What is hair oil good for, and how is it different from hair serum?
Hair oil makes dry hair softer, adds shine, reduces frizz and protects your ends from drying out. A hair serum does roughly the same, but it's lighter and sits on your hair as a thin layer, which is especially nice for fine hair. Use oil before washing as a nourishing treatment, or after washing as a few drops on your lengths and ends.
What is hair oil good for?
The outer layer of your hair is made of tiny scales. Blow-drying, straighteners, sun and colouring make them lift, and then your hair feels rough, looks dull and frizzes. An oil lays a thin film over those scales. As a result your hair reflects more light, your ends feel softer and your hair holds on to its moisture better.
Oil doesn't repair damaged hair; a split end stays split until you cut it. What it does is make the damage less visible and make your hair less likely to snap when you brush it. You'll find every oil and serum in the hair oil and serum collection.
What's the difference between hair oil and hair serum?
| Hair oil | Hair serum | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | From light to rich, pure or blended | Light, often silicone-based |
| What it does | Nourishes and softens, adds shine | Smooths, fights frizz and adds shine |
| Best for | Dry, thick or curly hair | Fine hair that falls flat quickly |
| When | Before or after washing | After washing and as a finish |
In practice the two overlap: many products called hair oil are a blend of oils and light conditioning ingredients, so they feel like a serum.
How do you use hair oil before washing?
You apply a pre-wash oil to dry hair and leave it on for half an hour up to a whole night. Then you wash it out with shampoo. That way you nourish your hair without it looking greasy for the rest of the day. The Rapunzel Pre-Wash Oil by Hair Syrup is a blend of oils, including almond, castor, apricot kernel, olive, avocado, jojoba and argan oil, with pink grapefruit for the scent. Massage it into your scalp and lengths. Note: it contains nuts.
How do you use hair oil after washing?
Take one to three drops, rub them between your palms and spread them over your lengths and ends, not over your scalp. On towel-dried hair, oil works as conditioning and helps against frizz when blow-drying. On dry hair it's a finish for extra shine.
If you want one pure oil, argan oil is a safe choice for most hair types. The 100% Natural Argan Oil by Yari is pure argan oil, which naturally contains vitamin E and fatty acids. Use it on your ends, but also on your skin and cuticles.
Which hair oil suits damaged or coloured hair?
Hair that's often coloured, bleached or heat-styled benefits from a concentrated oil that doesn't feel heavy. The Hair Bonding Oil No. 7 by Olaplex is that kind of oil: a few drops reduce frizz and make split ends less noticeable, without your hair feeling greasy.
Looking for an oil for dry hair that you can use in several ways? The Elvive Extraordinary Hair Oil by L'Oréal Paris is a good all-rounder. It contains six flower oil extracts and has a non-greasy texture. Use it before washing, before styling or as a finish.
Which hair oil do you use for curls?
Curls are naturally drier, because the natural sebum from your scalp has a harder time travelling down a curl. An oil helps hold in moisture and gives your curls more definition. The Coconut + Shea Curl Oil by Umberto Giannini is made for curls: it nourishes with coconut and shea, reduces frizz and doesn't weigh your curls down. It's alcohol-free and vegan. Apply it as the last step, after your leave-in and gel.
Is frizz your main issue? Then also read frizzy hair: where it comes from. For hair that needs more than an oil, use a hair mask once a week.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use hair oil every day?
Yes, in a small amount on your ends. If your hair goes limp or greasy, use less or skip a day.
Does hair oil make your hair greasy?
Only if you use too much or put it on your scalp. Start with one drop and keep it on your lengths and ends.
Can you use hair oil on fine hair?
Yes, choose a light oil or a serum and use one drop, on your ends only.
Does hair oil protect against heat?
An oil gives a little protection, but it doesn't replace a heat protectant. If you blow-dry or straighten every day, choose a product that's actually made for that.