15 best hair oils that hydrate, defrizz and encourage growth
When you place the words “hair’ and “oil” in the same sentence, most people react with shock and horror.
Why would you add oil to greasy hair? Won’t oil mean you’re washing your hair more often? The answer is quite simply no.
Hair oils have unjustifiably been given a bad rap. Not only will an oil add the right kind of shine (read: not grease) but it will nourish your hair and your scalp, remedy frizz and bring softness to your tresses no matter how damaged.
It can even reduce blow-drying time too. Treat a hair oil skincare for your hair. Here, we put a range to the test.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
Moroccanoil treatment: £32.85, Look Fantastic
The pioneer of hair oil (and still one of the best), this argan-based formula works wonders on hair that’s prone to frizz – especially in the midst of central heating and winter weather. Smooth it into damp hair before blow-drying for an intense shine boost or swipe it over dry hair to keep flyaways in their place. It’s no surprise this hair oil keeps winning awards.
Oribe gold lust nourishing hair oil: £34, Space NK
It’s no surprise that Oribe has gained a cult following. Rich in essential fatty acids, the natural plant and nut oils work to bring elasticity and shine back to stressed-out hair. Add a few drops to your conditioner for an extra nourishing boost or apply on damp hair as a leave-in conditioner. A great choice for colour treated hair.
Charlotte Mensah manketti hair oil: £48, Charlotte Mensah
It might be pricey, but this is one of the richest hair oils we’ve tried. The star ingredient is manketti nut oil, which repairs existing breakage while protecting strands from future stress. It’s perfect for thick and textured hair plus it smells heavenly and lingers for days. And if you need just one more excuse to buy it, a little goes a long way.
Weleda nourishing hair oil: £12.95, Feel Unique
A favourite of green beauty lovers. Organic rosemary leaf extract helps strengthen dry, damaged hair, while organic burdock root extract revitalises and nourishes your hair and scalp. Expect glossy locks that look and feel nourished. An affordable choice that also feels luxurious to use and the perfect choice for those who prefer the natural beauty route.
Charles Worthington moisture seal hair oil: £7.29, Boots
If you’re prone to flyaways and uncontrollable baby hairs, turn to this for smoothing strays without adding weight to your hair. This oil will also seal split ends and leave your locks extra shiny too. Think salon-results at home and all for under a tenner. Result!
Kerastase elixir ultime: £43, Kerastase
Though the glass packaging is heavy and the oil has a thick and gloopy appearance, this product is your answer for ultra-glossy locks minus any greasiness. Either smooth on wet or dry hair for shine that screams luxury. Note: one pump is ample, so expect this bottle to last.
Sisley hair rituel precious hair care oil: £75, Sisley
If you’re one of those women that spritzes fragrance in her hair, then you’ll instantly fall for this perfumed hair oil that gives a one-stop shop of nutrition, radiance and a rich scent for your locks. A cocktail of passion fruit, shea, cotton and moringa oils help create shine and hydrate hair instantly. Though we can’t ignore this does come at a price.
Liz Earle botanical shine nourishing hair oil: £19.50, Boots
This tropical blend of melon, coconut and radish seed oils will deeply condition your hair and just one whiff will transport you to sunnier climes. Fine and thinning hair will instantly fall in love with this super-lightweight formula.
Kevin.Murphy young.again treatment oil: £33, Cult Beauty
If you're taking a hairdryer directly to wet hair without doing any prep, stop right now. This mid-weight oil will protect hair (up to 200C) while also reducing blow-drying time to deliver a salon-perfect finish with minimum fuss. A great choice for thick and unruly hair that relies on heat for styling.
Shu Uemura nourishing protective oil: £34.40, Look Fantastic
Infused with camellia oil, this velvety non-sticky texture targets dehydrated hair and also doubles up as a hair protectant. Apply just one pump, avoiding the roots, for glossy manageable locks whatever your hair type. It smells so good that our tester dabbed it on her pulse points instead of her usual fragrance.
Percy & Reed perfectly perfecting wonder treatment oil+: £25, Percy & Reed
For a speedy shortcut to silky locks, this triple seed oil complex (camellia seed, macadamia seed and vitamin-rich carrot seed) helps build hair strength while adding gloss. With credentials like these, it’s a wonder how this product is so lightweight and non-greasy. We’re hooked.
Living Proof no frizz nourishing oil: £36, Space NK
Wave goodbye to dry and unruly hair with this little gem. It’s formulated with Living Proof’s “healthy hair molecule” (OFPMA) which helps block humidity and tame frizz. This fast-absorbing oil is an excellent choice for coarse and curly hair.
Bumble and Bumble invisible oil: £24, Bumble and Bumble
If you’re constantly using a hair styling tool, this is for you. Packaged in four separate doses so you can’t overuse, these deep treatments give hair a moisture hit minus any greasy residue. With a six-oil blend and added castor oil (supposedly the best oil for hair), your tresses will feel tangle-free and look well conditioned. Plus, there’s no faffing in the shower waiting for the magic to work, two minutes and you’re done.
Sachajuan intensive hair oil: £35, Cult Beauty
Frizzy hair needs extra TLC, and this combination of sea buckthorn, sunflower seed oil and rosemary leaf extract will tame frazzled hair in just one hit. Don’t be put off by the thick texture as it spreads thinly once applied on hair. Plus, it smells amazing.
Windle & Moodie essential oils elixir: £30, Windle London
Say hello to shiny, happy hair. This 100 per cent vegan formula is an elixir of apricot, coconut, camellia and oat oils that feed your hair and scalp with natural goodness while also encouraging hair growth too. Unlike most other hair oils, this works as a pre-cleanse. Simply leave on the hair for 15 minutes and shampoo out. Voila!
The verdict: Hair oils
Still topping the list is the hard-to-beat Moroccan oil treatment that gives good hair time and time again. With its hard-working, non-greasy formula that does what it promises to do, this oldie is still a goodie and remains a firm favourite for hair stylists and consumers alike.
However, if your budget won’t stretch to some of the more expensive options that we’ve showcased, then look to Charles Worthington moisture seal hair oil for an affordable alternative that complements all hair types and punches way higher than its price point.
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