Dry, Itchy, and Thinning Scalps Are No Match for These Scalp Oils Recommended by Experts (2024)

With scalp health, it's not always clear whether a skincare or haircare approach is best. 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 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, read countless reviews, and even tried a few top-rated products ourselves. The result: This list of scalp treatments that actually work to treat concerns like dry, itchy, or thinning scalps.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density at Ulta
• Best Multi-Use: Kiehl's Magic Elixir Scalp and Hair Oil Treatment at Planet Beauty
• Best Budget: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Oil at Amazon
• Best Drugstore: Derma E Scalp Relief Treatment at Amazon
• Best Serum: The Body Shop Ginger Scalp Serum at Amazon
• Best for Dandruff: Rahua Founder's Blend Scalp & Hair Treatment at Amazon
• Best for Damaged Hair: Carol's Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil at Amazon
• Best for Wigs, Braids, and Weaves: SheaMoisture Tea Tree and Borage Seed Oil at Amazon
• Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Jojoba Oil Hair Serum at Amazon
  

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, flower extract | Free of: Alcohol, silicones | Dosage: A few drops | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re experiencing hair thinning, this multi-peptide treatment is here to help. The Ordinary is known for making beauty straightforward and accessible and that’s why this treatment earns the top spot on our list. Simply apply a few drops to your scalp and massage it in and leave your hair be. If you’re not ready to commit to an expensive treatment and you’re after noticeable results, add this to your cart.

Key Ingredients: Avocado, rosemary, and safflower oils | Free of: Sulfates, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance | Dosage: Small amount pre-shampoo | Size: 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We love 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. You'll also get a dose of rosemary oil, which, as Holden notes, has been shown to support hair growth. 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.

Key Ingredients: Tea tree and alma oils, blue algae, kelp | Free of: Gluten, soy, GMOs | Dosage: A few drops per section | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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. 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.

Key Ingredients: Ginger essential oil, birch bark extract | Free of: Sulfates, parabens | Dosage: 1 to 2 drops per section when hair is dry | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Holden recommends this serum-style treatment from The Body Shop. The nongreasy formula promises to nourish the scalp and balance oil production while soothing itchy, flaky skin with the help of ingredients such as ginger essential oil and birch bark extract. Keep in mind that all you need are one to two drops per use. If you use more than that, your hair might feel greasy.

Key Ingredients: Rahua and palo santo oils | Free of: Mineral oil, sulfates, dyes | Dosage: Small amount left on overnight | Size: 1.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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. The fragrance is a bit strong, so if you're sensitive to smell, this one might not be for you.

Key Ingredients: Castor and jojoba oil | Free of: Parabens, mineral oil, dyes | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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. In the brand's clinical trial, 94 percent of users reported less breakage.

Key Ingredients: Tea tree and borage seed oils, aloe vera, oat extract | Free of: Sulfates, mineral oil, silicone | Dosage: 1 to 2 drops to affected area | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Key Ingredients: Jojoba, olive, rosehip, and safflower oils | Free of: Parabens, sulfates, silicone | Dosage: A few drops to targeted areas | Size: 3.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, bisabolol, basil root extract | Free of: Sulfates, silicone | Dosage: Dropper-full 15 minutes pre-shampoo | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Key Ingredients: Castor, rosemary, jojoba, coconut, and tea tree oils | Free of: Parabens, sulfates | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Key Ingredients: Olive and tea tree oils | Free of: Sulfates, parabens | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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. Just keep in mind that it’s not suitable for frequent use as it is a targeted treatment, so use it sparingly as needed as too much tea tree oil can dry out the hair.

Key Ingredients: Adaptogenic centella asiatica, lactobacillus ferment, hyaluronic acid | Free of: Sulfates, parabens | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Key Ingredients: Basil leaf hairy root blend, sunflower oil, baobab oil | Free of: Sulfates | Dosage: A few small drops | Size: 3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Scalp Detox Oil is a best-selling treatment for Act + Acre with good reason: It helps get people results. If you’re suffering from a dry scalp, what could be better than using a brand created by a certified trichologist? This oil-based treatment is formulated to help support your scalp’s microbiome, delivering a much-needed dose of hydration to relieve that dry, itchy feeling. It also loosens any product buildup, allowing your scalp to breathe. Just remember that it can only be used before showering, otherwise hair will look really greasy.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, macadamia nut derivative, rose flower oil | Free of: Silicones | Dosage: A few drops | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re feeling frustrated from brittle hair and breakage, Don’t Despair, Repair! No really—that’s the name of this product from Briogeo. The treatment oil contains ceramides and rose flower oil to help mend damaged strands without weighing them down. Simply apply a few drops to dry or damp hair, focusing on mid-lengths to ends or other areas with noticeable breakage for smoother, healthier hair.

Key Ingredients: Anti-gray complex, amaranth peptides | Free of: Sulfates | Dosage: 2-3 full droppers of product | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

In your hair growth era? Us too—and that’s when we turn to this serum from Living Proof. Not only will it help improve hair growth, but it is made with an anti-gray complex to help conceal those pesky grays. That also means it’s safe to use on color-treated hair. The serum is lightweight and nongreasy and even has a nice fresh scent to it. Consistency will be the key with this one, so be patient and apply as directed.

What to Look for in a Scalp Oil

• Type: If you are already experiencing some itchiness or flaking, you'll want to help treat the area with a scalp oil that has soothing ingredients. (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.
• Your 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.
• 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 such as hyaluronic acid, argan oil, biotin, and even niacinamide (vitamin B3) are making their way into many a scalp oil formulation.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a commerce beauty writer and content creator. She interviewed a trichologist, Kate Holden, for this story, who offered insight into the best oils for scalp health and product recommendations. When narrowing down the final selections, she combed through reviews and looked at scholarly journals to cross-reference ingredients. Theresa covers skincare, haircare, and wellness products at Byrdie.Austen Tosone is a beauty writer and content creator based in NYC, who is on a healthy hair journey, just like many other girls. After years of color and heat damage, she’s embracing her natural brunette strands and is always looking for ways to promote hair growth and protect her scalp.