Why You Should Be Adding a Hair Growth Oil to Your Routine (2024)

IYKYK. Rosemary oil has long been touted for its ability to help boost hair growth, protect the scalp, reverse signs of inflammation, tackle dandruff, and intensely hydrate... just to name a few. This Amazon-loved treatment (it boasts over 74,000 reviews and has a 4.5 star rating) contains rosemary oil, as well as mint and biotin, to strengthen strands and soothe a dry scalp.

One reviewer writes: "I've experimented with various hair oils in the past, but none have compared to the nourishing properties of Mielle Organics. The formula is lightweight yet deeply moisturizing, making it perfect for creating a luxurious hair mask. Whether applied overnight or for a quick treatment before shampooing, it leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft, smooth, and strengthened."

Key ingredients: Rosemary oil, mint, biotin

Hair Type: All

Size: 2 fl oz

Powered by sunflower oil, baobab oil, and a basil leaf hairy root blend, this 20-minute pre-shower treatment works to rebalance the scalp microbiome, remove build-up and restore a healthy scalp, while stimulating blood circulation.

One reviewer writes: "Can’t live without it! It has helped my scalp immensely! My hair feels more dense and my new growth seems much healthier! I recommend this to anyone who brings up issues with their hair! Customer service is top notch! And love how they take actionable steps to develop a sustainable product!"

Key Ingredients: Sunflower oil, baobab oil, basil leaf hairy root blend

Hair Type: Dry or normal scalp, all hair textures

Size: 3 fl oz

Meant to used before shampooing, this cooling concentrate contains lavender, orange and castor oils, which work together to deeply cleanse, soften dry hair, and create a healthy environment for the scalp.

One reviewer says: "It really does stimulate the scalp which I want since I'm growing out layers in my hair. The scent is a strong orange type of scent but nice. Would definitely recommend for those trying to stimulate the scalp for hair growth!"

Key Ingredients: Lavender oil, orange oil, castor oil

Hair Type: All

Size: 1.6 fl oz

Briogeo's tingle-free pre-wash formula also relies on rosemary oil to rebalance the scalp, while strengthening and nourishing parched strands. Shoppers also love how lightweight it feels compared to many competitors on the market.

One reviewer raves: "I’ve been having bad postpartum hair loss and damage and I’ve been in the need for products that will help keep my hair healthy and promote hair growth. This has been keeping my scalp feel so hydrated and clean so my scalp follicles can focus on new hair growth. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my hair and I’m really enjoying it."

Key Ingredients: Rosemary oil, vitamins, lipids

Hair Type: All, especially dry scalp

Size: 3.4 fl oz

Make no mistake: This Guerlain treatment is an oil, but it's anything but greasy and never weighs down hair. Apply a few drops on the scalp daily to achieve thicker, shinier tresses.

One shopper says: "Fantastic scalp oil, smells divine. Can use on damp scalp before blow drying, at night before bed. Either way, there is never any oily or greasy residue. I tend to have dry scalp, this product calms it down. I am on my third bottle and yes, it’s expensive but worth every cent."

Key Ingredients: Complex with D-Panthenol, pure honey from Ouessant Island, Guerlain exclusive royal jelly

Hair Type: Dry

Size: 1.6 fl oz

Specifically formulated for thinning hair, this stimulating elixir pulls double duty to nourish the scalp and encourage hair growth with the help of 100 percent natural essential and botanical oils, amino acids, and proteins. Bonus: It comes with a roller ball applicator for easy and direct application

One shopper says: "I love the way this product smells. It's amazing. It also does wonders for my dry scalp. I think it is really helping."

Key Ingredients: Borage oil, rosehip oil, apricot kernel oil

Hair type: Aging, fine, thinning

Size: .67 fl oz

A dry, flaky scalp is no match for this JVN pre-wash oil that stimulates the scalp (shoutout to rosemary oil) while improving inflammation and strengthening tresses with hemisqualane and turmeric. Oh, and the citrus scent? Divine.

One shopper writes: "Not only has my hair grown 1.5-2 inches in a month and a bit, my scalp and hair are also the healthiest it’s ever been. For reference I’m putting this into my scalp and massaging for 20-30 minutes before showering. Must have for sure!"

Key Ingredients: Rosemary oil, hemisqualane, turmeric oil

Hair Type: Dry, thinning

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Castor oil is another beloved oil known for its hair growth-boosting properties. This multi-tasker is great for looking for an extra hit of hydration, but it also can be used skin and brows.

One shopper writes: "I started using this product a month ago. My hair has grown 2 inches and my lashes are longer (not much thicker, but definitely longer). I am pleasantly shocked and amazed."

Key Ingredients: Oil

Hair Type: All, thinning

Size: 8 fl oz

It's all in the name. This pre-shampoo elixir is packed with rosemary, avocado, and safflower oils that deeply nourish dry and damaged hair, while simultaneously invigorating the scalp. Yes, it's rich, but you won't have to worry about it weighing down your tresses or leaving a greasy residue.

One shopper says: "It makes my hair grow so fast! ... I use it on my scalp before washing my hair and I also put a little on the tips of my hair after the wash!"

Key Ingredients: Rosemary, avocado, and safflower oils

Hair Type: Dry

Size: 4.2 fl oz

Thanks to a potent blend of fiber-rich peptides, keratin-supporting amino acids, and fortifying proteins, you'll never have to worry about thinning hair or patchiness with this refreshing elixir from Maya Chia.

One shopper raves: "This product works! I've noticed a reduction in the amount of daily hair loss in the shower. My colorist, as someone who really gets into my hair and scalp, always noticed a ton of baby hairs growing. It does take time though, I think I went through about 2 bottles before I even started seeing results."

Key Ingredients: Vegetable collagen, pea peptides, Chinese skullcap, ashwagandha

Hair Type: Thinning, fine

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Calling all folks with curly hair: This nourishing elixir deeply breathes life back into lackluster curls, while reviving a dry, itchy scalp and promoting healthy thickness. So, think: more bounce, less crunch.

One reviewer says: "I don’t know what I was doing without this scalp oil in my life! I have mixed hair and it has been nearly impossible to find products that combat the itchiness I feel between wash days. I highly recommend to anyone who has issues with itchiness."

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, grapeseed oil, lavender oil

Hair Type: All, especially dry and curly

Size: 3 fl oz

Reavey calls Fable & Mane's oil-infused formula "another great pre-wash option that works to stimulate the scalp and strengthen your roots."

One shopper writes: "Seriously this stuff is insane. I’ve only been using it a month and have already noticed growth in my hair."

Key Ingredients: Dashmool, ashwagandha, castor oil

Hair Type: Dry, thinning, damaged hair

Size: 1.8 fl oz

Specifically formulated for congested scalps, this pre-shampoo oil promotes a healthy mane by tackling buildup from and excess, while leaving tresses looking and feeling silky smooth.

One shopper raves: "I repurchased this oil about three times and it's amazing for keeping your hair shiny and healthy! I lost all of my hair a few years ago due to malnutrition and depression and had to regrow my hair. I applied this oil before washing my hair and it did wonders to keep it healthy! My hair now is shoulder."

Key Ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, chia seed oil, castor oil

Hair Type: All

Size: 2 fl oz

Shoppers are obsessed with this oil-based treatment because it not only intensely hydrates, but it also gives some extra TLC to the roots by purifying and creating a healthy environment to promote healthy hair growth.

One reviewer says: "I really like the Cake Scalp Tonic - it has definitely helped to improve the flakiness and overall health of my scalp. My hair stylist recommended this to me for hair thinning and I think it is helping with that as well. It never leaves my hair greasy and smells fantastic."

Key Ingredients: Stem cells from apples, rose oil, rosemary oil

Hair Type: Thinning, fine

Size: 1.69 fl oz

This hair growth oil is loaded with eight follicle-stimulating oils, including rosemary, jojoba, and peppermint, that help achieve thicker, longer, stronger tresses in as early as six weeks.

One shopper writes: "Within a month, I grew new hair and lose less and less as I comb and shower. I’ve been receding a lot over the last few years, but this product is bringing back what I lost faster than I had thought!"

Key Ingredients: Rosemary oil, jojoba oil, peppermint oil

Hair Type: All

Size: 1 fl oz

The best hair growth oils are formulated with scalp-stimulating essential oils, including rosemary, peppermint, and basil leaf. "These ingredients are designed to remove buildup and dead skin cells so the scalp is healthier and blood flow is allowed," explains Reavey.

Outside of oils, Reavey also recommends formulas with phytonutrients, amino acids, and peptides, and caffeine, which are known to stimulate blood flow and strengthen the hair follicle.

Yes, hair growth oils work, but its important to note that "they are typically rinse-off products used to cleanse and hydrate the scalp, prepping it for optimal hair growth," says Reavey.

For best and quick visible results, hair growth oils "must be used on a freshly cleansed scalp, and used daily for maximum results," adds Reavey. "It depends from person to person but since hair grows relatively slowly, it may take around 90 days (which is roughly the duration of one growth cycle) to see noticeable changes in the length, thickness, or overall health of your hair."