment," she says.
But it's not all sunshine and roses. "When hair oil is used incorrectly, it can damage scalp health and can clog the pores in your scalp," Gaboardi cautions. "This can cause a delay in the natural hair cycle and slow down growth if [the oils are] not washed out. It can also lead to sebum buildup and cause seborrheic dermatitis."
Some hair oils are designed to be used on freshly washed, damp hair before styling. Others are better suited to adding shine to finished styles. The answer to fears about using oil before heat styling lies in an oil's smoke point. Smoke point is the temperature at which oils begin to smoke and break down. "Oils that have a lower smoke point can cause the hair further heat damage when combined with high heat tools," says Gaboardi.
Avoid using hair oils containing oils with a smoke point of below 177C, such as flaxseed oil or extra virgin olive oil, before heat styling. Instead, "oils that have a high smoke point can be used after hair washing to help retain moisture and defend against heat", says Gaboardi. These include grapeseed oil, safflower seed oil, argan oil and avocado oil. If you're in doubt, she recommends "using serums and oils designed for heat styling to ensure you're safely treating your hair".
"Certain oil types have antioxidant properties that are used as a shield against UV rays," says Gaboardi. At the same time, some oils provide natural, albeit low, protection against UV rays. If you notice your hair getting drier and frizzier when exposed to the sun, using a hair oil can help keep your hair smooth and nourished.
