23 best hair oils 2023 to nourish your ends and encourage healthy re-growth
Introducing one of the best hair oils to your beauty routine can make the biggest difference in the long term. Is your hair feeling frizzy? Oil it. Dehydrated? Oil it. Stressed? Massage a silky soft oil into your scalp to melt those troubles away. Hair oil has even been hailed for preserving and encouraging length retention.
Scientifically speaking, all the best hair oils can strengthen hair by increasing elasticity and tensile strength to prevent brittle ends from breaking off. They can create a physical barrier around strands, which provides a level of protection against hot tools and environmental factors like pollution. Coating hair in oil can also prevent moisture loss, leaving your hair looking sleeker and smoother than ever before. And that scalp massage we were just talking about? It stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, which is essential for healthy hair growth.
Best hair oils at a glance – our top picks
- Best hair oil overall: Kerastase Elixir Ultime, WAS £40 NOW £36, LookFantastic
- Best hair oil for damaged hair: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, £28, LookFantastic
- Best hair oil for softer hair: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil, £35, Cult Beauty
- Best hair oil for coily hair: Pattern Jojoba Oil Serum, £25, Boots
So far, so good, right? Sure, but there's still one thing you really shouldn't do when it comes to hair oils: drowning your scalp in oil. Why? This affects the delicate pH balance of the skin (also directly linked to healthy hair growth). Too oily or too dry and hair will struggle to grow. Over-use of oil can also plug follicles. After all, it's hair oil, not skincare or body oil.
Jane Mayhead, trichologist at The Private Clinic on Harley Street tells GLAMOUR: "Scalps do not benefit from heavy oils being left on, especially as they can be sticky. This allows dirt and shed skin to adhere to the scalp." she says. If you want to give your scalp a little lubrication, Jane advises, "light oils can be used but not left on the scalp.” So once, you've used them, rinse them off.
It's worth noting that no matter what hair texture you have, we can all benefit from a little hair oil top-up. Afro hair specialist at George Northwood, La Lah shares with GLAMOUR tips on how to apply oils while having protective hairstyles: “Start by placing the oil on your fingertips, rubbing together to warm the oil and massaging throughout your scalp. If there’s dryness or itchiness, which can be common with braids, then use more frequently. Just like skin, the scalp also needs care and attention.”
Hair is dry and porous so adding a gloss of oil can prevent further cuticle damage leading to more moisture loss. As long as it doesn’t sit on the scalp for long periods of time, it will also leave your mane with a sheeny looking finish.
Considering the choice available out there, it can be confusing to figure out which hair oil works for you. To help you decide, we've put together a comprehensive list of all the best hair oils, ranging from bestsellers and cult classics to more specialised hair products that contain key ingredients that address your particular needs. Enjoy.
Looking for more hair content? Head this way for the best hair dryers, in this direction for travel hair dryers to take on your next weekend break and over here for curling wands. We've also got the best silk pillowcases to treat your hair to, the best conditioners for dry hair and the best hair straighteners.
For more beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
The styles that are gentle on your hair but still keep you looking cute.
Scroll down for our full edit of the all the best hair oils to treat your locks with…
Best hair oil overall
Kerastase Elixir Ultime, WAS £40 NOW £36, LookFantastic
The ultimate all-rounder. It can also be used as a primer, finisher or refresher, sealing the look of split ends and smoothing the hair fibre for a sleek and perfected finish. Fights frizz, protects hair from heat styling and adds shine — that's why this oil is still one of the top bestsellers around.
Save when you shop for the best hair oil with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best hair oil for softer hair
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil, £35, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: This is the brand's first ever and most iconic product, which is made popular for its repair and moisture balance properties. It’s enriched with Mirsalehi Honey and formulated to rebuild and repair hair and to maintain the hair’s natural moisture balance, resulting in healthy, soft and stronger hair strands.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best hair oil for damaged hair
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, £28, LookFantastic
Why we love it: This multi-tasking hair treatment oil is a favourite among beauty editors and hairstylists for a reason. Offering concentrated nourishment to replenish dry or damaged hair and the ideal last step to your hair care routine. It can also be used on towel-dried hair to provide heat protection up to 232°C, while leaving your hair with a glossy finish.
Save when you shop for the best hair oil with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best castor hair oil
Jamaican Mango & Lime Jamaican Black Castor Oil Original, £6.95, Beauty Bay
Why we love it: This oil tackles dandruff, moisturises the hair and promotes hair growth on textured hair. It is quite thick, but you can warm the oil up before you massage it on your scalp, to be able to dilute the oil for ease of application.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Beauty Bay discount codes.
Best hair oil for curly hair
Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Oil: Everyday Gloss, £22, Space NK
Why we love it: This everyday gloss locks in all the moisture that curls so easily lose. Ideal for curl types 3c to 4a, the oil is a potent fusion of ingredients that help strengthen hair follicles and prevent breakage. It’s all on the formula, containing superfruit extracts and kakadu plum which contains the highest contraction of vitamin C than any other times (50x more than an orange) leaving you with silky smooth strands.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Space NK discount codes.
Best hair oil for detangling
Aussie SOS Save My Lengths! 3-in-1 Hair Oil, £11.99, Boots
Why we love it: Aussie’s multitasking hair oil is designed to detangle, de-frizz and repair split ends. Formulated with nutrients from Australian macadamia nut and avocado oils, this product will restore locks in urgent need of rescue. Sprays on easily too and leaves your hair feeling much smoother.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Boots discount codes.
Best coconut hair oil
Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Miracle Hair Elixir, £28.75, Beauty Bay
Why we love it: This multi-use, quick-absorbing hair oil is infused with a blend of coconut oil and hyaluronic acid to revitalise lacklustre hair strands. It can also act as heat protection or as a finishing oil, leaving hair with a silky smooth sheen.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Beauty Bay discount codes.
Best nourishing hair oil
Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, £48, Space NK
Why we love it: Lightweight to the point of feeling weightless. Plus, it's luscious and smells absolutely amazing. Don’t knock the price ‘til you try it.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Space NK discount codes.
Best hair oil for fine hair
Davines Oil Non Oil, £20, Sephora
Why we love it: As far as frizz-fighters go, this is one of the best for taming flyaways without it looking like you greased them down. If you’re heading on holiday somewhere humid, it’s an essential.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Sephora discount codes.
Best hair oil for dry hair
Briogeo Rosarco Oil, £28, Sephora
Why we love it: Kate Middleton swears by rosehip oil for her face, but did you know it’s also great for hair? Combined with argan and coconut oils, this mix from Briogeo will help to restore dry and brittle ends.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Sephora discount codes.
Best argan hair oil
Moroccanoil Treatment Original, £34.85, LookFantastic
Why we love it: As if we weren’t going to mention the OG. Moroccanoil is loved by many for its nourishing, but non-greasy formula. There is also a ‘light’ option for those with fine hair.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best hair oil for all hair types
L'Oréal Haircare Oil by Elvive Extraordinary Oil for All Hair, WAS £13 NOW £6.50, Boots
Why we love it: If your hair is lacking nourishment, you might want to give this versatile hair oil a go. Apply it to either wet hair or damp hair after showering or even before shampooing to soften your locks and give it some extra shine.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Boots discount codes.
Best multi-tasking hair oil
Why we love it: An exceptional frizz-fighter and split-end hider. Use it as a finishing product for a low, glossy ponytail or slicked back ‘do.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Space NK discount codes.
Best hair oil for hair growth
Centred En-Root Scalp Treatment, £36, Naturisimo
Why we love it: This oil is able to stimulate growth via its potent botanical extracts to create a healthy environment for hair tresses to flourish. No wonder they call it ‘a facial for your scalp’
Best hair oil for damaged hair
Mauli Grow Strong Hair Oil, £32, Mauli Rituals
Why we love it: Damaged hair, rejoice! This little bottle will nurse your lengths back to health. Apply it everywhere - scalp and all - then leave on for as long as possible before rinsing out.
Best hair oil for dehydrated hair
Charlotte Mensah Manketti Hair Oil, £48, Space NK
Why we love it: This award winning oil is made up of a unique blend of oils such as Patchouli leaf oil, lemon peel oil and clove bud oil amongst others and brings life back to dull and dehydrated hair.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Space NK discount codes.
Best natural hair oil
Rahua Legendary Amazon Oil, £40, Naturisimo
Why we love it: This product is a formulated with a fusion of plant and flower oils with no silicones, that helps heal split ends, lay down flyaways, and promote shine, all while nourishing and strengthening hair strands by locking in moisture.
Best plant-based hair oil
Floral & Curl African Citrus Superfruit Hair Oil, £25, LookFantastic
Why we love it: This is a lovely scented concentrated blend of fruit oils of Tangerine, Papaya, Avocado and Watermelon, which is rich in antioxidants and made to aid your curls' moisture retention. It also creates an invisible, non-greasy, protective layer, which gives them a soft and shiny finish.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best hair oil for textured hair
Nylah Naturals Super Seed Oil, £16, Boots
Why we love it: This Nylah hair oil is a fusion of 11 cold-pressed seed oils designed to nourish, moisturise and hydrate your hair and scalp. It has a lightweight formula that's loaded with fatty acids and nutrients which strengthen the hair fibres and makes them suitable for different hair textures.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Boots discount codes.
Best hair oil for frizzy hair
Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil, £33, Space NK
Why we love it: Silicone-free, lightweight and fast-absorbing? Yes, yes and yes. If your goal is to tame frizz, then this is exactly what you need. Made with a 5-oil blend that hydrates and smooths your hair. One of the best anti-frizz hair oils in this edit.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Space NK discount codes.
Best hair oil with vitamin E
Pantene Repair & Protect Hair Oil With Vitamın E, £7.99, Boots
Why we love it: Perfect for dry and damaged hair, thanks to this treatment oil's formulation, which contains vitamin E. This helps it repair your hair and make it more resistant to breakages. Suitable for everyday use.
Best hair oil for coily hair
Pattern Jojoba Oil Serum, £25, Boots
Why we love it: This jojoba oil hair serum is made by Pattern Beauty, a hair care brand centred around celebrating Black beauty. This super lightweight and hydrating formula is ideal for moisturising your hair while also taking care of any potentially dry skin on your scalp. Pairs especially well with the brand's other hair products, including their Leave-in Conditioner.
Save when you shop for the best hair oils with these Boots discount codes.
Best affordable hair oil
OGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Oil, WAS £8.99 NOW £5.99, Boots
Why we love it: Infused with argan oil, this affordable hair oil is great when used daily. It can be used regularly as a styling product to add some extra shine and strength to your locks before a blow-dry.
