Best hair oil 2025: Our top picks for growing and restoring shiny, healthy hair

If your hair is on the dryer side, you may find it tends to look dull, feel less soft, and break and frizz more easily. Conditioning treatments are one way to add much-needed moisture to dry and dehydrated hair, but for a really deep nourishing treatment nothing beats a conditioning hair oil.

Natural oils such as olive, almond and coconut oils have been used for centuries to add moisture to the hair, smoothing down the outer cuticle to reduce frizz and add shine. Modern hair oil formulas combine these benefits with protective ingredients to prevent damage from heat styling, UV rays and other pollutants.

Hair oils can be used to both treat and style hair – many of the best hair oils do both. Some oils are massaged into the scalp and roots and left to work their magic over a few hours; some are added to damp hair, post-wash, to ensure a sleek finish once dry; and others are smoothed over dry hair to give radiance and protection. The fatty acids in the oil strengthen the hair shaft, smooth and seal rough cuticles and help to prevent splitting and further damage by holding moisture inside the hair cells.

If adding oil to your hair isn’t something you’ve ever considered as part of your beauty routine, you might want to think again. There are many benefits to using oils regardless of your hair type – even oilier hair can benefit from a suitable hair oil applied to the ends.

To find the best hair oils you can buy in 2025 we’ve tested a range of treatment and leave-in oils, in liquid and spray formats, with options for all budgets.

Best hair oil: At a glance

How to choose the best hair oil for you

What is a hair oil?

Hair oil means any kind of oil product to treat or style the hair. We’ve indicated below if the oil is to be used as a treatment and then washed out, or if it’s designed to be used on dry hair and left in. Almost all hair oils contain some kind of natural oil – coconut, argan, castor, macadamia and almond oils are all common bases. In some cases, other ingredients might be added – as preservatives, for perfume or colour, or for heat protection; these include alcohol, chemical perfumes, silicones and sulphates.

Is hair oil used on wet or dry hair?

Some hair oils are designed to be used on wet or damp hair after washing, and some are applied to dry hair. Read the label on your bottle of hair oil before applying.

When applying hair oil as a leave-in styling product if you have fine hair, or hair that tends to be naturally oily, you may find that applying to damp hair helps disperse the oil easily and evenly through the hair. Dry, thirsty or frizzy hair will probably prefer the oil to be applied directly to dry hair for an intense hit.

Is there hair oil for different types of hair?

Yes! Even hair that is prone to oiliness can benefit from a light hair oil to balance moisture in the hair – it’s just a matter of finding the right product and applying sparingly. There are also oils for afro hair, bleached hair, heat-damaged hair, hair with extensions and for people with very sensitive scalps.

How often should hair oil be used?

The consensus among hairstylists seems to be once a week for a deep oil treatment that you need to wash out, but once a day or as needed if you’re using oil as a styling aid to smooth down flyaway hairs or topping up shine.

Are there any downsides to using hair oil?

In general, no. However, if you use too much styling oil, or if you do a deep root treatment with oil and fail to wash it out properly, you risk making the roots greasy or the ends heavy and lank. This will not only lead to your hair looking and feeling greasy, but may cause unwanted heat on your hair and scalp, leading to a loss of moisture and increased damage to your hair.

Will oil just make hair look super greasy?

Not if you use the right amount and apply sparingly. Rub the oil through your hands first and then distribute through the hair with a light touch, concentrating on the dryer ends (or with a scalp oil, rub lightly into the scalp with the fingertips).

It can take some time to get used to how much oil your hair needs when you’re first starting out – thinner hair may only need a drop, while thicker hair can need a whole lot more. Start with a small amount of oil on the lengths and build up; as the classic saying goes, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away once it’s on.

How we test hair oil

To find the best hair oils for a range of hair types, I tested a selection of hair oils on my mid-length, fine curly hair following the directions on the label. For this group test, I also enlisted the help of my daughter who has much longer and slightly thicker Type 3 curly hair, so we could test the oils on longer hair which also tends to be dryer at the ends. We tested both treatment oils designed for use after washing and leave-in styling oils designed for use on dry hair. We noted how well the oils were absorbed, the feel of the hair after using, and any stickiness or excess greasiness the oils left on our hair. I examined the look of our hair before and after use, particularly looking at shine, volume and frizz reduction after styling as usual.

I also noted the application method, recommended hair types and overall ease of use, as well as the aroma of the product and any special features such as heat protection. Our final list below includes our favourite picks, taking into account all of the above.

The best hair oils to buy in 2025

1. Champo Weightless Hair Oil: Best styling oil overall

Price: £28 for 28ml | Check price at Harrods

This clear oil contains jojoba and olive oils for soft and nourished hair, and the scent is a sharply botanical fragrance – think cut grass and lemons.Two drops of this rubbed between warm palms and smoothed over the hair from scalp to ends results in an instant shine, as well as a sense that your hair is going to behave: essentially, a good hair day in a bottle. Designed to be used on dry hair as a way of controlling flyaway hairs and smoothing any frizzing or splitting, the oil comes in a diminutive ‘dropper’ bottle that will fit comfortably in even the smallest of handbags and is perfect for on-the-go styling.

Key features – Quantity: 28ml; Use on: Dry hair; Packaging: Glass bottle with dropper lid

2. Ogx Coconut Miracle Oil Extra Strength Penetrating Oil: Best value styling oil

Price when reviewed: £10 for 100ml | Check price at Boots

At less than £10 for 100ml this oil, which is to be applied to damp hair, is a complete bargain. As its name suggests, it’s primarily coconut oil blended with vanilla bean and other natural essences.

Rub a 10p coin-sized amount between palms and smooth through damp hair, although you might require more if your hair is particularly dry or thick. Similarly, if you have naturally greasy or fine hair, you might want to apply oil just to the lengths and ends of your tresses.

It smells gorgeous – and quite strong, so expect a few compliments on your new “perfume”.

Key features – Quantity: 100ml; Use on: Damp hair; Packaging: Flip top bottle

3. Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil: Best treatment oil

Price when reviewed: £34 for 55ml | Check price at Fable and Mane

This castor-oil based treatment oil is designed for weekly use, to be applied to dry hair and left on for anything from one hour to overnight. It smells great: sweet and floral with jasmine and cedarwood, with a depth of fragrance that you only get with natural ingredients. There are no nasties such as parabens, sulphates or animal-derived ingredients in this Indian-inspired aromatherapeutic oil.

Apply a few drops before bed – ten or so worked on my hair, my daughter needed a few more – and massage into the scalp and roots. Using this oil is designed to be something of a ritual and feels like a pampering bit of self-care; the label suggests inhaling deeply as you apply, which we both enjoyed. Wash out with your usual shampoo the following morning and you’ll find soft, silky hair that has been nourished from the root down. For extra shine, finish with the MahaMane styling oil from the same range.

Key features – Quantity: 55ml; Use on: Dry hair before washing (or before bed)’ Packaging: Glass bottle with dropper lid

4. Body Shop Brilliantly Nourishing Pre-Shampoo Oil: Best value treatment oil

Price when reviewed: £12 for 200ml | Check price at The Body Shop

This hard-working multitasking hair oil with soya and coconut can be used as an intensive overnight treatment for dry and damaged hair in need of repair, or  just before washing as a more general moisture boost.  Plop a dollop of this oil into your hand (a little goes a long way) and smooth through the hair. I focused on the dry, tired ends of my hair first, then massaged into the roots and scalp and left overnight wrapped in my favourite plopping towel. My daughter preferred this on the ends only, and left it on for ten minutes before washing. Both of us had softer, shinier hair as a result. You can also use a small amount of oil on dried hair after washing, to smooth ends and finish your style.

The Body Shop’s oil absorbs well into the hair without leaving any greasy or sticky residue, and has a light tropical scent we both enjoyed. It isn’t as indulgent as Fable and Mane’s (above), but at £12 for a 200ml bottle that lasts a while it’s a very good value alternative.

Key features – Quantity: 200ml; Use on: dry hair before washing; Packaging: Flip top bottle 

5. Q + A  Nourishing hair and Scalp Oil: Best value scalp treatment oil

Price when reviewed: £11 for 50ml | Check price at Holland and Barrett

This soothing treatment oil with rosemary, argan and arula oils is formulated to tackle dry hair and sensitive scalps. Use on the ends of the hair after washing to bring moisture to dry and brittle ends; or on the scalp before washing to relieve itchy dryness and flaking. This oil has a not unpleasant herbal-botanical aroma and tingles gently when applied to the scalp. I found leaving the oil on for around 15 minutes in the bath before showering off worked best; the oil left my hair soft and shiny and my scalp and roots pleasantly energised, without feeling greasy after washing.

Key features – Quantity: 50ml; Use on: Dry hair and scalp before washing; Packaging: Dropper bottle

6. Curlsmith Bonding Oil: Best for curly and coily hair

Price when reviewed:  £25 for 60ml | Check price at Curlsmith

As my daughter and I both have curly hair we’re very familiar with Curlsmith’s range of silicone-free, curl-friendly products. This bonding oil with apricot and castor seed extracts is a great multi-tasker designed to put moisture back into dry and brittle curls, promoting maximum bounce.

You can use the oil in different ways: scrunch into nearly-dry hair after washing for softness and shine; use after drying with a styling gel to break up the gel cast for softer ringlets; or smooth a few drops into the ends of dry and styled hair to seal the ends and prevent splitting. Curlsmith’s lightweight oil is non-greasy and doesn’t weigh curls down – both of us had super-soft and bouncy curls after using.

Key features – Quantity: 60ml; Use on: damp or dry hair after washing; Packaging: glass bottle with pump

Written By

Lise Smith

Lise is a freelance writer specialising in beauty and lifestyle – spanning skincare, haircare, makeup, and home tech. With bylines across online and print titles since 2007, Lise has also covered parenting and the performing arts, and was Youth Zone Editor at londondance.com from 2014-15. A former dancer who knows more than most about the ins and outs of fake tan and firm-hold hairspray, Lise began her career in digital publishing with contributions to MacFormat, Den of Geek, PC Pro and Associated Northcliffe Digital’s localpeople.co.uk. Since 2018, she has been working with Expert Reviews, combining her love of hair and  beauty with a hard-earned understanding of what works – and what doesn’t.

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