15 Hair Growth Oils That Will Completely Transform Your Tresses

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Unless you’ve been blessed with the most incredible genetics, almost everyone's hair needs a little TLC to achieve the flowing, thick tresses of their dreams. If you’ve already got your ideal shampoo and conditioner combo, scalp scrub, and hair masks on lock, the next step is to pinpoint your hair growth oil soulmate—that is, the one that’ll help you restore moisture, nourish your scalp, and guard against breakage and damage.

“Hair oils can have many potential benefits for your scalp and hair,” says NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi. “They aim to keep the scalp and hair follicles healthy and free of inflammation. They also aim to strengthen the hair shafts and help the hair itself to grow. Look for products that are pure, without too many additives that can cause potential irritation.”

Oftentimes, the regular hair oil you massage into your strands and ends isn’t going to cut it; hair growth oils and serums are specifically formulated with many ingredients known to encourage scalp and hair health. “Different hair oils may have different types of fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, which give each its own properties that could help promote hair growth,” explains Dr. Garshick, an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.

Top picks for the best hair growth oils in 2024

At the end of the day, finding the right hair growth oil for your strands is essential for keeping your hair the healthiest it can be. We researched, tested, and consulted hair experts to track down the 15 best hair growth oils for every hair type and texture.

Healing Oil

Virtue has made a name for itself when it comes to providing solutions for hair loss and products that actually promote regrowth. All of its products are developed with alpha keratin, which mimics the keratin already found in our skin, hair, and nails to promote healthy strand growth.

Key ingredients: Gardenia flower extract, melon seed oil, vitamin E

Size: 1.7 oz

Sephora star rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “The virtue healing oil left my hair looking soft, smooth, hydrated, and healthy! I love the smell of the product; it is strong. The oil is light, more like a serum, and a little product goes a long way!”

Gooseberry Delight Hair Oil

Squigs Beauty’s best-selling oil marries alma oil and gooseberry plant extracts to form a nourishing blend that hydrates and softens the hair from root to tip.

Key ingredients: Amla extract, coconut oil, apricot oil, orange peel oil

Size: 4.4 oz

Squigs Beauty star rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “I'm not proud to admit that I don't treat my hair as well as I should, and thus, my hair is always tucked under a protective style. However, in between styles, this is the oil I like to coat my strands with because it's super lightweight, packed with all the goods my hair needs to stay nourished and plays well with the other products in my regimen.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density

If your hair looks a bit thin or you just want to boost your growth, try this treatment from The Ordinary. Apply each night before bed and massage your scalp for the best results. No need to wash out!

Key ingredients: Redensyl, Procapil, Baicapil, castor oil, caffeine

Size: 2 oz

Sephora star rating: 3.9/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “I've struggled with stress-related hair loss in the past, and this serum has always come in clutch. My hair looked thicker and had more volume almost overnight, and over time, tiny new hairs started sprouting all over my scalp. It's incredible how quickly I could see the results in such little time.” — Carol Lee, associate e-commerce writer

Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil

Healthy hair that grows quickly and looks full begins with a healthy scalp. Refresh your roots by applying this pre-shampoo treatment oil. Try massaging it in with Ceremonia’s scalp massager for the ultimate hair detox.

Key ingredients: Passion fruit oil, castor oil, aloe vera

Size: 2 oz

Sephora star rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “I’m so glad I got to try this. Literally no oil makes my very dry hair smooth and shiny! Thanks to Ceremonia, I now can enjoy having a healthy-looking hair. I put it one hour or overnight then I wash my hair. Little goes a long way. Give it a try if you want to have a smooth and shiny hair.”

Complete Pre-Wash Scalp & Hair Treatment Oil

With squalane and hemi-squalane, this scalp oil is hydrating but washes out easily, never leaving buildup behind. Not only does it help detox the scalp, but the strengthening ingredients reduce breakage for compromised strands. Try leaving it on overnight for a deep scalp refresh.

Key ingredients: Rosemary extract, hemi-squalane, turmeric extract

Size: 1.7 oz

Sephora star rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “After one use I was sold!! My scalp tends to be on the dry side; this didn’t overdo it; it just left my hair like princess hair. Which I appreciate because I’m in the process of growing my hair out.”

The Scalp Treatment

Dip your strands into the luxury hair care pool with this scalp treatment from Augustinus Bader. It's packed with the brand’s proprietary TFC8 complex, which helps reverse damaged hair to a healthy state and promotes overall density.

Key ingredients: TFC8, L-arginine

Size: 1 oz

Sephora star rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “I love, love, love this serum! I can actually see little baby hairs filling in my thinning hair! Before starting to use this serum, you could actually see fairly far up on my scalp in between my hair. But no more!”

Magic Elixir

The secret behind this magic hair treatment? A powerful blend of rosemary, avocado, and safflower oils. Packed with vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, this formula helps tame flyaways and repair damaged ends. Apply it to your scalp directly using the easy dispensing tip.

Key ingredients: Avocado oil, rosemary oil

Size: 4.2 oz

Kiehl’s star rating: 4.4/5 stars

Our expert says: “The Kiehl’s Magic Exilir contains a blend of avocado oil and rosemary oil and can be used prior to shampooing to nourish the scalp and hair and improve overall health.” - Dr. Garshick

Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Mielle Organics scalp treatment is packed with biotin and essential oils to encourage hair growth, perfect for those with protective styles like braids and weaves. The oil also combats pesky split ends that prevent your locks from reaching their full potential.

Key ingredients: rosemary essential oil, mint essential oil, castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil

Size: 2 oz

Target star rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “The combination of rosemary and mint essential oils help to boost circulation and stimulate hair follicles to help with hair growth and thickening.”—Dr. Garshick

The Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Growth Oil

Perfect for natural hair types, this oil is made exclusively for the scalp to revitalize and rejuvenate dry or damaged hair. It also helps to reduce shedding and supports hair growth and retention.

Key ingredients: Castor seed oil, rosemary extract

Size: 4 oz

Ulta star rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “Best growth oil ever!! I just purchased it about a month ago, and I already see results! I have a ton of new growth. I think this oil is great for thicker/curly hair. Thinner hair would definitely come out oily, so I would definitely recommend it for my 2c/3c/4c friends!”

Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

A cult favorite for a good reason, this lightweight oil uses a combination of edelweiss flower, bergamot, and argan extracts to penetrate strands for silky smooth hair. Plus, it provides UV and thermal protection and works for color-treated hair.

Key ingredients: Argan oil, jasmine oil, cassis seed oil, shea butter, sandalwood extract

Size: 3.3 oz

Nordstrom star rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer said: “Lightweight and nourishing hair oil. This does not weigh my hair down, but provides additional moisture, softness, and shine. Highly recommend.”

Precious Hair Care Oil

You won’t waste a drop of Sisley’s nourishing formula, made with passion fruit, shea, cotton, and moringa oils. Only a small amount is needed for application, so it’s a worthy investment.

Key ingredients: Passionfruit oil, shea oil, cotton oil, and moringa oil

Size: 3.3 oz

Bloomingdale’s star rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Bloomingdale's reviewer said: “My hair after using this oil is soft, well-groomed and [has an] incredibly delicious aroma. Highly recommend.”

Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Treatment

Dry scalps and weakened strands will drink up Carol's Daughter's precious blend of soothing oils. The pointed tip applicator makes distributing the treatment across the scalp an effortless task.

Key ingredients: Safflower oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, olive oil, lavender oil

Size: 4.2 oz

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “I recently tried out this hair oil, and I was really impressed! Not only did it smell amazing, but it also helped my hair grow. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a great hair oil.”

Hair Oil

With over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, you know this oil does what it says. Not only does it make styling a breeze, but it encourages your hair to grow as long as possible.

Key ingredients: Eucalyptus, jojoba, lavender

Size: 3.3 oz

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “I grew up on this stuff, and years later, it has never left my hair care collection. Once you get over the scent, you can focus on the magic it performs on your hair. With consistent use, I saw my hair thicken and soften, a far cry from the weak, brittle strands I was dealing with before this oil entered my life.”—Nerisha Penrose

Women's Hair Serum

Nutrafol may be known for its hair growth supplements, but its hair serum packs a punch, too. With daily use, you'll see a difference in the fullness of your mane before you know it.

Key ingredients: Ashwagandha exosomes, peptides, sea buckthorn

Size: 1.7 oz

Amazon star rating: 4.1/5 stars

Our expert says: “Incorporating ashwagandha, sea buckthorn, and moringa oil, this helps to nourish the hairs and prevent breakage while also supporting visible hair thickness.” — Dr. Garshick

Jojoba Oil Blend

Low porosity hair can be especially prone to breakage, which prevents hair from growing into lengthy, luscious locks—but Tracee Ellis Ross's oil blend is here to save the day. The hydrating serum also nourishes the scalp to calm flaking and dandruff.

Key ingredients: Safflower oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, olive oil, lavender oil

Size: 3.9 oz

Pattern star rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Pattern reviewer said: “I was never really a big oil user. I felt it weighed my hair down but the Jojoba Oil Serum soothes my scalp and leaves a beautiful shine to my curls. It also smells wonderful!”

Can oil really grow your hair faster?

In a perfect world, we’d be able to achieve our dream hair length using just oil. However, hair growth is contingent upon genetics, lifestyle, consistency, and of course, patience.

“Patience is key,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi. “It would be unrealistic to expect your hair to magically grow faster in a short period of time just due to the addition of oils. Oils help to hydrate and moisturize the hair follicles and hair shafts, helping to fight bacteria and encourage cellular turnover, all of which promote hair growth. Hair oils, like most hair treatments, require consistent, compliant usage. It will take a minimum of 3-6 months to notice any appreciable change.”

What specific ingredients and oils should I look for in a hair growth treatment?

Rosemary oil has been hailed as a hero ingredient, but it’s not the only one.

“Rosemary oil can also work to reduce hair damage and breakage, making the hair appear stronger. In addition to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, rosemary oil is also anti-inflammatory; it can help to reduce scalp redness and irritation and signs and symptoms of dandruff,” Dr. Garshick explains.

Another popular ingredient touted for its strengthening properties is castor oil, which “contains ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid, to may boost circulation in the scalp and subsequently promote healthier and stronger hair,” Dr. Garshick adds.

According to Dr. Camp, argan, tea tree, and mineral oils are also hailed as effective hair oils. “These oils fortify hair by improving moisture and strength and delivering nutrients and antioxidants, which protect hair follicle cells from oxidative stress,” he says. “Tea tree oil is also known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.”

How often should you use hair oil?

“Depending on the specific product, hair growth oils may be applied anything from daily to a few times per week. Depending on the specific oil and treatment goal, the oil may be left on for minutes, hours, or overnight and rinsed off in the morning,” Dr. Garshick says.

What is the most effective way to use hair oil?

The easiest and most effective way to use hair oil is to apply it directly to your scalp. “If using pure oils, I generally recommend applying the oil to the scalp at night and washing it out in the morning. For those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, consider diluting the oil with water before applying, or do a test spot on your arm first to ensure it does not irritate your scalp,” Dr. Penzi adds. You can also do hot oil treatments and deep conditioning masks by incorporating the oil into the other products in your routine. “Keep in mind that for any treatment aiming to grow hair, it will take a minimum of 3-6 months to have any noticeable results,” Dr. Penzi warns.

Meet the Experts

Dr. Lauren Penzi is a Long Island-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in general, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology.

Dr. Marisa Garshick is an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.

Dr. Brendan Camp is an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.

Why trust ELLE Beauty?

Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless skincare professionals and has personally tested the latest and greatest products across makeup, skincare, and hair care.

Tatjana Freund is a Fashion & Luxury Editor at Hearst and beauty obsessive with years of experience writing about and reviewing products. She has interviewed countless skincare professionals and continually tests the newest innovations.

Tasha Nicole Smith is the Beauty Assistant at ELLE Magazine who loves all things hair, makeup, and skincare. She has tested countless innovative products and interviewed experts to deliver top-notch recommendations.

Carol Lee is the Associate E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty. Before joining ELLE.com, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine. She’s always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.

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