The Best Hair & Scalp Oils for Men
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Hair and scalp oils are one of the oldest and most effective forms of grooming around. We hear women applaud them for their great smells and the nice shine they provide, but men don’t use them often enough. Which we should rethink, considering these oils mimic your hair’s own way of protecting and nourishing itself. And that’s why we found the best scalp oils for our 2023 Grooming Awards.
If you have frizzy, dry, brittle, or dull hair—or a dry, itchy scalp—oil should be on your next shopping list. It helps strengthen and soften your strands, even if they’re not very long. But the type of oil you should use depends entirely on your hair type and preference.
The goal is to find one you can use in combination with cleansing to keep your hair soft and manageable without feeling greasy or heavy. Ouai Hair Oil is our Best Overall pick because it had the best balance of benefits like a light scent, quick absorption, and reasonable price, making it our pick for the best hair and scalp oil.
Keep scrolling to see which other products made our list of this year’s best.
How We Tested
I’m a men’s grooming expert who’s been testing and writing about products for nearly 15 years. I’m the former fashion and grooming editor at Men’s Health, and my work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Bloomberg Pursuits, Rolling Stone, and more. I started by contacting every hair and scalp oil maker and calling in new and bestselling products for testing. We tried all types and prices, but excluded any product labeled as a serum, scrub, or scalp treatment. These items often have varying goals and effects compared to oil.
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I tested two oils at a time, one on each side of my head, comparing their feel, smell, absorption rate, packaging, and how my hair and scalp felt after. I also asked friends with different textures of hair to help test and give their opinion. I then balanced my notes with information about each formula’s ingredients and long-term benefits, along with input from industry professionals, to create the list you see below.
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How to Shop for a Hair & Scalp Oil
Perhaps the biggest factor in finding an oil that’s right for you is consistency. Finer hair should look for thinner oils that will nourish without feeling too heavy. Whereas denser, curlier hair should look for thicker oils that can tame and nourish their locks. The oil should absorb quickly and feel soft without leaving a residue on your hands after a few minutes.
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If your hair feels too dry after, apply more or potentially opt for a thicker oil. If it’s too oily, apply less and possibly go thinner. Some oils have fantastic smells, so consider whether you want something that makes your hair smell great or something more neutral. It won’t affect your oil’s overall performance. Here are the best hair and scalp oils of 2023.
The Best Hair & Scalp Oils of 2023
Simply put, this hair oil had the best of everything. Its consistency is relatively thin, which makes it quick to absorb, giving my hair a noticeably healthier feel and shine. And my hair didn’t feed oils after, unlike some thicker formulas. It was lightly scented, but not overpowering. All it took was a few small pumps, which means this little bottle would nourish my relatively short hair for the better half of a year, if used a few times per week. It wasn’t too expensive, especially when you break it down by cost per use, and is available at Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty.
[$30; amazon.com]
Your body naturally produces oil to nourish more than just your hair. Your body produces natural oils, called sebum, to keep your skin healthy too. This formula works on your hair, skin, cuticles—anything that could benefit from the nutrients, antioxidants, and fatty acids inside. It’s clear and odorless, so it can go pretty much anywhere. Plus, it’s fast to absorb, so you can apply it and run out the door without worrying it will come off on your clothes or your car’s headrest, for instance. If you’re looking for hair oil, but also notice your skin and cuticles could use some love, this is the pick for you.
[$35; amazon.com]
If you’ve tried other hair oils and are ready for an upgrade, this oil was one of the best overall on this list. Sisley, the high-end skincare brand, makes this formula with an amazing scent and luxe feel that are noticeably richer. It uses a combination of passion fruit, shea, cotton, and moringa oils for an extra-light feel that actually makes your hair feel weightless with a smooth feel. For reference, after testing many different hair and scalp oils, this is one of the few I’m still using regularly because of the overall more elevated experience.
[$65; amazon.com]
This fragrance-free oil has slightly different instructions than the rest. It’s a lightweight oil with avocado and rosemary oils that are supposed to go on your hair and scalp before your shampoo. The idea being that the shampoo will clean your hair and scalp, but leave some oil behind for moisture. We used it before and after shampooing and either way the oil leaves your scalp feeling hydrated and your hair with a healthier look and feel. Use as instructed and if you feel the need for more nourishment, a few drops after certainly won’t hurt.
[$25; amazon.com]
Coily, textured, or extra curly hair requires next-level hydration and some ultra-moisturizing ingredients. In the Bevel 3-in-1 Hair Oil, that includes infusions of Tea Tree, Jojoba, and Jamaican Black Castor Oils. Together, they moisturize your scalp, fortify textured hair, and add shine so your hair looks healthier and is easier to control. Plus, it has a convenient pump that creates less mess. Our tester said it was the most effective option for their textured hair.
[$12; amazon.com]
This brand is a go-to when it comes to nourishing hair oils. And this time-tested product is perhaps the thickest oil on this list, which gives you a few distinct advantages. The rich formula binds and repairs even the most damaged hair. The argan oil-infused formula helps detangle as well. For those with longer locks, this oil (as well as many others) also speeds up drying time by binding to hair and wicking away water. Plus, its mild, natural smell won’t compete with your choice of fragrance.
[$48; amazon.com]
Big box brands don’t do everything best. Take, for example, this small-batch oil that has the most fantastic fragrance on this list. Its blend of Argan, Pomegranate, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary combine for a masculine yet herbal scent that also provides a host of benefits. Among them are conditioning, soothing, and strengthening hair, as well as increasing its elasticity. BONUS: Per the brand, it can double as a great-smelling beard oil, which we agree with—but wouldn’t necessarily recommend for every product we’re awarding.
[$48; fmillerskincare.com]
