The 10 Best Scalp Oils for Healthier, More Manageable Hair

Best Overall

Divi Scalp Serum

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

Type of Product: Serum | Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, rosemary, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, amino acids | Size: 1 oz

For anyone with thin or thinning hair, Divi’s Scalp Serum might just be your new secret weapon. This product features several ingredients that do the heavy lifting for you—tea tree oil (which eliminates excess oil and product buildup), caffeine (which helps boost thickness), amino acids (to strengthen hair and prevent frizz), and hyaluronic acid (to hydrate the scalp). Simply apply one dropperful of serum onto your scalp on towel-dried hair where results are desired and massage in—no need to rinse.

Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor with type 2C/3A hair: “This is your all-in-one hair concern savior. It helps hydrate and clean the scalp, eliminating buildup and cleaning away the gunk that inhibits hair growth and makes hair oily. The result: Clean, fresh, happy hair.”

Best for Product Buildup

Act+Acre Scalp Detox

$48 at Amazon $48 at Sephora $48 at Dermstore

Type of Product: Pre-wash oil | Key Ingredients: Basil leaf hairy root blend, sunflower oil, baobab oil | Size: 3 oz

If you’ve been searching for a wash-out treatment to help with hair loss and flakes, Act + Acre’s Scalp Detox will be your new best friend. This treatment gently breaks down any product buildup and flakes while simultaneously relieving itchy and dry scalps. Simply apply 20 minutes before you shower and rinse out. With this product, a little goes a long way, so start with a small amount, and you can always increase the dose if needed.

Ally Hirschlag, former associate editorial director with type 2C/3A hair: “I’ve tried a lot of scalp soothing products, but this is the first one that A) didn’t spill all over me thanks to the smart spout, and B) relieved itchiness after the first use. Afterward, my scalp felt exceptionally clean, and flakes from buildup were noticeably reduced.”

Best Soothing

Pattern Beauty Scalp Serum

$29 at Amazon $29 at Sephora $29 at Ulta

Type of Product: Scalp oil | Key Ingredients: Peppermint oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil, aloe vera | Size: 4 oz

If you need to give your scalp some extra love, especially after rocking a protective style and dealing with buildup and/or flakes, Pattern’s scalp serum gets it done. You’ll feel it working on your scalp—it tingles, thanks to peppermint oil—leaving your scalp skin like it just indulged in a spa day. Over time, it combats dryness and flakes, making it a great choice for those who need soothing TLC. What’s nice about it is that you can apply it to wet or dry hair, whatever is more comfortable or convenient for you. Speaking of convenience, the bottle (which is larger than most others on this list) has an applicator tip for easy use.

Dominique Hobdy, senior editor with 4B/4C hair: “Pattern Beauty’s Scalp Serum has become my new go-to when my scalp needs extra love. This winter, my scalp has been extra dry and flaky. The peppermint and rosemary oils deliver a super cooling and soothing effect to an inflamed scalp which is for sure what makes it stand out. I’ve noticed that after taking out a protective style, this serum addresses any dryness, flakiness or even redness immediately.”

Best for Dry Scalps

Ceremonia Aceite de Moska Scalp Oil

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

Type of Product: Pre-shampoo oil | Key Ingredients: Passion fruit oil, castor oil, aloe vera | Size: 2 oz

Inspired by a ritual from the Dominican Republic, this nourishing pre-shampoo oil is here to exfoliate and nourish your hair. We all know that healthy hair starts at the scalp, and the ingredients in this formula all help stimulate hair growth in their own way—passion fruit oil contains antioxidants, castor oil supports hair growth, and aloe vera soothes and supports a balanced scalp. You don’t even need to book a flight to incorporate this into your daily routine (although we wouldn’t blame you if this product inspired a trip to Punta Cana).

Adi Giesey, former beauty editor with type 1C hair: “I love the Ceremonia scalp oil because it doesn’t feel heavy on your hair, has only a subtle scent, and instantly calms my scalp/skin. The texture is super easy to manipulate and massage into the base of your roots, almost a spa-like experience. You truly can’t go wrong with this scalp oil.”

Best for Frizzy Hair

Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil

$45 at Ulta

$50

$40 at Cecred.com

Type of Product: Hair oil | Key Ingredients: Oil blend from sea buckthorn, black seed, castor, jojoba, argan, coconut, and more | Size: 1.7 oz

There are so many good things to say about this oil. For one, it contains 13 different nourishing oils that work on both the scalp and the lengths. It’s very lightweight—despite said 13 oils—and it doesn’t weigh down hair when used sparingly. After use, it makes hair feel super soft, adds loads of shine, and moisturizes the scalp in the process.

Shauna Beni-Haynes, former senior editor with 3C/4A hair: “If I have an itch on my scalp, I just massage some of the oil, and it relieves the area immediately. What makes it stand out from other oils I’ve tried is how lightweight it feels. The texture is smooth and liquidy, and it smells yummy thanks to the blend of plant-based oils.”

Best for Damaged Hair

Carol's Daughter Goddess Strength Hair & Scalp Oil

$14

$12 at Amazon $12 at Target View on CVS

Type of Product: Scalp oil | Key Ingredients: Castor oil, black cumin seed | Size: 4.2 oz

This Goddess Strength Hair & Scalp Oil from Carol’s Daughter is a thick and soothing formula that is the perfect addition to your post-shower routine. After shampooing and conditioning, on damp or dry hair, use the pointed tip to apply the oil directly to your scalp and gently massage it in. The ingredients, aka moisturizing castor oil and strengthening black cumin seed, nourish dry scalps and treat heat-damaged strands. Just keep in mind that it can be somewhat heavy, so it’s ideal for thick or curly hair types. (Those with very fine hair may want to opt for something else.)

Jasmine Phillips, former social media editor with type 4B hair: “I first started using the entire Goddess Strength collection from Carol’s Daughter to remedy my hair after suffering from heat damage, and I can definitely say it has made a huge difference in the health, look, and feel of my natural coils. The formula is thick, so I would recommend it for type 4 hair, as it would be too heavy for fine strands.”

Best for Thinning Hair

Color Wow Youth Juice Collagen Scalp Treatment

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

Type of Product: Scalp serum | Key Ingredients: Pycnogenol, procapil, amla extract, caffeine, arginine, synthetic collagen | Size: 1.7 oz

Youth Juice helps preserve, protect, and promote collagen to keep your hair feeling thick and strong. The lightweight formula goes on easily with no residue or greasy buildup. On clean, damp, or dry hair, apply one to three drops directly to your scalp and massage it in to distribute along your hairline.

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with type 1B/2A hair: “I used to have thicker hair and with age (and stress!) I’ve experienced a good amount of thinning and shedding. This serum helps keep your scalp healthy so it thrives—I noticed new baby hairs in three weeks.”

Best for Braids and Protective Styles

Pattern Jojoba Oil Hair Serum

$29 at Amazon $29 at Sephora $29 at Ulta

Type of Product: Hair and scalp oil | Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, safflower oil, lavender oil | Size: 3.9 oz

If braids, twists, or cornrows are part of your styling routine, this oil deserves a spot in your lineup. The jojoba and safflower oil blend helps hair retain moisture, softens dry ends, and adds shine without a greasy feel. Before braiding, work a few drops through damp or dry hair for extra slip that makes strands easier to handle. Once your style is in place, massage a few drops into exposed areas of your scalp to help keep dryness in check between wash days. It absorbs quickly and didn’t cause scalp buildup during testing, so you can give your scalp some attention without leaving your roots feeling oily. You can also use it as a prewash treatment when it’s time to take your braids down.

Bianca Lambert, tester with thick, type 4 coily hair: “This made braiding my hair so much easier because it gave my hair extra slip sans the greasy feeling.”