In this review +
- The one rule
- Moroccanoil Treatment Original
- The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
- Kerastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil
- OGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Oil
- L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil
- Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
- Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Keratin Hair Oil
- Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
- Which oil for your hair
- The science
What should you actually look for in a hair oil?
The thing most people get wrong with hair oil is treating it as one-size-fits-all. A lightweight squalane that works beautifully on fine hair will do nothing for thick, coarse curls, and a heavy argan blend that transforms dry ends will flatten anything fine. I have ranked these by my rating and flagged exactly who each one suits. Every product below has been used for at least two weeks before making this list.
Moroccanoil Treatment Original
- Size
- 100ml
- Key ingredient
- Argan oil
- Best for
- All hair types
- Texture
- Lightweight liquid
Why I rate it
- Instant polished, salon finish with no crunch
- Argan oil base absorbs quickly, so no greasy residue
- Scent is lovely without being overwhelming
Who it is for
- All hair types, including blonde and colour-treated
How I use it
- Two drops on dry ends as the final step after styling
- Or as a pre-wash treatment on dry or colour-treated hair, then shampoo out
- A 100ml bottle lasts me around four months, so cost per use is surprisingly reasonable
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
- Size
- 30ml
- Key ingredient
- 100% plant squalane
- Best for
- Fine or oily hair
- Texture
- Ultra-light water-like
Why I rate it
- Shine with no weight whatsoever, smoothed through mid-lengths and ends
- On damp ends before bed, I woke up with noticeably softer hair
- One ingredient: squalane. No silicones, no fragrance, no filler
Who it is for
- Fine or oily hair, if every oil leaves yours flat and greasy
Good to know
- Technically a skincare product - it doubles up for your face
- Under a tenner for 30ml, and you need very little
Kerastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil
- Size
- 75ml
- Key ingredient
- Marula, argan, camellia, corn oils
- Best for
- A salon finish after styling
- Texture
- Serum-oil hybrid
Why I rate it
- The brand most hairdressers reach for
- Serum-oil texture spreads easily, and a tiny amount covers a lot of hair
- Gives serious smoothness and shine
Who it is for
- Anyone who wants a salon finish, and curly or textured hair that needs definition without crunch
How I use it
- As the final step on dry, styled hair - never before heat
Good to know
- The 75ml bottle is smaller than most, so you will get through it quicker
OGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Oil
- Size
- 100ml
- Key ingredient
- Argan oil of Morocco
- Best for
- Thick hair
- Texture
- Rich oil
Why I rate it
- Does a perfectly decent job at taming frizz and adding shine
- As a finishing oil on dry hair, it keeps things smooth through the day
- Easy to find in Boots, Superdrug and supermarkets
Who it is for
- The thick-haired girlies - this one is for you
Skip if
- Your hair is fine - mine is fine at the front and this greases me up quickly, so I cannot personally use it
Good to know
- The scent is pleasant but quite synthetic next to the premium picks
- A daily styling oil for frizz, not a repair treatment
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil
- Size
- 100ml
- Key ingredient
- 6 precious flower oils
- Best for
- Thick or dry hair
- Texture
- Heavier serum
Why I rate it
- Impressive results for under a tenner, with six flower extracts
- On damp hair it noticeably cuts air-dry time and keeps frizz under control
Who it is for
- Thick or dry hair
- Anyone wanting to try a hair oil without paying premium prices
Skip if
- You have fine hair - it is on the heavier side and can weigh it down
How I use it
- Damp hair when air-drying, or as a finisher on dry ends
- The scent can be strong if you over-apply, so start with one pump
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
- Size
- 100ml
- Key ingredient
- 7 botanical oils (tsubaki, argan, camellia)
- Best for
- Hair, body and face
- Texture
- Dry oil spray
Why I rate it
- Wins on multi-purpose: I use it on hair, body and cuticles
- Gives a natural-looking shine with no stiffness or residue
- Dry oil texture absorbs in seconds, and the warm floral scent smells expensive
Who it is for
- Holidays and travel, when you want one bottle for everything
Skip if
- You want a hair oil purely for hydration - for hair specifically it is not as hydrating as I would like
Good to know
- A French pharmacy staple for decades
- Apply to dry ends after styling for the best results
Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Keratin Hair Oil
- Size
- 100ml
- Key ingredient
- Keratin protein
- Best for
- Breakage-prone hair
- Texture
- Light leave-in
Why I rate it
- Keratin protein helps strengthen hair rather than just coating it
- As a leave-in it noticeably reduces breakage - my brush collected far less after a week
- Lighter than you would expect from a repair oil, so it does not weigh hair down
Who it is for
- Hair that is prone to snapping or splitting
- Anyone wanting an affordable daily leave-in
How I use it
- On towel-dried hair when I am letting it air-dry, never before heat tools
Good to know
- The scent is standard Pantene: clean and fresh, nothing special
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
- Size
- 30ml
- Key ingredient
- Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate
- Best for
- Brunette or thicker hair
- Texture
- Light silky fluid
Why it is on the list
- Uses the bond-building ingredient from Olaplex No.3, designed to help repair broken bonds rather than just coat the surface
Who it is for
- Brunettes and thicker hair types, where it could be a good option
Skip if
- Your hair is blonde or bleached - with prolonged use it changes the colour of my blonde and brings up brassiness, which I hate
Good to know
- £27 for 30ml, so it is an investment for a small bottle
Which oil for your hair type?
Fine or thin hair
Go weightless. Squalane adds shine without flattening volume.
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived SqualaneL'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary OilOGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating OilThick or coarse hair
You can handle richer formulas that tame frizz and add slip.
OGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating OilMoroccanoil Treatment OriginalL'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary OilBlonde, bleached or colour-treated
Use Moroccanoil as a pre-wash treatment. Olaplex No.7 changes the colour of my blonde with prolonged use.
Moroccanoil Treatment OriginalOlaplex No.7 Bonding OilCurly or textured hair
Both define without crunch and help with frizz at the crown.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry OilKerastase Elixir Ultime Hair OilBreakage-prone hair
A light keratin leave-in that noticeably cut breakage for me.
Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Keratin Hair OilBrunette or thicker hair
Where Olaplex No.7 could be a good option.
Olaplex No.7 Bonding OilThe science, briefly
Coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft and is linked to less protein loss. Almond oil cannot penetrate and works on the surface instead.
Argan oil is noted for good water-holding capacity, which is why argan formulas suit dry and coarse hair.
Hair oiling has long been done before shampooing, which is exactly the pre-wash approach above.
The same review notes that scientific evidence on hair oils is still limited, so be wary of miracle claims.
Frequently asked questions
Should I apply hair oil to wet or dry hair?+
Both, for different jobs. On damp hair it helps lock in moisture while you air-dry. On dry hair it is a finishing step for shine and flyaways.
The one thing I never do is put oil on and then add heat. Oil goes on last, or as a pre-wash treatment that you shampoo out.
Can hair oil cause spots along the hairline?+
Yes, if you are acne-prone and apply oil too close to your face. Keep application to mid-lengths and ends. If breakouts are a concern, The Ordinary Squalane is the safest bet - squalane is non-comedogenic and actually used in skincare to reduce breakouts.
How often should I use hair oil?+
Most people benefit from using a lightweight oil after every wash (two to three times per week) and a heavier treatment oil once a week. Over-oiling can weigh hair down and attract dirt, so less is genuinely more.
Does hair oil replace conditioner?+
No. Conditioner works on the cuticle while hair is wet; oil works on the surface after. Keep the conditioner and add a drop or two of oil as your final step.
Is expensive hair oil actually better?+
Not always. Moroccanoil earns its price for me, but The Ordinary squalane at £9.90 is my second highest rated, and Olaplex No.7 at £27 is my lowest on this list.
