A Beginner's Guide to Finding the Best Hair Oil

It's not just thick manes or coarse hair that can benefit from oil; even thin, fine and oily locks can reap the rewards too. It's just a matter of finding the right elixir for you…

1. Argan oil: Best for dry or frizzy hair

Hailed as liquid gold in its native Morocco, nutty argan oil kick started the UK's hair oil obsession. Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, it can help turn dry, coarse and unruly hair into softer and shinier, more manageable tresses, while cutting frizz and fly-aways too.

 

2. Coconut oil: Best for all hair types

The ultimate multi-tasker, coconut oil can be used on all hair types (yes even greasy hair) to replenish your strands and also keep your scalp healthy. Packed full of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, coconut oil can help to build stronger strands too, making it a great weekly treatment for locks prone to breakage and slow growth.

 

3. Macadamia oil: Best for extremely dry or damaged hair

Nut oils tend to be the most intensive, and macadamia is one of the richest available. Use it on very dry or damaged hair as a weekly mask, or to replenish your tresses after a series of heavy heat styling sessions.

 

4. Kalahari melon seed oil: Best for sensitive skin

High in omega-6, the fatty acids known to boost hair growth, protein and vitamins C, B2 and G, kalahari melon seed oil is an excellent reparative oil, known to be particularly gentle on sensitive skin and scalps. If you suffer from dermatitis, psoriasis or often have itchy reactions to beauty products, this is the shine boosting hair oil for you.

 

5. Almond oil: Best for beating dandruff

Though one of the lighter nut oils, almond oil is jam-packed with goodness. Along with antioxidants, vitamin E, fatty acids and protein, it's also high in magnesium, which will help to boost hair growth and reduce breakage. If you suffer from irritation on your scalp, try massaging your scalp with almond oil whenever you wash your hair, to reduce inflammation, redness and dandruff.

 

6. Baobab oil: Best for boosting growth

Fairly new to the British hair market, there's plenty of hype surrounding baobab oil and its high vitamin content. Along with the essential fatty acids needed for deep hydration and nourishment, baobab also packs vitamins A, D, E, and F, which all combine to improve the elasticity of your locks, and encourage cell regeneration. That's right, it can actually help your hair grow faster!

 

7. Marula oil: Best for holiday hair

If you don't like the nutty smell of oils like argan and macadamia, marula makes for a fruitier alternative. Nourishing and packed with vitamin C, it's great for all hair types, but especially handy on holiday, as it'll protect your hair from drying out in the sun.

 

8. Abyssinian oil: Best for fine hair

Also known as organic crambe seed oil, abyssinian is intensely hydrating but extremely light in weight and texture, making it a brilliant option for thin, fine or greasy hair that can easily become lank if overloaded. The molecular structure of abyssinian oil also makes it one of the most heat resistant oils, and so perfect to use as a pre-heat styling product.