Dermatologists Say These Hair Oils Promote Long, Thick, Healthy Hair

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If your hair is prone to excessive thinning, shedding, or breakage, you’re not alone. In fact, approximately 40% of women experience hair loss by the time they’re 50, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. That’s where the best hair growth oils might come in handy.

Hair growth oils won’t magically make your hair grow faster, but they can promote hair growth by minimizing damage and breakage and boosting hair and scalp health. “Hair oils set hair up for success by keeping it healthy,” explains Brendan Camp, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in Manhattan and clinical sssistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. “[They] can fortify the scalp and hair follicle by reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and providing nutrients and minerals.”

Meet the Experts: Brendan Camp, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in Manhattan and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College; Penny James, a trichologist at the Penny James Trichology Center; Diane Madfes, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Some popular oils used in hair growth products, according to Dr. Camp, include coconut, argan, rosemary, tea tree, and avocado oil. “While they all offer increased hydration, each individual oil has its own specific benefits, such as increasing blood flow around the hair follicle, fighting bacteria on the scalp, reducing the formation of scales or dandruff, and providing antioxidants,” he says. Rosemary oil, in particular, has antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce scalp inflammation, which can contribute to hair loss, says Penny James, a trichologist at the Penny James Trichology Center.

If you’re overwhelmed with all the options for different hair oils out there, don’t worry: We researched countless products online to find the very best picks, all recommended by dermatologists and trichologists and top-rated by reviewers who tested them out themselves. Ahead, find the best hair growth oils you can use at home for longer, healthier strands.

Hair Growth Oil

“In addition to biotin, this hair oil contains castor oil and rosemary oil to hydrate and fortify hair,” says Dr. Camp. Not to mention, it also contains caffeine, which encourages growth by stimulating blood flow to your scalp and hair follicles. Reviewers especially love that the formula is lightweight, is highly absorbent, and doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy.

“I have only been using this for about two and a half weeks now, but I am seeing new growth: tiny baby hairs!” writes one shopper. “It soaks in pretty quickly, doesn’t feel greasy, barely smells at all (and what you can smell is pleasant).”

Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

If you’re looking for a hair growth oil that’s affordable but still reliable, you can’t go wrong with this under-$10 pick from Mielle Organics. It’s infused with a blend of over 30 essential oils and nutrients to promote healthier hair, including rosemary oil, biotin, and peppermint oil. Did we mention it’s a best-seller with over 45,000 ratings on Amazon?

“I’m honestly blown away by this product. I’ve had a widow’s peak my whole life...My hair also started getting thin the past few years so I decided to try this,” says one reviewer. “This stuff is literally changing my hair line, which I didn’t even know was possible. I barely have a widow’s peak anymore and my problem areas are growing so many baby hairs. I also feel like my overall hair is getting thicker and healthier too.”

Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density

This concentrated serum helps hair appear thicker and denser thanks to a powerful combination of peptide technologies and caffeine in the lightweight formula. Reviewers say they truly notice a difference in their hair’s volume after using the product.

“My hair line is visibly fuller, and I now have hair growth in spots which were very sparse. I seriously can’t believe it!” raves one Sephora shopper. “This formula also doesn’t make your hair greasy, and it has no scent. Another plus!”

GRO Hair Serum

There’s a reason why this hair serum is Nicole Kidman’s personal favorite (she has a partnership with the brand). Formulated specifically for thinning hair, this best-selling pick is powered by plant-based ingredients like mung bean, curcumin, and red clover to increase the appearance of hair density and thickness. The brand claims that it delivers visible results as in as little as 90 days.

“This scalp serum works. I use a whole dropper and massage the serum in the area I am experiencing the most thinning. It only took 3 weeks, and I’ve noticed baby hair already!” writes one Sephora reviewer. “My favorite thing about this serum is that it is not oily and does not weigh down hair.”

Jojoba Hair Oil

“One of my favorite hair oils is Badger Jojoba Herbal Hair Oil,” says Diane Madfes, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “I like it because it’s organic and decreases scalp inflammation.” Along with rosemary and tea tree oil, the jojoba oil specifically helps remove build-up and reduce inflammation in the scalp.

“I have been using this for about two weeks now ,and my dry, itchy scalp has improved incredibly,” says one satisfied shopper. “My scalp feels healthier, there are no more flakes, and the itchiness is gone. My hair is also incredibly soft.”

The Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Growth Oil

Infused with rosemary oil, castor oil, and biotin to help revitalize and soothe the scalp, this hair oil offers a lightweight formula that’s gentle enough to use every day. Reviewers say it leaves their scalp feeling soothed and their hair looking soft and sleek.

“I was blown away...I’ve been using it for about two or three months, and I’ve noticed a lot more fullness as well as new growth,” raves one Ulta customer. “This has helped the manageability of my hair. It feels super soft and silky after using this. I call it liquid gold in a bottle.”

Hair Thickening Serum

James recommends this “lightweight leave-in treatment” from Viviscal. “[It’s] fortified with marine collagen and seaweed extract along with keratin to give the hair a thicker, fuller appearance,” she says. It’s suitable for all hair types, and reviewers say it’s easy to apply and works great to reduce frizz, too.

“My hair feels thicker, looks fuller, and ‘filled in’ where I had a little patchiness from hair thinning/loss,” writes one Amazon shopper. “I was skeptical of a hair serum thinking it would make my hair look greasy, but thankfully this one absorbs great and just makes my hair look super healthy!”

B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil

This oil from Briogeo works not only on hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes, but also on skin. As a 100% pure, organic castor oil, it deeply nourishes and hydrates to promote a healthy scalp, strong hair, and glowing skin. The formula is also vegan and free of phalates and parabens.

“Absolutely love this. It’s a multi-use product that I use to comb through my eyebrows with, a lip oil, cuticle oil, and I also apply it on dry patches on my skin,” says one reviewer. “I have very dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin, and this stuff is great for it. There is no fragrance which I am very happy about.”

Hair Serum

Nutrafol, which is known for its hair growth supplements, also sells this top-rated hair serum designed to promote hair thickness and reduce breakage. Packed with ingredients like ashwaganda exosomes, pea sprout extract, and green tea, the vegan formula is lightweight and non-greasy, according to reviewers.

One shopper who calls it “amazing” writes: “I am on my 3rd bottle of this product and my hair has reappeared where it had disappeared ,and now it is continuing to grow in a lot thicker.”

Ukuaji Blooming Serum

Uzima’s Ukuaji Blooming Serum comes in a “lightweight” formula that “hydrates the scalp, fortifies the scalp barrier, and reduces itchiness,” says James. She notes that it’s packed with a rich botanical blend of ingredients such as turmeric, amla seed oil, and and edulis seed oil.

“I truly have never had my hairline looking so full and so healthy,” writes one reviewer who says the serum helped with postpartum hair loss. “And no need for headbands to hide the patches due to hair loss! I’m ordering a second bottle ASAP.”

Blueberry Bliss Hair Growth Oil

Packed with ingredients such as organic blueberry extract, pomegranate seed, argan oil, and gardenia flower oil, this hair growth oil is specifically designed for curly hair types.

“I love the way my curls stayed smooth and my hair didn’t go frizzy all day,” says one Amazon reviewer. It’s “hands down my favorite oil I have ever used,” says another. “It is super moisturizing yet lightweight and doesn’t leave your hair feeling greasy. It smells so good.”

25 Miracle Nourishing Oil

This hair oil leaves hair moisturized, shiny, and soft thanks to hydrating, nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed oil. It’s suitable for all hair types, with reviewers saying it’s especially great for curly hair.

“This has changed my hair drastically,” raves one Amazon shopper. “I have dry hair that was never getting moisture from things like argan oil or other oil treatments. This doesn’t feel thick and sticky like those...It really gets absorbed.” Another reviewer writes: “It smells amazing...This is the only one that’s helped [my daughter’s] hair be silky and shiny and makes the curls more defined but doesn’t weigh her hair down!”

Triphasic Reactional Concentrated Serum

This three-month treatment is specifically formulated to help address sudden, temporary thinning hair—whether it’s from stress, diet, medication, or postpartum. The serum contains powerful natural ingredients like lotus mineral complex, pfaffia extract, and lemon essential oil to help preserve the scalp’s natural balance while nourishing and strengthening hair.

“I have thin hair due to breakage, hormonal changes, and stress...It made my hair really shiny and fuller,” writes one reviewer. “Feels soothing yet energizing on my scalp and smells amazing!” added another.

Rosemary Conditioning Hair Oil

This rosemary oil from Weleda formula provides deep nourishment and hydration to help hair look shiny and silky. Reviewers especially love that it smells “heavenly” and that only a small amount of the product goes a long way.

“I have breakage, dryness, and my blonde locks can feel quite coarse at times,” writes an Amazon shopper. “I tried this rosemary oil. And oh my lord, it was amazing...My hair looked so much more healthier, you could barely tell I had any split ends, and it was soft, silky with no frizz.”

No.7 Bonding Oil

A whopping 33,000 shoppers on Amazon give this hydrating oil a perfect rating—and it’s easy to see why. Olaplex’s highly-concentrated formula promotes healthier hair by boosting shine and softness, fighting frizz and flyaways, and even providing heat protection.

“My hair is growing and the frizz is almost gone...My hair looks better at 52 than it did at 25!” raves one reviewer. “This product is amazing, all you need is a drop or two to put in your hair, it helps my frizzes and it makes my hair shiny,” adds another. “It’s a small bottle, but it last a very long time.”

Promote Activator Hair Regrowth Treatment

With a nourishing blend of baobab, keratin, and rosemary oil, this hair treatment from Evolis works to fortify and hydrate hair. The formula is also free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, and phthalates, and it’s safe to use on color-treated hair.

“The baby hairs I have growing all over my head is nuts!” says one reviewer. “I use about two droppers full every night before bed...It’s only been a few weeks, but I can definitely see an increase in baby hairs and more than other serums I have used.”

How to choose the best hair growth oils

When shopping for hair growth oils, you’ll want to pay attention to the active ingredients in the product. “Some popular oils used in hair products include coconut, argan, rosemary, tea tree, and avocado oil,” says Dr. Camp.

Rosemary oil in particular is known to potentially promote hair growth and improve scalp and hair health, says James. “Rosemary oil’s anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce scalp inflammation, which can contribute to hair loss,” she explains. Plus, it also “contains antioxidants that protect the scalp and hair follicles from damage caused by free radicals, ”which could potentially promote hair growth, she says.

Dr. Madfes specifically recommends looking for organic-derived oils. In addition to rosemary oil, she recommends argan, jojoba, and tea tree oils, which “work by decreasing inflammation and removing build up.” Additionally, “coconut and amla tend to increases hydration,” she says.

James also suggests safflower seed oil, grape seed oil, and rosehip oil for improving hair shaft health. “Studies have shown that these three oils are suitable for all hair types to create shine and manageability,” she says. Though, they haven’t been scientifically proven to promote hair growth.

How long does it take for hair growth oils to work?

You likely won’t see instantaneous results from using hair growth oils. In fact, they may “work very slowly,” says Dr. Madfes. According to Dr. Camp, scalp hair grows roughly one centimeter per month. “Hair growth tends to vary and is influenced by many factors: diet, medications, sleep, styling,” adds Dr. Madfes.

That’s why it’s important to try using hair oils consistently for a considerable amount of time before determining whether it’s working for you. “It is recommended that when using a product for hair growth that you use it for at least three to four months before deciding if it is helpful or not,” advises Dr. Camp. Dr. Madfes also recommends applying hair oils nightly “for optimal results.”

How we chose the best hair growth oils

We consulted top dermatologists, including Brendan Camp, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in Manhattan and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, Diane Madfes, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, and Penny James, a trichologist at the Penny James Trichology Center. We also combed through countless reviews, ratings, and product specs online to find the best hair growth oils.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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