To everyone’s dismay, long, full Hair does not appear overnight – no matter how much you wish it would. According to Philip B., a celebrity haircare professional, “Hair grows half an inch a month; growing Hair long takes time and care. That is why there are so many oils and serums on the market designed to promote rapid hair growth.
It’s critical to grasp the distinctions between the substances in hair growth oils. “The only FDA-approved over-the-counter topical ingredient for the treatment of hair loss is Minoxidil,” explains Danusia Wnek, senior chemist at the HomeAccessoris Institute Beauty, Health, & Sustainability Lab. It has been shown to reduce hair loss and increase hair growth, but “the mechanism of action on the hair follicle is very limited,” according to a research assessment. “Unless it contains minoxidil, a hair growth oil won’t increase hair growth (the number of strands on your scalp); instead, it will lubricate hair, preventing breakage and damage,” she says. Find the best hair growth oils to use at home for healthier, longer strands below.
Our top picks:
4
BEST HAIR GROWTH OIL FOR EXFOLIATION
Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Stimulating Plant Concentrate
6
BEST HAIR GROWTH OIL FOR FULLNESS
KeepItAnchored Hair Loss Protection Treatment For Women
12
BEST HAIR GROWTH OIL FOR HAIR DENSITY
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
14
BEST VALUE HAIR GROWTH OIL
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
15
BEST OVERALL HAIR GROWTH TREATMENT
Rogaine Women's 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Thinning and Loss
While the HA Beauty Lab has not formally evaluated hair growth oils, these recommendations are based on Beauty Lab scientists’ categorization expertise and testing, recommendations from hair experts and dermatologists, and validated consumer evaluations.
More information on which ingredients to consider when shopping can be found at the end of this guide. Looking for other techniques to promote hair growth? Check out our guides to the greatest foods for hair growth and the best DIY hair masks, which both contain elements that encourage hair growth.
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BEST HAIR GROWTH CASTOR OIL
Briogeo B. Well Organic Cold-Pressed Castor Oil
NOW 16% OFF
PROS
- Pure organic castor oil
- Helps revitalize strands
CONS
- Some found it thick, greasy or sticky
Castor oil has long been used as a folk medicine, but it also works wonderfully on hair, skin, and nails. When applied to hair, it helps to strengthen and soften the strands. “My hair is natural and I have a tapered cut,” one reviewer comments. “I’m so glad this product aided my hair growth, especially around the edges.”
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PROS
- Targets the scalp
- Helps strengthen hair
CONS
- Bottle doesn't last long with recommended dosage.
With nourishing nutrients, Virtue’s oil targets the root of your hair growth – the scalp — to help grow hair long and strong. Peptides and hyaluronic acid keep it extremely hydrated, allowing hair to develop in an optimal environment. In clinical testing, 95% of women said their hair felt and looked healthier, and it was easier to manage.
“I love the dropper application, it’s so easy to just take the dropper throughout your roots and get the treatment on your hair,” one Dermstore reviewer comments. “It also feels great on your scalp!” Others mentioned that they went through it rapidly based on the prescribed dosage, so be careful how much you use.
3
PROS
- Targeted treatment
- Helps strengthen hair
CONS
- Pricey
This collection of Leonor Greyl Paris hair treatments comes in a pack of 12 for targeted treatments and is specifically designed to help fill out thinning or damaged hair. They should be used once a week for mild hair loss and up to three times a week for severe damage. They are expensive, but because they are intended for something other than regular usage, the box will last a long time.
“This product has really improved the look and feel of my hair,” says one customer. “It’s been a few months, and I’ve noticed a lot of new hair growth.” My hair has grown substantially thicker.”
4
BEST HAIR GROWTH OIL FOR EXFOLIATION
Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Stimulating Plant Concentrate
PROS
- Cleanses and exfoliates scalp
- Calms inflammation
CONS
- May feel drying
When trichologist Bridgette Hill suggests an oil to her clients, she urges them to search for this one. “The René Furterer Complex 5 has botanical-based cleansing and anti-inflammatory ingredients that truly cleanse and exfoliate for every scalp, hair type, and texture,” she explains.
This oil is not intended to add moisture to the hair but rather to prepare it for washing. “The intention is to nurture and cleanse the microbiome,” says Hill. If you have dry hair and scalp, be aware that this may have a drying impact.
5
PROS
- Hydrating formula
- Helps promote hair growth
CONS
- Pricey
This Evolis Professional oil, formulated with baobab and rosemary oil, moisturizes strands while stimulating development. “Absolutely amazing product,” exclaims one reviewer. “It’s amazing how quickly my hair is growing back after chemotherapy.” While it is more expensive, reviewers believe it is worthwhile.
6
BEST HAIR GROWTH OIL FOR FULLNESS
KeepItAnchored Hair Loss Protection Treatment For Women
PROS
- Set includes shampoo, conditioner and treatments
- Helps maintain hair's fullness
CONS
- Have to use routinely to get results
This KeepItAnchored shampoo, conditioner, and scalp serum combo, a HA Beauty Award winner, helps retain hair fullness by improving scalp condition with ingredients including niacinamide, zinc, and caffeine.
HA Beauty Lab data analysis verified that in clinical research on the technique, participants had almost 2,400 more hairs on their scalp after six months than those who used a placebo. Make sure to use the system consistently; one user reported that her results decreased when she did not use the system on a regular basis.
7
PROS
- Ultra-conditioning
- Heat protectant
- Bargain price
CONS
- Packaging isn't great
This Cantu oil is extremely nourishing and healing and was created with curly and natural hair in mind. “My hair has grown so much from where I once had a bald spot due to hereditary hair growth issues, and it is now full and thick,” writes one reviewer. “The tea tree in this also helps to stimulate my scalp when I do scalp massages.” A few reviewers experienced concerns with the packaging and mentioned how difficult it might be to get the goods out.
8
BEST HAIR GROWTH OIL FOR THINNING HAIR
Vegamour GRO Hair Serum for Thinning Hair
NOW 9% OFF
PROS
- Boosts growth of sparse strands
- Works on all hair types
CONS
- May make hair greasy
For scant hair, try Vegamour’s dermatologist-recommended serum with biotin, citrus oil, and caffeine. “This is the best overall when it comes to hair growth for thinning hair because it can work on any hair type,” says Jeannette Graf, M.D., a dermatologist in Great Neck, New York, and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. It should be noted that some reviewers stated that it made their hair oily.
9
PROS
- Contains effective ingredients
- Lighter serum formula
CONS
- Dropper doesn't work well
Because of its powerful mix, Dr Graf recommends this serum from Nutrafol, a firm known for its hair growth vitamins. “It contains growth activator ingredients such as ashwagandha and collagen peptides,” she says. The serum is also lower in weight than many hair growth oils.
“I like the light feeling,” one reviewer said. “I really like how effective it is — my hair started to improve dramatically.” One thing to keep in mind: some reviewers believed the dropper didn’t perform well for easily releasing the product.
10
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT HAIR GROWTH OIL
The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Sweet Oil
NOW 22% OFF
PROS
- Helps strengthen hair
- Oil blend promotes growth
- Contains over a dozen natural oils and extracts
CONS
- Can leave hair greasy
This hair growth oil promotes longer hair by containing nearly 100% powerful plant oils and extracts such as castor, jojoba, and rosemary. While most reviewers praised it, a few complained that it made their hair oily after use.
“I typically keep my hair silk pressed, and I’ve noticed that since using this oil, my hair holds the press much longer, and humidity isn’t as much of a hassle as it was before I used this oil,” one reviewer says. “I’ve also noticed that my new growth is much denser than it was before, which I believe is helping my hair grow faster and thicker.”
11
PROS
- Made with growth-boosting rosemary oil
- Good for all hair types
- Great value
CONS
- No dropper applicator
According to Aral, A study indicated that rosemary oil has growth-promoting benefits comparable to a 2% concentration of the FDA-approved hair growth active component minoxidil. Dhaval Bhanusali, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in New York City, recommends this Weleda product for all hair types, especially dry and damaged hair. Because the bottle does not have a dropper, be careful not to apply too much.
12
BEST HAIR GROWTH OIL FOR HAIR DENSITY
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
NOW 12% OFF
PROS
- Claims to improve hair density and growth
- Lightweight
- Fragrance-free so won't interfere with other product scents
CONS
- May make hair greasy
The Ordinary claims to give hair a fuller look by supporting the scalp with peptides and plant extracts. “I have an odd hairline with almost bald spots on my temples, and only a month of using this a few times a week has made my hair grow so much,” says one reviewer. Reviewers point out that this oil might make hair greasy, so apply it only on camera-free days.
13
PROS
- Contains science-backed active ingredient
- Easy to apply spray
- Affordable price
CONS
- Strong scent
Many hair growth oils are expensive, but this Boost It option provides decent value with a science-backed blend that includes coffeeberry extract. “Research shows that coffeeberry extract can benefit hair growth and reduce hair loss,” says Birnur Aral, PhD, executive director of the GH Beauty Lab. According to one reviewer, “it’s really helping my hair grow.” One thing to keep in mind: it has a strong odour that not all reviewers enjoy.
14
BEST VALUE HAIR GROWTH OIL
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
NOW 12% OFF
PROS
- Made with hair growth-promoting ingredients
- Soothing formula
- Affordable
CONS
- Super strong scent
Dr. Graf recommends this low-cost Mielle Organics scalp oil for those who are prone to inflammation. “This is a great option for people with sensitive scalps,” she says. “It has over 30 different oils and nutrients that can promote hair growth.” These ingredients include soothing rosemary, castor, tea tree, and peppermint oil. It does have a strong aroma, so use caution when using it.
15
BEST OVERALL HAIR GROWTH TREATMENT
Rogaine Women's 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Thinning and Loss
NOW 23% OFF
PROS
- Clinically proven to stimulate hair growth
- Contains minoxidil
CONS
- Should only be used if experiencing hair loss
If you want to see actual hair growth, grab a bottle of the tried-and-true Rogaine. The HA Beauty Lab recommends this for thinning hair, which requires a push that many other products can’t provide because it contains minoxidil, the only FDA-approved treatment for hair growth. This treatment is ideal for anyone in the early stages of hair loss and has been clinically proven to help fill in the gaps, but it should only be used by individuals who are suffering from it.
“I am very pleased with how easily it applies to my scalp, causes no irritation, and is showing very promising results in only one month,” one Amazon customer adds.
How we choose the best hair growth oils
While we did not explicitly test hair growth oils in the Lab, the Homeaccessoris Institute Beauty Lab specialists and chemists regularly evaluate a wide range of hair products, including shampoos, straighteners, hair brushes, and more. The hair growth oils on this list include dermatologist or hair specialist recommendations, Beauty Lab scientific suggestions, or popular solutions with outstanding consumer reviews and ratings. To identify the top goods on the market in this area, we analyze the contained ingredients, formula, clinical tests, and ratings.
What to look for when shopping for the best hair growth oil
“Most topicals formulated with active ingredients are designed to be applied to the scalp for maximum efficacy,” Hill says. She recommends looking for a product that is “light enough to penetrate the scalp without leaving a residue on the hair fiber and that’s formulated to increase cellular turnover, reduce inflammation, respect the natural balance of the scalp’s microbiome, and can be shampooed out.” She suggests products containing:
✔️ Citrus oils
✔️ Rosemary oil
✔️ Castor oil
✔️ Jojoba oil
✔️ Shea
✔️ Thyme
In addition to hair growth treatments containing minoxidil, an FDA-approved hair growth agent, and rosemary oil, Aral recommends coffeeberry extract-infused products to support healthy hair growth.
Dr Graf suggests biotin-containing hair growth oils, which “promotes hair growth by supporting the hair’s natural keratin.” She, too, believes that rosemary oil, along with tea tree and peppermint oils, “can stimulate the scalp and its hair follicles.”
Do hair growth oils actually work?
As previously stated, most hair growth oils will not truly make hair grow quicker but will instead stimulate growth by reducing breakage and damage. “If the product does not contain minoxidil, you should adjust your expectations accordingly,” Aral advises. “Most hair oils act as lubricants on hair mid-lengths and ends, preventing breakage,” resulting in longer hair.
What is the difference between turmeric and curcumin
Turmeric and curcumin are frequently used interchangeably. Turmeric is a plant of the Zingiberaceae family, and its underground stem, also known as its rhizome, is used as a culinary spice. This is the origin of the spice used in cooking and juicing.
Curcumin, on the other hand, is derived from the turmeric plant and is the active element in turmeric, which is responsible for many of its health advantages. Curcumin has been extensively researched for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as many other health advantages, including improving glucose control. Curcumin has the potential to be unstable, resulting in decreased bioavailability, which means that less of a medicinal component reaches the bloodstream. There are currently various patented turmeric compounds that claim improved bioavailability, which we have included in our story.
How long does it take to see results from a hair growth oil?
“It can take several months of consistent use to see improvement in hair growth with minoxidil,” Wnek explains. “As with most cosmetics, consistency is key to seeing optimal results.” She advises always following the manufacturer’s directions.
Why trust Home Accessories?
HA has more than 15 years of experience researching, producing, and editing content on skincare. It draws on the knowledge of top industry experts like dermatologists and aestheticians as well as the scientists at the Home Accessories Institute Beauty Lab. She is an authority in moisturizers and all other types of facial skincare products. April collaborates closely with the HA Beauty Lab to organize the testing of skincare products and transform test results into top-notch, enticing content for Home Accessories that is factually correct and validated by science.
Former senior editor at the Home Accessories Institute, Nicole Saporita frequently worked with specialists from the Beauty Lab.
