15 Best Hair Growth Oils for Long, Healthy Hair, Tested by Editors

Thicker hair, one drop at a time.

woman with long, curly hair
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Whether you’re kickstarting your hair growth journey or looking to replace a meh product you didn't love, one of my favorite hair growth oils might be your new holy grail to boost density. Like hair growth shampoos, conditioners, and serums, hair growth oils are specially formulated with plant-based botanicals to nourish your scalp and, with very consistent use, help your hair become its healthiest, strongest, and longest.

Hair growth oils aren't a heavy-duty fix for severe hair loss. (If that’s your situation, an FDA-approved treatment like minoxidil might be a better option.) What these oils do offer is a gentle yet effective way to tackle mild thinning and promote all-around healthier hair—just be sure to check with a dermatologist if you’re unsure about the underlying cause.

Still, don’t underestimate their power. Hair growth oils have earned rave reviews and expert endorsements for good reason. "Typically made with natural oils like castor, rosemary, coconut, or argan oil, these penetrate the scalp and hair shaft, nourishing from within," explains board-certified dermatologist Kristina Collins, M.D. "Hair oils condition the scalp, improve blood circulation through massage, and strengthen hair follicles. They’re especially beneficial for those with dry, brittle hair or scalps in need of hydration." Plus, there’s no shortage of options at a variety of price points, including formulas that target not just hair growth but also issues like flakiness, oiliness, dryness—you name it.

To curate this guide, I tested and researched the most popular hair growth oils on the market and consulted with several board-certified dermatologists, brand founders, and experts—including Dr. Collins, Dara Spearman, M.D., and Mara Weinstein Velez, M.D., among others—to uncover the 15 best options out there. Together, we answered all your burning questions, like how to apply hair growth oil, how often to use it, how to pick the best formula for your unique hair goals, and more.

The Best Hair Growth Oils

Marisa Petrarca using the Fable and Mane Hair Oil

Contributing beauty writer Marisa Petrarca uses the Fable and Mane Hair Oil.

(Image credit: Marisa Petrarca)

Marisa Petrarca using the Augustinus Bader Hair Oil

Contributing beauty writer Marisa Petrarca uses the Augustinus Bader Hair Oil.

(Image credit: Marisa Petrarca)

samantha holender using virtue hair growth oil

Senior Beauty Editor Samantha Holender uses Virtue's Healing Oil.

(Image credit: Samantha Holender)

Other Hair Growth Oils I Love

What to Look for in a Hair Growth Oil

Different hair growth oils are best for different hair types and needs. Board-certified dermatologist and medical director for Keeps Peter Young, M.D., reiterates that ingredients in each oil support healthy hair growth, giving the appearance of thicker hair, rather than growing net-new hair from nowhere. However, hair growth oils can still go a long way.

"Your hair has fat in it, and oils are pretty much pure fat, so putting them on your hair can help restore those naturally-occurring fats," Dr. Young explains. "Oils high in saturated and monounsaturated fats are good because these types of fatty acids penetrate the hair strand more easily. Oils with polyunsaturated fats, on the other hand, don’t have the same effect."

Which so-called optimal fats should you look out for? "One option is coconut oil," he says. "In fact, one study showed that coconut oil assisted with decreasing how much protein the hair lost, which basically means it prevented the hair from getting weaker. Another oil that’s high in saturated fat is palm oil (such as saw palmetto oil), and some options high in monounsaturated fats are almond oil, olive oil, and argan oil."

When shopping for hair growth products of all types, Dr. Young also recommends "plant-based, organic, and raw" ingredients such as biotin, caffeine, and green tea. These are "science-backed ingredients designed to support hair growth and give the appearance of thicker, healthier-looking hair," he says.

How to Use a Hair Growth Oil

It bears repeating: hair growth begins with a healthy scalp. For that reason, Dr. Gohara instructs to massage hair growth oils directly into the scalp to stimulate hair at the root. "Once you’ve shown your scalp lots of love," she says, "you can carry the product through to the ends."

Personally, I use a hair growth oil every time I wash my hair. Anabel Kingsley, master trichologist and president of Philip Kingsley, taught me how to apply oil: After I've detangled my hair and applied my favorite leave-in conditioner, I apply my hair growth oil along my part line. Then, I make other part lines across my head, ear to ear, about an inch apart. Along each part line, I drop thin layer after thin layer of oil, rubbing it into my scalp with my finger every time. Once I'm done, I massage my scalp with my fingers or with a scalp massager so that the oil distributes evenly and absorbs more easily.

How Often to Use Hair Growth Oil

Read the instructions on the back of your hair growth oil very carefully before committing to an application routine. "Some oils have you apply once a day while others are more frequent," Dr. Gohara points out. She adds that it's perfectly all right to use multiple hair products at once, so long as you "couple your hair growth oils with a shampoo and conditioner routine to make sure your hair is getting as clean and nourished as possible." Clarifying shampoos are a perfect companion for hair growth oils, she notes.

Still worried that adding an oil to your regimen will make your hair look greasy? Dr. Gohara points out that many hair growth oils are applied before showering. But if the oil needs to be applied in the morning, you can always wear a sleek bun or ponytail. Indeed, there are countless elaborate updos or quick, easy updos for a day of hair oiling.

Why Trust Marie Claire

Marie Claire is an expert in skin care and hair growth, covering everything from the causes of thinning, aging hair to firsthand experiences with treatments such as Alma TED.

Beauty Writer Marisa Petrarca brings nearly a decade of expertise to this story and has tested numerous hair growth oil treatments. For this story, she consulted several board-certified dermatologists for their insight into what to look for in a hair growth oil, how to use it for best results, and more.

How We Tested

For this story, we sourced editor favorites and tested over 20 hair growth oils. We scoured the Internet for customer reviews to ensure each was rated highly, and consulted with board-certified dermatologists. We evaluated each option based on ingredients, size, texture, overall performance, and more.

Meet the Experts

Dr. Kristina Collins
Dr. Kristina Collins

Kristina Collins, MD, is a double-board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas, specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery, as well as surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also the co-founder of Austin Skin Physicians and founder of Foy by Dr. Kristina Collins MD.

Dr. Mona Gohara
Dr. Mona Gohara

Dr. Mona Gohara is a board-certified dermatologist who graduate medical school with AOA Honors before training as a dermatologist at Yale. Currently, she is the vice president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society as well as a member of The American Academy of Dermatology and The American Society For Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Jerry Shapiro
Dr. Jerry Shapiro

Dr. Shapiro is a dermatologist at the New York University School of Medicine who specializes in hair loss and combatting both and female- and male-pattern hair loss. He is particularly committed to finding healthy, nonsurgical methods of fighting hair loss and thinning.

Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, dermatologist
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, FAAD

Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in general medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetics, and pediatric dermatology.  She is active on social media and passionate about demystifying skincare and debunking dermatological misconceptions. She is also a social media ambassador for and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, an editor for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD), and has contributed to a number of magazines.

Dr. Peter Young
Peter Young, M.D.

Peter C. Young, MD is the Keeps Medical Director and a board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Young had a distinguished career serving as a physician in the U.S. Army for nine years before going on to practice dermatology in Massachusetts for 22 years. In addition to his published medical articles, Dr. Young has also been a speaker at national medical meetings on teledermatology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Young is currently located in Estero, FL.

Trichologist Annabel Kingsley
Anabel Kingsley

Anabel Kingsley is a trichologist and president of Philip Kingsley, a haircare brand devoted to improving hair and scalp health from the inside out.

TOPICS
Marisa Petrarca
Freelance Beauty Writer

Marisa Petrarca is a writer and editor based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, specializing in beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. She previously served as the Senior Beauty and Fashion Editor at Grazia USA and Beauty and Style Editor at Us Weekly. Her expertise spans breaking beauty news, shopping roundups, product reviews, and explainer articles on popular topics in skin, makeup, and aesthetics. Her work has been featured in PS, Cosmopolitan, Allure, NewBeauty, InStyle, and The Zoe Report, among others. Marisa holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Wagner College. Follow her on Instagram @Marisa Petrarca.

With contributions from