Specific hair types and haircare needs require specific solutions — yet with so many products on the shelves, it isn’t always easy to know which types are actually best.
When it comes to hair oils, it can be difficult to know which to go for. If you’ve got a specific haircare concern you want to target, the truth is that not just any oil will do. Some oils will work better for targeting certain issues — and choosing the right one can make all the difference.
The harsh autumn and winter air can be brutal on hair, so now’s the perfect time to figure out which oil is best for your locks. Here, we speak to experts to find out the best products for each and every need.
Best oil for dryness and frizz
If you’re often frustrated by your strands’ dry texture, lightweight oils that mimic natural lipids, such as jojoba and sunflower seed oil, are your best bet.
Celebrity hairstylist and founder of Studio23 Jason Collier, explains: “These are excellent for tackling dryness and frizz without weighing the hair down. They smooth the cuticle and lock in hydration, helping hair look sleek and polished.”
We recommend choosing a fast-absorbing, silicone-free blend of natural oils to tame unruly strands.
Read more: ‘I had the “revolutionary” new Hair Sculpt keratin hair treatment, and it’s completely removed my frizz
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L360 loves: Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil, £35
Best oil for damaged and split ends
For hair that needs some reviving, you’ll want an oil that works on both the inner and outer layers.
Jason recommends multitasking oils containing avocado and sunflower oils, plus squalane, which smooth frizz, enhance shine and protect against heat.
L360 loves: K18 Molecular Repair Oil, £27
Best oil for curly, coily or textured hair
Speaking from experience, curly and textured hair types naturally need more moisture and protection. When looking for an oil, you should seek something that defines curls and keeps them strong without feeling heavy.
Jason recommends richer oils like castor, olive or coconut, that “help define curls, reduce frizz and prevent breakage by sealing in hydration”.
Read more: Do silk hair bonnets really improve hair?
L360 loves: Curlsmith Bonding Oil, £25
Best oil for hair growth and thinning
If you’re prioritising growth and thickness, scalp-stimulating oils like rosemary and peppermint are key.
Jason explains: “Lightweight blends that nourish the scalp without clogging pores are especially beneficial for thinning hair, as they keep follicles healthy and active.”
Cosmetologist Ghanima Abdullah adds that castor oil is also well-known for promoting growth: “It mimics a natural hair growth component called PGE2. It’s very thick, so mix it with a lighter oil like coconut, and use it at night before washing out in the morning.”
Read more: This is how often you should be washing your hair type, according to experts
L360 loves: Own Label Skincare Rosemary & Peppermint Oil, £33
Best oil for fine/limp hair
Those with fine hair will find it benefits from feather-light oils that nourish without flattening.
“Heavier oils can overwhelm finer textures and leave them greasy,” Jason says. “Lightweight formulas add shine and manageability while keeping volume intact.”
With this in mind, argan and grapeseed are great options.
L360 loves: Beauty Works Argan Oil Serum, £12.59
Best oil for scalp health (oily/dandruff/combined)
A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Jason says oils that balance sebum, reduce inflammation and encourage circulation are ideal.
Jason recommends Act+Acre Cold Processed Scalp Detox, which contains baobab and basil leaf oils, as these are known to “deeply cleanse, rebalance and stimulate the scalp, creating the optimal environment for stronger, healthier hair growth”.
Ghanima also suggests jojoba oil (since it closely mimics natural sebum) and pumpkin seed oil, which strengthens follicles and nourishes the scalp.
Read more: ‘I had a scalp treatment in London and couldn’t believe the impact it had on my hair’
L360 loves: Act+Acre Cold Processed Scalp Detox, £46
Best oil for colour-treated or heat-styled hair
Anyone who regularly colours or styles their hair with heat will know it can leave your hair fragile. So, you’ll need oils that repair bonds, restore shine and lock in moisture.
When choosing products, Jason advises going for formulas that combine bond-repair technology with lightweight oils, like argan, to minimise colour fade and protect against heat damage.
Read more: 9 best Dyson Supersonic hair dryer dupes — with one under £20
L360 loves: Jerome Russell BBlonde JPLEX Nourishing Hair Oil, £9.80
Best oil for menopausal hair
During menopause, dryness, thinning and loss of density are common. Lightweight oils that strengthen and nourish without weighing hair down can help.
Jason recommends blends infused with castor or argan oils that “hydrate and soften with feather-light texture”.
Read more: Hair masks: a guide to reviving your broken strands
L360 loves: Monpure Ultralight Healthy Hair Oil, £40
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