16 Oils That'll Keep Your Hair and Scalp Hydrating From the Inside Out
Oils have been used for hair-care purposes since just about the beginning of time — and with good reason. While the thought of slapping oil onto your hair might sound intimidating to some, hair oils are actually great when it comes to keeping your hair looking healthy and shiny. The key is just figuring out which one might work best for you.
A good hair oil typically consists of a base or carrier oil (avocado oil, camelia seed oil, argan oil, olive oil, etc.) that makes up the majority of the recipe because they usually have intensive hydrating properties. Then they're topped that off with a treatment oil that targets specific ailments like dryness, for instance, before an essential oil that's high in fragrance and potent in beauty benefits is thrown into the mix. If you're prone to throwing on your invisible lab coat and mixing up your own hair-care cocktails, there are hair oil recipes that are easy to make at home, though there are plenty of products on the market these days that have made it easier for you to get your hair oil fix.
To see which hair oils are our favorites, read ahead.
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Moroccanoil Treatment
Rich in argan oil and vitamin E, the Moroccanoil Treatment ($44) can be used pre- or post-blow dry to help combat dryness, condition split ends, and tame flyaways. It also features linseed extract, a flaxseed-derived ingredient known for improving hair health.
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Ouai Hair Oil
The Ouai Hair Oil ($28) is a star product from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin's personal hair-care brand, and for good reason. It's a lightweight multitasking oil that protects the hair from heat damage and even preserves color while giving the hair a glossy finish.
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Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum
The Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum ($51) features three star ingredients: argan oil to strengthen the hair, corn oil to soften the hair, procaxi oil to leave you with a luscious shine.
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Bread Beauty Supply Everyday Gloss Hair Oil
The Bread Beauty Supply Everyday Gloss Hair Oil ($24) is a self-described lip gloss for your hair: it give you an anti-greasy, glossy finish while softening and smoothing the hair. It can also be used on wet or dry hair.
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Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
The Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil ($49) is rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E that can reduce frizz and keep your hair looking nice and shiny.
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Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Honey, which is the featured ingredient in the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil ($87), is known for helping to retain the hair's natural moisture barrier. Additionally, the oily is safe to use on curly, coil, and wavy hair types and can be used to heal damage, breakage, and split ends.
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OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Extra Penetrating Hair Oil
The OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Extra Penetrating Hair Oil ($7) is a TikTok favorite thanks to its accessible price point and its strengthening and smoothing properties.
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Now Solutions Organic Jojoba Oil
Now Solutions Organic Jojoba Oil ($12) is strong enough to lock moisture into your strands but also light enough that it won't make your hair feel weighed down. As a bonus, it's also rich in vitamins and nutrients and can help promote curl elasticity and scalp health.
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Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil
The Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil ($56) has received killer ratings on Sephora for its multitasking abilities: it can be used as detangler while also providing heat protection and shine thanks to its inclusion of argan and jasmine oils.
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Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil
The Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil ($30) is a reparative product that nourishes and strengthens the hair to prevent any further damage from heat or split ends.
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SheaMoisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil
SheaMoisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil ($8) is a staple hair growth product in many a routine, though you can also add it to a lotion, hand cream, or body product to give your skin an extra hit of moisture.
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Bumble and bumble. Hairdresser's Invisible Oil
There's a reason that the keyword in the Bumble and bumble. Hairdresser's Invisible Oil ($40) is "invisible." It's made with a blend of six different oils to soften and protect the hair from breakage and UV damage, yet it's so light that you'd barely even feel that it's there.
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Verb Ghost Weightless Hair Oil
The Verb Ghost Weightless Hair Oil ($18) features ingredients like moringa seed oil, which detangles the hair, and bamboo extract, which strengthens damaged hair. It's also a worthy option for combatting dryness and taming frizz.
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Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Our hair typically gets put through a lot, and if you're looking for a product that's good for repairing damage caused by heat, the Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil ($28) is for you. It features anti-breakage properties and was made to strengthen the bonds of the hair to keep it looking and feeling healthy from the inside out.
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Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil
The Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil ($69) is a hairstylist favorite, as it's rich in camelia oil which can be quickly absorbed by the hair to provide subtle shine, moisture, and UV protection.
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Curls Blueberry Mint Tea Scalp Treatment
The Curls Blueberry Mint Tea Scalp Treatment ($12) uses a refreshing blend of sunflower, safflower, and soybean oils and leaves the scalp with tingly feeling that comes in handy when you're in need of a little itch-relief.