What's the Difference Between Hair Oil and Hair Serum, Anyway?
Inquiring minds want to know.
As beauty editors, you don't have to tell us twice that you feel overwhelmed by the amount of products on offer. And while adding a new buzzy ingredient into your routine may keep you from experiencing FOMO, it might not be what you really need. Our advice? Simplify your routine — especially when it comes to hair. For instance, do you really need a hair oil and a hair serum? Maybe not. So to help you decide which is best for you, we turned to two experts to find out what both products do, who should use them, and how to use them.
Related: The Best Hot Oil Treatments You Didn't Know Your Natural Hair Needed
Keep reading to discover the difference between hair oil and hair serum once and for all.
What Is Hair Oil?
As the name implies, hair oil is an oil-based product. According to Isfahan Chambers-Harris, a trichologist, Ph.D. Scientist, and founder Alodia Haircare, the formula typically consists of at least two carrier oils (like avocado, coconut, and almond) and essential oils (like lavender and lemongrass).
An oil offers a handful of benefits for the hair and scalp, including scalp stimulation, maintaining moisture within the strand, and aiding in length retention. In turn, the oil can help hair feel softer and appear shinier.
Related: The 10 Best Oils to Use for Every Hair Situation
What Is Hair Serum?
Hair serum is a lightweight product that covers the outer surface of the hair, acting as a seal or protectant. Hair serums typically contain silicones or silicone-like substances that sit on top of the hair strand, Dr. Chambers-Harris tells us.
"Hair serums have benefits such as taming frizz and flyaways, adding shine, shielding against humidity, softening your strands, and helping with damage caused by chemically damaged hair or hair that has been over-styled with heat tools," shares Deaundra Metzger, an Atlanta-based celebrity hairstylist.
Related: The 13 Best Hair Serums of 2023
What's the Difference Between Hair Oil and Hair Serum?
The major difference is the products' ability to penetrate the hair strand. Oils tend to be absorbed by the hair, while serums typically feel like they're coating strands. "Hair oil conditions and nourishes hair, directly impacting overall hair health, but no such impact is seen with the use of hair serums, says Metzger. "Hair oil penetrates deep into the hair shaft to nourish hair from within, whereas hair serum merely sits on the surface and forms a layer."
It's best to think of a hair serum as a shield or armor for the hair. If you're styling your hair with hot tools, Dr. Chambers-Harris suggests prepping hair with a silicone-based serum for heat protection.
Who Should Use Hair Oil?
All hair types and textures can use a hair oil, but how you use it will vary. "Drier hair types such as textured hair tolerate oils well," Dr. Chambers-Harris says. "Straighter hair types can use oils but should use them before shampooing." Rinsing the oil out with shampoo will still deliver the benefits without weighing down straight and/or fine hair.
Related: How to Fix Dry Hair, According to Stylists
Who Should Use Hair Serum?
They're also a universal product, however, if you're prone to frizz or have chemically-treated hair, you can especially benefit from adding a hair serum to your routine. Just be aware of the ingredients, specifically if you have curly/textured hair.
"If you are wearing your hair in its curly/textured state most of the time, you should be careful with using silicone-based serums because they can cause buildup over time and block moisture from getting in, leaving your hair feeling and looking dry — particularly if you are using a non-sulfate shampoo to wash your hair," explains Dr. Chambers-Harris.
What's the Best Way to Use Hair Oils?
There are a number of ways to use hair oil in your routine based on your hair type and its needs. "You can oil the hair and scalp before shampoo. You can use as a hot oil conditioning treatment. And you can use them as a 'sealant' to seal in the cream-based hair conditioner that you used for styling," says Dr. Chambers-Harris.
Related: Why Is Everyone Using Onion Oil for Their Hair?
How much product you use will vary by hair length. "If you're rocking a shorter style, then one to two small pumps are enough, while longer styles may find three to four pumps more appropriate," says Metzger. Again, it's important to note that if you have straight hair, oil is best used as a pre-shampoo treatment to prevent weighing hair down.
What's the Best Way to Use Hair Serums?
As for hair serums, when you use one in your routine will depend on its purpose. When you're applying it, Metzger suggests going by hair length. "A single pump of serum will suffice for mid-length hair, while long hair may require a bit more," the stylist says.
Our Favorite Products
Alodia Nourish & Grow Healthy Hair and Scalp Oil
With avocado and rosemary oils, this moisturizing treatment nourishes the scalp and hair follicles to soothe dryness and support growth.
Related: Rosemary Oil Just May Be the Holy Grail Of Essential Oils
Ceremonia Aceite de Moska
In addition to nourishing hair, Ceremonia's oil works to rebalance the scalp by removing product buildup and excess sebum.
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Pre-wash Hair Treatment Oil
Use Fable & Mane's pre-shampoo oil treatment inspired by ancient Indian hair rituals to strengthen and repair damaged or dry hair.
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
Olaplex's serum is designed to protect hair that's been weakened by chemical treatments from future damage. It doubles as a styling product that smooths frizz and minimizes tangles.
Related: You CAN Use Olaplex at Home — and It Works Miracles on Damaged Hair
Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum
If you regularly use hot tools, make Mizani's heat-protectant serum part of your styling routine. It shields hair against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, plus moisturizes for a soft, glossy finish.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Scalp Serum
Dry, itchy, flaky scalps will benefit from Dr. Sturm's balancing serum. It works to reduce inflammation with a blend of plant-based ingredients such as Japanese camellia, brown and green algae, and lavender.
Related: Is Your Scalp Actually Healthy? Experts Explain How to Know For Sure
VIDEO: The Best Hot Oil Treatments You Didn't Know Your Natural Hair Needed
For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on InStyle.
