If you're like me and have über-dry hair, there's one product you really shouldn't skip, and that's hair oil. Even if you have finer hair that gets greasy easily, don't worry, you can still use it! It's definitely a product that hairstylists recommend for all hair types—you just have to know which one is right for you.
Of course, since we're fans of vetting the best of the best, I polled Who What Wear beauty editors and stylists on the absolute best ones for each hair type. If you're in the market for a good hair oil, keep scrolling. I'm sharing expert tips on how to choose the best one for your hair, along with our top picks. Keep reading ahead.
How to Choose the Right Hair Oil for Your Hair Type
Editorial hairstylist Brendnetta Ashley has a few tips for selecting the right hair oil for you. "The first tip is to determine what your hair type is (fine, medium, coarse)," she shares. "Then determine your hair pattern. Is your hair straight, wavy, curly, or coily? Once you have determined these two [things], you will then determine what is lacking in your hair. Is it dry or brittle? These will help you understand what oil is best for your hair and how often you should use it. For example, if you have fine coily, hair, I would recommend a light oil so it doesn’t weigh your hair down. Also, use every other day to prevent buildup.
"The beauty of an oil is they are great for all hair types (straight, wavy, curly, coily), as they add nourishment, shine, and protection. The key things you want to look for in an oil are argan oil to strengthen the hair and prevent breakage; camellia oil to add shine and control frizz; baobab oil, which is a natural alternative to silicone; almond oil to add softness; and abyssinian oil to strengthen the hair's structure."
One type of oil Ashley says you'll want to avoid is mineral oil because it can cause buildup on the scalp and hair. Personally, I also tend to avoid silicones. My strands are extremely coarse and dry, and silicones create a barrier on the hair, keeping water and other moisturizing agents out, so they make my hair even drier in the long run. If you've experienced similar issues when using products with silicones, you might also want to avoid these types of ingredients moving forward.
Take a look at a few editor-loved hair oils below along with recs from Ashley.
The Best Hair Oils for Every Hair Type
I'm a big fan of this gloss-giving oil from Bread Beauty Supply for my curly hair. I love it because it's silicone-free and contains a host of hydrating ingredients (like kakadu plum and safflower oil) that never leave your greasy or feeling heavy. Because my hair is incredibly dry, I like to layer it over the brand's Elastic Bounce Leave-In ($16).
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"If you have fine to medium hair, use a lighter oil so your hair is not weighed down. Fibre Clinix Bonding Light Oil is the perfect option. Its bonding technology protects your hair within while giving your hair the perfect [amount of] shine." — Ashley
This viral oil from Mielle is a WWW beauty team favorite. Both assistant beauty editor Maya Thomas and Beauty Director Erin Jahns use and love this one. It's nutrient-rich and contains biotin to help prevent breakage. It's also designed for type 3A to 4C curls, chemically treated hair, braids, weaves, and both high- and low-porosity hair.
"I use this a couple times a week as a scalp treatment before I wash to encourage hair growth." — Jahns
Thomas also loves Mizani's hair oil, which contains a blend of coconut, sunflower seed, and jojoba oils to soften and add shine and hydration.
*Price available upon registration
"For coarser hair, the Fibre Clinix Bonding Rich Cream-to-Oil is perfect. It comes out as a cream and once rubbed together is an oil. Its heavier consistency is perfect for thicker hair, as it will give more control while still protecting and adding shine. It also can be used on damp or dry hair." — Ashley
This Carol's Daughter oil is a favorite for both Thomas and me. It was created with curly, coily, and natural hair types in mind, and we can personally vouch for how hydrating and nourishing it is, especially for coarser hair types. Strengthening castor oil and black cumin seed oil are the star ingredients in this one.
Jahns loves this oil for anyone who's looking for extra strand repair. I've used this one myself and love how healing it is for dry, damaged strands. It contains vitamin E, Kalahari melon seed oil, and Virtue's key ingredient, Alpha Keratin 60ku. It's a healing protein that's identical to our hair's own keratin, and it helps repave and refill keratin, repairing damaged hair with each use.
Jahns also loves using Rōz's Willow Glen Treatment Oil as a prewash treatment on dry hair. It has six active botanical oils that repair, condition, and add shine. Jahns also notes that it smells amazing.
"This is my ride-or-die oil I use every time I wash on damp hair before my leave-in conditioner." — Jahns
"This is the best lightweight finisher oil for shine and smoothness after you've styled." — Jahns
Jojoba oil is amazing for both your skin and hair. I love this oil from Pattern because, like Bread's, it's super lightweight but still adds a lot of moisture to the hair. I have coarse, curly hair and consider this a favorite, but it's lightweight enough that it won't weigh down other hair types or make them greasy.
Honestly, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this oil from Olaplex. Because my hair is so coarse and dry, I thought it wouldn't be enough for my hair. I'm happy to report I was wrong! Just a few drops of this over my leave-in conditioner and my hair feels five times softer and more hydrated. I also love that it can act as a heat protectant, too.
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