10 Best Hair Oils for Faster Hair Growth and Thickness

Who doesn't love beautiful hair? Don't you admire your reflection in the mirror to perfect your hairstyle or gaze at pictures of women with long and shiny locks and wish for such hair? Sadly, the reality is that you find your hair not growing fast and several strands in your comb when you brush your hair. Isn't it?

Well, if you have failed in your attempts to regrow your tresses through salon hair treatments and numerous haircare products, then it is time to look at the basics. Do you remember the time when your mother used to pamper your hair with a warm oil massage? Didn't you feel stress-free and relaxed despite your hair dripping with oil? Wasn't your hair thriving then? Healthy and strong and naturally lustrous. Well, that is exactly what you should aim for now.

Topical hair oils, particularly those that are pure and all-natural are full of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. Massaging such oil to your scalp and hair on a consistent basis will not only help circulate enough oxygen and nutrients to your scalp and hair follicles, but will also jumpstart the process of repairing your existing hair and promote new hair that will be much stronger and healthier than before.

Now that you know how hair oils can benefit your hair, let us know about the ten best hair oils for healthy and shiny mermaid locks.

1. Virgin Coconut Oil

Whenever you talk about long and beautiful mane, you will always hear people recommending coconut oil for hair growth. A versatile oil that contains good amount of fatty acids, minerals, carbs and vitamins, coconut oil is one of the preferred hair oils for nourishing scalp and hair, stimulating hair growth and enhancing its overall health.

Well, if this was not all, then what is all the more advantageous about coconut oil, is that you can revisit your grandma's secret haircare recipes and add herbs like bhringraj, brahmi, rosemary, lavender, curry leaves, amla powder and even flowers like hibiscus to make the oil more potent and cure different hair woes.

Now, with regards to choosing the best coconut oil for your hair, the one that is popularly raved by hair experts and even the health and wellness community is virgin coconut oil. Extracted from fresh coconut milk, this unrefined form of coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and minerals and has more antioxidants than your regular coconut oil - that is typically pressed from dried coconut meat/copra, is refined and laden with additives and preservatives.

Best For: Though coconut oil suits nearly all hair types, it is ideal for people with dry, dull and damaged hair. It is also highly suitable for people who have slow hair growth and hair that is prone to breakage and split ends.

My Recommendation: Max Care Virgin Coconut Oil (Cold Pressed). Can be used for cooking too.

Also Read: Coconut - Amazing Nutrition Facts, Benefits & Products of This 'Superfood'

2. Sweet Almond Oil

Almonds are tasty and super nutritious. The almond oil that is extracted from these edible almonds are obtained from Almond trees (called Prunus amygdalus var. Dulcis) because of their taste and absence of poisonous chemicals. It is this almond oil that you easily procure from online and offline stores and often use for beauty purposes/cooking that is called sweet almond oil.

Sweet almond oil is a rich source of several nutrients, including Vitamin E, Vitamin A, proteins, Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, zinc and antioxidants. These nutrients along with its hydrating properties, helps moisturize scalp and hair, reduce hair thinning and breakage and even prevents split ends. By massaging this oil on the scalp regularly, you can also help soften your hair and promote faster hair growth. 

Best For: Sweet Almond Oil is often called an all-rounder oil as it suits nearly all hair types. However, it is ideal for frizzy, dry and even dull hair. People suffering from thin hair and hair damage are also known to benefit from this oil.

My Recommendation: UrbanBotanics Pure Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil

3. Argan Oil

If there is one oil that has lately caused a craze in the beauty world, then it is the wondrous argan oil. Extracted from the kernels of the fruits of argan tree, this popular Moroccan beauty elixir is known for its hydrating and protective qualities. Being light-weight like olive oil and not that greasy, argan oil can be easily applied to lubricate hair and give that extra softness and shine to your tresses that you have always yearned for.

Rich in antioxidants, Vitamin E, minerals and fatty acids (particularly oleic acid and linoleic acid), this rich golden oil is mostly used to moisturize the hair shafts, stimulate the scalp to promote new hair growth and help prevent dryness and frizziness. Often termed as 'liquid gold', argan oil also boasts of anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe itchy scalp and prevent the follicles from breakage and splitting.

However, to get the maximum benefits of argan oil, it also essential that you get your hand at the right product. Hence, when buying argan oil, go for one that is 100% pure and organic. This would definitely cost you a bit more. But a little of this oil is capable of doing wonders for your hair than an argan oil that is mixed with chemicals.

Best For: Argan Oil is best for dry, unruly and frizzy hair. People with curly hair would also love this nourishing hair growth oil.

My Recommendation: St.Botanica Organic Pure & Cold Pressed Argan Oil

4. Jojoba Oil 

If you have come across shampoos, conditioners and other haircare products and found jojoba oil as one of its staple ingredients, then honestly it is not surprising. Jojoba oil is known for its excellent moisturizing properties and its similarity in characteristics with the natural oil (sebum) produced by our skin. Hence this oil provides excellent hydration to the hair strands, without affecting the scalp's natural pH balance or leaving the hair too greasy.

Jojoba Oil (pronounced as 'ho-ho-ba' oil), is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant. This oil has a good concentration of Vitamin E and B, antioxidants, fatty acids and minerals (particularly zinc). Due to these nutrients and its anti-inflammatory properties, jojoba oil is not only used to fight dandruff and prevent hair fall but also strengthen existing hair and support new hair growth.

Best For: Jojoba oil is ideal for people with dull, dry or damaged hair. People with fine hair, dry scalp issues or even those who want to boost hair growth will find this oil advantageous.

My Recommendation: Organix Mantra Jojoba Carrier Oil

5. Olive Oil

Another highly moisturizing and popular hair oil to grow hair fast and soft is olive oil. Lightweight, rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E and the presence of oleic acid and palmitic acid in this oil gives visible softness and shine to the hair. Additionally, olive oil is also massaged on the scalp and hair to prevent dandruff and used in several DIY hair masks to condition, soften and strengthen hair.

Now, when it comes to improving the quality of your tresses, do not go for any version of olive oil. Use unrefined, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for best results. This version of olive oil is high in quality, as it is not treated with chemicals and retains maximum vitamins, minerals and nutrients from olives.

Best for: Because of its moisturizing properties and for it being a natural conditioner, EVOO is ideally suited for people with frizzy, dry and damaged hair. People suffering from dandruff and subsequent hair fall are also known to benefit considerably from this oil.

My Recommendation: DiSano Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Can be used for cooking too.

6. Castor Oil

Can you use castor oil for hair? Certainly, you can. This oil has been used as a natural beauty remedy and moisturizer since ages. 

Castor oil is very thick and sticky in its consistency. However, it is high in Vitamin E, minerals, proteins, essential omega-6 fatty acids and also has a good presence of ricinoleic acid - which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Besides this, castor oil is also acclaimed for its anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. Because of these reasons, castor oil has been traditionally and topically used for treating hair loss and scalp infections.

As mentioned above, castor oil is heavy and viscous and hence it is not easy to wash it off from hair. A lot of people therefore combine castor oil with other light-weighted carrier oils such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil and even sesame oil before use. A combination of these oils is one of the most popular DIY haircare remedies for stimulating hair regrowth and give the hair a naturally shiny, healthy and moisturized look.

Best For: Castor oil is ideal for people with flaky and itchy scalp and dry hair. People suffering from hair fall and dandruff can also benefit from this oil. 

My Recommendation: Morpheme Remedies Pure Cold Pressed Castor Oil

7. Bhringraj Oil or Bringadi Oil

Bhringraj (also known as False Daisy) is a plant/herb from the sunflower family. In Ayurveda, the leaves of this herb are hailed for treating a number of hair woes. In fact, since centuries bringadi oil and bringadi powder have been used for rejuvenating the scalp, treating hair loss and facilitating the growth of new hair follicles. Regular use of bringadi oil is also known to prevent premature hair graying and adding thickness and luster to the hair.

Now, years back people often used to make bhringraj oil at home. The process was also pretty simple. Just pluck bhringraj leaves, clean and let them dry. These dried leaves were then ground into powdered form and heated in a carrier oil (mostly coconut oil) and then massaged on scalp and hair. Besides this, people also made wet paste of fresh bhringraj leaves or ground them with other herbs and applied them as a hair mask. However, today a lot of people prefer purchasing bringadi oil mixed with other herbs from the stores. This is quite effective too.

Best For: This oil is known for promoting thicker and faster hair growth and reducing hair loss. Good for dry hair.

My Recommendation: Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment

You can read my review of this Ayurvedic oil here.

8. Rosemary Essential Oil

A fragrant evergreen herb, rosemary has been used since ages for its medicinal as well as culinary purposes. For haircare in particular, rosemary oil has been often touted as the best essential oil for hair growth and hair thickness. This amazing oil is specially known for its ability to stimulate blood flow to the scalp and supply nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, which in turn ensures healthy hair growth. In fact, a few studies suggest that regular massage of rosemary oil increases hair thickness at the same rate as minoxidil (which is a topical medication to combat hair loss). 

Since rosemary oil is an essential oil, it is best to use a few drops of it with a carrier oil (like coconut oil, olive oil or jojoba oil) before massaging it on your scalp and hair. You can also add a couple of drops of rosemary essential oil in your shampoos and conditioners and use the products as you normally do or mix them in your homemade hair packs before use.

Best For: People suffering from hair loss or who want to improve their hair texture or are looking to regrow hair, can seriously consider rosemary essential oil for their haircare routine. 

My Recommendation: Sheer Veda Rosemary Essential Oil

9. Lavender Essential Oil 

Another highly fragrant and widely-used essential oil for fast hair growth as well as combating a number of skin issues is lavender oil. Along with a host of beauty benefits, lavender essential oil also boasts of offering relaxation, improving mood, providing relief against migraine, insomnia, anxiety and a host of other health benefits. 

Derived from the beautiful flowers of this herb, lavender essential oil has particularly gained attention for stimulating hair growth and preventing hair thinning. This essential oil also has antimicrobial properties, which may help prevent itchy scalp, dandruff and even head lice. To improve blood circulation in the scalp and increase the number of hair follicles, just blend a few drops of lavender essential oil with carrier oil and massage it on your scalp for about 5-7 minutes on a regular basis.

Best For: Good for all hair types, including dry scalp.

My Recommendation: Aromatique Lavender Essential Oil

10. Sesame Oil 

Extracted from sesame seeds ('til' seeds), this is perhaps one of the best oils when one wants to have a nourishing and calming head massage. 

In Ayurveda, sesame oil holds great significance with respect to offering deep nourishment, boosting hair growth and naturally conditioning the hair. Regularly massaging your scalp and hair with sesame oil is also known to prevent premature graying and revitalizing dull and damaged hair. If that was not all, then the anti-bacterial properties of sesame oil is known to help reduce dandruff and improving scalp health.

Best For: This oil suits all hair types, but particularly good for dry scalp and hair. People who are looking to regrow hair or treat dandruff should definitely give this oil a try.

My Recommendation: Soulflower Sesame Carrier Oil 

Now that you know about the best hair growth oils for lustrous hair, then make it a part of your haircare routine regularly. Supplement this with eating healthy, sleeping for at least 7 hours at night and being gentle with your hair and believe me, you will see your pretty hair looking stunning in the next pictures that you click.