These Hair Growth Oils Will Make Your Strands Healthier Fast (2024)

If you want true hair growth, reach for a bottle of the tried and true solution: Rogaine. Since it contains minoxidil, the only FDA-approved drug for hair growth, the GH Beauty Lab recommends this for thinning hair that needs a boost that many other products can't give. Perfect for anyone in the beginning stages of hair loss, this treatment is clinically proven to help fill in the gaps but should really only be used by those experiencing that.

"I am very pleased with how easily it applies to my scalp, causes no irritation and is showing very promising results in only one month," says one Amazon reviewer.

Made with almost 100% powerhouse plant oils and extracts like castor, jojoba and rosemary, this hair growth oil encourages longer locks. While reviewers generally raved about its abilities, a few noted that it left hair a little greasy after applying.

"I typically keep my hair silk pressed and I've noticed since using this oil my hair holds the press much longer and humidity isn't as much of a hassle as it was before I used this oil," one reviewer notes. "I also noticed that I have much denser new growth than I did before, so I believe it is aiding in my hair growing faster and thicker."

A GH Beauty Award winner, this KeepItAnchored shampoo, conditioner and scalp serum set helps maintain hair’s fullness by improving the scalp’s condition with ingredients like niacinamide, zinc and caffeine.

In a clinical study on the technology, users had about 2,400 more hairs on their scalp after six months than those who used a placebo, GH Beauty Lab data analysis confirmed. Make sure to use consistently; one user noted the results decreased when she wasn't using the system regularly.

This serum from Nutrafol, the brand known for its hair growth supplements, is also one of Dr. Graf's go-tos thanks to its robust formula. "It contains growth activator ingredients such as ashwagandha and collagen peptides," she explains. The serum itself is also lighter than many hair growth oils.

"I like the light feeling," a reviewer reported. "I really like how effective it is — the condition of my hair began to improve drastically." One thing to note: A few reviewers felt the dropper didn't work well to release product easily.

When trichologist Bridgette Hill recommends an oil to her clients, this is the one she tells them to look for. "The René Furterer Complex 5 has botanical-based cleansing and anti-inflammatory ingredients that truly cleanse and exfoliate for every scalp and hair type and texture," she says.

This oil isn't made to add moisture, but instead to prep the hair before washing. "The intention is to nurture and cleanse the microbiome," Hill notes. If you are prone to dryness in your hair and scalp, note that this could have a drying effect.

Specifically designed to help fill out thinning or damaged hair, this set of Leonor Greyl Paris hair treatments comes in a pack of 12 for targeted treatments. They can be used once a week for moderate hair loss or up to three times a week for more severe damage. They are pricey but since they're not designed for daily use, the package will last some time.

"This product has really improved the look and feel of my hair," one reviewer says. "It's been a few months now and I'm seeing a lot of new hair growth. My hair is noticeably thicker."

Virtue's oil targets the root of your hair growth — the scalp — to help grow hair long and strong with nourishing ingredients. Peptides and hyaluronic acid keep it super moisturized so hair has an optimal growing environment. In clinical studies, 95% of women claimed their hair felt and looked healthier and more manageable.

"I love the dropper application, so easy to just take the dropper throughout your roots and get the treatment on your hair," says one Dermstore reviewer. "Feels so good on your scalp as well!" A few others noted they went through it quickly based on the recommended dosage, so be mindful with how much you apply.

The hair growth oils in this list are either dermatologist or hair expert favorites, Beauty Lab scientists recommendations or popular options with rave consumer reviews and ratings.

When choosing products, we consider the included ingredients, formula, clinical testing and ratings to select the best ones on the market in this category.

"Most topicals that are formulated with active ingredients are made to leave on the scalp for optimum efficacy," Hill says. She suggests seeking out a formula that's "light enough to penetrate the scalp without leaving a residue on the hair fiber and that's formulated to increase cellular turnover, reduce inflammation, respect the natural balance of the scalp’s microbiome and can be shampooed out." She recommends products that contain:

✔️ Citrus oils

✔️ Rosemary oil

✔️ Castor oil

✔️ Jojoba oil

✔️ Shea

✔️ Thyme

In addition to hair growth treatments made with minoxidil, the FDA-approved hair growth ingredient, and rosemary oil, Aral also suggests products infused with coffeeberry extract to promote healthy hair growth.

Dr. Graf recommends hair growth oils containing biotin, which "promotes hair growth by supporting the hair’s natural keratin." She is another proponent of rosemary oil, which, she says along with tea tree and peppermint oils, "can stimulate the scalp and its hair follicles."

A previous version of this guide was written by GH Beauty Director April Franzino, who has over a decade of experience working with the GH Beauty Lab on pieces covering all beauty categories including haircare. She collaborated with GH's Beauty Lab scientists to select recently evaluated product picks and insights to this piece, in addition to interviewing dermatology and trichology experts.

Most recently, this story was revised by Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price, who collaborated with GH Beauty Lab senior chemist Danusia Wnek on current information and updates about hair growth oils. Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals such as hairstylists, hair colorists and trichologists.