The 14 Best Hair Growth Oils for Longer, Thicker Hair, According to a Dermatologist and a Scalp Expert

Best Overall

Color Wow Youth Juice Collagen Scalp Treatment

$46 at Amazon $46 at Sephora $46 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Pycnogenol, amla extract, procapil | Size: 1.7 oz

Why we chose it: We’ll admit it—the main thing stopping us from using a hair oil every day is the fear of making our strands greasy or weighed down. Well, after testing this oil firsthand, we can confirm that’s not the case. After application, our hair still felt bouncy and fresh, and we could barely feel the oil. Best of all, we quickly noticed new baby hairs and less hair shedding, thanks to the blend of antioxidants and oils.

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director: “I started using it a few times a week, and it didn’t take me long to notice new baby hairs—my mom even noticed without me saying anything! Those quick results mixed with the fact that this hair oil doesn’t make my hair greasy or weigh it down (which is easy to do) makes this pick a favorite of mine.”

Best Nongreasy

Divi Scalp Serum

$48 at Amazon $136 at Ulta $48 at Target

Key Ingredients: Tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, caffeine, copper tripeptide-1 | Size: 1 oz

Why we chose it: According to Dr. Graf, the Divi Scalp Serum includes oils like tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus to help with hair growth and soothe the scalp. We like that this is a no-rinse scalp serum that doesn’t weigh down your hair or make your scalp look greasy. Unfortunately, the formula in the bottle seems to run out quickly, which is a bummer because the cost of the product is a bit on the higher side.

What the experts say: “The formula includes ingredients like caffeine, an anti-inflammatory ingredient that can help prevent hair loss, and copper tripeptide, which can promote thicker hair growth,” Dr. Graf says.

Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor: “This nifty little hair oil sunk deep into my hair follicles, cleared oil and buildup, and helped me achieve the longest, strongest, and healthiest hair ever.”

Best Splurge

Plated Skin Science Hair Serum

$379 at Exclusivebeautyclub.com $379 at Skinelite.com $379 at Platedskinscience.com

Key Ingredients: Renewosome™ exosome technology, biotin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol | Size: 1 oz

Why we chose it: Yes, spending nearly $400 on a hair growth oil is a lot of money, but if you ask anyone who’s dealing with hair loss, they will likely tell you they’ll do anything to grow it back. When you consider the cost of PRP and microneedling, suddenly this serum doesn’t seem so crazy. What makes it expensive is that it contains platelet-derived exosomes—similar to those in PRP—to simulate hair growth and thicken hair. Former Byrdie writer Amanda Rosenthal says this oil is the one thing that has given her the most positive results—after three months, she saw more baby hairs, and at the six-month mark, she noticed less shedding and more hair in places where it was thinning. She applies it at night, and by morning, it’s fully absorbed without a residue, making it easy to use daily.

Amanda Rosenthal, former writer: “As someone who has tried it all (microneedling, multiple rounds of PRP, etc.), I was so relieved to find a product that actually promoted my hair’s strength. Considering the price of these more expensive treatments, it’s worth the price tag. Plus, you only need a bit to cover a wide surface area. The results exceed the price tag!”

Best for Sensitive Scalps

Roz Willow Glen Treatment Oil

$48 at Sephora $48 at Nordstrom $48 at Rozhair.com

Key Ingredients: Kului nut oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil | Size: 2 oz

Why we chose it: When you have a sensitive scalp, trying new hair products can make you nervous. Rest assured, this pre-wash oil treatment is as gentle as can be. It’s essentially a blend of several nourishing oils—think jojoba, macadamia, coconut—with a very light fragrance. Associate Content Editor Derek Deng says his scalp tends to be more sensitive after regular bleaching, but using this oil has helped make it calmer and more resilient. The oil also protects against color fading, making it a great option for color-treated hair.

Derek Deng, associate content editor: “This pre-wash oil treatment is the cheat code to a nourished scalp and happy hair. Whenever my scalp or hair is on the drier side, I leave it in my hair for a few minutes before shampooing or overnight as a sleep mask. I find that my hair has felt much healthier and stronger after using this for three months.”

Best With Rosemary

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Oil

$10

$9 at Amazon $11 at Ulta $10 at Target

Key Ingredients: Rosemary, mint, biotin | Size: 2 oz

Why we chose it: With consistent use, we’ve heard wondrous things about this formula by Mielle Organics, including less hair fallout, stronger, healthier hair and scalp, and faster growth, which is why we crowned it the best rosemary oil for hair growth One thing to note: Because this is a scalp oil for hair growth it must be rinsed out, or it’ll leave your hair and scalp pretty greasy. We recommend applying this at night, leaving it on while you sleep, and washing your hair in the morning.

What the experts say: Dr. Graf recommends this oil from Mielle Organics because it combines the power of rosemary oil, along with 30 other essential oils and nutrients, to encourage hair growth. “It’s also infused with biotin, a vitamin that may help stimulate hair regrowth,” she explains.

Best Lightweight

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum

$24 at Sephora $23 at Ulta $24 at Target

Key Ingredients: Redensyl, procapil, baicapil, castor oil | Size: 2 oz

Why we chose it: Have you ever tried a hair growth serum or oil and felt you needed to scrub your scalp immediately? Fret not, because this pick from The Ordinary is lightweight enough to absorb undetected into your scalp. We love that this formula is affordable, but we wish it came in a bigger bottle, as it’s easy to run out fast.

What the experts say: “I recommend this pick to my patients because it’s infused with peptides, hair actives, and castor oil to help increase hair density and fullness,” explains Yates.

Best for Density

Vegamour Gro Hair Serum

$64 at Amazon $64 at Amazon $64 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Turmeric, biotin, caffeine | Size: 1 oz

Why we chose it: Don’t be fooled by the cutesy bottle—this formula packs a mean punch against hair loss. It includes an array of effective ingredients, including turmeric, which is an anti-inflammatory that enhances hair density, mung bean, and red clover, which blend for scalp health and hair texture. The biggest complaint with this pick is that the bottle tends to leak a lot, so be sure you close it tightly before you stash it.

What the experts say: “I recommend this formula to my patients because biotin and caffeine stimulate the scalp while fortifying hair,” Dr. Graf explains.

Best Spray

Snow Fox Skincare Hair & Scalp Serum

$88 at Amazon $16 at Snowfoxskincare.com

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, tetrapeptide, ginseng | Size: 3.3 oz

Why we chose it: In this formula, you’ll find ingredients like peptides, ginseng, and caffeine, which can help promote hair growth while rebalancing and conditioning your scalp. One of the things we love about this pick is that it comes in a spray bottle. Most hair growth oils and serums come in a dropper, in which you must drop the formula onto different areas of your scalp and then rub it in. This can get messy and time-consuming. With this product, simply spray it into a dry scalp, massage it in, and then sleep with it overnight before washing it out.

What the experts say: “I highly recommend and love this product on so many levels,” gushes Yates. “The combination of peptides, plus natural actives, supports optimal scalp health and follicle fitness.”

Best With Minoxidil

hers Women’s Minoxidil 2% Topical Solution

$28 at Amazon $15 at Target $17 at Walgreens

Key Ingredients: Minoxidil | Size: 2 oz

Why we chose it: Ask any dermatologist, and they will tell you minoxidil is one of the best ingredients to increase hair growth. It does this by increasing the growth phase of the hair cycle while shortening the resting stage, allowing hair to grow thicker and stronger. Popular brands like Rogaine have gotten a bad rap for being expensive, but Hers is changing that. You can buy a two-pack of their minoxidil oil for less than $30, and it’s unscented, so it doesn’t leave a lingering fragrance. The formula is a bit runny, but the tester found the results well worth it. With consistent use, her thinning part filled out, and she notified new hair growth as well.

Shauna, tester with fine, wavy hair: “My hair definitely filled out more, and my part is more dense than it was. I have also noticed some new growth, which is great to see!”

Best Thickening

The Nue Co. Supa Thick Scalp Serum

$44 at Amazon $45 at Sephora $55 at Revolve

Key Ingredients: Redensyl, probiotic, rosemary, clary sage, peppermint | Size: 4 oz

Why we chose it: Dr. Graf likes this pick from The Nue Co. to help boost hair thickness because of the patented follicle technology. It’s likely you’ll notice less shedding and new hair growth after using this hair thickening oil continuously. Note: Some folks have complained that this dries out their scalp, so if you have a super dry scalp, you might want to opt for something else.

What the experts say: “Redensyl complex protects hair follicles and supports new growth, while rosemary stimulates scalp circulation and follicle support,” Dr. Graf explains. “Also, the included probiotics support a healthy microbiome, too.”

Best Pre-Shampoo Oil

Ceremonia Aceite de Moska Scalp Oil

$34 at Sephora $34 at Credo Beauty $34 at Ceremonia.com

Key Ingredients: Passion fruit oil, castor oil, aloe vera | Size: 2 oz

Why we chose it: Loaded with oils like meadowfoam seed oil, chia seed oil, castor oil, and many others, this pick not only helps promote hair growth but also reduces product buildup and balances and nourishes the scalp. It’s silicone-free and can be used about 10-15 minutes before you hop in the shower and wash it out with your favorite hair growth shampoo. We love how much this product reduces itchiness and flakiness on the scalp, promoting a healthier environment for hair growth.

What the experts say: “Castor oil is mentioned for hair growth. However, it may not agree with some hair types,” warns Dr. Graf. This is a solid option for those with thick or curly hair.

Best for Men

Revivv Hair Growth Serum

$115 at Amazon $160 at Revivv.co

Key Ingredients: Camellia sinensis, caffeine, copper peptide, serenoa serrulata | Size: 1.01 oz

Why we chose it: For the guys who are starting to bald or just want to prevent hair loss, this pick from Revivv is a great option. Formulated with the brand’s proprietary blend of moisturizers, antioxidants, and other hair-nourishing compounds, this roll-on can be applied all over the scalp without leaving hair feeling greasy, wet, or weighed down. The biggest annoyance with this product is that you must use it twice daily to see results. Applying this twice a day might be worth it for those who crave fuller, thicker hair.

Best Custom

Prose Hair Oil

$49 at Prose.com

Key Ingredients: Varies on customizations | Size: 1.7 oz

Why we chose it: Both Dr. Graf and Yates recommend this pick from Prose because you can customize it to your hair’s specific needs. For example, if you are suffering from hair loss, you can indicate that in your questionnaire, and the brand will include ingredients that promote hair growth in your custom oil. You can use this product on both wet and dry hair, but if you’re applying it to your scalp, we recommend applying it at night and then washing it out the next morning. This pick is on the pricier side, but it’s customized to your unique needs, so we think it’s worth the cost.

What the experts say: “I also like that it’s free of all the ingredients you should avoid in hair growth oil, like phthalates, parabens, and sulfates, too,” says Dr. Graf.

Best Hydrating

Fable & Mane Pre-Wash Hair Treatment Oil

$38 at Amazon $38 at Sephora $38 at Fableandmane.com

Key Ingredients: Castor, safflower, olive, jojoba, and grapeseed oils | Size: 0.48 oz

Why we chose it: This hydrating serum contains luxe oils like castor, safflower, olive, jojoba, and grapeseed to nourish both your hair and scalp and help promote growth. We love that it’s a light oil that can be left on for five minutes or overnight, depending on how much time you have. The formula contains ashwagandha to strengthen your roots and hair follicles, as well as dashmool to calm an irritated scalp, too. Unfortunately, this formula is pretty scented and has added fragrance, so if you are really sensitive to fragrance on your scalp, you might not like this option.