Leave in hair oil for dry hair

Leave in hair oil for dry hair

bumble and bumble/ Playa/ Sisley

We updated this article in July 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.


When you have dry, brittle hair, it may seem like there’s nothing you can do to bring life back to your locks. But hair oil is a product designed to do exactly that. The hair styling product is typically made from oil or a blend of oil that you add to your hair for shine, bounce, and nourishment.

“It’s a product or treatment to restore, replenish, and add shine to hair,” explains Jen Novak, salon owner and hairstylist. She adds that hair oil works to fill gaps in the hair cuticle that appear as frizz, making hair smoother, shinier, and adding bounce.

But hair oil isn’t a one-size-fits-all adventure. Novak says that different brands are geared toward different hair goals. Many hair oils are used to seal in hydration and infuse hair with nutrients, adds Ciara Costenoble, global hair stylist and educator. Some even work to minimize bacteria and promote hair growth, says Kim Kimble, celebrity hairstylist.

It’s also important to note that when it comes to non-styling purposes, dry scalps and breaking hair should be addressed with your doctor to rule out certain medical conditions, like seborrheic dermatitis, a fungus, or genetic alopecia, explains Ken Williams Jr., D.O., FISHRS, ABHRS, surgeon, and founder of Orange County Hair Restoration and author of Hair Transplant 360: Follicular Unit. Additionally, be sure to practice proper hair care, which typically means shampooing only every two to three days to not over-dry strands, he says.

Here, the best hair oils from hair experts, and everything you ever wanted to know about hair oil.

How we chose the best hair oils

We consulted Novak, Costenoble, Kimble, Dr. Williams, Sabrina Porsche, Mane Addicts stylist, and sifted through tons of online reviews to find the best hair oils available.

Our top picks

  • 1

    Leave in hair oil for dry hair

    Best overall hair oil

    Young Again KEVIN MURPHY

    Read More

  • 2

    Leave in hair oil for dry hair

    Best hair oil for natural hair

    25 Miracle Nourishing Hair Oil MIZANI

    Read More

  • 3

    Leave in hair oil for dry hair

    Best hair oil for thin hair

    Bonding Oil Olaplex

    Read More

  • 4

    Leave in hair oil for dry hair

    Best hair oil for damaged hair

    Invisible Oil Bumble and Bumble

    Read More

  • 5

    Leave in hair oil for dry hair

    Best hair oil for hair growth

    Spanish Almond Regrowth Oil Naturalicious

    Read More


1

Best overall hair oil

KEVIN MURPHY

Young Again

2

Best hair oil for natural hair

MIZANI

25 Miracle Nourishing Hair Oil

3

Best hair oil for thin hair

Olaplex

Bonding Oil

4

Best hair oil for damaged hair

Bumble and Bumble

Invisible Oil

5

Best hair oil for hair growth

Naturalicious

Spanish Almond Regrowth Oil

6

Best hair oil for heat protection

OUAI

Hair Oil

7

Best hair oil for dry hair

KERASTASE

Elizir Ultime L’Huile Original Beautifying Hair Oil

8

Best hair oil for curly hair

Pattern

PATTERN Argan Oil Hair Serum

9

Best hair oil for frizzy hair

TIGI

Custom Create Colour Lustre Oil

10

Best hair oil for scalp and hair

Kiehl’s

Magic Elixir Scalp and Hair Oil Treatment

11

Cantu

Shea Butter Tea Tree and Jojoba Hair and Scalp Oil

12

Kim Kimble

Miracle Hair Oil

13

NatureLab. Tokyo

Perfect Shine Oil Mist

14

Best hair oil for men

UNITE Hair

Hair U Argan Oil

16

Best hair oil for lighter-colored hair

Moroccanoil

Treatment Light

19

sisley paris

Hair Ritual Precious Hair Care Oil

Hair oil isn’t meant for everyone, but these people may want to add a little extra shine to their do.

✔️ Extensions. Novak suggests protecting your extensions with oil every day.

✔️ Damaged hair. Porsche says those who have damaged hair from color or heat can use oil to rejuvenate strands.

✔️ Long locks. The longer your hair is, the older it is and the more time it has spent under a blow dryer. Novak says those with long hair should add oil for some extra hydration.

✔️ Dry hair. If your hair is especially dry, Novak reveals it’s more likely to break. Adding in oil can improve the elasticity and protect it from snapping when you brush.

✔️ Colored Strands. Novak says hair oil can act as a sealant for colored hair, locking in moisture and protecting it.

How to choose (and use) hair oil

It’s best to look for a blend of oils to replenish lost hydration from many different issues, Novak says. These ingredients are most common in hair oil products to rejuvenate your tresses:

✔️ Grapeseed oil. This common ingredient can stimulate hair production, Novak says. She explains it’s high in oligomeric proanthocyanidins, which is an antioxidant that promotes hair and cell growth, so it’s extremely restorative.

✔️ Almond oil. Assuming you don’t have an allergy, almond oil is high in vitamin E and magnesium, which can prevent hair loss and encourage growth, Novak says. She adds that it’s great for sealing in moisture.

✔️ Jojoba oil. Another common ingredient in hair oils, Kimble says jojoba oil is great for hydrating thirsty tresses.

✔️ Coconut oil. Novak says coconut oil works great to promote growth and moisturize locks.

✔️ Argan oil. For bounce and moisture, Novak loves argan oil rich in fatty acids. She adds that though it’s great for hydration and smoothing, it doesn’t have any reparative agents so it won’t rebuild or restructure hair.

✔️ Castor oil. For shine and nourishment, castor oil is a great option, Kimble says. Novak adds this oil is great for hair follicle health but notes it shouldn’t be applied directly to the scalp.

✔️ Silicone oils. Though this tends to help your hair dry faster and smell good, it’s a much less expensive ingredient and tends to be less effective with repairing hair, Novak says.

Once you’ve decided to make hair oil a part of your regular routine, it’s important you apply it properly so you don’t waste the product. If you’re looking to apply your product to wet hair, Novak suggests slightly drying wet hair with a towel to remove excess water, but do not rub with your towel.

Then, add a few drops of the oil to your palms and rub your hands together to activate and emulsify the oils. Next, instead of rubbing the product into your hair, squeeze it into your hair working from the bottom up for best results without breakage and split ends. Finally, continue to rub your hands together and apply the oil until none is left on your hands. If you’re rubbing your hand on a towel at the end, you’re wasting product, she says.

If you have fine or oily hair, Costenoble suggests applying the oil to dry hair from the midsection to the ends and letting it sit for 15 minutes. Then, you can go ahead and shampoo your hair for a clean finish.

Arielle Weg Arielle Weg is the associate editor at Prevention and loves to share her favorite wellness and nutrition obsessions.

Shannen Zitz Freelance Editorial Assistant Shannen Zitz is a Freelance Editorial Assistant at Prevention who recently graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with an English degree.

Which hair oil is best for dry hair?

The Best Oils for Treating Dry Hair.
Coconut oil..
Olive oil..
Avocado oil..
Almond oil..
Other carrier oils..
Essential oils..
Precautions..
Summary..

Should you put hair oil on dry hair?

You can oil when your hair is damp or dry, but your hair and scalp have to be clean, or the oil won't have a chance to be absorbed,” says Dr Gupta. For heavier oils like coconut oil, applying it on dry hair is best, as the larger molecules may not penetrate the shaft of wet hair as well it can dry hair.

What oil Can you leave in your hair?

Whether you are trying to avoid chemicals or are just looking to experiment with some new hair care products, try natural oils such as coconut, argan, jojoba, almond, olive and grapeseed. These are some of the best oils for hair health and can be used directly on the skin and hair.

Should you put oil on dry or damp hair?

Applying the oil while the hair is wet will nourish and protect it from frizz and pollution as it dries into a subtly shiny version of its natural texture. Once the hair is dry, you may pump a touch more oil into your palm, rub it between your hands and smooth it over your lengths and ends.