17 Best Hair Serums for Women: Silky, Smooth, Frizz-free Hair

Written by Neha Tiwari Updated on Feb 19, 2024  |  4.2M
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Beauty is a reflection of inner confidence and having healthy, radiant hair is an important part of that. Women today have access to a variety of hair care products, from shampoos and conditioners to styling products like hairsprays and mousses. One product that has come to the forefront of hair care is hair serum for women. 

Dr Harish Koutam, Chief Dermatologist, SkinKraft says “Hair serums help in replenishing lost lipids, thereby preventing cuticular damage. It is essential that you evenly apply the serum on your hair, especially the parts where it's the most needed. If your hair is chemically treated, choose a serum with proteins.”

Hair serums are becoming increasingly popular among women, and for good reason. With their high concentration of nourishing and protective ingredients, this versatile product can be used to tame frizz, add shine, and help to protect hair from damage. Here is our list of top 15 products.

15 Best Hair Serums for Women

While most cheaper serums work to merely deposit a temporary gloss and slickness to your hair, this high-end damage-repair serum by Kerastase indeed replenishes the building blocks of your hair shaft, thereby strengthening it. Formulated with gluco-peptides and botanically-sourced protein, this serum boosts elasticity in your hair strands and mollycoddles brittle, damaged, and chemical-treated strands. Several happy customers have even said that this product helps smoothen the texture of the tips of their hair and prevent split ends.

Pros
  • Smells fantastic
  • 450℉ Heat protection
  • Delivers intense hydration
  • Softens the texture of strands
  • Non-greasy
  • Excellent pre-styling product
Cons
  • Overpriced for the quantity

Quick Tip

Drop a little of the product on your palm and warm it up by rubbing it before applying it to your strands. This enables a proper and even application along with the hair.

  • Best Moisture-boost Product

    Kerastase Blond Absolu Serum Cicanuit

    Kerastase Blond Absolu Serum Cicanuit
  • The principal benefits of this serum by Keratase are three-fold — hydrating, toning, and revitalizing. It is infused with the goodness of hyaluronic acid that draws water to your hair to prevent dryness and smoothen the coarse texture of strands. Further, the formula contains edelweiss flower extract that mollycoddles your hair, thereby making it smoother. Unlike most serums that work best when applied during the day, this formula kicks into action when applied to wet or dry hair and provides overall nourishment. Hence, it is perfect for people looking for intensive formulas that improve the texture of their hair.

    Pros
    • Controls frizz
    • Softens your mane
    • Shields against environmental aggressors
    • Smells fantastic
    • Tones pre-lightened/blonde hair
    Cons
    • Scent may be a bit overpowering
  • Best Overall

    Vitamins Hair Cosmetics Keratin Hair Serum

    Vitamins Hair Cosmetics Keratin Hair Serum
  • Vitamins Hair Serum is a secret weapon against frizzy, dry, and damaged hair! This special hair serum is specifically formulated with biotin and castor oil to provide maximum frizz control, repairing treatment, and protection from heat damage. It also works to bring maximum shine and gloss to your hair, whether it's straight or curly. This all-in-one hair treatment is the perfect way to give your hair the nourishment it needs and the shine it deserves. For best results, use in combination with the other Vitamins hair care products for maximum protection and nourishment.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • No paraben
    • Alcohol-free
    • Sulfate-free
    • Lightweight
    • Non-oily
    Cons
    • Strong scent
    • Expensive

    Quick Tip

    Before using your straightener or curler in the heat mode, make sure you apply this serum evenly to protect your mane from the damage high temperatures can cause.

  • Easy-To-Use

    Luv Me Care Hair Growth Oil Hair Growth Serum

    Luv Me Care Hair Growth Oil Hair Growth Serum
  • Luv Me Care Serum is the ultimate product for achieving fuller, thicker, and healthier hair. This hair growth serum is made with natural ingredients like biotin, castor oil, and rosemary oil, which are proven to help prevent hair loss and thinning in both men and women. This serum will help you achieve longer and fuller hair while also providing vital nutrients to promote healthy hair growth. Plus, this 1.7 oz bottle is suitable for all hair types, so no matter your hair type, you can benefit from this amazing product.

    Pros
    • Natural ingredients
    • Gentle formula
    • Non-greasy
    • Makes hair soft
    • Light consistency
    • Easy-to-use
    Cons
    • No instant result
    • Strong smell
  • Natural Ingredients

    Votala Hair Growth Serum

    Votala Hair Growth Serum
  • This serum is a powerful hair growth treatment that helps fight hair loss and promote thicker, stronger hair regrowth. Its unique formula is specifically designed to help both men and women achieve their hair growth goals. The serum contains a combination of natural active ingredients that have been clinically proven to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair regrowth. It also helps reduce breakage and split ends, leaving you with healthier-looking, fuller hair. It's easy to use and fast-acting, so you can start seeing results within just a few weeks. 

    Pros
    • 100 % natural ingredients
    • No strong smell
    • Not too oily
    • Provides great moisture
    • Instant results
    • Easy-to-apply
    Cons
    • Small bottle
    • Costly
  • UV Protection

    Color Wow Pop + Lock Frizz Control + Glossing Serum

    Color Wow Pop + Lock Frizz Control + Glossing Serum
  • The Color Wow Serum is an anti-frizz serum with heat protection that locks in moisture and adds shine to your hair. This lightweight formula helps keep hair smooth and manageable in any weather. It provides a long-lasting glossy finish and helps protect hair from heat styling damage caused by blow-drying, curling, and flat ironing. The unique blend of natural oils and vitamins helps to nourish, protect, and add shine to your hair. Get sleek and glossy locks with a healthy, natural look with this serum.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • No paraben
    • No sulfate
    • Alcohol-free
    • UV protection
    • Seals split ends
    Cons
    • Poor packaging
    • Too greasy
  • Tricho Folliboost Hair Growth Serum

    Tricho Folliboost Hair Growth Serum
  • Tricho Labs Folliboost Hair Growth Serum is the absolute solution for those looking to achieve longer, stronger, and thicker hair. This powerful serum is specifically designed to stimulate natural hair growth and protect against further hair loss. It is formulated with clinically proven natural ingredients that work together to nourish and strengthen the scalp, as well as promote follicle health. With regular use, this serum will help you achieve stronger and healthier hair in no time. Get ready to experience its transformative power and with its easy-to-use applicator, this serum can help you achieve the hair you've always dreamed of having.

    Pros
    • Natural-based ingredients
    • Non-greasy feel
    • Soothing scent
    • Stimulates hair follicles
    • Supports thick hair growth
    • Easy to use daily
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • A bit oily
  • No Fragrance

    Keranique Follicle Boosting Serum

    Keranique Follicle Boosting Serum
  • Keranique Follicle Boosting Serum is the fantastic hair growth solution for healthier and fuller hair. Its unique formula combines a powerful keratin amino complex with a blend of natural ingredients to fight the build-up of DHT, nourish the scalp, and stimulate the hair follicles. It helps to reduce hair loss, promote new growth, and restore shine and body to your tresses. Plus, it helps protect your hair from damage caused by everyday styling tools. With this serum, you can have the beautiful hair that you so desire and deserve.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • No paraben
    • Sulfate-free
    • No dye
    • No fragrance
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Causes dryness
  • Suitable For All Hair Types

    BELLISSO Biotin Hair Repair Serum

    BELLISSO Biotin Hair Repair Serum
  • Bellisso Biotin Hair Repair Serum is a hair thickening and strengthening product designed for both men and women. It contains natural oils which are essential for the health of your hair and scalp. The serum helps to promote hair growth and improve its strength and thickness, while reducing hair thinning. The treatment tonic helps to nourish the scalp and restore the natural oils to your hair, while providing long-term protection against hair thinning. It is great for both men and women and can help to improve the overall quality of your hair with regular use.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Paraben-free
    • No sulfate
    • Balanced natural blend
    • Formulated by experts
    • Suitable for all hair types
    Cons
    • Tiny bottle
    • A bit greasy
  • Affordable

    Streax Hair Serum

    Streax Hair Serum
  • This serum gives your hair an instant shine and smoothness. It delivers a silky finish, luminous shine, and touchable softness without leaving your hair greasy. It is vitalized with walnut oil which gives a glossy and shiny look, by adding polish to every strand of hair. It is carefully crafted to form the most gentle and effective hair serum for all hair types including dry hair. This serum adds a glowy and manageable touch to your hair to give you the confidence that you require to shine all day.

    Pros
    • Organic
    • No sulfate
    • Non-greasy
    • Good texture
    • Suitable for all hair types
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Strong scent
    • Poor packaging
  • Lightweight

    L’Oreal Paris Extraordinary Oil Hair Serum

    L’Oreal Paris Extraordinary Oil Hair Serum
  • The secret to soft, smooth and silky hair is always applying a nourishing hair serum after washing your hair. This non-sticky hair serum is made from a blend of six rare floral oils that provide hydration to the hair and seal moisture in the hair cuticle. This serum will add life to your hair and will make it softer and shinier. Use it to restore your hair to its original beauty and health. 

    Pros
    • No alcohol
    • Lightweight
    • Non-greasy
    • Softens hair
    • Great for frizzy hair
    • Heat and damage protection
    Cons
    • Bad packaging
    • Expensive
  • Great Packaging

    Biolage Smoothproof Deep Smoothing Hair Serum

    Biolage Smoothproof Deep Smoothing Hair Serum
  • Trusted by professionals, this deep smoothing 6-in1 hair serum is infused with avocado and grape seed oils. The non-sticky formula gently envelops hair to control frizz and seal in smoothness without weighing it down. It gives 6-in-1 benefits - it controls frizz, smoothens rough ends, protects from humidity, nourishes dry hair,  detangles, and adds instant shine. Try this hair serum to get the luscious locks you have been thinking of. 

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free
    • Does not weight down
    • Perfect consistency
    • Great packaging
    • Budget-friendly
    Cons
    • A little greasy
    • Moisturizes lightly
  • No Harsh Chemical

    Livon Hair Serum

    Livon Hair Serum
  • If you have dry, rough, rebellious, or excessively frizzy hair, this serum for dry and rough hair is made for you. Enriched with Moroccan argan oil extracts, this serum hydrates your hair without adding any hint of limpness. Now, you can get intense smoothness for 24 hours with just a few drops of this hair serum. It brings back the much needed volume control over rebellious hair. 

    Pros
    • No harsh chemicals
    • No mineral oil
    • Sulfate-free
    • No phthalate
    • Lightweight
    • Non-sticky
    Cons
    • Costly
    • Causes dryness
  • L’Oréal Professional Serie Expert Serum

    L’Oréal Professional Serie Expert Serum
  • This expert smoothing serum tames frizzy hair and adds shine. It is infused with the goodness of evening primrose that provides a long-lasting, anti-humidity shield which controls rough hair and keeps it frizz-free. This light expert formula, gives the hair a fabulous shine and smoothness. Powered with Pro-Keratin complex, the serum provides the right amount of protection and manageability to frizzy and dry hair.

    Pros
    • No sulfate
    • Nice smell
    • Non-sticky
    • Adds shine
    • Makes hair soft
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Poor packaging
  • TRESemme Keratin Smooth Hair Serum

    TRESemme Keratin Smooth Hair Serum
  • This professional quality  hair serum formulated with camellia oil, instantly controls frizz and gives your hair vibrancy and shine. It tackles split ends, tames unruly hair, and makes them a lot more manageable. It is suitable for both, natural as well as chemically treated hair. Camellia oil known to tame frizziness, makes your hair more manageable and adds long lasting vibrancy and shine. Keratin, a natural protein makes up most of your hair, tackles dryness, and controls damage. Together, they help improve the overall quality of your tresses. 

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Mild smell
    • Makes hair soft
    • Removes frizz
    • Easy application
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Bad packaging
    • Too much quantity needed
  • Wella Professional Hair Serum

    Wella Professional Hair Serum
  • Regain perfect smoothness and hair gloss effect with this luminous smoothing hair serum. This hair care serum, formulated with fine macadamia and avocado oils, provides velvetines and subtle gloss to hair, and owing to its precious ingredients, hair becomes shiny and soft to the touch. It helps to protect and prevent natural lipid degeneration for a smooth and reflective surface and replenishes for the right moisture balance. Use it to leave your hair feeling soft and nourished. 

    Pros
    • Non-sticky
    • Not oily
    • Does not weigh down
    • Non-breakable bottle
    • Travel-friendly
    • Suits frizzy hair
    Cons
    • Not sufficient amount
    • Not long-lasting
  • Plum Avocado Frizz-Control Serum

    Plum Avocado Frizz-Control Serum
  • This avocado oil serum provides deep conditioning to the hair and leaves it frizz-free and smooth. It contains olive oil which is deeply conditioning, and jojoba oil which moisturises and strengthens hair strands. This serum also contains argan oil that makes the hair smooth by reducing roughness and prevents split ends, and a coconut oil derivative, that acts as an emollient. It keeps hair strands hydrated and does not weigh down the hair. 

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free
    • No sulfate
    • Silicon free
    • No SLS
    • Paraben-free
    Cons
    • A bit greasy
    • Costly

    Hair Serum Benefits

    Hair serum helps tame frizz and flyaways, adds shine, nourishes dry hair, acts as a shield against humidity, softens the strands, helps with damage, and aids in detangling. A hair serum is super important if you want to always keep your mane soft, healthy and shiny. 

    How to Use Hair Serum?

    Using hair serum correctly is the key to achieving the best results. Here’s a guide to help you get the most out of your hair serum:

    1. Before you start, make sure that your hair is clean and free of styling products. Start by shampooing your hair, then rinse and follow up with a conditioner.
    2. The best way to allow easy coverage is to apply a coin-sized amount on wet hair.
    3. Work the serum through your hair from the roots to the ends. Take your time and make sure to cover the entire length of your hair.
    4. Avoid the scalp, this product is only meant for application on the surface.
    5. You can use a brush or comb to evenly distribute the serum and ensure that it spreads  properly.

    How to Choose a Hair Serum for Women?

    Choosing the right hair serum can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your hair looking healthy and beautiful. Here are a few tips to select the best one:

    Pro Tip

    Apply the serum sparingly to damp or dry hair for instant shine, smoothness, and frizz control. Apply to ends for a glossy finish or evenly distribute for overall shine.

    Hair Type: Different hair types require different types of serums, so choose one that’s suitable for your hair. For example, if you have dry or damaged hair, you’ll need to look for a hydrating and nourishing serum.

    Ingredients: It’s best to avoid products that contain sulfates and parabens, as these can be harsh on your hair and skin. Instead, look for natural ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter. These ingredients are known for their nourishing and protective properties.

    Consistency: Some serums are thicker than others, so make sure you find one that suits your hair type and texture. If you have thick hair, you may want to opt for a thicker serum and for your finer hair, a lighter serum may be more suitable.

    Scent: Serums often come in various scents, but you should choose one that suits you. If you don’t like strongly scented products, you may want to opt for a more mildly scented product.

    Budget: Hair serums can range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. Remember, though, that you often get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a product that will provide lasting protection and nourishment, it’s best to invest in higher-quality products. On the other hand, if you just need a quick fix, cheaper products can help provide temporary results.

    By following this simple guide, you can easily find the perfect hair serum for your needs. With the right product, you can ensure that you’re getting the best results possible from your hair care routine.

    Hair serums are an effective and affordable way to take care of your hair, and it is an important part of any woman's hair care regimen. Women can benefit greatly from using a good quality hair serum. It can help to nourish, protect, and hydrate their hair, as well as create shine and manageability. With the right product, women can have salon-quality hair from the comfort of their own home. If you are looking for smooth, frizz-free and manageable hair at all times then invest in a good quality hair serum and you will not be disappointed. Every woman deserves to have a strong, healthy and happy mane that is well nourished and hydrated. Choose the best hair serum for women that will suit your hair type and welcome smooth, shiny hair! 

    FAQ's

    Is hair oil or serum better?
    The choice of whether to use hair oil or serum ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences. Hair oil can help to nourish, condition, and protect the hair, while serum can help to add that extra shine and hold. When used together, these two products can help to create an overall healthier and better-looking hair. Ultimately, each person should decide which product works best for their own hair type and styling requirements.
    Does hair serum have side effects on hair?
    Hair serum does not have any significant side effects on hair. It is a safe and effective product to use for styling and protecting hair from damage. Therefore, it is important to use hair serum as directed and to consult with a professional if any side effects are experienced. Additionally, it is important to choose a quality product that best suits your needs and hair type.
    Can I use hair serum daily?
    Using hair serum daily can be beneficial to maintain healthy and manageable hair. However it is important to use the right kind of serum for your hair type and to apply it properly. It is also important to not overuse hair serum, as it can lead to build-up, which can damage your hair.
    When should we apply hair serum?
    Hair serum should be applied to damp or towel-dried hair, before or after styling. Applying serum regularly helps to keep hair hydrated and healthy. Additionally, serum can improve the appearance of hair by making it smoother, shinier and more manageable. When used correctly, hair serum can help protect hair from damage and make it look and feel healthier.
    Can I apply hair serum on wet hair?
    It is safe to apply hair serum on wet hair. However, it is important to remember that the serum should only be applied on towel-dried hair that is slightly damp, as applying it on too wet hair could cause damage to hair follicles. Additionally, it is best to use a light-weight, non-greasy serum to help reduce the chances of tangling and weighing your hair down. Ultimately, proper application of hair serum on wet hair can help achieve soft, silky, and manageable locks.
    Does serum increase hair growth?
    While there is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not serum increases hair growth, it appears that it does have a positive effect on hair health. Certain serum ingredients can help to nourish the scalp and stimulate hair growth, as well as protect the hair from damage. Therefore, incorporating a serum into your hair care routine may be beneficial for achieving beautiful, healthy hair.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Alvira, our in-house hair expert cannot stress enough on the importance of serums in one’s haircare routine. No matter which oil treatment, conditioner, or mask one may be using, no product offers the smoothing and beautifying benefits that a good-quality hair serum does. Hence, while she has incorporated her personal favorites from brands such as L’Oreal Paris, Livon, TRESemmé, and Kérastase, she also sleuthed the internet for cult-favorite products and evaluated customer testimonials to finalize her review. 

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

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    Neha Tiwari
    Copy Editor

    Neha Tiwari, a certified Haircare coach, an experienced writer, educator, translator, and editor, has been catering t More