The 15 Best Scalp Oils of 2023 | by Byrdie (2023)

• Our Picks

• Final Verdict

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust Byrdie

Our top pick is Kiehl's Magic Elixir, an oil-based formula that can be used on both your scalp and hair. Its hero ingredients include avocado oils and safflower oils, which provide deep moisture and nourishment while minimizing inflammation.

You'll also get a dose of rosemary oil, which, as Holden notes, has been shown to support hair growth. Considering you only need a few drops at a time, we appreciate the generously sized bottle. You can use it as a pre-shampoo treatment or an overnight scalp mask, but the brand advises against applying it to wet hair.

Price at time of publish: $22

Key Ingredients: Avocado, rosemary, and safflower oils | Free of: Sulfates, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance | Dosage: Small amount pre-shampoo | Size: 4.2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

On a budget? Check out this supremely affordable formula from Mielle Organics. Whether you're dealing with itchiness, dandruff, or hair fallout, you can count on the blend of rosemary, peppermint, and castor oil to deliver. Use it in your everyday hair care routine or weekly as an intensive deep treatment, either way, you can expect increased circulation, less dandruff, and smoother strands.

Price at time of publish: $9

Key Ingredients: Castor, rosemary, and peppermint oils | Free of: Sulfates, synthetic fragrance | Dosage: A few drops as needed | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For an option you an quickly pick up at the drugstore, we love the Derma-E Scalp Relief Treatment. This pretty blue tincture calls on tea tree oil to cleanse and reduce buildup, plus blue algae and kelp to promote thicker, healthier hair growth. It feels like menthol upon contact with the skin (so those that don't like tingling may not like this one) and helps address stubborn dry scalp, dandruff, and more.

Price at time of publish: $13

Key Ingredients: Tea tree and alma oils, blue algae, kelp | Free of: Gluten, soy, GMOs | Dosage: A few drops per section | Size: 1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This premium blend is priced pretty steep, but you only need a teensy amount per treatment, and you can expect noticeable results. Olive, jojoba, and sweet almond oils help nourish the scalp and minimize inflammation, while hemp-derived CBD extract soothes irritation and supports hair growth.

Price at time of publish: $95

Key Ingredients: Olive, jojoba, and sweet almond oils, hemp extract | Free of: THC, gluten, animal products | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Holden recommends this serum-style treatment from The Body Shop. The non-greasy formula promises to nourish the scalp and balance oil production while soothing itchy, flaky skin.

Price at time of publish: $20

Key Ingredients: Ginger essential oil, birch bark extract | Free of: Sulfates, parabens | Dosage: 1 to 2 drops per section when hair is dry | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're battling dandruff, reach for Rahua Founder's Blend. According to the maker, the rare combination of plant-derived oils dissolves the bacteria that causes the condition, then calms irritation and creates a healthy environment for hair growth. Just keep in mind that it has a potent fragrance, so if you're sensitive to smell, this one might not be for you.

Price at time of publish: $42

Key Ingredients: Rahua and palo santo oils | Free of: Mineral oil, sulfates, dyes | Dosage: Small amount left on overnight | Size: 1.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The remedy for damaged hair starts at the scalp. This pick leans on castor oil and jojoba oil to nourish and strengthen brittle hair and support new growth. In the brand's clinical trial, 94 percent of users reported less breakage.

Price at time of publish: $11

Key Ingredients: Castor and jojoba oil | Free of: Parabens, mineral oil, dyes | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 4.2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

SheaMoisture Scalp Soother was formulated specifically with wigs, weaves, and braids in mind. Tea tree oil helps dissolve buildup, while borage oil offers immediate relief from tightness, tension, and overall scalp discomfort. The wallet-friendly price doesn't hurt either. The only caveat: Some say the formula is runny, so use a gentle hand when applying.

Price at time of publish: $11

Key Ingredients: Tea tree and borage seed oils, aloe vera, oat extract | Free of: Sulfates, mineral oil, silicone | Dosage: 1 to 2 drops to affected area | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tracee Ellis Ross knows a thing or two about good hair. If you have curls like she does, this moisturizing blend is your best bet. It combines the nourishing, anti-inflammatory effects of safflower, olive, rosehip, and jojoba oils to minimize breakage from root to tip while leaving your hair brilliantly bouncy and full of shine.

Price at time of publish: $25

Key Ingredients: Jojoba, olive, rosehip, and safflower oils | Free of: Parabens, sulfates, silicone | Dosage: A few drops to targeted areas | Size: 3.9 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Apply this treatment oil to your scalp, then run it through your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes before hopping in the shower. After shampooing, you can expect shinier, healthier-looking hair. The citrusy-amber scent is pretty incredible too. Since it's so rich, you may have to use some elbow grease to get it completely out of your hair.

Price at time of publish: $29

Key Ingredients: Squalane, bisabolol, basil root extract | Free of: Sulfates, silicone | Dosage: Dropper-full 15 minutes pre-shampoo | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

In addition to Moroccanoil's signature ingredient, argan oil, this scalp treatment contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate, dissolve buildup, keep flakes at bay, and balance oil production. In the brand's clinical trial, 94 percent of users said it minimized itchiness, too.

Price at time of publish: $40

Key Ingredients: Argan oil, salicylic acid | Free of: Parabens, sulfates, mineral oil | Dosage: 3 to 6 drops per section | Size: 1.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If hair growth is the goal, go with The Mane Choice. This treatment blends castor, jojoba, and coconut oils to moisturize and nourish and then calls on tea tree and rosemary to clear up the skin on your scalp and create an environment that supports new growth.

Price at time of publish: $13

Key Ingredients: Castor, rosemary, jojoba, coconut, and tea tree oils | Free of: Parabens, sulfates | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For itch-relief, Holden says to look for products containing tea tree oil, like this generously sized blend from As I Am. It's also formulated to dissolve buildup and prevent dandruff while minimizing any flakes you might already have.

Price at time of publish: $10

Key Ingredients: Olive and tea tree oils | Free of: Sulfates, parabens | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This overnight oil treatment from Aveda helps defend the delicate skin on the scalp from signs of aging (read: shedding, hair loss, and dryness) while you sleep. Loaded with nourishing castor oil, fortifying centella asiatica extract, antimicrobial lactobacillus ferment, hydrating sunflower seed oil, and stimulating ginger root extract, this hair serum targets a wide range of concerns all at once. Apply it directly to the scalp at bedtime to wet or dry hair and massage it in.

Something to keep in mind: It's water-based, so those with natural or chemically treated hair might cause hair to curl up.

Price at time of publish: $52

Key Ingredients: Adaptogenic centella asiatica, Lactobacillus ferment, Hyaluronic acid | Free of: Sulfates, parabens | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This oil-based formula from Revela is designed for fast, long-lasting hair growth results. It's lightweight—so you can apply it at any time of day without worrying about ruining your hairstyle—and has helped tons of people re-grow hair. It's powered by a argan oil, castor oil, fruit extracts, and ProCelinyl (an ingredient discovered by artificial intelligence to directly target hair follicle health).

Price at time of publish: $115

Key Ingredients: Agran oil, castor oil, ProCelinyl, grapefruit peel extract, olive leaf extract | Free of: Parabens, phalates | Dosage: 2-3 drops several times a week | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Meet the Expert

Kate Holden, AIT is a trichologist based in the UK. She is an associate member of the Institute of Trichologists. Holden provides expert diagnoses, therapeutic recommendations, consultations, referrals, and treatments for various hair and scalp concerns.

FAQ

• What is the best scalp oil?

  For the majority of us looking to up our skincare game by extending it to our scalp, one of the many one-size-fits-all formulations is sufficient to keep the scalp hydrated, soothed, and protected. However, the best way to choose scalp oil is to approach it as you would skincare, so if there’s a condition you’d like your scalp oil to address, such as oiliness or dryness, it’s best to shop around until you find one with the ideal ingredients.

• How often should you apply scalp oil?

  That depends on your lifestyle and scalp skincare concerns. Proper usage should keep the scalp moisturized and soothed without any buildup. However, if buildup is a real concern for you, try a formula with more of a water-based, serum-like consistency.

• Will scalp oil make hair grow faster?

  Many of today’s scalp oil formulations contain a bevy of natural ingredients that some believe can encourage hair growth. While the official science is still out on many of them, certain compounds like biotin can play a role in supplementing hair strength and quality. So, while no scalp oil has been proven to make hair grow faster, its ability to support scalp health is a great start in the battle for great hair.

We Tested 29 Hair Oils, And These 11 Are Our Top Picks

Updated byCaitlyn Martyn

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