The Kiehl’s Magic Elixir Scalp and Hair Oil Treatment is our best overall
Scalp health is often overlooked. When you want to give it a little TLC, it’s not always clear whether a skincare or haircare approach is best. Plant oils fall somewhere in between—they can do wonders not only for the skin on your scalp but also for the hair that grows from it.
According to UK-based trichologist Kate Holden, there are many potential benefits of applying oils to the scalp. “Tea tree, peppermint, ginger, and cade oil can help alleviate itchy scalps and reduce inflammation,” she tells Byrdie. “Coconut oil is sometimes recommended as an emollient to help with dry skin and dandruff, and there is some evidence that rosemary oil may help with hair growth.”
Ready to give your scalp the nourishment it deserves? We tapped an expert for recommendations, scoured the internet, read through countless reviews, and even tried a few top-rated products for ourselves. The result: This list of treatments that actually work, based on scalp-loving ingredients like avocado, tea tree, and rosemary oils, and how well they work to treat a wide range of concerns like dry, itchy, or thinning scalps. We then cross referenced our expert-recommended picks with top-rated products (aka those that have garnered five-star reviews and Byrdie staff praise).
Best Overall: Kiehl’s Magic Elixir Scalp and Hair Oil Treatment
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.1
You’ll also get a dose of rosemary oil, which, as Holden notes, has been shown to support hair growth.2 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.
Best Budget: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
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.
Best Drugstore: Derma E Scalp Relief Treatment
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.34 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.
Best Splurge: Philip B CBD Scalp + Body Oil
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.
Best Serum: The Body Shop Ginger Scalp Serum
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.
Best for Dandruff: Rahua Founder’s Blend Scalp & Hair Treatment
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.
Best for Damaged Hair: Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Hair & Scalp Oil
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.6 In the brand’s clinical trial, 94 percent of users reported less breakage.
Best for Wigs, Braids, and Weaves: SheaMoisture Tea Tree and Borage Seed Oil Scalp Soother Oil Serum
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.
Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Jojoba Oil Hair Serum
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.
Best Pre-Shampoo: JVN Complete Pre-Wash Scalp & Hair Treatment Oil
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.
Best Exfoliating: Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment
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.7 In the brand’s clinical trial, 94 percent of users said it minimized itchiness, too.
Best Non-Greasy: The Mane Choice The Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Growth Oil
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.
Best Itch-Relief: As I Am Dry & Itchy Scalp Care Oil Treatment
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.
Best Overnight: Aveda Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum
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.
Best for Hair Growth: Revela The Growth Concentrate
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).
Final Verdict
The best scalp oil overall is Kiehl’s Magic Elixir Scalp and Hair Oil Treatment, a multitasking treatment that moisturizes, nourishes, soothes, and supports healthy hair growth. For those on a budget, we recommend Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, which tackles dandruff, itchiness, and hair loss.
What to Look For in a Scalp Oil
Type
If you already experiencing some itchiness or flaking, you’ll want to help treat the area with a scalp oil that has soothing ingredients, like the As I Am Dry & Itchy Scalp Care Oil Treatment. (If your skin is inflamed or flaking excessively, see a medical professional.) However, if your scalp is already in tip-top condition, opt for a well-rounded formula containing ingredients designed to keep your scalp balanced and hydrated (like the JVN Complete Pre-Wash Scalp & Hair Treatment Oil).
Consider Your Individual Needs
Just like you would with skincare concerns, base your scalp oil choice on what your scalp needs. What works for one scalp may not be a benefit to another. Thanks to today’s massive offering, you’ll find options specially formulated for oily scalp, dry scalp, curly hair, thinning hair—you name it. Those dealing with extra-dry scalps might especially like the Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment. Those with curly hair will love the Pattern Jojoba Oil Hair Serum, which was designed for curls and coils.
Ingredients
Do you find yourself to be a fan of a certain ingredient because you love what it does for your skin? Then you’ll most likely love what it could do for your scalp, too. And like skincare, trendy ingredients like hyaluronic acid, argan oil, biotin, and even niacinamide (vitamin B3) are making their way into many a scalp oil formulation. The Aveda Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum, for example, is loaded with a bunch of skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ginger root extract, giving it similar benefits to a skincare serum.
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.8 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.
