13 Best Hair Oils For Black Hair That Shine And Revitalize, Expert’s Picks
Try these paraben-free, moisturizing hair oils to nourish your hair and aid growth.
Jill Turnbull is an internationally acclaimed freelance hairstylist, colorist, and makeup artist with over 47 years of experience. She founded her own beauty brand and her work has been featured in editorial magazines worldwide.
Jill is also a highly sought-after educator, renowned for her direct, meticulous, and modern approach to hair, makeup, and styling for fashion shoots and advertising campaigns.
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Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
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The kinky, coily, and black hair types are difficult to care for as they are dense and often dry out easily. That’s why you need to find the best hair oils for black hair to seal in the moisture and nourish the hair deeply. The LOC technique also follows the use of oil to provide deep nourishment to the thick hair types.
There are many hair oils available in the market for such hair types, such as coconut oil, argan oil, and so much more. We have made a list of the 13 best hair oils to take care of your precious black and kinky hair type. Have a look to make the best choice.
In This Article
13 Best Hair Oils For Black Hair To Seal Moisture & Nourish It (Buying Guide)
1. Best Anti-Frizz Serum: SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil strengthens and restores your hair. Peppermint, infused in the oil, stimulates the scalp. Shea butter deeply moisturizes the scalp and Jamaican black castor oil promotes hair growth. This oil penetrates deep into the scalp and treats each strand with minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients, promoting healthy hair. The oil is also known to strengthen and condition the hair and minimize breakage.. Provide the best restorative care to your hair with a few drops of this hair oil. Learn more from this video detailing a reviewer’s experience of using this product.
Key Ingredients: Jamican black castor oil, peppermint, organic shea butter
Pros
- No sulfate
- No parabens
- No phthalates
- No mineral oil
- No animal testing
- No petrolatum
- Easy-to-use
Cons
- Smells like coconut oil
"This product has worked well on my curly hair. My damaged hair has been restored to good shape after using this product. It smoothes my frizzy hair and makes my hair healthier. It also reduces hair breakage."
2. Best For Natural Hair Growth: THE Mane CHOICE Multi-Vitamin Scalp Nourishing Growth Oil
THE Mane CHOICE Multi-Vitamin Scalp Nourishing Growth Oil contains an enriching blend of multivitamins and nutrients. These ingredients enhance natural hair growth and retention. The vitamins C and D, biotin, and tocopherol derivatives revitalize and restore hair structure to hold moisture and protein. This gentle formula also contains sealing oils of castor seed, coconut, sweet almond, jojoba seed, grapeseed, evening primrose, and tea tree leaves.
The potent extracts of chamomile flower, sage leaf, sunflower seeds, aloe leaf, and nettle leaf keep the hair healthy and strong. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of the tea tree oil help treat dandruff issues and keep the scalp clean. This non-greasy oil nourishes your scalp without weighing the hair down. It penetrates the roots easily and retains the natural black pigments of hair fibers. Learn more about this product in this video detailing a tester’s experience of using the product.
Key Ingredients: Soybean oil, Castor seed oil, Sweet almond oil, Rosemary extract, Sunflower seed extract, Tea tree leaf oil, Jojoba oil, Coconut oil, Aloe leaf juice, and Biotin
Pros
- Lightweight
- Suitable for daily use
- Pleasant smell
- Non-greasy
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- Might cause itchiness
"I have been using this lightweight hair oil regularly and I am satisfied with the results. It comes with a pleasant smell. The oil does not feel greasy on the scalp, making it my top pick. It has also helped me keep my scalp clean."
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 4,627 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
3. Best For Physical Stress: Cantu Shea Butter Daily Oil Moisturizer
The Cantu Shea Butter Daily Oil Moisturizer is made with pure shea butter and essential oils that soften your hair. It prevents breakage and restores moisture to damaged hair and soothes the scalp. This hair moisturizer contains canola oil, vitamin E, and panthenol that condition dry and brittle hair.
These natural emollients reduce split ends, repair sun damage, and control frizz without weighing the hair down. This oil enhances shine and luster and adds a healthy bounce to your hair. You can apply it as a leave-in heat protectant before heat-treating or styling your hair to prevent chemical and physical stress. This cruelty-free product is suitable for colored, permed, and heat-treated hair. This video will provide you with added insights based on a tester’s experience of using the product.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Canola oil, Panthenol, Vitamin E, Limonene, and Linalool
Pros
- Suitable for colored, permed, and heat-treated hair
- Reduces split ends
- Provides heat protection
- Lightweight
- Cruelty-free
- Long-lasting
- Adds fragrance to hair
- Adds shine
Cons
- Contains parabens
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Almost 6,660 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.
| SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil | THE Mane CHOICE Multi-Vitamin Scalp Nourishing Growth Oil | Cantu Shea Butter Daily Oil Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | All | All | Dry |
| Dimensions | 1.35 x 2 x 6 inches | 4.4 x 1.6 x 1.4 inches | 2.19 x 2.19 x 8.75 inches |
| Weight | 2 Ounces. | 4 Ounces | 11.2 Ounces |
| Weight | - | 4 Ounces | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 4,693 | 4,627 | 6,660 |
| Price | $11.53 | $9.99 | $4.97 |
4. Best Petrolatum-Free: CB Smoothe Wild Jamaican Black Castor Oil
The CB Smoothe Wild Jamaican Black Castor Oil contains vitamin E, biotin, niacin, carrot oil, grape seed oil, and peppermint oil, with a base of black castor, soybean, and olive oils. These ingredients improve blood circulation in the scalp and stimulate healthy hair growth.
This hair oil controls frizz and breakage and restores moisture levels of the hair. The zinc and sulfur strengthen the hair and protect it from chemical stress. The product is suitable for all hair textures and types and is free of parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, and formaldehyde. Multiple reviewers suggest using this oil to calm your scalp and promote hair growth.
Key Ingredients: Black castor oil, Soybean oil, Carrot oil, Olive oil, Grapeseed oil, Wheat germ oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary extract, Biotin, and Niacin
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Stimulates new hair growth
- Sulfate-free
- Suitable for all hair types
- Petrolatum-free
- Lightweight
- Pleasant smell
- Formaldehyde-free
Cons
- Might irritates the eyes and scalp
"This lightweight hair oil has stimulated my hair growth. The smell is also pleasant and the oil takes care of my scalp health. It also prevents hair breakage and unwanted hair loss."
5. Best To Use Bald Patches: Aunt Jackie’s Repair My Hair Argan
The Aunt Jackie’s Repair My Hair Argan is a natural hair oil infused with vitamins and argan extracts. It has a base of essential, deep-penetrating carrier oils like castor seed, coconut, and soybean oils. These nourishing ingredients prevent breakage, treat split ends, and reduce hair thinning. This hair oil nourishes and moisturizes from roots to retain the natural black pigments.
You can use it as the “O” step in your LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method. This product stimulates healthy hair growth in bald patches and traction alopecia spots when used regularly as a hot oil treatment. It adds shine to the hair when used as a finishing step for any protective style. This hair oil is suitable for all hair types, promotes hair health, and is free of harmful chemicals, mineral oils, and petrolatum.
Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, Coconut oil, Soybean oil, Argan kernel oil, Carrot root extract, and Citric acid
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Pleasant smell
- Adds softness to the hair
- Petrolatum-free
- Adds sheen
- No product buildup
- Easy to wash off
Cons
- Difficult to apply
- Not suitable for low porosity hair
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 2,499 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
6. Best For Heat-Treated Hair: African Pride Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils
The African Pride Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils has a base of five carrier oils – castor seed, coconut, grapeseed, argan, and olive oils. These oils restore moisture and promote faster hair growth. Castor oil nourishes the hair, grapeseed oil provides thermal protection, and argan oil imparts shine to the hair.
This hair oil improves blood and nutrient circulation in the scalp and reduces hair shedding and breakage. It contains vitamin E that conditions dry and heat-treated hair. This product is free of parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, and petrolatum. Reviews on Amazon highly recommend this product if you are interested in boosting your hair health in two weeks.
Key Ingredients: Castor oil, Grapeseed oil, Argan oil, Coconut oil, and Olive oil
Pros
- Pleasant smell
- Prevents hair breakage
- Enhances hair elasticity
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- May trigger hair fall
- Dries out hair
"This hair oil has helped me greatly. It has a pleasant smell and has reduced my hair breakage. It is extremely lightweight and my hair elasticity has improved after using this. This product has also improved my hair fall issues."
7. Best For Hot Massage: Taliah Waajid African Healing Oyl
The Taliah Waajid African Healing Oyl can be used on the hair and skin to restore moisture. It contains nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil that coat your hair with a natural, black sheen and prevent moisture loss.
This oil boosts hair thickness and softens dry and less porous hair. It penetrates the scalp and moisturizes the hair roots. This product also strengthens the hair strands to prevent breakage and shedding. You can use it for hot massage oil, as a leave-in conditioner on wet hair, or as a finishing step to any hairstyle.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Olive oil, Almond oil, and Sunflower seed oil
Pros
- Pleasant smell
- Adds moisture and hydration to the scalp
- Reduces dryness
- Easy to apply
- Can be used on the hair and body
Cons
- None
"This hair oil has a pleasant smell. It adds a good amount of moisture to my scalp. It treats my dry hair and also helps with unwanted hair breakage."
Pro Tip8. Best Anti-Breakage Oil: Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Treatment Oil to Strengthen & Lengthen Curls
The Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Treatment Oil is a great option for people with curly or wavy hair. Achieve a gorgeous mane of big, bouncy curls with its combination of natural oils and nourishing ingredients like vitamin E. This oil is especially beneficial for people with split ends or breakage-prone hair. It helps define your curls and protects against damage. This product is excellent for everyday use and can be applied on damp or dry hair for strong, healthy, and shiny hair. Amazon reviewers say that this lightweight oil is perfect for dry and damaged hair.
Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, Olive oil, Jojoba oil, Coconut oil, Black cumin seed oil, Linseed oil, Castor oil, Soybean oil, and Ginger
Pros
- Vegan
- Lightweight
- Mineral oil-free
- No artificial color
- Petroleum-free
- Suitable for daily use
Cons
- Unpleasant fragrance
Pro Tip9. Best Bath Oil: Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil
The Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil can be used on the hair, body, and nails. The unique all-natural formula conditions a dry scalp and the hair. This oil contains a restoring active blend of sweet almond, coconut, castor, soybean, carrot, and grape seed oils that improve scalp health.
These carrier oils are enriched with extracts of ginseng, sage, Persian walnut, and aloe to stimulate natural hair growth and pigment retention. This oil moisturizes dense, textured hair and thick beards, providing restorative care. When used as a bath oil, its fragrance elevates the shower experience. You can also use it on your nail cuticles to accelerate and maintain nail growth. It is recommended to conduct a patch test before use as it contains oil from different nuts and might trigger a reaction.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, Coconut oil, Carrot oil, Grapeseed oil, Castor oil, Ginseng extract, and Persian walnut extract
Pros
- Soothes the scalp
- Vegan
- Soothes itching
- Can be used on the body and nails
- Rejuvenating smell
- Controls frizz
- Detangles the hair
- Affordable
- Unisex
Cons
- None
"This hair oil helps with my itching scalp. It has also reduced the frizz in my hair. It moisturizes the hair and helps in hair growth. Another good thing is that this oil can be used on the body and nails as well."
Pro Tip10. Best For Dry Hair: Northwest Scents™ Peppermint Hair Oil
The Northwestern Scents Peppermint Hair Oil is scented with peppermint essential oil. It contains coconut and olive oils as the carrier base, which seals in the moisture to nourish dry, coarse, and textured hair.
Peppermint essential oil gives a cool, tingling effect when massaged on the scalp. The oil acts as a deep conditioner that soothes dry and itchy scalp and moisturizes chemically treated, colored, brittle, and dull hair. It can also be used in hot oil treatments and as a thermal protectant before hair styling. Reviewers on Amazon love the cooling effect of this oil as it soothes the itchy scalp and provides proper nourishment to your hair.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Peppermint essential oil, and Olive oil
Pros
- Soothes the scalp
- Controls hair fall
- Minimizes color fading
- Refreshing smell
- Non-greasy
- Suitable for chemically treated and colored hair
- Affordable
- Acts as a thermal protectant
Cons
- None
11. Best Vitamins And Minerals Oil: Genuine African Formula SuperGrow Hair and Scalp Oil
The Genuine African Formula SuperGrow Hair and Scalp Oil is a lightweight, leave-in nourishing treatment. It promotes black hair growth by restoring moisture and nutrition in the clogged hair follicles.
This product contains deep-penetrating carrier oils of coconut, Jamaican black castor seed, olive, avocado, sweet almond, and olive with vitamins A, D, and E. It also contains other nourishing ingredients like African shea butter, walnuts, and apricot extracts that are rich in essential fats. These active ingredients reinforce hair fiber strength, texture, and natural black shine. The oil improves blood circulation when massaged into the scalp without any irritation or side effects. It creates a protective layer on each hair strand to shield them from environmental damage. Multiple Amazon reviews suggest using this oil to soothe your irritated scalp and also stimulate the follicles for hair growth.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, Jamaican black castor oil, Avocado oil, African shea butter, and Genuine African formula proprietary essential grow oil
Pros
- Subtle fragrance
- Gentle formula
- Stimulates hair growth
- Lightweight
Cons
- Insufficient quantity
"I have made this hair oil a part of my hair care routine and am happy with the results. It has stimulated my hair growth. The product comes with a subtle fragrance and is extremely lightweight."
12. Best For Hair Extensions: Black Queen Carrot Oil Sheen
The Black Queen Carrot Oil Sheen is an alcohol-free hair moisturizing formula made with carrot oil extract. It softens and smoothes coarse and dry hair by restoring moisture balance and adding a natural sheen.
This oil contains a base of nourishing ingredients like coconut, safflower, soybean, jojoba, and avocado oils. Essential vitamins A, D, and E improve the texture, porosity, and protein retention in the hair. You can also use this oil on hair extensions, locks, braids, wigs, and patches without any itchiness. This oil is also suitable for flaky, irritated, and sensitive scalp and skin.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Carrot oil extract, Jojoba oil, and Avocado oil
Pros
- Alcohol-free
- Adds shine
- Suitable for human and synthetic hair
- Moisturizes the hair
- Minimizes scalp irritation
- Affordable
Cons
- May feel greasy
13. Best Gluten Free Ingredients: Wild Growth Hair Oil
The Wild Growth Hair Oil softens and detangles coarse, difficult-to-manage hair. It contains nourishing ingredients like coconut, jojoba, and olive oils that strengthen brittle, lifeless hair. The active extracts of sage, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and geranium amp up this hair oil’s therapeutic value.
Shea butter makes your hair frizz- and tangle-free without drying out the scalp. This hypoallergenic oil reduces the blow-drying time and temperature needed to style your hair. You can also use this oil on the eyelashes, brows, and nails for fast growth and maintenance. Multiple reviews on Amazon recommend this product for hair growth and to increase hair volume.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, Pumpkin seed oil, Olive oil, Sage extract, and Sesame seed extract
Pros
- Controls frizz
- Improves manageability
- Non-drying
- Can be used on the eyebrows, nails, and eyelashes
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Might feel greasy
Mentioned below are a few points to check before buying oil for black hair to make the right choice. Keep scrolling to read.
Things To Consider When Buying Hair Oil For Black Hair
- Type Of Oil: Pick a natural hair oil over synthetic butter blends. Natural hair oils contain active ingredients that are absorbed easily into the hair. Natural oils are heat-stable and can be used safely in hot oil treatments. Synthetic blends may cause product buildup and will not provide the restorative care that is needed for your hair. Coconut, castor seed, sweet almond, olive, jojoba, argan, and avocado oils are a few natural oil options you should try.
- Hair Porosity: Highly porous hair tends to absorb and retain oils, making it difficult to wash off. You may have to use more shampoo or rinse longer, which further damages the hair and scalp. Low-porosity hair needs either rich emollients or high temperatures to push oils through the cuticles. If not, oil gets built up on the scalp causing odor, dampness, and dermatitis.
Therefore, first, check your hair porosity and then go for an oil blend instead of a single, pure natural oil. This way, you can ensure your hair takes up maximum oil without any post-wash issues.
- Active Ingredients: Most hair oils contain active ingredients like vitamins, herbal extracts, or added minerals. These additives enhance the therapeutic properties of the hair oil and deliver essential nutrients to the hair. Depending on your hair type, look for products that contain extracts of sage, rosemary, peppermint, walnut, hibiscus, sunflower seed, apricot, geranium, carrot, and sesame seed. Essential vitamins C, D, A, and E help promote blood circulation. If your hair is coarse, dry, and itchy, try oils with shea butter or avocado oil for an extra moisture boost.
Another aspect to consider before buying is the difference between moisturizing and sealing oils. Let’s know what they are in the following section.
Difference Between Moisturizing Oil And Sealing Oil
Moisturizing oils penetrate easily into the hair and scalp. They have small molecules that seep through low-porosity hair and densely packed cuticles. These oils are relatively thin, less viscous, and spread easily. Coconut, olive, sweet almond, and safflower oils are moisturizing oils commonly used on textured hair.
On the other hand, sealing oils are thick and coat the hair. They have large molecules that deposit on the surface of the hair and seal them with moisture. They are viscous and do not get absorbed quickly into the hair and scalp. You can find them in hair masks, creams, or mousse. Castor seed, avocado, jojoba, and rice bran oils are sealing oils.
Note: Choose a natural blend of both types of oils to moisturize the scalp and hair and keep your hair soft and frizz-free. Also, take scalp and skin issues into account as skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis can worsen when you use sealing or thick oils.
Infographic: Ingredients To Look For In Nourishing Hair Oils For Black Hair
Black hair requires constant care and nourishment. You can never go wrong with hair oils for this. They smooth the hair, seal in moisture, and keep it from drying out. But how do you pick the best one? Check out the infographic below to learn about the best ingredients to look for in hair oils for black hair.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Textured hair like 4C can dry out and become brittle easily. Using oils can moisturize the cuticles and keep the hair soft and shiny. These natural oils not only nourish the hair but also aid hair growth. There are many such hair oils like argan oil and coconut oil. They are lightweight, non-greasy, and paraben-free. To stimulate and deeply moisturize the scalp, go for the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil. If you want more hair growth and retention, the THE Mane CHOICE Multi-Vitamin Scalp Nourishing Growth Oil may be a suitable choice, while the Cantu Shea Butter Daily Oil Moisturizer is good for softening the hair. The products on our list are non-greasy and do not trigger any allergies. They are suitable for all hair types and work amazingly as a scalp treatment.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Oyendrila Kanjilal, the author of this article, is a haircare enthusiast and a certified skincare coach. To assist her readers in finding the best hair oils for black hair, she read several customer reviews and product details and compiled a list of the most effective ones. These listed products can provide your hair with the required nourishment and make your mane look healthy and gorgeous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I oil black hair?
You can oil your black hair once every week to rejuvenate your hair with nutrients. Apply oil evenly to your hair and leave it overnight and shampoo your hair the next day. You can also use a spritz of oil to moisturize your hair as and when required.
What are the disadvantages of hair oil?
Most of the oils are heavy-weight oils that might weigh down your hair. Oil in your hair might attract pollutants and dirt and make it greasy.
Can we apply oil on wet black hair?
Yes, you can apply oil on wet black hair. This will help seal in the moisture and will make your hair more manageable.
Does applying daily hair oil increase hair growth?
No, oiling your hair improves nourishment and smoothens your dry hair but it doesn’t ensure increased hair growth. If you wish to see new hair growth, go for castor oil or formulas that have unique compositions to promote hair growth.
Is black seed oil good for black hair?
Yes, black seed oil darkens your hair and prevents your hair from turning gray.
Which oils are the best for hair growth and thickness for black hair?
Castor oil helps in better blood circulation on your scalp and encourages hair growth. Tea tree oil stimulates dormant hair follicles and makes your hair grow thicker.
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