Best Oils for Hair Growth and Scalp Health

Do you want the most suitable oils to stimulate hair growth and make a dry and itchy scalp calmer? You are not alone. Millions desire more lengthy, thick and healthy hair. There are so many bottles on the shelf, but which ones do actually work is a question.

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The fact is that natural oils to help hair grow have been used since the time immemorial. Since ancient Egypt to contemporary Pakistan, humanity had resorted to using plant-based oils to enliven its roots and enhance hair texture. The trick is to select the oils according to your scalp and hair objectives.

Here we shall take you on a tour of a list of 9 hair growth oils that are experts in this guide. You will also know how you can use oils to grow your hair at home, which oil is the best to use on a dry scalp and why some oils are supported by real science. Let us dive in.

Why Use Oils for Hair Growth and Scalp?

We need to know how they work before we consider the best oils to use in growing your hair. Your head is alive skin. It requires humidity, circulation and security. Natural hair oils contain many vitamins (such as E and B) as well as fatty acids which nourish the follicle.

There are also oils that are used to treat scalp with oils to nourish it, preventing both flaking and irritation. With a healthy scalp, hair is able to grow healthier and fewer times it breaks. Keep in mind, no oil will get hair to grow overnight. However, regular application of the correct oil can help you in maintaining the natural process of your body.

Woman applying natural oil from dropper bottle to her scalp using fingertips to promote healthy hair growth

1. Coconut Oil (Deep Conditioning + Protein Loss Prevention)

Coconut oil can be found on top of any list of hair growth oils, and rightfully so. It is among the few oils, which can actually enter the hair shaft. This will aid in minimizing the loss of proteins in your strands and hence, less brittle hair.

Why it works: Coconut oil is highly lauric acid. This fatty acid is of low molecular weight, and thus penetrates deep into the hair.
Best on: Dry, damaged or curly hair. Pakistan and India: very popular due to its low price and easy availability.
Usage: Warm a little and rub into your ends and your scalp. Leave for 30 minutes or overnight. Wash twice to get rid of the dust.

To anyone who wonders which oil is the best that grows hair naturally, coconut oil is a good place to begin since it does not cause the hair to break and you can thus maintain the length.

White ceramic bowl of virgin coconut oil with fresh split coconuts and coconut flakes on linen cloth

2. Castor Oil (Hair Regrowth + Thickness)

Castor oil is a popular hair care ingredient that has been trending in hair care videos. It is known to be one of the most excellent oils in terms of hair growth and thickness. Castor oil is extremely viscous and contains a lot of ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid that can enhance blood flow to the head.

Why it works: It boosts the amount of blood to hair follicles. Increased blood flow implies increased amount of nutrients to roots.
Best on: Thinning edges, bald spots or any other person who wishes to look fuller haired.
How to apply: It is too thick, so mix with a lighter one such as coconut or almond. Not to the entire length, only the scalp. Use once a week.

Pro tip: First do a patch test. When you apply excess castor oil, it may accumulate.

Dark amber glass bottle of castor oil with dropper next to raw castor beans and cotton pad on wooden surface

3. Rosemary Oil (Backed by Studies)

Rosemary oil is a star, should you favour science on your side. A number of studies have compared rosemary oil with popular hair treatment. It is deemed among the most effective oils in hair growth as it could possibly enhance the circulation and alleviate inflammation on the scalp.

Why it works: Rosemary oil contains antioxidants that could be used in keeping hair follicles healthy. It can be found in essential oils used as scalp health.
Best: When used in general thinning and keeping the scalp healthy.
Usage: Rosemary oil should never be used in a pure form. Add 5 drops to a carrier oil (such as coconut or jojoba). Massage in the head area 2-3 minutes. Take a rest of at least 4 hours or night.

Rosemary is the first oil many individuals seeking to know how to use their oils to grow their hair would want to begin with since it is not harsh and its smell is pleasant.

Fresh green rosemary sprigs tied with twine beside clear glass bottle of rosemary essential oil and dried rosemary leaves

4. Argan Oil (“Liquid Gold”)

Due to its deep color and expensive price, Argan oil is referred to as liquid gold. It is extracted out of the nuts of the argan tree in Morocco. Although it does not have the greatest regrowth power, it is among the perfect natural oils to use on your hair in case it is damaged.

Why it works: Argan oil contains a lot of vitamin E and antioxidants. These assist in preventing damages on hair by pollution and heat.
Best on: Dry, frizzy or heat-styled hair.
How to apply: apply few drops as leave-in treatment after taking a shower. Pay attention to the middle parts and extremities. Do not rinse.

Argan oil has also been found to be among the finest oil in stimulation of dry scalp and hair growth due to its ability to moisturize without the oily feel.

Woman with dry frizzy brown hair before treatment with argan oil bottle and argan nuts in foreground

5. Onion Oil (Popular in South Asia)

Onion oil is highly favored in the South Asian families. It is an important component of most oils to moisturize scalp and lessen hair loss. The odour might be powerful yet the payoffs make it worthwhile to sample.

Why it works: Onion oil has sulfur, an essential mineral to hair strands. Sulfur could assist in breakage reduction and assistance in new growth.
Best in: individuals who have mild to moderate loss of hair.
Usage: You may purchase onion oil ready-made or you can prepare it yourself by infusing coconut oil with onion peels. Apply to the head, and wait 30-60 minutes, then wash thoroughly.

Onion oil would be among the best oils to use in researching the fastest growing hair oil in nature as it would go to the root.

Flat lay of red onions cut in half, dark glass onion oil bottle, and homemade onion-infused oil in stainless steel bowl

6. Olive Oil (Scalp Nourishment + Softness)

Olive oil is one of the ingredients of the kitchen that also functions as a great treatment of the hair. It features on our list of the most available best oils to grow hair. The oleic acid and squalene are abundant in olive oil and they make the hair soft and they are effective in sealing moisture.

Why it works: It covers the hair shaft to minimize the loss of water. It is also anti-inflammatory to the scalp.
Best when: Coarse, thick and/or frizzy hair.
Usage: Heat some tablespoons (do not boil). Rub into your hair and head. Wear a shower cap 30 minutes. Shampoo as usual.

Olive oil is a non-irritable and efficient option to those who pose questions about the best oil to use in hair growth and on the dry scalp.

Green glass bottle of extra virgin olive oil next to fresh green olives on wooden board with small bowl of oil

7. Almond Oil (Strength + Shine)

Almond oil and particularly sweet almond oil is a light and is applicable in most hair types. It is a great addition to any list of hair growth oils since it contains abundant amounts of vitamin B7 (biotin) and magnesium.

Why it works: Biotin helps to maintain the hair fiber structure. Magnesium aids in avoiding shedding due to stress.
Best used on: Fine hair that easily gets weighed down.
Usage: Rub a little in between your palms. Rub on the head and extremities. It could be left overnight or used as a pre-shampoo.

One of the natural oils to use in hair growth that is effective on the people with sensitive skin is also almond oil.

Clear glass bottle of sweet almond oil with dropper next to raw whole almonds and almond shells on white cloth

8. Jojoba Oil (Mimics Sebum)

Jojoba oil is special. It is in fact a liquid wax that is very similar to the natural oil of your head known as sebum. This qualifies it as one of the most effective oils in order to nourish the scalp without blocking the pores.

Why it works: It is so much like sebum that your scalp easily takes it in. It aids in the regulation of the production of oil and in the clearing of follicles.
Best: Oily scalp, dandruff and anyone with an acne-prone skin.
Use: 5- 10 drops put directly on the scalp. Massage gently. You need not wash it out at once. Use as a daily scalp serum.

Jojoba is an oil that any novice would use to learn how to use oils to grow hair in their hair as it is difficult to overuse.

Amber dropper bottle of jojoba oil next to brown jojoba seeds and green jojoba leaf on light grey stone surface

9. Tea Tree Oil (Dandruff + Scalp Health)

Tea tree oil is known to be a cleanser. A potent essential oil that is essential in the health of the scalp is due to its ability to combat the microbes that lead to dandruff and itching of the scalp.

Why it works: Tea tree oil contains natural cleaners. The scalp should be clean and free of flakes in order to provide a good environment to the hair to grow.
Best on: Dandruff, itchy head and oily roots.
Use: Pure tea tree oil should not be used. Add in a tablespoon of jojoba or coconut oil and stir. rub into head. Allow to dry 20 minutes then shampoo. Use once a week.

Tea tree oil is not typically mentioned as being a direct solution to which oil makes your hair grow faster naturally but it assists in getting through the obstacles (such as dandruff) that hinder it.

Small green glass bottle of tea tree essential oil with dropper next to fresh green tea tree leaves and white cotton pad

How to Choose the Best Oil for Your Hair Type

There are so many hair growth oils available into the market, which one do you choose? This is a quick guide depending on what your primary concern is:

Frizzy, split hair: Coconut oil or argan oil.
Thinning or bald spots: Castor oil or rosemary oil.
Scalp with dandruff and oily: Jojoba oil or tea tree oil.
Post stress hair loss: Onion oil or almond oil.
Uncontrollable, frizzy hair: Olive oil or argan oil.

You will be able to make your own mix as well. E.g., combine 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 5 drops of rosemary oil. This provides you with deep conditioning as well as scalp stimulation.

Woman holding two small oil bottles in her palms looking thoughtful with shelf of oil bottles in background

How to Use Oils for Hair Growth at Home (Step by Step)

When you are a beginner with oils and their ability to grow and thicken your hair, then you will need to have this easy regimen:

Patch test first. Rub a drop on your ear. Wait 24 hours.
Heat the oil a bit. Never use hot oil. Warm is enough.
Section your hair. Divide your hair into 4-6 parts.
Put on first to head. Circularly massage with fingertips (not nails) 3-5 minutes. This increases the blood circulation.
Use the end-way through. Oldest part of your hair is the ends which require most moisture.
Cover and wait. Use a shower cap. Allow oil to rest at least half an hour. To be thoroughly treated, leave overnight.
Shampoo twice. A single wash might not be able to get all the oil off. Apply soft sulfate-free shampoo.
Repeat weekly. An oil treatment should be used 1-2 times a week to be the most effective.

To get more scientific background information on the effects of fatty acids on hair, I suggest reading this additional resource of the National Institutes of Health: Dietary and Pharmacological Treatment of Hair Loss.

(DoFollow link to authority source)

Four step collage showing woman sectioning hair, massaging oil into scalp, wearing shower cap, and shampooing hair

Common Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Which oil is more effective in growing hair?

No oil is the fastest. But castor oil and rosemary oil possess the greatest number of evidence to support speed and thickness. Coconut oil assists you in maintaining length by decreasing the breakage.

Q2. Which is the most suitable oil to use on dry scalp and hair growth?

Jojoba oil is the best oil that can be used on the dry scalp and to grow hair since it is similar to your natural sebum. In very dry scalps, olive oil is also very effective.

Q3. What is the frequency of use of these oils?

The majority of individuals do not need more than 1-2 times a week. In case of a very dry scalp you may use jojoba oil on a daily basis (only a few drops). Once a week is preferable, in case you have an oily scalp.

Q4. Is it possible to sleep with oil on my hair?

Yes, to the vast majority of carrier oils, such as coconut, almond and olive ones. However, do not apply essential oils (rosemary, tea tree) on an overnight basis without a carrier oil because they are irritating.

Q5. Do I have to purchase costly brands?

No. A lot of the most effective oils to use to grow hair are cheap. Find cold-pressed, unrefined, and 100% pure oils. Keep off those products that contain added perfumes or silicones.

Calm woman with towel wrapped on wet hair holding a small dropper bottle of oil and smiling naturally

Conclusion: Start Your Oil Routine Today

With a healthy scalp, healthy hair starts. The most effective oils to use in promoting hair growth are not magic wands but they are effective tools. It doesn’t matter which one you select, be it coconut deep moisturizer, rosemary circulation, or jojoba daily balance, it is important to be consistent.

Do not forget about such a list of hair growth oils:

Oil (protein loss prevention) coconut.
Castor oil (thickness)
Rosemary oil (science-backed)
Hair repair oil (dry) Argan oil.
Onion oil (hair fall)
Olive oil (softness)
Almond oil (strength)
Jojoba (sebum mimic) oil.
Oil of tea tree (dandruff)

Use at least one oil at least 8 weeks. Make a pre-assessment picture. Then, have an after photo. The difference may come as a surprise. There is no need to go through the training of how to use oils to grow hair at home, now you know which oil to use, what suits you and take care of your hair.

Disclaimer: This is informational only and not in any way medical advice. Depending on personal health, genetics and hair care practices, results can differ. Always carry out a patch test prior to trying out new products.