21 of the best hair oils and the surprising way to use them properly

Hair oils are perhaps the ultimate salve when it comes to your strands. If it’s frizzy? Oil it. Dehydrated? Oil it. Stressed? Massage a silky soft oil into your scalp to melt those troubles away. Hair oil has even been hailed for preserving and encouraging length retention.

Scientifically speaking, hair oils can strengthen hair by increasing elasticity and tensile strength to prevent brittle ends breaking off. They can create a physical barrier around strands, which provides a level of protection against hot tools and environmental factors like pollution.

Coating hair in oil can also prevent moisture loss (which is what leads to frizz and weakness on hair strands), leaving hair looking sleeker and smoother. And that scalp massage we were talking about? It stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, which is essential for healthy hair growth.

So far, so good, right? But, there’s one thing you really shouldn’t do when it comes to hair oils, and that’s to drown your scalp. This affects the delicate pH balance of the skin (also directly linked to healthy hair growth). Too oily or too dry and hair will struggle to grow.

Over-use of oil can also plug follicles. Jane Mayhead, trichologist at The Private Clinic on Harley Street tells GLAMOUR: “Scalps do not benefit from heavy oils being left on, especially as they can be sticky. This allows dirt and shed skin to adhere to the scalp.” she says.

If you want to give your scalp a little lubrication, Jane advises, “light oils can be used but not left on the scalp.” So once, you’ve used them, rinse them off.

It’s worth noting that no matter what hair texture you have, we can all benefit from a little hair oil top-up, up and down the hair shaft. Afro haired girls, yes, I’m talkin to you too. Even you, wearing that protective hairstyle. Afro hair specialist at George Northwood, La Lah shares with GLAMOUR tips on how to apply oils while having protective hairstyles: “Start by placing the oil on your fingertips, rubbing together to warm the oil and massaging throughout your scalp. If there’s dryness or itchiness, which can be common with braids, then use more frequently. Just like skin, the scalp also needs care and attention.”

Hair is dry and porous so adding a gloss of oil can prevent further cuticle damage leading to more moisture loss. As long as it doesn’t sit on the scalp for long periods of time, it will also leave your mane with a sheeny looking finish.

No matter what your hairstyle, needs, or budget is, there will be something in our edit of top hair oils for you…

For more from Glamour UK Beauty & Features Assistant Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona

For more from GLAMOUR’s Deputy Beauty Editor, Elle Turner follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk.