I didn't get into hair oiling until recently, but once I did, there was no going back. When I first started doing it, my goal wasn't necessarily to promote hair growth, but I found that it helps a lot with things like dryness and breakage. The great thing, though, is that decreased dryness and breakage mean longer strands! So yeah, if you are looking for ways to grow your hair longer, there are a few hair oils you can incorporate into your routine that help with that.
I do have to say that there aren't many products on the market that actually stimulate growth. Rogaine is one of the few that do, but I know some of you like to go the organic route. Organic oils can at least help prevent breakage and provide vitamins and nutrients to the hair in order to help it stay healthy. Ayurvedic hair-oiling expert Meerika Khanna also told me that the best oils to use include alma, rosemary, bhringraj, jojoba, and sesame. They help keep your scalp healthy, promote growth over time, and reduce strand shedding. Luckily for us, retailers like Amazon are loaded with well-reviewed products and success stories that sound more than promising. For a few cult favorites and hidden gems, keep scrolling. We found the best oils to promote hair growth below.
First, the Expert Recommendation
Michelle Hong, expert colorist and founder of NYC The Team, recommends this Shu Uemura oil. "This oil is gentle yet so hydrating. It helps any scalp irritations to be cleansed away! You can also add a few drops to a masque for extra hydration on the mid-lengths and ends for a deep treatment."
Priscilla Valles, celebrity extenstionist, recommends this hair oil. "It's a multipurpose oil infused with Mirsalehi honey." She says it smells incredible, moisturizes dry strands, and even softens the hair to "make it look super shiny and healthy."
\Valles not only recommends this specific hair oil, but the entire Rahua line. Its products contain Rahua oil. This ingredient strengthens, moisturizes, and even prolongs hair color longevity. The Rahua oil used in this product is sustainably produced by Amazonian tribes.
While not necessarily hair oils, per se, Valles also recommends using the Divi Scalp Serum ($48) and Raw Sugar Rosemary + Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse ($24). The former can be applied to damp or dry hair, before or after styling. "It is extension friendly as well which is a plus for me," Valles says. The latter is an apple cider vinegar and rosemary rinse that Valles "highly recommends" for multiple reasons. "It's a clean formula with apple cider vinegar and rosemary to help get rid of any buildup on the scalp without stripping any natural oils on your hair," she says. "Especially with any dry shampoo or hairspray, this will help remove it so easily!"
The Amazon Favorites
- Wild Growth Hair Oil
- Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
- Kate Blanc Cosmetics Certified Organic Castor Oil
- Vegamour Gro Hair Serum
- Dabur Amla Hair Oil
- Carol's Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil
- Essyna Naturals Hair Growth Oil
- Elevate Biotin Hair Growth Oil
- Ancient Greek Remedy Organic Oil Blend
- Hairfinity Botanical Growth Oil
This budget-friendly hair-growth oil reached cult status once Amazon reviewers start raving about how effective the formula was in promoting hair growth. It contains a powerhouse blend of strength-promoting oils like coconut, olive, jojoba, rose hip, sesame seed, lavender, and peppermint. As a bonus, it also detangles, softens, and conditions dry hair.
Rosemary is another oil known to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps improve hair growth, and may even improve hair loss. This formula from Mielle Organics contains a hefty dose of it along with a rich blend of over 30 essential oils and nutrients to help strengthen and lengthen the hair.
Kate Blanc's oil is another cult-loved product that contains only pure, 100% castor oil and helps promote hair growth. With thousands of five-star reviews, Amazon buyers are raving. As a bonus, castor oil also helps condition and add strength to your brows and lashes. I've personally used it on my lashes and saw great results.
Vegamour's serum is formulated to help strengthen the hair, increase its density, and decrease shedding. It's plant-based and contains vegan phyto-actives (mung bean, curcumin, and red clover) that work to balance and soothe the scalp, revitalizing hair at the root. It's more of a serum-like texture than an oil, but the nutrient-rich ingredients work just as well.
Containing a blend of black seed, castor, sunflower seed, jojoba, coconut, and olive fruit oil, this scalp treatment is designed specifically for curls. It contains extra nourishing oils that promote strength and can even act as a leave-in conditioner.
EssyNaturals combined the power of castor oil, rosemary oil, caffeine, and biotin to help stimulate hair growth at the root while improving hair texture and fullness. It can also be used daily as part of your regular haircare routine.
Elevate's hair oil has biotin, antioxidants, ginseng extract, and 5% minoxidil, which helps stimulate hair growth. It's gentle on the hair and doesn't contain parabens, sulfates, or any other potentially toxic ingredients.
This multipurpose oil is the whole package. It contains organic oils like cold-pressed olive, sweet almond, grape-seed, and lavender essential oil to moisturize your body, face, and hair. Best of all, it helps add strength to the hair, promoting more growth.
Hairfinity's deep treatment oil contains grape-seed, sweet almond, coconut, olive, jojoba, apricot, and moringa oil to help dramatically reduce hair breakage. It also helps increase shine and elasticity so hair grows even faster.
Hair Oil FAQs
Can hair oil improve hair growth?
Hong says hair oil can most definitely improve hair growth. "The oil helps nourish the scalp, which can reduce dryness and flakes, and promote healthier hair growth."
Valles agrees. "Hair oils can promote longer, thicker healthier hair. It can not make it grow faster but keeps the ends moisturized and helps seal split ends. In addition, it can help retain length and it's basically a preventative of your hair-splitting."
Can hair oil benefit the scalp?
Valles says "absolutely" it can. "It can be beneficial in several ways such as nourishing and moisturizing it. It can help promote a healthier scalp environment to help hair growth. It also can reduce dryness."
Hong agrees, adding that massaging hair oil into the scalp offers extra benefits. "Massaging the scalp with oil can increase blood circulation which may increase hair growth," Hong says. "It improves dryness on the scalp as well as cleansing out the dirt and buildup in the hair pores. The oils can also soothe irritation and rebalance and nourish the scalp. Make sure you use a gentle clarifying shampoo post-scalp oil!"
How should you apply oil to encourage hair growth?
"Usually oil comes with a dropper. Apply a few drops directly to the scalp in sections. Massage the scalp with your fingertips before washing it with a gentle cleansing/clarifying shampoo. It will leave your hair feeling clean and hydrated!"
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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