12 Best Hair Oils for Dry Hair That Won’t Feel Greasy

It could be nice if moisturizing dry hair had been so simple as discovering the proper shampoo and conditioner, however that is not fairly the case. Offering hair with the moisture it wants is a multi-step course of requiring a variety of hydration in each the bathe and your styling routine. That stated, one product must be thought of a non-negotiable as a result of it makes all that work go even additional—and that is a hair oil for dry hair.

How do hair oils assist in moisturizing dry hair?

A number of components may cause hair to turn into dry. Warmth styling, chemical remedies, solar harm, and laborious water can strip the hair of its pure oils, which is the place topical hair oils assist.

“Oils have fatty acids that assist exchange lipids—and in some circumstances, keratin—within the hair’s cortex,” says Gretchen Friese, a trichologist with BosleyMD. What’s nice about most hair oils is that they provide immediate gratification, making your hair seem more healthy whereas delivering long-term hydrating advantages. “Oils work as a topical moisturizer, so for anybody needing a fast repair, placing some in your arms and operating it via your ends will soften any dryness and add a ton of shine,” says Rae Ann Cotto, a stylist at The Staff Salon in New York Metropolis. “They are a fast and simple strategy to preserve hair shiny and clean.”

That stated, hair oils are just one a part of a multi-step hair hydration routine. The method ought to begin within the bathe with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner combo, adopted by moisturizing lotions or styling merchandise. Then, you need to use your oil as the ultimate step to seal in all these elements.

Are there particular pure oils beneficial for dry hair?

There are tons of hair oils for dry hair, most of that are made out of a mix of various naturally derived elements to ship most outcomes. A number of execs suggest searching for in your labels:

Almond oil

In response to Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis, almond oil comprises omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, nutritional vitamins A, D, and E, and magnesium—all of which work collectively to strengthen and nourish your hair. Due to its small molecular measurement, almond oil can simply penetrate strands for deep hydration.

Argan oil

Sometimes called “liquid gold” for hair, argan oil has been a mainstay in Moroccan magnificence routines for hundreds of years (and in the previous few a long time, has made its method into the worldwide magnificence lexicon). It is full of nutritional vitamins (specifically A, C, and E), antioxidants, and fatty acids, and can assist with hair progress, detangling, and dry scalps. “One hundred percent pure argan oil works past the floor by hydrating and nourishing deep down for more healthy hair from the within out,” says Josie Maran, whose eponymous magnificence line heroes the ingredient. “Feeding every strand with important vitamins retains hair wanting shinier, stronger, and better-looking.”

Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil is a mainstay in a number of the greatest hair oils available on the market as a result of it does not simply hydrate your hair—it helps preserve it balanced. Its molecular construction intently mimics that of the pure oils produced in your scalp, which permits it to penetrate the hair shaft to offer moisture that feels prefer it’s meant to be there (AKA by no means greasy or heavy). It additionally comprises vitamin E, a vitamin B advanced, zinc, and copper, which enhance the looks of shine and smoothness within the hair.

Coconut oil

Because of the truth that coconut oil is jam-packed with fatty acids, it is an amazing possibility for softening and hydrating strands. Nonetheless, Cotto cautions that it might not be the perfect wager for everybody (significantly these with superb or skinny hair), as it may be heavier and troublesome to scrub out.

What are occlusive oils?

You will have heard of occlusive elements which, within the context of pores and skin, are designed to lock in moisture. However occlusives are equally essential with regards to hydrating your hair.

In response to our consultants, occlusives create a barrier that locks moisture in, creating more healthy hair over time. The excellent news? Just about each oil available on the market (and, actually, every one on this listing) acts as an occlusive.

To take advantage of out of your hair routine, you may wish to begin with a shampoo/conditioner combo that comprises humectants (AKA elements that draw moisture into the strand, like hyaluronic acid) and emollients (AKA softening elements, like vitamin E), then lock all of it in with an occlusive oil.

How to decide on the precise hair oil for dry hair

In case your hair has ever felt greasy, stiff, or gross after utilizing a hair oil, you recognize that each one of them aren’t created equally, which our execs say is completely depending on the porosity of your hair.

Hair porosity refers back to the situation of your hair’s outer layer (AKA the cuticle), which determines how nicely it may well maintain onto a substance (like an oil). On low porosity hair—sometimes straight-to-wavy, dense, and takes longer to dry—the “scales” on the hair cuticle lay flat and shut collectively, making it tougher for an oil to penetrate the strand. Excessive porosity hair, alternatively, tends to be coily (with extra open pores for product to undergo) and will soak up moisture, however it is not nearly as good at holding onto it.

With that in thoughts, you may wish to select your hair oil primarily based on its porosity (which you’ll be able to decide utilizing this easy test). “You do not wish to use actually heavy oils on superb [low porosity] hair—I might suggest utilizing extra of a serum to keep away from a weighed-down, greasy look,” says Friese. In the meantime, textured hair could desire a heavier oil.” 

Can hair oil remedies enhance dry scalp situations?

Whereas most hair oils are explicitly designed so as to add shine to dry lengths, there are some formulation on the market that deal with dry scalps, too. “There are numerous pure oils which can be nice for the scalp and hair, together with baobab, ylang-ylang, jojoba, rosemary, and lavender oils,” says Dominic Burg, PhD, trichologist and chief scientist at Evolis Professional. “These all work to extend hydration of the strands and moisturize the scalp.”

How typically ought to hair oil be utilized to dry hair?

There is no one-size-fits-all reply to how (and the way typically) you need to be utilizing hair oil on dry hair—it is all about understanding your wants and determining what works together with your routine. Typically, a few times every week ought to ship strong outcomes.

“The lightest and easiest method to make use of oil on dry hair is both after a blowout or earlier than a flat or curling iron,” says Cotto. Some individuals use oil as a warmth protectant pre-blowout, but it surely does not provide sufficient safety—it is extra excellent as a polisher post-heat styling.” It’s also possible to use your oil as a pre-wash remedy (apply it to your hair in a single day or a number of hours earlier than washing) or as wanted to infuse your strands with a bit of additional shine.

What are the perfect hair oils for dry hair?

Best drugstore hair oil: Garnier Fructis, Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek — $8.00

Key elements: Argan oil, vitamin E

Hair sorts: Frizzy, dry

Argan oil and vitamin E on this bottle makes for a shine-enhancing system that feels prefer it ought to value an entire lot greater than $7. In case your hair is tremendous dry, strive making use of it to damp hair and also you’ll seem like you’re in a Garnier business (nicely, minus the profesh photographer and lighting) when you’re accomplished blowdrying.

Measurement: 3.8 oz.

• Light-weight
• Leaves hair silky and glossy
• Inexpensive

Best hair oil for dry, thick hair: Moroccanoil, Treatment Hair Oil — $48.00

Key elements: Argan oil, linseed extract

Hair sorts: Dry, medium/thick

Moroccan individuals have been utilizing argan oil to hydrate their hair for hundreds of years, and when Moroccanoil hit cabinets in 2008, it launched the remainder of the world to their secret. On this bottle, a mix of argan oil and linseed oil nourishes, hydrates, and protects strands, and the system can be utilized as a remedy on moist hair to extend softness or on dry hair so as to add an immediate shine.

Measurement: 3.4 oz.

• Hydrates, softens, and protects hair
• Provides immediate shine
• Smells wonderful
• Works equally nicely on moist and dry hair

• Could also be too heavy for finer hair sorts

Best hair oil for fine, dry hair: Verb, Ghost Oil — $19.00

Key elements: Moringa oil

Hair sorts: Dry, superb, frizzy

“Ghost” is an correct descriptor for this oil, as a result of it’s so light-weight you’ll swear you’re carrying nothing in any respect—even on superb, skinny hair. It will get its powers from moringa oil, which is full of nutritional vitamins A, E, and C, in addition to omegas 3, 6, and 9, and absorbs seamlessly into hair. What’s extra, its delicate grapefruit scent and the extraordinary shine it leaves behind will make your at-home blowout seem like it was accomplished within the salon.

Measurement: 2 oz.

• Light-weight
• Fights frizz
• Provides shine
• Refined grapefruit scent

• A bit goes a great distance—an excessive amount of product could really feel heavy in hair

Best hair oil for dry, color-treated hair: K18, Biomimetic Hairscience Molecular Repair Hair Oil — $65.00

Key elements: K18peptide, hemisqualane, squalane, avocado oil, sunflower oil

Hair sorts: Dry, broken, color-treated

Celebs—together with Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber—swear by K18’s products for protecting their color-treated hair wholesome, and this oil isn’t any exception. It has polypeptides which work to strengthen hair from the within out. Whereas that’s happening beneath the floor, squalene, avocado oil, and sunflower oil work on high of the strand to clean flyaways and improve shine.

Measurement: 1 oz.

• Reverses hair harm
• Hydrates, tames frizz, strengthens and softens hair, improves shine
• Works as a warmth protectant

Best treatment hair oil for dry hair: Shu Uemura, Essence Absolue Pre-Shampoo & Nourishing Treatment Oil — $52.00

Key elements: Japanese purple camellia oil

Hair sorts: Dry

5 minutes is all it’s worthwhile to reap the advantages of this pre-shampoo remedy, which can coat your scalp and strands with moisture. It has purple camelia oil sourced from Japan—which is wealthy in antioxidants, lipids, and nutritional vitamins A, C, and E—to spice up hair hydration, well being, and shine. It feels thick when it comes out of the bottle, however to not fear: As a result of it’s a rinse-out remedy, you gained’t have to fret about it greasing up or weighing down your strands after utilizing it.

Measurement: 1.7 oz.

• Hydrates, softens, and protects scalp and strands
• Fragranced with vanilla, musk, and orange
• Works in 5 minutes

• Scent could also be too robust for some individuals

Best hair oil for natural hair: PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross, Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil Blend — $28.00

Key elements: Jojoba oil, lavender oil, safflower oil

Hair sorts: Dry, curly, coily

Curly hair, by nature, has a troublesome time staying hydrated as a result of its pure oils are inclined to get trapped around the scalp (it’s a lot simpler for sebum to work its method down straight strands than it’s to navigate round coils). This product was designed particularly to assist stability out the state of affairs. The light-weight system, which heroes jojoba oil, is supposed to be massaged into the hair and helps stop flaking and itching on the scalp (which might occur because of all that trapped sebum) whereas restoring softness to the strands and locking in moisture throughout)

Measurement: 3.9 oz.

 

• Hydrates and softens strands
• Prevents itching and flaking on the scalp
• Designed particularly for curly and coily hair issues

• Could also be too heavy for superb or skinny hair textures

Best hair oil for dry scalp: Act+Acre, Cold Processed Scalp Detox Oil For Dry Scalp — $48.00

Key elements: Basil leaf bushy root mix, sunflower oil, baobab oil

Hair sorts: Dry scalp

Apply this oil and let it sit for 20 minutes earlier than you shampoo, and also you’ll be shocked at how soothed your dry scalp will really feel the minute you step out of the bathe. That’s because of a mixture of three powerhouse elements: Sunflower oil, which breaks down buildup to enhance the well being of your scalp microbiome; basil leaf root mix, which balances the scalp pores and skin; and baobab oil, which infuses pores and skin and hair with moisture. Don’t consider us? In a four-week client notion examine, 89 % of testers reported that their scalp felt less dry and itchy after a single use.

Measurement: 3 oz.

• Moisturizes dry scalp and strands
• Prevents itching and flaking
• Noticeable outcomes after one use.

• You really want to scrub completely with shampoo to make sure all of the product is eliminated

Best luxury hair oil for dry hair: Kérastase, Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil Serum — $58.00

Key elements: Marula oil, argan oil, camellia oil

Hair sorts: All

Argan oil is a hair hydration hero ingredient all by itself—however this system takes issues to the following stage by pairing it with camellia and marula oils, which every carry their very own hydrating and softening advantages. These three superstars provide the antioxidant-protective and moisture-enhancing advantages of vitamin E, and go away hair shiny, clean, and fewer liable to breakage—a lot in order that women from their 20s to their 60s significantly swear by it.

Measurement: 3.4 oz.

• Incorporates three antioxidant-rich oils
• Enhances shine and softness whereas stopping breakage
• Extraordinarily light-weight

Best hair oil for growth: Mielle, Rosemary Mint Growth Oil — $9.00

Key elements: Rosemary, mint, biotin, grapeseed oil, candy almond oil, and jojoba oil

Hair sorts: Dry, thinning

This product will get its density-boosting skills from rosemary and mint, which stimulate circulation to the scalp to create an optimum atmosphere for hair progress. The addition of biotin, candy almond oil, and jojoba oil assist to make sure that new hair is just not solely rising, however that it’s additionally coming in because the healthiest model of itself.

Measurement: 4.23 oz.

• Boosts scalp circulation to stimulate hair progress
• Softens strands and promotes shine
• Improves scalp well being

• Might take as much as 2 months to see outcomes

Best hair oil for dry, damaged hair: Olaplex, No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil — $30.00

Key elements: Olaplex’s patented bond-building ingredient, sunflower seed oil, moringa seed oil, fermented inexperienced tea oil

Hair sorts: Dry, broken

Olalpex is thought for its bond-restoring products, however not like the model’s shampoos/conditioners/pre-wash remedies, this system is supposed to remain on strands (as a substitute of being rinsed out) so it really works lengthy after you permit the bathe. It’s made with Olaplex’s patented bond-building ingredient that finds damaged bonds inside hair strands and hyperlinks them again collectively. The ultra-lightweight system leaves strands tender, shiny, and robust, and presents warmth safety that makes it excellent to use earlier than an at-home blowout.

Measurement: 1 oz.

• Hydrates dry hair whereas repairing harm
• Affords warmth safety
• Feels weightless and clean on strands

• Finest used as a remedy on moist hair (versus as a styling or shine-enhancing product on dry hair)

Best hair oil for shine: Oribe, Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil — $59.00

Key elements: Argan oil, jasmine oil, sandalwood extract, amur cork tree bark extract, barley extract, Oribe signature advanced

Hair sorts: Dry, uninteresting

Whereas all the oils on this listing will give your hair a bit of additional shine, this one delivers nothing wanting a mirror end because of a mixture of argan and jasmine oils. As well as, a mix of sandalwood, amur cork tree bark, and barley extracts helps to spice up moisture and restore the hair cuticle (together with cut up ends). Bonus: It additionally defends towards environmental harm (from issues like warmth, UV, and air pollution) to forestall seen indicators of hair ageing.

Measurement: 3.4 oz.

• Provides intense shine
• Hydrates and smooths hair, reduces frizz, smooths cut up ends
• Prevents seen indicators of hair ageing, together with shade fading and keratin harm

• Costly
• Might really feel heavy on superb or skinny textures

Best hair oil for dry, frizzy hair: Living Proof, No Frizz Vanishing Oil — $33.00

Key elements: Amaranth seed extract, hemisqualane

Hair sorts: Dry, frizz-prone

Dryness and frizz go hand in hand (when hair is dry, it tries to stability itself out by drawing in moisture from the atmosphere, which might create frizz), and this system addresses each issues on the identical time. The amaranth seed extract within the oil blocks humidity and boosts the lipids in your hair to clean frizz, whereas a mix of oils and hemisqualane make hair look (and really feel!) more healthy and shinier.

Measurement: 1.7 oz.

• Hydrates hair and protects towards frizz
• Light-weight
• Reduces static

• An excessive amount of product could make hair look flat