15 Best Natural Hair Oils to Treat Dry, Frizzy Hair and Split Ends, According to Experts
Any South Asian person will feel a lot of nostalgia at the mention of hair oil. If you can relate, you know it’s not just a beauty product—it’s part of a centuries-old Ayurvedic ritual that probably brings back memories of you sitting down while a parent or grandparent lovingly massaged a homemade elixir into your scalp while, probably, watching a Bollywood movie.
If the old wisdom isn’t enough to convince you, take an expert’s word for it. “I highly recommend hair oils to my clients, regardless of their hair type,” says celebrity hairstylist Xavier Velasquez. “I know people can be resistant to putting oil in their hair, but there are tons of options for a wide range of textures that can be used on dry hair, oily hair, scalp and ends, depending on what you are. looking for.”
But hair oils don’t just exist to treat hair problems – they can also be preventative. “Oils are our body’s natural skin barrier,” says celebrity hair and makeup artist Jocelin Williams. “They seal in all the nutrients and protect our hair and scalp from the external pollutants.”
In addition, I myself experienced extreme hair loss due to stress and a PCOS diagnosis years ago. But after a year of diligently massaging oils into my scalp at least once a week, my hair grew back to where it used to be pre-hair loss. Now, three years later, my hair is thicker and healthier than it has ever been. This week I was even asked if I was wearing extensions on three separate occasions.
I interviewed several hairstylists and even consulted the hair-obsessed editors at Women’s Health, who swear by hair oils for thick, frizz-free, shiny hair on a wide variety of hair types and textures. See below for the best expert-approved hair oils.
This article originally appeared on womenshealthmag.com
#1 Best for Heat Styling: Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
If you are addicted to your blowouts or straighteners, this one is for you. Bumble and Bumble’s super lightweight oil helps prevent breakage while protecting against heat and UV damage. Because it is so light, you can use it on dry hair as a touch-up between styling.
#2 Best for fighting frizz: Moroccanoil Moroccan Oil Treatment
Woke up with dull, lackluster strands? Women’s Health lifestyle director Lindsay Geller smooths a few drops of this oil into her curly hair to help prevent frizz while adding smoothness and shine.
#3 Best for hair fall: Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil
Velasquez is a big fan of castor oil for hair growth, and so is our associate e-commerce editor, Jasmine Gomez. Even better? You can even use this pure one-ingredient oil on sparse lashes or brows to help grow hair in those areas as well.
#4 Best for bleached, damaged hair: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Olaplex’s aptly named Bonding Oil does exactly what it says. Stylists love to use it on their bleached hair clients who have the most aggressive breakage and damage.
“I’m always looking for a way to extend the life of my clients’ color,” says celebrity colorist Bianca Hillier. “Since this oil has UV protection and thermal styling protection, it helps my clients even when I’m not around. It also has bond-building technology to re-bond the disulfide bonds in the hair for stronger, healthier hair every time you use it.”
#5 Best for dry ends on fine hair: VIRTUE Healing Oil
Use Virtue’s versatile healing oil on your dry scalp as a pre-shampoo for deep conditioning, or as a touch-up to make dry ends look strong and healthy. Velasquez loves how light this oil feels, which makes it great for fine hair.
#6 Most Versatile Oil: Rizos Curls Nourish Oil
Attention minimalists: Here’s the multi-tasking head-to-toe product you’re looking for. Women’s Health assistant editor Naydeline Mejia loves the uplifting, citrusy scent of this oil, and the good thing is that it doesn’t just have to be used on the scalp. Use it to seal dry ends or to moisturize dry skin – it’s a great travel product.
#7 Best for moisture: UNITE Hair Argan U Oil
Have you planned a tropical vacation? Celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation says hydration is key to keeping frizz at bay in humid climates. “Just apply Unite’s U Oil to wet hair,” he says. “This will add a lot of hydration to the hair and keep the frizzy bits contained.”
#8 Best Lightweight Hair Oil for Curls: Sample by Tracee Ellis Ross Jojoba Oil Hair Serum
A cross between hair oil and serum, Women’s Health editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert has 3B/3C curls and raves about Pattern’s jojoba oil. Crafted by Tracee Ellis Ross herself, I’m not sure how you could really go wrong with this one.
#9 Best for preventing breakage: RANAVAT BOTANICS Fortifying Hair Serum
Ranavat’s founder, Michelle Ranavat, swore by her very own Ayurvedic oil to treat her postpartum hair loss. Now that she’s bottled up her secret to share with the masses, it’s one of my favorite products to use to prevent breakage and fight frizz. One of my favorite parts? The rich jasmine fragrance.
Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s made with the purest of cruelty-free, non-GMO ingredients.
#10 most affordable way to fight dandruff: FLORONA Jasmine essential oil
… speaking of jasmine oil, if you really just want to treat frizz in the purest way, grab this budget-friendly jasmine essential oil. The Velasquez approved ingredient is great for moisturizing dry strands.
#11 Best for dry ends: OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil
As much as I love my acts of self-care, I just can’t give up my addiction to heat tools. This is where this heavenly rose-scented oil comes into play. I smooth a pump of it on my dry ends after using a hair dryer or straightener to give my hair that super healthy fresh cut look.
Bonus: OUAI’s Director of Education, Diana Pratasiewicz, loves a multi-use product, so she and her team designed this to be used all over the body. “It contains rosehip oil, which is rich in antioxidants, absorbs quickly, leaves a glossy shine and is silicone-free,” she says. “What’s not to love?”
#12 Best for a dry scalp: CAMILLE ROSE Rejuva Drops Grow Back Serum
Technically called a serum, Camille Rose’s Rejuva Drops have the texture of an oil. Mejia loves using the budget-friendly buy on her 4a coils and says it feels super nourishing on her dry scalp.
#13 Best hair oil for sealing hair: Archive Headcare The Good Habit Hybrid Oil
“I always recommend adding an oil, like ARKIVE The Good Habit Hybrid Oil, to the hair shaft after applying a leave-in conditioner or any styling product,” says Williams. “It ensures that it’s sealed in the hair.”
#14 Fastest Treatment: JVN Pre-Wash Scalp and Hair Treatment Oil
Celebrity hairstylist Jacob Rozenberg loves to use this on his clients before a blowout. And the best part is that you just have to leave it on for 15 minutes before a shampoo to end up with super shiny locks.
#15 Best Hair Oil for Men: Monpure Ultralight Healthy Hair Oil
For what it’s worth, my boyfriend loves using this hair oil to prevent hair loss and baldness, and after about three months of biweekly use, it has made his hair much thicker. Hairdresser Tommy Buckett is also a fan. He loves that it contains lightweight argan oil, which is great for any hair type.
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