The 10 Best Hair Oils to Nourish and Smooth Your Ends (We Tested Each One)
Finding the right hair oil can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially if you have fine, colored, or damaged hair.
The wrong product can leave your hair looking greasy rather than shiny.
After trying dozens of options and consulting experts, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best hair oils that truly deliver nourishment and smoothing benefits.
Why Use Hair Oils?
Hair oils offer a multitude of benefits for hair health:
- Hydration: They help lock in moisture, keeping hair healthy and manageable.
- Frizz Control: Oils smooth out the hair cuticle, taming frizz and flyaways.
- Protection: Many oils offer heat protection and shield against environmental stressors.
- Shine Boost: A good hair oil adds that coveted glossy finish to dull hair.
The Best Hair Oils We Tested
1. Verb Ghost Oil
- Best Overall
- Price: $20 for 2 oz.
- Ingredients: Moringa oil, argan oil, bamboo extract.
- This lightweight gem works on all hair types, giving moisture without the weight. You can apply it on wet or dry hair, making it incredibly versatile.
2. Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shine Hair Oil
- Best Less Expensive
- Price: $9 for 3.4 oz.
- Ingredients: Argan oil.
- This budget-friendly option packs a punch with its hydrating properties. It’s especially great for thick or dry ends and is easy to find at most retail stores.
3. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Frizz Reducing Hair Oil
- Best for curly, wavy, or straight hair
- Price: $47 for 3.4 oz.
- Ingredients: Grape seed oil, macadamia seed oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, squalane
- This invisible oil reduces frizz, leaving the hair with a lightweight feeling and adding a boost of shine.
4. True Botanicals Shine & Protect Hair Cream Oil
- Best Heat Protectant
- Price: $35 for 1.17 oz.
- Ingredients: Passion-fruit-seed oil, pracaxi-seed oil, avocado oil.
- This cream oil not only hydrates but also protects against heat damage, making it essential for styling.
5. K18 Mini Molecular Repair Hair Oil
- Best for damaged hair
- Price: $27 for 0.34 oz and $65 for 1.01 oz
- Ingredients: Squalane, avocado oil, sunflower oil, K18 peptide, hemisqualane
- This is a silicone-free oil that reverses frizz-causing damage while enhancing shine and has heat protection properties.
6. Ouidad Mongongo Oil Multi-Use Curl Treatment
- Best for all curl types
- Price: $38 for 1.7oz
- Ingredients: Mongongo oil, broccoli seed oil, American palm seed oil and coconut alkanes
- This multi-use oil is free from silicones, parabens, sulfates, petroleum, and gluten. It is fast absorbing and adds shine while protecting the hair from styling damage.
7. Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
- Best for Scalp Health
- Price: $10 for 2 oz.
- Ingredients: Biotin, rosemary oil, peppermint oil.
- This all-rounder is great for scalp health and can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment or leave-in conditioner, promoting healthy hair growth .
8. Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil
- Best for hair growth and scalp health
- Price: $14.78 for 8 fl oz
- Ingredients: Organic castor oil, omega fatty acids, virgin oil
- Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid known for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for both the hair and scalp.
9. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
- Best for Gloss
- Price: $46 for 3.4 oz.
- Ingredients: Honey, argan oil.
- This oil not only gives you that shiny finish but also deeply nourishes and protects your hair.
10. OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Hair Oil
- Best for Split Ends
- Price: $30 for 1 oz.
- Ingredients: Argan oil, vitamin E.
- A lightweight option that helps repair and prevent split ends while providing essential heat protection.
Conclusion
The right hair oil can transform your hair care routine, bringing life back to dry, damaged hair. Whether you’re looking to tame frizz, hydrate ends, or promote a healthy scalp, there’s an oil on this list for you. Remember to apply just a small amount to avoid greasiness, focusing on your ends for the best results.
If you’re curious about any of these products, check out the individual original reviews on The Strategist. Happy oil hunting!