I tested 11 hair oils, from £9.99 to £65: here’s my favourite
Dry ends, stubborn frizz, or dull hair that refuses to respond to anything? Hair oils have taken over beauty shelves and influencer feeds alike, but they are far from equal. After testing eleven products, ranging from £9.99 to £65, beauty journalist Sarah Matthews shares her verdict, with expert insight from trichologist Hannah Gaboardi.
What hair oils actually do for your hair
Before choosing a product, it helps to understand what an oil can, and cannot, do. According to Hannah Gaboardi, these formulas work by penetrating the cuticle to deliver vitamins, nutrients and fatty acids. The practical result: dry, brittle hair regains suppleness, shine returns, and frizz settles down with regular use.
Some people also apply oil directly to the scalp. This can stimulate microcirculation and improve nutrient delivery to the follicles. However, Gaboardi cautions that if the oil is not rinsed out properly, it can clog pores, disrupt the hair‘s natural growth cycle and trigger excess sebum production or even seborrhoeic dermatitis.
On the question of growth, the trichologist is unequivocal: no hair oil directly makes hair grow, particularly when shedding has a genetic or hormonal cause. That said, a healthy scalp provides the best possible foundation for optimal growth, and that is where these products can genuinely make a difference.
Hair oils and heat: a combination that requires care
Applying an oil before using a straightener or blow-dryer might sound risky. In reality, it all comes down to the smoke point of the oil in question. Oils with a smoke point below 177°C, such as flaxseed oil or extra-virgin olive oil, can actually worsen damage when exposed to high heat. By contrast, oils like argan, avocado, grapeseed and safflower handle high temperatures well and can even protect the hair fibre.
To avoid any missteps, Gaboardi recommends reaching for formulas specifically designed for heat styling. Some of the products tested, including the K18 Molecular Repair oil, offer thermal protection up to 232°C, making them compatible with most heated tools.
The best hair oils tested, ranked
For damaged hair: K18 Molecular Repair, 30 ml at £65
This was the standout performer of the entire test, by some margin. Its formula is built around patented peptides that mimic the natural peptides responsible for the strength of healthy hair, the very peptides that bleaching, colouring and heat styling break down. Antioxidant-rich avocado and sunflower oils round out the formula, while squalane and hemisqualane smooth the cuticle without heavy silicones. A few drops deliver a noticeably shinier, more resilient result. Its only drawback is the price, which is only truly justified for genuinely damaged hair.
Best value for money: Hask Repair Series hair oil mist, 120 ml at £9.99
This argan oil spray stands out thanks to its atomiser, which delivers a fine, even mist without leaving hands greasy. Its unbeatable price and ease of application make it an ideal starting point. One caveat: the formula contains silicones that can build up on the hair if you don’t shampoo frequently enough, potentially weakening the fibre over time.
Overall favourite: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil, 50 ml at £37
Used by the journalist for over a year, this Mirsalehi honey oil combines humectant and emollient properties through a blend of honey, coconut oil and sweet almond oil. A small amount is enough to nourish the driest ends and deliver an intense shine. Its thicker texture makes it less suited to fine hair or already oily scalps.
For fine hair: Goldwell Smooth Weightless Shine Oil, 100 ml at £17
This ultra-lightweight oil is designed for those who find rich formulas weighing their hair down. It contains a marine algae extract that hydrates without heaviness, and Goldwell claims it tames frizz for 72 hours, a promise that held up during a humid day in London. Like several other products in this ranking, it contains dimethicone, an effective silicone that is worth monitoring to avoid build-up.
For thick and curly hair: Arkive The Good Habit Hybrid Oil, 50 ml at around £15
This hybrid oil-serum combines baobab and jojoba oils to smooth and protect. Its thick gel texture coats each strand before disappearing completely under heat, leaving hair smooth, hydrated and humidity-resistant. Its fragrance, fruity top notes, a floral heart and a warm vanilla musk base, lingers after application, which is a genuine bonus.
- Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil: best overall hair oil, ideal for dry ends
- Hask Repair Series mist: best budget pick, no-touch application at £9.99
- K18 Molecular Repair: best option for damaged hair, thermal protection up to 232°C
- Goldwell Smooth Weightless Shine: best lightweight oil, anti-frizz for up to 72 hours
- Arkive The Good Habit: best smoothing option for thick and curly hair
Three more products worth your attention
The Dyson Omega oil, at £45.99 for 30 ml, combines seven omega-rich oils, sunflower, macadamia, avocado, olive, abyssinian, sesame and corn, and offers thermal protection up to 230°C, with no silicones. Its one practical flaw: the cap has a tendency to open on its own, making it poorly suited to being stored on its side.
The Love Me Do oil by Hair by Sam McKnight, at £34 for 50 ml, is a strong match for fine hair thanks to its blend of argan, sunflower and camellia oils. It absorbs quickly and protects against UV-induced colour fade. On the downside, its nozzle makes dosing tricky and the formula is too lightweight for very thick hair.
Finally, the Remi Density Drop serum, at £47 for 100 ml, sits slightly outside the strict category of hair oils: it is a water-based formula built around rosemary extract, vitamin E and peptides, designed to care for the scalp and encourage a healthy environment for growth. Its lightness is remarkable, the scalp absorbs it within seconds, leaving no residue. For anyone looking to address density rather than shine, it is a serious option worth exploring among the hair care launches of 2026.
