Whether it’s Sweet Almond oil, light-weight Argan oil or the classic Olive oil, your hair needs moisturizing oils that penetrate deep into the cuticle to deliver moisture and nutrients for growth.
Below are 21 moisturizing oils for hair that will both nourish and hydrate your hair.
1. Sweet Almond Oil
Almond oil has both moisturizing and emollient properties making it great for both adding hydration to hair and sealing it to retain moisture.
Almond oil also contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and vitamins including A, D, and E which reduce itching and provide shine, nutrients, and strength to hair.
Additionally, it has been found to protect hair against damaging UV rays.
2. Avocado oil
Avocado oil penetrates hair strands due to its chemical structure adding hydration. Its components consisting of healthy fats and vitamins coat the hair adding extra moisture.
This makes avocado oil great for controlling dandruff, flaking, and hair loss.
It is best used as a scalp massaging oil, in shampoos, deep penetrating treatments as well as in DIY hair masks.
3. Coconut oil
You cannot mention moisturizing oils without including coconut oil whose outstanding factor is its high absorption rate.
The chemical structure of coconut oil is not as bulky which makes it easier to seep into the hair strands and scalp providing hydration.
Studies have also shown that coconut oil helps prevent protein loss compared to most oils which are helpful in hair length retention. [1]
4. Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil has emollient hydrating properties and provides moisture to hair by sealing the scalp and hair surface reducing water loss to the environment. It has been found to work very well for curly and textured hair. [2]
Jojoba also works to control dandruff, reduce breakage and soothe the scalp and works great for both oily and dry hair.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil has been tried and tested over years for its moisturizing benefits to hair. Squalene, a component of olive oil, has moisturizing properties making it a great choice for hydration.
Olive oil also contains vitamins A and E which strengthen hair and also work to increase hydration. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it safe to use on a wide variety of skin types.
6. Argan oil
Argan oil works as a moisturizer and a sealant for hair. It, therefore, works to add moisture to hair and seal it reducing moisture loss to the environment.
Argan oil contains vitamin E and unsaturated fats which coat the hair reducing dryness and enhancing smoothness and shine.
Due to its hydrophobic nature, argan oil reduces excess absorption of moisture by hair strands which in turn reduces frizz and shrinkage.
7. Castor oil
Castor oil contains occlusive moisturizing properties making it great for sealing hydration in hair.
This increases the moisture content levels in water upping hydration. It also contains Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids which add extra moisture and shine to hair.
Castor oil has also been found to reduce dandruff and encourage hair growth. Because of its thick nature, it is best used with other oils such as coconut.
8. Macadamia oil
Another effective moisturizing oil is Macadamia oil which is packed with emollient properties making it great for coating hair and reducing the loss of water from the scalp and hair to the environment.
As a result, hair looks more hydrated, shinier, smoother, and less likely to tangle.
This oil has been found to work great for curly hair types due to its lightweight nature which makes it easier to penetrate coily hair strands.
9. Baobab oil
Baobab oil moisturizes hair by acting like a sealant to prevent moisture from escaping from the hair and scalp. It contains omega-3 fatty acids which provide extra moisture, shine, and smoothness to hair and scalp.
Baobab works best paired with humectants such as aloe vera which attract moisture to hair to maximize hydration. This prevents dry and frizzy hair, especially processed hair.
10. Marula oil
Marula oil has occlusive properties with moisture retention and prevention properties. [3]
It contains antioxidants such as Vitamin E that add moisture to the hair strands. Fatty acids present in Marula oil work to seal in the moisture preventing transdermal water loss.
The combined components in Marula oil work to prevent hair damage and occurrence of split ends, reduce frizz, increase shine in the hair and promote hair growth.
11. Grape seed oil
Grape seed oil, a by-product of winemaking, is a great moisturizer owing to its lightweight nature and components.
Its lightweight nature makes it easier to penetrate the hair strands while the fatty acids act as a sealant that retains moisture.
This makes it one of the best oils for low porosity hair.
It works best with a water-based moisturizer and works great for oily hair due to its lightweight nature which prevents frizz.
12. Safflower oil
Safflower oil, a relative to sunflower oil also has moisturizing benefits for hair. Some of the components of safflower oil include Omega fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, and alpha-linoleic), palmitic, and palmitoleic acid.
Omega fatty acids have emollient properties and retain moisture content in water by acting as sealants. Safflower oil is also good for eliminating dandruff and enhancing smoothness and shine.
13. Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil acts as an emollient and retains water content that may have been lost from the hair and scalp.
It contains vitamin E, oleic and linoleic acid, and sesamol. The oil has anti-oxidant properties due to the presence of vitamin E and sesamol, as well as anti-inflammatory properties making it great for an itchy scalp.
Sunflower oil has been found to increase smoothness and shine in hair.
14. Blackseed oil
Blackseed oil, originating from the Nigel Sativa plant, works as an occlusive moisturizer to retain moisture content in hair.
This quality makes it great to use as a pre-shampoo moisturizing oil since it softens and smoothens dry hair.
Some studies have also found that Blackseed oil promotes hair growth, strengthens hair, and reduces dandruff due to its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
15. Apricot Kernel oil
Apricot oil has been found to give softer hair. This can be attributed to the presence of fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acids) that give it its emollient properties which seal hair strands retaining moisture content.
Apricot oil is also rich in vitamins A and E which promote scalp health. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it helpful for an itchy scalp.
16. Rosehip oil
Rosehip oil, originating from the Rosa bush, has been found to have moisturizing properties.
Rosehip oil contains healthy fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin A and anti-inflammatories. These compounds work as sealants to retain water moisture levels by sealing both hair and scalp.
Rosehip oil works great for itchy and irritated scalps as well as skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
17. Flaxseed oil
Flaxseed oil has been viewed as an anti-inflammatory moisturizer suitable for all hair types.
The presence of lignans provides anti-oxidant qualities that support healthy, shiny, and dense hair. Vitamin E, fiber and fatty acids components in the oil provide hydration for dry and brittle hair.
Its occlusive properties bind moisture to hair strands which in turn reduce hair breakage and split ends.
18. Hemp seed oil
Hemp seed oil produced from the Cannabis Sativa has many health benefits, particularly for the scalp.
Key components include antioxidants, phospholipids, and omega-fatty acids. These components have been found to improve hair density as well as reduce hair loss.
19. Moringa oil
Moringa oil produced from what is popularly known as the ‘Miracle tree’ has numerous health benefits to hair.
The presence of fatty acids makes it a great moisturizer while its amino-acid components ensure moisture retention on hair and scalp for a long time.
Moringa oil works best mixed with a conditioner or incorporated into a DIY hair mask.
20. Neem oil
Neem oil, native to India, contains fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin E, and triglycerides which have great benefits for hair.
Vitamin E present in neem oil reduces dandruff formation and supports a healthy scalp. The fatty acids present seal hair strands temporarily giving it some moisturizing properties.
Neem oil works best diluted to reduce chances of irritation or allergies and can be used as a pre-shampoo moisturizing oil.
21. Sesame seed oil
Sesame seed oil is popular in many skin and hair moisturizers due to its emollient and occlusive properties.
The presence of fatty acids as compounds allows sesame seed oil to act as a sealant to retain moisture content.
Sesame oil works great for treating inflammation and irritation targeting scalp health. It also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that reduce dandruff in hair.
To round-up everything, here is a list of the best moisturizing oils for hair:
- Sweet Almond oil
- Avocado oil
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Jojoba oil
- Argan oil
- Castor oil
- Macadamia oil
- Baobab oil
- Marula oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Safflower oil
- Blackseed oil
- Apricot Kernel oil
- Rosehip oil
- Flaxseed oil
- Hempseed oil
- Moringa oil
- Neem oil
- Sesame oil
