The A-Z of amazing hair oils

Just like our locks love certain shampoos, they appreciate a good oil, too. And it’s not just thicker and coarser manes that benefit from oils - even thin, fine and easily-greasy strands can reap the rewards. It’s just a matter of finding the right one for you...
Abyssinian oil
Best for: Fine hair
Intensely hydrating but extremely light in weight and texture, this is a brilliant option for thin, fine or greasy hair that tends to become lank if overloaded with product. The molecular structure of abyssinian oil also makes it one of the most heat-resistant oils, making it an avid heat styler’s dream.
bh picks: Fudge Smooth Shot Shampoo, Fudge Smooth Shot Conditioner
Almond oil
Best for: Dandruff
High in magnesium, almond oil helps to boost hair growth, reduce breakage and relieve dry, itchy scalps. If you suffer from the curse of the flakes, try massaging in a few drops after washing to reduce redness, inflammation and beat the ‘druff.
bh picks: L’OCCITANE Aromachologie Repairing Oil, Carelli Recovery Oil, Schwarzkopf Extra Care Liquid Silk Leave In Treatment
Argan oil
Best for: Dry or frizzy hair
Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, this liquid gold can help to transform dry, coarse and unruly tresses into softer and shinier, more manageable ones, while cutting down on frizz and flyaways.
bh picks: Moroccan Natural Argan Oil, Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil, De Lorenzo Defence Argan Finishing Oil
Baobab oil
Best for: Stimulating hair growth
There’s plenty of hype surrounding this African oil, and for good reason: its high vitamin content improves elasticity, encourages cell regeneration, prevents free radical damage and boosts moisture. Why wouldn’t you use it?
bh picks: Aveda Be Curly™ Style-Prep, Phytospecific Baobab Oil
Coconut oil
Best for: Keeping all hair types in tip-top condition
The ultimate multi-tasker, coconut oil can be used for just about anything (see here, here, here and oh, here), and on any hair type - greasy locks included - to replenish strands and keep scalps healthy and happy. Jam-packed with carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, coconut oil can also help to strengthen strands. Apply it as a weekly treatment if your locks are prone to breakage and slow growth.
bh picks: Schwarzkopf Extra Care Marrakesh Oil & Coconut Express Mousse Treatment, Kiehl’s Extra Strength Conditioning Rinse with Added Coconut, The Body Shop Spa Wisdom Polynesia Monoi Miracle Oil
Kalahari melon seed oil
Best for: Sensitive scalps
If you suffer from dermatitis, psoriasis or get the occasional itchy reaction from products, your hair will love this shine-boosting hair oil. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and scalps, and is high in omega-6 for hair growth and hydration. As the name suggests, it originates from the Kalahari desert, and the melon of this oil provides the nomadic people with enough water to survive in the harsh climate. If it can do that in desert, imagine what it can do for your hair...
bh picks: darcy’s botanicals Pure Kalahari Melon Seed Nectar, Ouidad ultra nourishing cleansing oil
Kukui nut oil
Best for: Rejuvenating
Nothing bad ever came from Hawaii, and this oil loaded with omega-3 and -6 is further proof of that. Soothing, softening and non-greasy, it contains powerhouse antioxidants that help to protect hair from damage and and prevent ageing. It’s a great one for psoriasis, eczema and acne sufferers due to the anti-inflammatory nature of the fatty acid content.
bh picks: Aveda Invati™ Thickening Conditioner
Macadamia oil
Best for: Extremely dry or damaged hair
Nut oils are super intensive, and macadamia is one of the richest available. Soak your dry strands in a macadamia mask weekly or after heavy heat styling sessions.
bh picks: Hask Moisturizing Shine Oil – Macadamia Oil, Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask
Marula oil
Best for: Holiday hair
The fruitier alternative to the nutty smells of argan and macadamia, marula oil is native to South Africa and MarMadagascar, and contains antioxidants, nutrients, minerals and essential fatty acids that help to prevent and reverse environmental and UV damage. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and cellular regeneration properties, this is one for protecting your strands from the sun or drying out after a salty swim.
bh picks: Indola Innova Glamorous Oil Finishing Treatment, Marula Oil Rare Oil Treatment
Sapote oil
Best for: Rebalancing
Hailing from Mexico and Central America, this lightweight oil is a wonderfully rich blend of iron, potassium and calcium, plus vitamins A, B, C, D and E, and is an excellent treatment for both the very dry and very oily manes out there. It helps to balance sebum production, reduce flaking and promote scalp health and hair growth.
bh picks: Mamey Sapote Oil, Pura Sapote Oil
Tamanu oil
Best for: Restoring
Found in Southeast Asia, this oil contains powerful antimicrobial, antibiotic and healing agents and comes with a ton of medicinal and haircare uses. From burns to rashes and inflammation, scalp infections, dandruff, psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis, tamanu oil aids in the healthy rejuvenation of the scalp, and therefore, leads to healthier hair.
bh picks: Aveda Sun Care After-Sun Hair Masque, Goldwell Elixir Oil Treatment
Do you like using oils in your beauty regime? What natural oils do you use in your hair?
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124 Member Comments
My dry frizzy hair loves oil based leave on treatments than water based hair serum.
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Sometimes ago I bought a "magic brush" from my hairdresser to apply Argan oil. It has a sponge like a strip incorporated into a brush head. It can be saturated with the oil and distributed easy and evenly over the hair while brushing. Love these simple ideas. They make life so much easier
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Argan oil works a treat on my dry hair
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A little put in while you are washing and conditioning is also good for extra nourishment
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love Moroccan oil
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Currently loving the Natura Sibera hair oil! Packed with so many good ingredients and leaves my hair gorgeously soft - still trying to get past the smell but the results are worth it. Currently waiting for my review to be published!
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Oh!! This just reminded me, I totally forgot to include the "Winter Discovery Bag" disclaimer... scurries away to edit
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A lot of these work not only for hair but for skin as well. Baobab is great for soothing and hydrating the skin.
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I need to get some argan oil to control my uncontrollable frizz. Thanks for the tips
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I love my run of the mill and great value Moroccan hair oil from ALDI. My hair loves it too!
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I adore natural hair oils! I find my hair gets used to any particular one , and they are no longer effective so I have to mix up my routine with a few different kinds.
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So many oils, I haven't heard of half of them! The Fudge sounds good, I normally use argan oil on the lengths and ends as my hair is quite frizzy but I also get oily roots, bit of a nightmare really lol!
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I have never heard of Baobab oil before. Can someone explain to me how it helps with hair regrowth? I thought you only apply the hair oil from mid length down?
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great range of reviews across a number of products- well done reviewers
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Great article BH! I have used coconut,olive & camellia oils in my hair & they are all so good,camellia oil is good for your skin in general so is macadamia oil which i have used on my face but not my hair. I am definitely going to start trying more of these oils.
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So what happens when I have oily roots but dry tips and still have dandruff? Would the almond oil be too much?
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Love the links in an article. Makes it easy for me to read reviews of the products. Now I REALLY want to try that FUDGE shampoo. I already love their purple one - it makes my hair super soft.
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Jeepers! Some of these sound absolutely divine!
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I love Wella Ultimate Elixir and Richard Ward's Argan Oil is great too. I always use it through the mid lengths to the ends before I blowdry.
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Love my moroccan oil
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I currently use a DeLorenzo hair oil for scalp to clear it of dandruff. I use argan and sometimes jojoba oil on the ends of my hair to finish up the products.
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My favourite was the MoroccanOil oil for hair.
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So many different types of oils! I've tried Argan, coconut and avocado oil but I want to try out the rest
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I've only used the Argan oil. I didn't realise there were so many to choose from.
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Wow! Other than coconut oil and macadamia oil, i have not heard of any other hair oils before!
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