Alix Earle's Favorite Hair Oil is On Sale and It's Under $10

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When it comes to your hair care routine, it's probably stocked must-haves like sulfate-free shampoos, hydrating conditioners, and heat-protectant sprays, but what about hair oils? TBH, hair oils are an underrated haircare staple that can treat your concerns like an itchy scalp, help soften your strands, and improve the overall health of your hair and scalp. From castor oil to argan and rosemary, there are so many different hair oils to choose from. Seventeen tapped three experts to break down which are the best oils for your hair type and how to use them.

What type of hair oil should I use?

Before you add hair oil to your online cart or snag one off the shelves in-store, it's important to consider what your hair needs first. You're probably all too familiar with coconut, argan, rosemary, and tea tree oils, but they all meet a different need. "Each individual oil has its own specific benefits," double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp tells Seventeen. Essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, and castor oil increase blood flow to the scalp, while argan oil hydrates and softens. Tea tree oil is known for its bacteria-fighting properties, while coconut oil prevents dryness and increases shine. "Quality ingredients are the key to any recipe," celebrity stylist Destiny Kelly says.

Can hair oils promote hair growth?

Moisture, moisture, moisture. One of the biggest keys to maintaining healthy hair and scalp health is to ensure that both are hydrated, and that's where hair oils come in. "Hair oils set hair up for success by keeping it healthy," Dr. Camp says. Oils help with hair health, but the New York-based derm dispels the myth that hair oils promote hair growth. "Hair oils do not increase hair growth," he says. "However, hair oils can fortify the scalp and hair follicle by reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and providing nutrients and minerals."

Can you use hair oil if you have oily hair?

The short answer is yes. Dr. Camp notes that. if you have oily hair "it is recommended to focus application on the ends of the hair to reduce dryness and damage of the hair shaft." If hair oils wind up layering on top of an oily scalp, Dr. Camp warns that it can "weigh hair down and make it greasy."

Dr. Camp suggests opting for thin, lightweight options to "prevent the hair shaft from becoming saturated in oil" for finer hair textures. Celebrity hairstylist Scott King suggests adding "half a pump" of lightweight oils like grapeseed, argan, or jojoba oil to your hands and applying from the mid-shaft of your hair down, avoiding the roots of finer hair textures. If you have thicker hair, the dermatologist says that you may be able to "tolerate the use of richer oils," like coconut and castor oil.

Should you apply hair oil directly onto the scalp?

Certain hair oils can be applied to the scalp. It all depends on the ingredients and if your hair is wet or dry. According to Dr. Camp, hair oils "can hydrate the scalp skin to limit the formation of flakes and scales that occur in conditions like psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis." Other hair oils enriched with antibacterial properties (think tea-tree oil) may help in conditions like acne and folliculitis," he adds. On the other hand, King says, "Someone who has an oily scalp could benefit from a scalp treatment about once a week." He suggests castor oil to promote scalp health and lavender oil as a pre-shampoo treatment to help eliminate bacteria on the scalp.

Now that you know the tea on hair oils, scroll ahead for the best hair oils for every hair texture, type, and hair concern.

Hair Oil

If you need to revive your dry ends or tame flyaways, Scott King recommends this nourishing hair oil that he applies on celeb clients like Sabrina Carpenter. It can be applied to damp hair before a blow or even after to smooth and shine.

Hair type: Color-treated, dry,

Key ingredients: Evening primrose oil, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E

Customer review: "I was nervous this oil would make my fine hair oily but I only add it to the ends and it makes my hair so silky soft."

Elixir Essentials Hair & Scalp Oil

Your hair can require one thing today and thrive with something else tomorrow. Of Aunt Jackie's collection of Elixir Essential Hair and Scalp Oils, Destiny Kelly recommends this biotin-enriched option that helps "improve strength, shine, and volume." It's also laced with rosemary and mint OILS, which improve circulation to the scalp and delivers a soothing sensation that relieves itching.

Hair texture: Curly, coily

Key ingredients: Biotin, rosemary, mint

Customer review: "Smells good. Subtle. I apply on my hands and then work it into the roots and then the bottom. Doesn’t get too oily and soaks in. So far I really like it."

Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

This rosemary mint strengthening oil sent TikTok into a frenzy after influencer Alix Earle put it in her end-of-year favorites of 2022. It flew off shelves, and with nearly 38,000 ratings on Amazon, it seems as though this nourishing treatment lives up to its online reputation.

Hair type: All

Key ingredients: Biotin, rosemary, mint

Customer review: "Great hair oil. A little goes a long way. I use this product every week or every other week on my scalp. I also use it sometimes after I shower, while my hair is wet I comb it and apply a little bit at the ends of my hair to help with frizz and keep my hair soft, smooth, and shiny at the ends. Works great for all these purposes. I can't say just yet that it helps thicken or make my hair grow, as I have not been using it that long."

Blueberry Bliss Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment

Having a dry, itchy scalp can be a headache. Give your scalp relief with this soothing treatment. Coconut oil and blueberry seed oil nourish and soothe itchiness.

Hair texture: Curly, coily

Key ingredients: Blueberry seed oil, corn mint, coconut oil

Customer review: "Lightweight oil but gets the job done. In the winter my scalp gets extremely dry and this oil I put it on my scalp after washing and conditioning my hair before blow drying and give you a cool sensation on your scalp"

No Frizz Vanishing Oil

Humidity is known to wreak havoc on strands, resulting in poofy, frizzy hair. This quick-drying oil blocks humidity, while delivering hydrated, shiny strands.

Hair type: Color-treated, straight, wavy

Key ingredients: Amanranth seed extract, hemisqualane

Customer review: "Absolutely in love with this hair oil! I have very fine, wavy (combination) hair, and this is the only product I have found that has tamed my frizz while not weighing my hair down. It also smells amazing!! It is a little pricy, but I only need a couple drops each application. So, I can justify the price knowing it will last me quite a while. A new staple in my routine, for sure!"

Argan Hair & Scalp Oil Blend

Treat your tendrils to an additional boost of shine and strength with this softening treatment.

Hair type: Wavy, curly, oily

Key ingredients: Argan oil

Customer review: "Very light scent. I find this oil thick but lightweight depending on how it’s used. It adds shine and softness. I warm one pump in my hands and apply to dry hair. I use it more generously on wet hair. This is a great alternative for people (like myself) that aren’t fans of coconut oil."

Scalp & Skin Care Edge & Temple Strengthening Oil

Thinning around the hairline can be common, especially if you wear high-tension hairstyles like ponytails too often. If you've noticed some thinning, this lightweight oil is enriched with over 20 essential oils, including black castor oil, to strengthen strands while delivering UV protection.

Hair texture: Wavy, curly, coily

Key ingredients: Castor oil, biotin

Customer review: "Have not had the product long but I appear to be seeing some growth. I will see in about 3-4 weeks but so far satisfied!"

Everyday Gloss

This silicone-free oil blend keeps hair silky and smooth while protecting against frizz and split ends.

Hair texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coily

Key ingredients: Kakadu plum oil, safflower oil

Customer review: "Gave my hair such a natural shine without making my hair feel or looking really greasy but make sure not to using to close to your roots incase you get a greasy like look…"

Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil

Revive dry, parched strands with this damaged hair-healing blend. Along with extra hydration, Gisou Mirsalehi Honey increases shine and combats frizz and flyaways.

Hair texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coily

Key ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, coconut oil, almond oil

Customer review: "honestly this worked really good it made my hair silkier after a day! 🤭 But the only thing I don’t like is after ur done ur hands feel greasy 😔. But overall this is a great product and I’ll buy it again!"

Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Hair Oil

You're probably already head over heels for Sol de Janeiro's Bum Bum Cream and Body Scrub, but have you heard about their Glossy Nourishing Hair Oil? It combats frizz and hydrates, delivering a smooth and shiny finish.

Hair texture: Curly

Key ingredients: Patauá oil, pequi oil

Customer review: "Only need very small amount on ends, or your hair will look oily. Love the scent."

Ghost Oil

Consider this the holy grail of hair oils, or at least that’s what Seventeen’s Assistant Editor and resident curly girlie, Sam Olson says. She loves applying this hair oil to revive her ringlets when she’s rocking three or four-day-old hair.

Hair texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coily

Key ingredients: Moringa oil

Customer review: "It really helps tame the frizz. I have curly hair that frizzes easily and this helps a great deal. What I really noticed is how soft it leaves my hair. Really like this product, will continue to buy more. The scent is light, not perfumey."

No.7 Bonding Oil

When breakage strikes, grab this reparative styling oil because it's enriched with a bond-building formula that strengthens and renews damaged strands.

Hair texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coily

Key ingredients: Sunflower oil, moringa seed oil

Customer review: "i have almost wavy hair and let me tell you this fixed my dry ends and i straighten my hair everyday but now with this i wear my hair natural more! this is a must have"

Water Sign Hydrating Hair Oil with Hyaluronic Acid

Before you apply heat from your favorite curling wand or blow dryer, you need to apply a heat protectant spray. Amika's Water Sign Hydrating Hair Oil works overtime to prevent frizz and shield strands from heat up to 450 degrees. Plus, it's enriched with hyaluronic acid to add an additional layer of moisture.

Hair texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coily

Key ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid

Customer review: "This was a bit of trial and error. It works well with my hair. It tamed flyaways and frizz. But be careful - only try one pump of it. My first application I used 3 pumps and over did it and had to rinse out. Don’t use near roots either. Start at mid length."

Lightweight Hair Oil

Use this BB on towel-dried hair to hydrate and soften.

Hair texture: Straight, wavy

Key ingredients: Bamboo extract, chia extract, coconut extract

Customer review: "This lightweight hair oil is definitely light - after rubbing it into my hair, my hands don't feel greasy or oily at all. The smell is also amazing! Unfortunately, this product seems to only work on dry hair."

Cold Processed Scalp Detox

Idk if you knew this, bestie, but you need to treat your scalp just like the rest of your skin. That means you need to include a scalp-focused cleanser in your haircare routine. This unscented sulfate-free oil removes the buildup that often makes your scalp itchy and flaky. Along with boosting scalp health, it also helps restore moisture and help stimulate hair follicles. Massage this serum into your scalp for 10-15 minutes and rinse before applying your go-to shampoo and conditioner.

Hair texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coily

Key ingredients: Basil oil, baobab oil

Customer review: "My hair was terribly dry until I started using this product. Now it is soft and manageable. It is a light oil not thick and greasy. Worth the money."

Elvive Extraordinary Oil Deep Nourishing Treatment

Besties with dry hair know how difficult it can be to find a nourishing oil that doesn't weigh your hair down. L'Oréal Paris Elvie Extraordinary Oil Deep Nourishing Treatment is a weightless serum that hydrates without weighing down your locks.

Hair texture: Straight, wavy, curly

Key ingredients: Coconut oil, sunflower seed oil,

Customer review: "Love this serum! Helps finish my hair after blow drying to help with frizz. Gives a nice sleek look without looking greasy"

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