Want Thicker Hair? This Oil Is Proven To Help Your Hair Grow, According To Doctors

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Hair oils are capable of more than moisturizing and imparting shine to the lengths of your hair. Apply the fatty acid-rich ingredients to your scalp and they may help promote hair growth.

That said, the hair oil you’re already using on the ends of your hair won’t necessarily offer hair growth benefits, and may even throw off your scalp’s microbiome. “Those who experience thinning hair generally have oil-loving microbes growing in excess on their scalp,” says regenerative medicine expert and founder of WeThrivv, Sanjay Batra, Ph.D. “When applying [an oil] to the scalp, it must be specifically an oil that microbes don’t eat, or a mixture that contains microbe minimizing ingredients. For example, microbes don’t like castor oil, because it contains an ingredient called ricinoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.”

So, you want to opt for a scalp-friendly formula, and ideally one that contains oils that have been linked to hair growth benefits. “Take for example bhringraj oil, which is used traditionally in eastern countries to support hair health,” says Dr. Batra. The oil is infused with the bringraj plant, which is thought to reduce harmful microbes, reduce inflammation, and support hair health, he says.

Certain essential oils have also been linked to hair growth benefits alone or in combination with other ingredients, including rosemary, peppermint, and lavender oils, adds Dr. Batra. Worth noting, there’s a lack of research on humans exploring the hair growth benefits of the aforementioned ingredients, with the exception of rosemary oil.

Reading through ingredients will only get you so far. You also want to choose a formula that’ll suit your specific hair/scalp type, sensitivities, and budget, from a company with positive reviews. That’s where this detailed guide to the best oils for hair growth comes in.

Hair oils are capable of more than moisturizing and imparting shine to the lengths of your hair. In fact, science says that applying the fatty acid-rich ingredients to your scalp may help promote hair growth.

That said, the natural hair oils you’re already using on the ends of your hair won’t necessarily offer hair growth benefits, and they may even throw off your scalp’s microbiome. “Those who experience thinning hair generally have oil-loving microbes growing in excess on their scalp,” says Sanjay Batra, PhD, regenerative medicine expert and founder of WeThrivv. “When applying an oil to the scalp, it must be an oil that microbes don’t eat, or a mixture that contains microbe-minimizing ingredients." He offers an example: "Microbes don’t like castor oil because it contains an ingredient called ricinoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.”

Best Hair Growth Oil

• Best Overall Hair Growth Oil: Mielle Rosemary Mint Growth Oil

• Best Hydrating Hair Growth Oil: Ceremonia Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil

• Best Ayurvedic Hair Growth Oil: Rthvi Revitalize Natural Hair Growth Oil

• Best Value Hair Growth Oil: The Mane Choice The Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Growth Oil

• Best Hair Growth Oil For Travel: Leonor Greyl Régénérescence Naturelle

It's also important to opt for a formula that contains oils that have been directly linked to hair growth. “Take bhringraj oil for example, which is used traditionally in eastern countries to support hair health,” says Dr. Batra. The oil is infused with the bringraj plant, which is thought to reduce harmful microbes, reduce inflammation, and support hair health, he says.

Interested in reading more about what to look for in a hair growth oil? We sought four experts, who gave us the lowdown on what ingredients and formulas to look for in the right hair growth oil for your unique scalp and hair. We also tested their recommendations to narrow down a list of the absolute best options. Keep scrolling to learn more about our faves.

What to consider

Key ingredients

According to Dr. Batra, there are many essential oils that have been associated with hair growth benefits, either independently or when combined with other ingredients, including rosemary, peppermint, and lavender oils. Worth noting: There’s a lack of research on humans exploring the hair growth benefits of the aforementioned ingredients, with the exception of rosemary oil.

According to dermatologist Lindsey Zubritskey, MD, “There is one study showing that rosemary oil had similar efficacy to two percent minoxidil for helping to regrow hair after six months of use. This study only looked at androgenetic alopecia, which is one of the most common types of hair loss for men and women." While other oils aren’t useless, they simply don't have as much research as rosemary does directly on hair growth. However, doctors still recommend trying them out, especially when mixed with rosemary.

How we chose

For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including contributor Renee Cherry and associate fashion & commerce editor Lily Wohlner, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated hair growth oils. Our team consulted four hair experts, who gave us advice on what to look for and offered their fave products. Then, we tested them all out on our own hair, taking hair type, ingredients, formula, and size into consideration. This final list is what we concluded was the best of the best after months of testing.

If you want thick, long, healthy, hair, look no further than this expert- and editor-approved list of the 12 best hair oils for all different kinds of scalps.

Rosemary Mint Growth Oil

After trying tons of different hair growth oils for months, we concluded that the Mielle Rosemary Mint Hair Growth Oil topped our list of favorites for a few reasons. It contains tons of different oils to promote growth, it's super affordable, it doesn't have a strong scent, and it only requires a few drops per use. On top of that, we def saw a difference in hair growth with consistant use.

Plus, this oil gets a stamp of approval from Dr. Zubritsky. “It contains rosemary oil, which is an ingredient proven to help with hair regrowth,” she says. It can also help strengthen your hair follicles with consistant use.

To make matters even better, the formula contains a mix of more than 30 (!!) other oils, including castor, peppermint, and lavender. After testing it, we found that you only need to apply a few drops of oil onto your scalp before gently massaging it in. We typically use it overnight and then brush it through our hair come morning before washing it out. After showering, we notice that all the oils in the formula make our hair look so smooth and shiny.

After weeks of use, our tester noticed not only new baby hairs growing but also that her hair feels thicker and looks healthier. The only downside we found with this product is that it definitely feels heavy. Unless you're using it before bed or to slick your hair back into a bun, it can make your strands look greasy if worn down.

Read More: Best Anti-Humidty Hair Products

Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil

Ceremonia Aceite de Moska is a pre-shampoo treatment designed to help combat itchiness and flaking while promoting healthy hair growth. After testing, we suggest massaging the oil into your scalp with a scalp massager and leaving it on for 15 minutes or overnight before washing your hair. This way, the oil has time to sink into your scalp and help with hair growth.

Our tester says that, after having a baby, she was starting to lose her hair. Using this treatment helped her with the scalp dryness, which, in turn, helped keep her hair loss under control. And, that's all thanks to the hard-hitting ingredients in this product: passion fruit oil, castor oil, and aloe vera. Together, these ingredients deliver antioxidant benefits, support healthy hair growth, and create a perfect environment for a healthy scalp.

During testing, we did notice that you need a few droppers-full of product to cover your entire scalp, as it's a bit of a thicker oil. Unlike the Mielle option, a little doesn't necessarily go a long way.

Revitalize Natural Hair Growth Oil

Rthvi’s products are created with the intention of merging Ayurvedic principles with modern science. The brand’s scalp oil combines rosemary, peppermint, and bhringraj oils to promote hair growth and combat dryness. It also contains Indian goosebury (amla) extract, which, according to a 2020 study by Dovepress, stimulates hair follicles to promote hair growth and indirectly block DHT, a hormone linked to androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness).

The product is designed to be used three times a week and left on for at least three hours before washing your hair, but you can also use it as a leave-in treatment.

Our tester, who has struggled with hair thinning and hair loss for years, has tried numerous OTC solutions and consulted specialists multiple times. Despite her efforts, she never saw promising results—until she tried this hair growth oil. After using it for six months, she says her hair is much thicker, and her scalp is barely visible anymore.

We did find that, even after washing it out of our hair, it left our strands feeling a bit greasy, which knocked it down a few points on our end.

The Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Growth Oil

The Mane Choice The Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Growth Oil is designed to be used up to once per day, and contains ingredients like rosemary extract and castor oil. It also has tea tree oil, which may enhance the effects of minoxidil (a medication that stimulates hair growth), per a 2013 study by Dovepress. I know, you're probably wondering how someone uses oil in their hair daily. Well, after testing it out for a few months, we found that it never left our hair feeling weighed down or greasy. In fact, we thought it was so lightweight that it disappeared into our hair when we applied it. Our one note: This may not be the case for those with super fine hair, as the testers who tried this product had thicker strands.

We also love that this oil is one of the more affordable options on this list for the size. But, that doesn't mean it slacks in the efficacy arena. Our tester, whose been using this serum two to three times a week for two months now, says she has noticed lots of baby hairs growing. She was losing so much hair, especially in the frontal area, but she's now feeling so much more confident after this burst of growth.

Régénérescence Naturelle

Leonor Greyl Régénerescence Naturelle features a blend of 16 oils, some of which are organically grown. Included in that list: antioxidant-rich rosehip oil, purifying lemon peel oil, and invigorating apricot seed oil. This combination is intended to nourish the hair and scalp while promoting hair growth. And we'll be the first to tell you it does exactly that. Our tester found that it made her dry, flaky scalp feel so much more hydrated with just a few uses. Plus, she notes that it smells amazing.

For optimal effects, the treatment is designed to be left on for a period of time ranging from 15 minutes to overnight. It’s suited for all hair types and those who prefer products that are vegan, cruelty-free, silicone-free, and/or made without synthetic ingredients. The oil comes in a vial with a rollerball, allowing for easy, mess-free application directly to the scalp. This also makes it super travel friendly.

While we do love the rollerball, we find that it takes a while to get it all over the scalp versus an oil that you can apply yourself.

Hair Oil

Wild Growth Hair Oil is one of cosmetic chemist David Petrillo’s top picks. It combines ingredients like lavender, peppermint, castor, and jojoba oils. “Jojoba oil is often used to moisturize the scalp and hair,” says Petrillo. While there is limited research on its direct impact on hair growth, it may contribute to overall hair health, he says.

You’re only meant to use a few drops of the oil one to three times per week, so the four-ounce bottle can last a while. You can add it to shampoo, hot oil treatments, co-washes, or apply it on its own after washing your hair. The oil is on the richer side, making it ideal for those with thick hair. The brand also makes a more lightweight version.

Our tester, who has been trying this product for a month, says her main goal was to grow and strengthen her hair. Now, she can honestly say she's noticed a great difference. Not only did her hair grow, but it also feels stronger and shinier.

Grow Strong Hair Oil

Mauli Rituals encourages applying its Grow Strong Hair Oil with a head massage. You can purchase the oil with or without a comb, which you can use to stimulate your scalp.

The brand recommends using a few drops of oil twice a week for six weeks, then once per week. You can leave it on from 20 minutes to overnight before washing your hair, or use it on your strands to tame dry ends. It’s filled with potentially beneficial plant-derived ingredients, like amla and bhringraj oils. It comes in multiple size options depending on whether or not you want a big or small jar.

What we love most about this oil is that it doesn't weigh down fine hair. Rather, our tester found that it made her hair glossy, soft, and shiny. She also noticed a lot of regrowth during her testing process, which was a huge plus. And get this: Spas like the Four Seasons and Bvlgari use this oil in their salons and spas. Yup, it's that good.

Rosemary Oil Strengthening Hair Drops

Camille Rose Rosemary Oil Strengthening Hair Drops are targeted to people of all hair types who want to improve growth and avoid dryness. Along with its namesake ingredient, rosemary oil, the formula contains amla extract and peppermint, castor, and lavender oils.

We like applying two to three drops of the oil to wet or dry hair, daily or as needed, and leaving it on. In addition to applying it to your scalp to promote hair growth, you can use it on the lengths of your hair to reinforce your strands, minimizing breakage.

Our tester says that this oil, combined with the collection's shampoo and conditioner, has relieved her itchy, flaky scalp and improved her hair growth and length retention. She mainly uses the oil when her hair is in braids because of its thickness, noting that she wishes it were thinner to avoid making her hair look greasy.

Rosemary Conditioning Hair Oil

Dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD recommends Weleda Rosemary Conditioning Hair Oil, noting that it leaves hair feeling soft and smooth. Made for all hair types, the rosemary-, clover-, and burdock root-infused oil is intended to make dry, damaged hair shinier and more manageable. It’s suitable for those who want to avoid synthetic preservatives, fragrances, or silicone.

We love this oil because it can be used on wet or dry hair anywhere on the head. If you want to use it dry, apply it on the scalp before washing. However, if you want to use it right after a wash, we found it to be very moisturizing and soothing on split ends before styling or air drying. Our tester, who has damaged hair from coloring it, notes that this oil really helped with her damage at the ends of her hair, and helped with re-growth at her scalp, too. However, because there's not as much rosemary in this serum as there are other ingredients, we deem it better for those who need repair instead of growth.

Organic Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Thanks to the potential of ricinoleic acid to promote hair growth by boosting circulation, pure castor oil is a solid option, according to Petrillo. Plus, it can serve multiple functions, since castor oil is a popular DIY lash serum alternative. You can also use this in your eyebrows with a spoolie to promote hair growth in the area.

This pure castor oil is USDA-certified organic and ISO-certified, meaning the company meets various quality assurance standards. It’s available in four different sizes, with the smallest ringing in at just under $7.

When using this product on her hair, our tester found that moisture holds way longer throughout her scalp. And, she's also seen a ton of growth and thickening since she began using it four months ago. However, she does note that castor oil can be very thick and sticky, so only use it when slicking back your hair or as a pre-shampoo treatment since it will def weigh your strands down.

Curl Charisma Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil

Dr. Garshick considers Briogeo Curl Charisma Organic + Cold Pressed Castor Oil a contender for the best castor oil for hair growth. “The cold-pressed castor oil contains humectants, vitamin E, and omega fatty acids, which work together to keep the hair healthy and hydrated,” she says. “It can be used on the hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.”

Our tester gave this oil a whirl for a few months, and says it made her hair, eyelashes, and brows get so long. Now, her baby hairs are growing around the front of her head (!!). She also has curly hair, and adds that this product took away a lot of the frizz she often gets after showering. Yup, you can use this in the lengths of your hair, too. Just watch out for over-applying! Castor oil can be super thick.

Meet the experts

• Sanjay Batra, PhD, is a regenerative medicine expert and founder of WeThrivv.

• Lindsey Zubritskey, MD is a dermatologist based in Ocean Springs, MS.

• David Petrillo is a cosmetic chemist at Perfect Image Skincare.

• Marisa Garshick, MD is a dermatologist based in New York, NY.

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