10 Best Oils for Curly Hair That a Texture Expert Loves for Moisturized, Shiny Curls
The road to smooth, bouncy curls right this way...
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Dealing with moisture loss is a daily reality in the curl community. If that sounds targeted at you, a reminder is probably unnecessary. More than likely, your beauty arsenal is already equipped with all the best curl products, including hair mousse, curl cream, hair gel, cleansing conditioner, and everyone's favorite, hair oil—i.e., an MVP curl product that's jam-packed with rich emollients your hair will love. Listen, I'm sure by now you've got a good idea of what works on your curls and coils, but I guarantee there are some new formulations—and oldies but goodies you have yet to try!— worth trying that may earn a permanent spot in your rotation.
Our top picks for the best oils for curly hair in 2024:
This Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award-Winning Curly Hair Oil
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Read more
Texture expert and hairstylist Jasmine “Jazzee” Green explains that the best oils for curly hair can be a game changer in your routine thanks to ingredients that work to lock in moisture, potentially promote hair growth, soothe your scalp, smooth hair cuticles, and enhance your curl pattern when combo'd with the right styling creams. So, to help level up your curls and hair routine, I tapped Green, and we did the work for you. Here are the best oils for curly hair on the market to try now.
Pros
- Pretty easy to apply this formula evenly due to the consistency
Cons
- Scent is quite strong, and although a majority of testers love it, some may find it overwhelming
We at Cosmo have a long history of loving Fable & Mane's line of products for curly hair. This one, in particular, has been referred to as the "unicorn of oils" by former Deputy Beauty Director Chloe Metzger due to its ability to work beautifully on both coarse and fine curls. The magic formulation uses a blend of six oils—including castor, coconut, and jojoba—in the perfect ratio, which works to define your curl pattern, moisturize dry ends, and add a whole 'lotta shine. For coarser hair types, use a whole dropper, and for finer hair, a few drops should do the trick.
- Key oil(s): Castor, coconut, jojoba
Glowing customer review: "Wow! First off, this smells heavenly!!! I love this hair oil. My hair is very thick and curly; a little goes a long way with this product, and it helps to give me beautiful shiny salon-style hair. It works great as a heat protectant when I diffuse for gorgeous bouncy curls!"
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Pros
- Science-backed studies show that rosemary oil may promote hair growth
Cons
- Rosemary essential oil may be irritating on sensitive skin types
If you've ever found yourself falling down a Reddit curly hair thread, watching TikTok beauty influencers, or talking to anyone with curls, Mielle's rosemary oil has most likely been a part of that convo. In fact, we love it so much that we gave it a Holy Grail Beauty Award this year thanks to its affordable price and blend of hair-growth-promoting rosemary oil, antibacterial tee tree oil, and a slew of emollients. Despite past and recent controversies, Mielle is still loved by many in the curly community, and as someone who personally is a fan, I've noticed fuller, thicker hair with consistent use.
- Key oil(s): Rosemary, tee tree, soybean, castor, jojoba, grape seed
Glowing customer review: "I bought this product to help with genetic hair loss. I have only been using it for 2 weeks, and I believe I'm noticing the baby hairs at the top of my head are a bit longer and more pronounced now...however, this oil has provided another benefit I didn't expect: it's restored my natural curl pattern. I oil my hair, massage it in, and let it 'marinate' for a couple of hours every wash day (every 2/3 days), and I've noticed my hair air dries SO wavy now, with almost no tangles. As someone who has struggled to preserve and take care of my wavy hair, this was a lifesaver. My hair looks properly curly and voluminous now (as opposed to stringy and frizzy before), such that my bald spots are MUCH less noticeable."
Pros
- Testers love how quickly this oil absorbs into their hair, which is not common for those with low-porosity
Cons
- Contains silicones, so it's important to use a clarifying shampoo weekly to avoid build-up
Y'all chose Gisou's signature honey-infused oil as the top hair oil pick in our annual Reader's Choice Beauty Awards thanks to its "shiny," "silky," and "super-soft" results. Another fan? Texture expert and hairstylist Jasmine “Jazzee” Green. She says this is an A+ pick for low-porosity hair because "the honey acts as a humectant drawing in moisture." This means that it's lightweight enough to not feel heavy on your easily weighed-down hair. The formulation uses ingredients that can penetrate your cuticle and oils that seal all that good-good moisture in.
- Key oil(s): Sweet almond, coconut, argan
Glowing customer review: "I used a few drops on damp hair after washing, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. It spread easily and absorbed quickly, leaving my hair feeling soft and nourished without any greasy residue. For styling, I also used it on dry hair to tame flyaways and add shine. It worked well in small amounts, enhancing the overall smoothness and manageability of my hair. Given my dry and frizzy hair, the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil provided excellent hydration and frizz control. It made my curls more defined and added a healthy shine."
Pros
- Great for weaves, braids, and extensions
Cons
- Will definitely be too heavy on low-porosity hair types
Type 4 coils are naturally drier and need heavy butters and oils to lock in hydration and maintain moisture. Green says for dry hair, you want oils like castor and coconut or even shea butter, as these are "thick enough to hold on to your hair shaft and not dissipate too quickly." This one from Coil Bar uses coconut oil and shea butter to effectively seal in moisture. Testers who are advocates of the LOC (leave-in, oil, cream) method also love this formula for super-defined results.
- Key oil(s): Coconut oil, shea butter
Glowing customer review: "This oil is great! I have been using it for a week now and my hair is softer and shinier. I have had no breakage either. I use this oil daily for twist-outs or wash-and-gos. It does not leave your hair feeling weighed down at all."
Pros
- Loved by industry pros and beauty editors
Cons
- This is the travel size, and although a little goes a long way, it gets quite pricey
Moisture loss is curly hair enemy number one, so if you're not using a heat protectant before hot tools, WRYD?! This formula from Kérastase is a fan-fave and combo's heat protection with major silky-shininess, all while nixing frizz. "I love this oil for when I want to blow out my curls and wear a straight style for a few days," says Green. Not to mention, it also smells really freaking good, thanks to the luxe blend of the cedar/cashmere notes that continue to linger on your hair for quite a while after application.
- Key oil(s): Camellia, argan
Glowing customer review: "This Kerastase hair oil is AMAZING! I'm already a fan of its products, and this one didn't disappoint. The smell is heavenly, and it works wonders on my frizz. My curls look super shiny and bouncy, and it never makes my hair feel heavy or greasy, even tho I can be terribly heavy-handed!"
Pros
- Adds a super subtle, natural-looking shimmer to your hair with the pink mica
Cons
- Not yet available for purchase at a mass retailer
If you want your curls to have a diamond-like glow, you'll love this brand-new finishing oil from luxe haircare line Emi Jay. Green explains that if you want to lock in moisture, enhance your curl definition, and/or nix frizz—all typical goals of type 3 curls—you want to look for a lightweight formulation. This one has a combo of moisturizing, but not too heavy, oils (hi, passion fruit, moringa, and sweet almond) that feel virtually weightless upon application.
- Key oil(s): Passion fruit, moringa, sweet almond
Glowing editor review: "I'm obsessed with the glowing finish this oil leaves on my hair post-application. I never have to worry about it leaving my hair limp or greasy, either, as it is super lightweight."
Pros
- Fragrance-free formula that's safe to use on those who suffer with eczema, sensitivities, and acne
Cons
- Due to its lightweight texture, some testers had trouble applying it evenly
If you have fine, thin, curly hair and are always in search of ways to define your curl pattern while achieving more volume, you know it's a very delicate balance between volumizing products and completely weighing your hair down. The solution: lightweight curl products like this serum from Seen. Super fine and thin curls don't do well with heavy emollients, so swap your typical hair oil for this hair serum. Using just three ingredients—hemisqualane and ethylhexyl olivate (alternatives to silicone), and squalane—the formulation provides smoothness and moisture without adding extra weight.
- Key oil(s): Squalane
Glowing customer review: "After shampooing my curly hair, I use this serum to help restore moisture and shine to my otherwise dull hair. This product also works to define and tame my frizzy curls in combination with the Seen curl cream. I guess fairytales do come true because this Seen serum definitely works like magic for my 4a hair type."
Pros
- Testers who used the formula consistently over a period of time noticed significant changes in their hair health and moisture
Cons
- Won't magically regrow your hair, instead it creates an optimal environment for hair growth
FYI, the secret behind healthy hair all comes down to the health of your scalp. If you're dealing with dryness, flakes, or build-up, there's a good chance hair growth will be inhibited. This oil is a favorite of Green's to promote a healthy scalp and hair growth. Applying this on your scalp twice daily, followed by a good head massage to really get it in there is suggested for best results, says Green. In turn, your dry scalp and hair will get some moisture, and your cuticle health may improve. Because of the twice-daily application, "be sure to shampoo once or twice per week to avoid clogging pores," says Green.
- Key oil(s): Castor, peppermint
Glowing customer review: "I have been recently losing a lot of my hair. I have gained bald spots all around my edges. Even though I have more of a wavy to straight hair type I wanted to try this out. This has honestly helped me sooo much. I have noticed more baby hairs on my edges. I really recommend this. I used it as many times a day. Does not leave my hair feeling oily but more moisturizing."
Pros
- Testers loved how it relieved itching due to their protective hair style
Cons
- Super heavy, so you'll need to use sparingly if you don't need that extra moisture
This super emollient-heavy shea butter, tea tree, and jojoba oil blend is perfect for weaves, extensions, and braids. Due to its rich consistency, it can moisturize even the driest of areas on your scalp and hair, revealing extra shine, protecting against breakage, and encouraging healthier hair. It's also great for use with braids, especially if you're prone to dryness and flakiness, as the shape of the tip nozzle makes application easy.
- Key oil(s): Tea tree, jojoba, shea butter
Glowing customer reviews: "This was the perfect product to use with braids (extensions) due to the design of the tip. I was able to squeeze some on my scalp (straight from the bottle) and work it in w/my fingertips," one tester writes. "I am prone to dandruff and lots of itching when in cornrows or braids, haven't experienced any of that while using this product," adds another.
Pros
- Beyond lightweight formula that smoothes frizz and flyaways without adding weight
Cons
- If you have coarse or super-dry hair, you may need another layer of curl cream for added moisture
Committed to clean? I gotchu with this natural, organic, and ultra-clean pick from Nuele that won last year's Cosmo Clean Beauty Awards. Jazmin Alvarez, the founder of Pretty Well Beauty and one of our award experts, is obsessed with this formula. "I love this for smoothing frizz in an instant, and it protects my hair before heat styling, too. The ingredients are clean, simple, and effective," Alvarez told Cosmo.
- Key oil(s): Jojoba, argan, rosemary
Glowing customer review: "Strengthens 4b/c hair. No more clumps of hair while washing and blow drying. Love using it on wet hair before drying as a heat protectant. I only use it a couple of times throughout the week until the next wash day."
How to choose the best oil for curly hair:
Consider your hair porosity
"Hair porosity and density play a significant role in how your hair absorbs and feels while using an oil," says hairstylist Jasmine "Jazzee" Green. We have an all-you-need-to-know hair porosity guide, but as a general rule of thumb, know this: Hair porosity means how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture, and this all depends on the structure of your hair cuticle—i.e., how "open" or "closed" your cuticle is.
To make it even a little more confusing, your curl type (3a-3c) or coil type (4a-4c) is totally separate from your hair porosity. For example, one person's 4b hair may need something totally different than another person's 4b hair. Let's break down each porosity with recommendations from Green...
High-porosity hair
Your cuticles are open and raised; moisture absorbs quickly, but it leaves just as fast. Use a fatty, heavier oil throughout your hair, Green explains, adding that these oils are thick enough to hold on to your hair shaft and not dissipate too quickly. Because your hair craves moisture, heavier oils won't leave it feeling weighed down or greasy. "Castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or even shea butter are best for high porosity hair," says Green.
Medium-porosity hair
Your cuticles are spaced normally; moisture can come and leave at a balanced rate. Green says medium-porosity hair can have the best of all worlds in terms of oils. "These hair types will have good results with most oils," she says, adding that specifically, she has found black seed oil or grape seed oils to work well.
Low-porosity hair
Your cuticles are tight; it's difficult for moisture to enter your hair shaft, but once it does, your hair will retain it extremely well. "To lock in moisture, enhance curl definition, or decrease frizz, an oil that is light in texture will offer the best results. Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or argan oil are best for low-porosity hair, Green says.
Know when to apply oils in your routine
"There is no oil in the world that will make your hair feel soft and supple or look shiny and healthy if you are in need of a haircut," says Green, adding that the only remedy for dry, brittle split ends is to cut them off. That being said, you can incorporate oils at specific times in your haircare routine to protect your hair from split ends and maintain your curl shape.
- For moisture and curl definition, Green recommends pairing the oils with styling cream, gel, or mousse for added curl definition. If you want to maximize the moisture benefits, "do a hot oil treatment weekly or biweekly," she says. You can also add oils to your deep conditioning treatment or even blow oils into your hair as part of preparation for a protective style.
- For scalp health and hair growth, Green loves a pre-poo or overnight treatment. No, oil won't make your hair magically regrow overnight, but it can moisturize your scalp and hair cuticle to create the right environment for hair growth. And while most oils that claim to give you longer, thicker hair aren't backed by science, right now, a 2023 study shows promising hair growth results with rosemary oil. Green says to make sure you dilute the rosemary oil as it can cause irritation, or to make it easier, just buy an oil with rosemary oil already mixed into the formula.
Quick PSA(s): If you're using all these heavy oils—with some that may contain silicones—you're going to run into product buildup, particularly so if you have low-porosity hair. Make sure to cleanse on a normal schedule, depending on your hair type.
Meet the expert:
- Jasmine “Jazzee” Green is a hairstylist and texture expert based in New York, New York.
Why trust Cosmo?
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan, and has four years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing hair stories, like the best shampoos for curly hair and the best hair mousses. She works with the industry’s top hairstylists and cosmetic chemists to assess formulas and brands, while working with curl experts to find the newest and greatest products on the market.
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