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16 Expert-Approved Hair Oils for Silky and Shiny Strands
Don't worry, these oils won't weigh your hair down.
When it comes to your hair care routine, it's probably stocked must-haves like sulfate-free shampoos, hydrating conditioners, and heat-protectant sprays, but what about hair oils? TBH, hair oils are an underrated haircare staple that can treat your concerns like an itchy scalp, help soften your strands, and improve the overall health of your hair and scalp. From castor oil to argan and rosemary, there are so many different hair oils to choose from. Seventeen tapped three experts to break down which are the best oils for your hair type and how to use them.
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What type of hair oil should I use?
Before you add hair oil to your online cart or snag one off the shelves in-store, it's important to consider what your hair needs first. You're probably all too familiar with coconut, argan, rosemary, and tea tree oils, but they all meet a different need. "Each individual oil has its own specific benefits," double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp tells Seventeen. Essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, and castor oil increase blood flow to the scalp, while argan oil hydrates and softens. Tea tree oil is known for its bacteria-fighting properties, while coconut oil prevents dryness and increases shine. "Quality ingredients are the key to any recipe," celebrity stylist Destiny Kelly says.
Can hair oils promote hair growth?
Moisture, moisture, moisture. One of the biggest keys to maintaining healthy hair and scalp health is to ensure that both are hydrated, and that's where hair oils come in. "Hair oils set hair up for success by keeping it healthy," Dr. Camp says. Oils help with hair health, but the New York-based derm dispels the myth that hair oils promote hair growth. "Hair oils do not increase hair growth," he says. "However, hair oils can fortify the scalp and hair follicle by reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and providing nutrients and minerals."
Can you use hair oil if you have oily hair?
The short answer is yes. Dr. Camp notes that. if you have oily hair "it is recommended to focus application on the ends of the hair to reduce dryness and damage of the hair shaft." If hair oils wind up layering on top of an oily scalp, Dr. Camp warns that it can "weigh hair down and make it greasy."
Dr. Camp suggests opting for thin, lightweight options to "prevent the hair shaft from becoming saturated in oil" for finer hair textures. Celebrity hairstylist Scott King suggests adding "half a pump" of lightweight oils like grapeseed, argan, or jojoba oil to your hands and applying from the mid-shaft of your hair down, avoiding the roots of finer hair textures. If you have thicker hair, the dermatologist says that you may be able to "tolerate the use of richer oils," like coconut and castor oil.
Should you apply hair oil directly onto the scalp?
Certain hair oils can be applied to the scalp. It all depends on the ingredients and if your hair is wet or dry. According to Dr. Camp, hair oils "can hydrate the scalp skin to limit the formation of flakes and scales that occur in conditions like psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis." Other hair oils enriched with antibacterial properties (think tea-tree oil) may help in conditions like acne and folliculitis," he adds. On the other hand, King says, "Someone who has an oily scalp could benefit from a scalp treatment about once a week." He suggests castor oil to promote scalp health and lavender oil as a pre-shampoo treatment to help eliminate bacteria on the scalp.
Now that you know the tea on hair oils, scroll ahead for the best hair oils for every hair texture, type, and hair concern.
Jasmine Washington is an Assistant Editor at Seventeen, where she covers celebrity news, beauty, lifestyle, and more. For the past decade, she has worked for media outlets, including BET, MadameNoire, VH1, and many others, where she used her voice to tell stories across various verticals. Follow her on Instagram.
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