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13 Best Natural Oils for Hair Growth, Recommended by Hair Experts

 

For longer, stronger strands.

Going from a bob to a lob can feel like it takes forever—but the best natural oils for hair growth can help eliminate some of the barriers standing between you and longer locks.

When applied to the scalp, certain natural oils can calm irritation, fight off unwanted bacteria, deliver important fatty nutrients directly to the hair root, and stimulate blood flow, says William Gaunitz, WTS, a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology Products. These healing properties can treat several dermatological conditions that can hinder growth such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, cicatricial alopecia, and overall hair loss, he says.

We turned to the experts, including a trichologist, a dermatologist, two hairstylists, and a cosmetic chemist, to understand the strand-enhancing benefits of natural oils for different hair goals. Our favorite overall product is The Ordinary’s Multipeptide Serum, which combines viral hair growth sensation castor oil with a variety of peptides that can deliver results in as few as two weeks. But there are many other options worth trying too for different hair types.

Best Overall: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density

Best for: Thicker roots, scalp health

This highly concentrated serum is packed with not just castor oil, but a variety of hair-density-boosting peptides. The formulation increases blood flow to the scalp, an essential part of healthy hair growth, as it allows for better nourishment and thicker growth. Plus, as with the brand’s other products, they’re all budget-friendly as well as clinically tested. Some users have experienced new growth in as little as two weeks.

“As someone with very flat hair, I was excited to give this peptide serum a whirl to see if it added bounce and thickness,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “The good news: My hair actually did look thicker post-application, so much so that I put on a headband to keep it from falling toward my face. This serum also did wonders for my typically knotty hair in the winter and hydrated my roots even after just one application and blow-dry. I’ll definitely continue to use this one throughout the colder months to keep my hair looking resilient, strong, and velvety.”

How to use: Indicated as a leave-in treatment, this is meant to be applied to a clean, dry scalp and left on. The brand recommends using before bed, but it can be used any time of day. Apply a few drops daily followed by a massage for best results.

Best Rosemary Oil: Mielle Rosemary Mint Light Scalp & Hair Oil

Rosemary oil is a popular option because, when massaged onto the scalp, it boosts blood flow, which can lead to faster hair growth. Studies suggest that it can be as effective as minoxidil (a common hair-loss treatment) in triggering growth. Mielle’s top-rated version has biotin, an essential nutrient in the hair-growth cycle.

How to use: William Gaunitz, FWTS, a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology Products, recommends diluting rosemary oil with a carrier oil (like jojoba or coconut oil) before applying because it is highly concentrated and will irritate the scalp if applied directly. Massage the concoction gently onto your scalp, focusing on areas with hair loss or thinning. For a deeper treatment leave it on for longer than 30 minutes. Otherwise, rinse it out after about a half hour, shampoo thoroughly using a sulfate-free shampoo, then condition as you normally would.

Best Jojoba Oil: Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil Blend

Best for: Hydration; works great on braids, locs, and curly hair

Ideal for those with coily or curly hair, jojoba oil is high in essential fatty acids, which “helps soften and add sheen to hair that tends to run dry,” Kay says. This specific blend from Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross helps maintain moisture and thickens thinning hair. “I love the way it smells; it has a faint, spa-like aroma. It also has more of a serum-like dispenser and a thicker texture than a water-light oil, making it feel a bit more substantial and less runny than some others,” says Glamour contributor Lisa DeSantis.

Glamour visuals director Lauren Brown reaches for Pattern's Argan Hair & Scalp Oil when she needs a little nourishment. “I’ve had my braids in for five weeks and my scalp gets dry and my hair starts to become brittle at this point in the process. This oil brought a little life back. The oil itself is extremely lightweight, with a pleasant smell, and it left my roots feeling silky.”

How to use: Jojoba oil can be used on wet or dry hair as a leave-in conditioner for added moisture. Start by applying a few drops to the palm of your hand. (Remember, a little goes a long way.) Then lightly dab it onto the most parched areas of your hair. If you want to use it as a scalp treatment, apply a few drops to targeted areas around your head and massage the oil into the scalp. Pro tip: Opt for cold-pressed jojoba oil because it preserves the oil’s natural vitamins.

Best Avocado Oil: Kiehl’s Magic Elixir Scalp and Hair Oil Treatment

Best for: Dry hair and scalp, split ends

Use this lightweight scalp and hair and oil treatment as a pre-shampoo. It’s infused with avocado oil, a rich source of vitamin E, which prevents hair loss, seals the hair cuticle, dials up your natural shine, and makes your tresses extra smooth.

How to use: Choose a cold-pressed avocado oil that is enriched with nutrients. We suggest warming it up by placing the container in a bowl of warm water. It’ll help the product penetrate the hair better. When applying, lightly coat your fingertips and target the areas that you need the most. If you have an itchy scalp, rub the oil onto your head. For split ends, rub it onto the tips of your hair, as well as the driest parts. Lightly work your way up the hair as needed. Use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, then wash it out using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.

Best Grapeseed Oil: Pure Grapeseed Oil for Skin, Hair, and Scalp

Best for: Fine hair and dry scalps

Grapeseed oil is on the lighter side, so it’s a great match for hydrating fine hair. Kay recommends routinely rubbing a small amount of this cold-pressed oil onto a dry scalp to keep it moisturized, soothe dandruff, and amp up hair growth. She also says, “It’s filled with antioxidants, which help it masterfully treat and prevent split ends.”

How to use: If your strands tend to get dry or frizzy, add a few drops of this oil to your palms and lightly coat the lengths of your hair after showering. Whether you blow- or air-dry, it will help reduce frizz and improve hydration without weighing it down.

Best Macadamia Nut Oil: Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Treatment

Best for: Dry scalps; 3C, 4C hair

As one of the richest oils, macadamia is great at penetrating the hair shaft and softening very thick or curly hair. This product has therapeutic properties that revitalize heat-damaged hair, provide UV protection, and even extend the life of color treatments.

How to use: Take a dime-size dollop of virgin cold-pressed macadamia oil. Rub it between your palms and then smooth it throughout your dry hair. Pro tip: Pay careful attention to getting the oil to the ends of your hair to help repair split ends and damage.

Best Baobab Oil: R+Co On a Cloud Baobab Oil Repair Collection

Best for: Softer strands; knotty hair

In search of an oil that delivers a nongreasy shine? Baobab oil has incredible conditioning properties that “adds a subtle gloss to all hair types,” says Kay. Beyond making your strands look more lustrous, this spray-on oil styling mask has a baobab oil-protein technology that rebuilds bonds and seals the hair cuticle.

How to use: Spray this oil mixture evenly from roots to ends on clean, damp hair. It’ll help detangle knots while repairing dry-hair damage. Comb through and style as normal. You’ll be left with a soft, lustrous finish.

Best Tea Tree Oil: Briogeo Scalp Revival Organic + Australian 100% Tea Tree Oil

Best for: Scalp health; calming dryness and itchiness

A healthy scalp is essential for hair growth, and tea tree oil contains potent nutrients that calm and soothe a dry, itchy, oily, or flaky scalp. This 100% organic version works for all hair types and textures without leaving oily residue behind. This formula is also a multitasker as it can be used on the skin, specifically for blemishes and irritation. And because it’s a smaller size, it could be a good product to bring with you on the go.

“I have a pretty content scalp in that I rarely experience irritation or dandruff, but when I used this, it did feel refreshing and clean, like a facial for my scalp. Plus it rinsed out easily and left my strands feeling supersoft. Just be mindful that it is an oil and can make for a mess—while I didn’t have trouble with the bottle leaking per se, the oil does sit around the neck of the bottle and on the cap, so when I placed it on the counter, it left a ring of residue.” says DeSantis.

How to use: For a refreshed scalp, Kay recommends mixing a few drops of this organic tea tree oil with coconut oil or water. Then massage it onto a clean scalp before bedtime and rinse it out the next morning. If you have a really flaky scalp, repeat two or three times weekly.

Best Sweet Almond Oil: Pure Body Naturals 100% Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil

Best for: Shiny and silky hair; thick hair

Rich in vitamins E and D, sweet almond oil stimulates the scalp and protects against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can lead to dryness, brittleness, and limp strands. Nearly 12,000 Amazon reviewers love this version because it’s nongreasy, smells great, and calms the scalp.

How to use: You have the option to add this oil to wet or dry hair, though adding it to dry hair will improve its manageability, shine, and softness. This is probably the better option for those with very thick or brittle hair. Simply pour a nickel-size amount into your hands and distribute throughout your hair, focusing more on the middle to the ends of the hair. Avoid adding too much to the root so your mane won’t look greasy.

Best Argan Oil: Andalou Naturals Argan Stem Cell Age Defying Scalp Intensive

Formulated as a daily treatment to address hair thinning, this scalp serum is chock-full of hair-health boosters, including argan sprout stem cells, biotin, rice protein, and aloe vera. Míriam Freixa Villena, a chemist and the R&D manager for hair brand Tara Formula, counts argan among the lighter oils that “absorb easily and help retain moisture with less risk of residue,” which is essential when talking about a product that’s meant to be left on the scalp. Shelly Aguirre, a hair stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, adds that this formula is especially good for thinning hair because it “has a vitamin B complex for essential nutrients and it restores thinning hair by fortifying, amplifying, and strengthening.” “I found the tapered tip super helpful for applying the oil directly to my scalp, and it had a nice, cooling feeling on my skin. Bonus: It didn’t leave too greasy of a residue or look on my scalp or hair,” says DeSantis.

How to use: Meant to be used every day, the brand recommends parting your dry or towel-dried hair into sections before using the targeted applicator to dispense a few drops directly to your scalp. Massage thoroughly with your fingers or a scalp massager to ensure the product is fully absorbed. Massaging is also a good way to boost circulation, which will help encourage hair growth. For best results, you can apply again before bed, then follow the same routine each day.

Best Amla Oil: Fable & Mane HoliRoots Pre-Wash Treatment Oil for Thinning Hair

Best for: Balancing scalp

Formulated with amla oil and ashwagandha, this pre-wash treatment is meant to prevent hair thinning and encourage healthy hair growth. In addition to hydrating the hair and imparting antioxidant properties for anti-inflammation and improving circulation, this formula taps a plant root blend that’s calming for the scalp—an absolute must for healthy hair growth, allowing the follicle to have ample room to grow without inflammation or irritation crowding it.

How to use: Because it’s a pre-wash treatment, it’s intended to be applied before washing out. Section hair and apply to your dry scalp five or more minutes before you shower. The longer it’s left on, the better, so if you have additional time to sit with it on your scalp, go for it. You can also apply it before bed and wash it out in the morning. In that case, definitely sleep with a shower cap on so you’re not getting oil on your pillow/sheets and so the oil doesn’t make its way onto your face. Be sure to rinse thoroughly before going in with your shampoo.

Coconut oil: Palmer’s Coconut Oil Moisture Boost, Restorative Hair and Scalp Oil Spray

“Coconut oil is excellent for reducing protein loss,” says Villena. Because hair is made up of protein—specifically keratin—this is major, and it can help prevent hair from becoming brittle and breaking, though she warns that it may lead to buildup for some scalps if overused. Because it’s rich in moisture, it’s definitely best for drier scalps and hair types. People with tight curls might benefit since natural scalp oils can’t always penetrate the length of those coils. This product, in particular, has quite a generous sprayer, so proceed with caution.

“I would recommend spraying it onto your hands versus straight onto your hair/scalp for this reason. When I sprayed directly onto my hair, much more shot out than expected and it’s hard to control, which is how I learned the lesson of spraying onto the hands first before working it in with my fingertips. My hair felt super silky once I brushed it in, though! The bottle is also a generous size, and because you don’t need a ton, it should last you a while,” says DeSantis.

How to use: You can use this as a leave-in conditioner or a scalp serum, or both. If using as a leave-in, spritz generously onto your hands, then finger-comb through your hair to evenly distribute. If you’re using it as a scalp treatment, you can spritz directly to your scalp, concentrating on the skin rather than your hair, and massage it in with your fingertips. Since it’s a heavier oil, try using once a week or every few days and work your way up should you need to.

Best Coconut Oil Treatment: Shea Moisture 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Leave-In Treatment

Best for: Conditioning

Great for all hair types, coconut oil “coats the hair shaft to increase its strength, decrease brittleness, and reduce hair breakage during styling,” says Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas. This particular leave-in treatment softens, detangles, and defrizzes tresses while leaving your mane with a tropical coconut aroma for days.

How to use: Generously spray this leave-in conditioner on clean damp hair. Or make your own DIY mixture by melting down one or two tablespoons of coconut oil, three drops of lavender oil, and one cup of water. When spraying either one, focus on mid-lengths to ends of the hair. To finish, blow-dry or air-dry.

What to know about natural oils

What is the difference between carrier and essential hair oils?

There are two different types of natural oils: carrier oils and essential oils. Carrier oils are extracted from the fatty parts of plants, like seeds and nuts (think olives for olive oil or coconuts for coconut oil). They tend to be thicker and odorless, and are especially helpful with hydrating the scalp.

On the other hand, essential oils are extracted from flowers, leaves, and stems (like rosemary and castor oil). They are highly fragrant and require dilution with carrier oils before topical application. When massaged onto the scalp, these oils increase blood flow and stimulate the hair follicles, which can help hair grow. Plus, they have antifungal and antimicrobial properties that can help prevent dandruff and are rich in fatty acids to promote growth.

Why are natural oils used for hair growth?

“The best hair oils offer a holistic approach for faster hair regrowth without any side effects,” says Kay. In addition to helping alleviate a number of scalp conditions, “oils penetrate the hair shaft to help lock in hydration to leave them softer and more resilient.” They can also be used as a leave-in conditioner to make hair more manageable and easier to detangle. All these factors create an environment that fosters growth and strengthens hair to retain length over time. Gaunitz says essential oils can be helpful with preventing seborrheic dermatitis (a scalp rash condition), psoriasis, dandruff, itchy scalps, and hair loss.

How do natural oils improve hair and scalp health?

When applied to the scalp, certain natural oils can calm irritation, fight off unwanted bacteria that cause scalp issues, deliver important fatty nutrients directly to the hair root, and stimulate blood flow, says Gaunitz. These healing properties can treat several dermatological conditions that can hinder hair growth such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, cicatricial alopecia, and overall hair loss, he says. Essential oils, including tea tree, lavender, and clove oils, can also zap fungi, which eliminates excess sebum and oily hair. When it comes to your strands, “almost all natural oils will provide a degree of protection to the hair shaft (the part of the hair that sticks out of the surface of the skin), thereby protecting it from breakage caused by heat, color, and pollution,” says Dr. Geddes-Bruce.

Villena adds that what the oils are formulated with is super important too: “To get the maximum benefits of these extracts, it is best to combine them with modern ingredients, such as peptides.” The reason: peptides can act as chemical messengers to the body, and in the case of hair, can directly target the follicle to stimulate growth, while oil alone works to promote a healthy environment for hair growth. Pair the two together, and you get more comprehensive results.

What is the best way to apply natural oils for hair growth?

When integrating oils into your hair-care routine, Kay suggests starting slow to see the effect on your hair health. “Start by massaging a few drops of diluted scalp-stimulating oils (like castor or rosemary essential oil) on your head one or two times weekly,” she instructs. “Try leaving them on close to an hour before washing it out. Observe the effect on your hair. If it leaves it too greasy, apply a smaller amount and less frequently or try a lighter oil.” For more damaged or thicker hair, add a few drops of heavier carrier oils (like coconut or avocado) to your shampoo and conditioner for an additional boost of moisture. If you have coarse or curly texture, rub a few drops of carriers (like jojoba or grapeseed) toward the bottom as a leave-in conditioner to heal split ends.

And most importantly, remember that consistency is key. “Consistency in routine matters more than overnight miracles; scalp care is a long game,” Villena says. And be sure to keep the scalp clean along the way. While it’s helpful for hair growth to apply these scalp treatments and oils, you also want to avoid build-up, which will do the opposite of encouraging healthy hair growth. So, keep up with thorough hair washing and maintain a clear scalp in between oil treatments.

How we picked the very best ones

We tested natural oils for hair growth by incorporating them into our hair routines as directed for each product. We sought out expert-recommended and clinically tested ingredients such as rosemary, jojoba, and castor oils, and more. In terms of application, we tested sprays, pumps, and droppers and evaluated which worked best for our personal preferences, accounting for hair type and texture. The best ones left our hair feeling soft and our scalp soothed, and set the scene for healthy hair growth.

Meet the experts

• William Gaunitz, WTS, is a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology Products.
• Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas.
• Leah Kay is a lead stylist at Hair Lounge NYC.
• Shelly Aguirre is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
• Míriam Freixa Villena is a chemist and the R&D manager for hair brand Tara Formula.