Taking care of your hair is crucial for its well-being, and a great way to start is by incorporating the best drugstore hair oils into your routine. Nate Masterson, who is a renowned hair expert, says, “Hair oils like rosemary, argan, tea tree, and castor can provide your hair with a powerful boost of hydration as well as nourishment. Many natural hair oils also contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which can further improve the health of your scalp. Hair health starts at the scalp and roots, and using hair oils has significant benefits for your scalp and roots.” 

Drugstore hair oils can provide essential nutrients for your hair shafts, promote growth, and contribute to overall hair health. A recent scientific study published in the National Library of Medicine further supports the potential benefits of such oils in trichology.

Regular oiling and scalp massage not only nourishes your hair from roots to tips but also promotes blood flow. It also fights the effects of stress, pollution, poor nutrition, chemical treatments, and heat styling. Our list of hair and scalp oils is not only affordable but also essential for maintaining healthy and lustrous hair. To make your decision easier, we've narrowed down the options, presenting the top 7 drugstore hair oils available online, backed by careful analysis and reviews. Explore our recommendations below.

• 1
  Best Overall

  VERB Ghost Oil

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This hair oil from VERB is an everyday product that makes your hair soft, smooth, and frizz-free, giving it a shiny look. It contains moringa oil and bamboo extract that promote healthy hair. Moringa seed oil provides essential nutrients that make your hair frizz-free and shiny. On the other hand, bamboo extract strengthens hair follicles and locks in moisture.

We appreciate how this lightweight oil blends seamlessly with your preferred styling products for optimal results. It evenly spreads, smoothing dry ends and frizz without any sticky residue, maintaining a natural and lovely look for your hair.

2

Best Cruelty-free Formula

Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil

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This organic hair oil is infused with castor oil and nourishing ricinoleic fatty acid. This ricinoleic fatty acid is a powerful remedy for hair loss, supported by scientific evidence in a 2015 study. This organic oil undergoes cold-press extraction, maintaining its unrefined state to preserve essential vitamins and antioxidants. Plus, it is a chemical-free option, devoid of hexane. Thus, by applying this conditioning oil, you can enhance hair volume, and texture, and combat dryness without any worries. The fatty acids nourish the scalp and hair strands, making it an excellent option for enhancing lashes and eyebrows too.

3

Best for Detangling Hair

Wild Growth Hair Oil

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This hair oil has a special mix of plant ingredients like coconut, olive, and jojoba seed oils. It also includes essential oils like peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and clary sage, which give a natural herbal scent. Using this oil a few times a week can make your hair soft, easy to manage, and healthy. It works well on dry, tangled hair and also helps fix split ends and hair breakage. Plus, it helps hair grow strong and thick, no matter your hair type. To get the best results, use a few drops of the oil 3 times a week after shampooing. This even helps reduce the time you spend blow-drying your hair after washing.

4

Best for Curly Hair

Carol's Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil

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The next on our list is a 7 oil blend from the brand Carol’s Daughter. It contains nourishing olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, black cumin seed oil, castor oil, linseed oil, and soybean oil. Despite having many oils, this formulation is surprisingly lightweight, imparting strength to your hair as it grows.

The oil offers more than just superficial benefits — it delivers restorative care, shields against breakage, and effectively combats split ends. Overall, it is a rejuvenating oil that deeply moisturizes both strands and the scalp, catering particularly to dry, curly, and weakened hair (2A-4C hair types). Plus, it's devoid of harsh chemicals, including parabens, mineral oil, artificial colors, and petrolatum, making it safe to use for all hair types.

5

Best for Strengthening Brows And Lashes

Aria Starr Beauty 100% Pure Castor Oil

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This premium-grade hair oil from Aria Starr Beauty is made from pure cold-pressed castor oil, carefully extracted from the best castor seeds. Cold pressing keeps the natural goodness of the castor oil intact, and it undergoes triple refinement for top-notch quality.

This oil strengthens hair, prevents breakage, and untangles knots, reducing hair fall. This versatile oil also works wonders for the face, effectively removing dirt and makeup while nourishing dry skin. It's not just a cleanser; it helps combat acne, scars, wrinkles, and dryness, leaving your skin supple. What we like is its user-friendly dispenser pump, which makes application a breeze.

6

Best for Taming Frizzy Hair

Loma Nourishing Oil Treatment

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This nourishing oil treatment from Loma is like a fortifying repair tonic.  The nourishing oil works on the hair's surface, while the fortifying tonic seeps into the hair cuticle for repair. It is also fantastic for beards and doubles as a moisturizer, after-shave oil, or facial hair massage oil.

The oil contains creatine, which is more effective than other proteins or keratins to rebuild hair strength, especially in colored and bleached hair. Plus, it has baobab oil to strengthen damaged hair and give thermal protection up to 450°. We personally liked its delightful scent with hints of orange and vanilla beans.

7

Best Lightweight Formula

Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

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This lightweight hair oil from Oribe is like liquid gold for your hair. It quickly absorbs to make your hair look and feel great. Packed with edelweiss flower, jasmine, lychee, sandalwood, argan, and cassis, it deeply conditions, strengthens, and smoothes your hair, giving it nourishment and shine. These key ingredients in the formula also protect your hair from damage and color fading.

This unique oil comes in a small bottle but lasts a long time. The formulation won't weigh down your hair and is perfect for dry, damaged, and colored hair. We prefer using it on damp hair or applying it to the ends after styling to get a shiny finish.

Picking the perfect drugstore hair oil might seem like a challenge, as there are tons of options. But don't stress—we've got your back! Our simple guide is here to help you make a smart choice for your hair. Take a look at these important factors to keep in mind when you're getting hair oil, whether it's online or in a physical store.

1. Ingredients to Seek Out

Understanding which ingredients are beneficial in hair oils is crucial. Look for nourishing components such as coconut, olive, jojoba, and other plant oils. These ingredients penetrate the hair, enhancing strength, elasticity, and moisture. You can also go for castor oils for hair; they are a bit heavy, but add thickness and shine and also help boost healthy hair growth. Or else consider comprehensive blends like Carol's Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil for maximum benefits.

2. Ingredients to Avoid

When it comes to what to avoid, consider your preferences and needs. Steer clear of fragranced formulas, especially if applying oil to the scalp, as fragrances can be skin irritants. Additionally, avoid chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Likewise, while choosing castor oils, opt for hexane-free formulas, such as Aria Starr Beauty 100% Pure Castor Oil, to minimize potential health risks associated with the chemical solvent.

3. Consider Your Hair Type

Select a hair oil based on your hair type and texture. For fine and damaged hair, go for thin, lightweight options like the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil. If you have thick hair, your strands can handle a richer formula—they might even need it, especially if they're dry or damaged. Similarly, there are special oils designed for curly and wavy hair types. So choose according to your hair type. 

4. Understand the Function

Determine the function of the oil you need—whether it's for scalp nourishment or styling. Scalp oils promote scalp health and may aid hair growth while styling oils are for mid-lengths to ends. Be cautious with silicones in styling oils, as they may clog the scalp.

Contributor: Nate Masterson, Hair Expert - Maple Holistics