12 Best Lightweight Oils For All Hair Types – Tested And Reviewed

Disclosure: This article features several affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through any of these links

Finding the perfect lightweight oils for your hair type (and needs) can be quite challenging. There are more than a million options out there, but how many of them are actually light enough? 

A lot of us here are familiar with the struggle – trying out countless options only to be disappointed time after time with hair that’s super weighed down and WAY too greasy. 

Are you fed up with super-heavy hair oils? It’s time to say goodbye to the shackles of weighed-down locks and hello to a new world of radiant, healthy-looking hair. 

In this article, we’ve curated a list of the 12 best lightweight hair oils , tested and reviewed to ensure that: 

1. They are actually lightweight and
2. They cater to your specific hair type and needs

Let’s get into it!

What Are Lightweight Oils?  

Lightweight oils are oil types that have low viscosity. This implies that they flow smoothly and easily.  They are specially formulated to provide nourishment and hydration to the hair without weighing it down. They also have fine textures and are easily absorbed into the strands.

Why Should You Use Lightweight Oils?

Using lightweight oils for your hair can come with unmatchable benefits. 

For starters, they provide hydration and moisture to the strands without weighing them down. They also help to nourish, smoothen, and repair the strands while adding shine to the hair and improving manageability. They can also be used as heat protectants, shielding the hair against heat styling and protecting against UV damage.

Why Not Heavy Oils?

Though the choice of which oil type to use depends on the individual, there are certain advantages to using lightweight oils rather than heavy oils. 

Here are a few of them:

• Heavy oils can weigh down the hair and make it appear greasy, while lightweight oils are smooth and seamless on the hair.
• Heavy oils tend to sit on the hair’s surface, while lightweight oils get absorbed much easier and faster.
• Lightweight oils prevent buildup, clogged pores, and scalp irritation.
• They are also suitable for all seasons, climates, and humidity levels so you don’t have to worry about constantly buying new products.

Now that we’ve established the pros, let’s get into our curated list of the best lightweight oils for your hair’s needs.

Best Lightweight Oils for All Hair Types (And Needs)

1. Overall Best – Verb Ghost Weightless Hair Oil

The Verb Ghost Oil is a weightless (lightweight) hair oil that is clinically proven to smoothen the hair and enhance shine by 75%.

Why it’s our #1 pick:

Aside from its alluring lightweight formula and the way it adds shine to hair, the Verb Ghost Oil is a top choice for anyone looking to nourish and moisturize their strands. Without, of course, weighing them down.  The product contains a nourishing blend of moringa oil and argan oil, which are key staples if you’re looking to nourish and moisturize your hair shaft. 

It also contains bamboo extract which works effortlessly to retain moisture within your strands, while also eliminating frizz, and repairing split ends to ensure that your hair stays soft and silky.

Here’s what people are saying about the Verb Ghost Oil:

1. This product goes a long way in adding hydration and shine to my hair. I’ve used it every day for 9 months now and it’s very long-lasting. It has a floral which I love, and it’s perfect for use with a blow-dryer or straightener. It also has a clear appearance which is perfect for blondes. – Champs, Straight hair.
2. I use this as a finishing oil after curling and diffusing my hair. It smells absolutely amazing and just a little bit of it goes a long way. It’s perfect for adding shine to my hair and smoothing frizz or flyaways. My hair looks incredible and I’ll definitely be adding this oil to my curl routine. – Shameen, curly hair. 

Additional Information:

• Product size: 2 Fl oz 
• Scent: Earthy, citrus, and floral.
• Key Ingredients: Moringa oil, argan oil, and bamboo extract.
• Suitable for: All hair types, including people with frizzy or fine hair.
• How to use: Apply 2-3 drops on wet, dry, or damp hair and reapply as needed.
• Overall benefits: Adds shine to hair, eliminates frizz and flyaways, nourishes hair over time, and provides maximum protection against heat.
• Material type: Gluten-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.

2. Best for Straight hair – Kerastase NEW Elixir Ultime 

The Kerastase Elixir Ultime is a luxury hair oil with an ultra-lightweight feel. Its formula mainly consists of the Wild Camellia flower, which was carefully harvested by hand and cold-pressed to extract the oil.  

Why we chose this: 

We expertly reviewed and chose this versatile hair oil because it has been proven to add up to 92% more shine when applied to hair, while also making the hair 10x smoother and 10x softer in seconds. It controls frizz for up to 96 hours and provides heat protection of up to 450°F, all while strengthening your hair over time. 

In addition to its nourishing, hydrating, and protective properties, this luxurious oil comes in travel-sized containers that are made from 30% recycled glass and can be refilled whenever desired.  

Here’s what people are saying about the Kerastase Elixir Ultime: 

1. This product has been a lifesaver, especially for my dry hair. It has a lightweight consistency that doesn’t make my hair feel dry at all. It makes my hair super smooth, shiny, and very soft to the touch. I’ve tried a bunch of hair oils but I’ve repurchased this one about 6-7 times. – Katie, straight hair (blonde + low-porosity).
2. I use about half a pump every day on my super dry ends and it gives my hair an instant shine and softness. I use it as a heat protectant while styling, and also as a finishing oil to give my hair a less frizzy appearance.  – Becca, straight hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 30/75 ml
• Scent: Woody and floral.
• Key ingredients: Camellia oil, argan oil, and marula oil. 
• Suitable for: All hair types
• How to use: Apply 1-2 pumps on strands, not scalp, during or after your styling routine.
• Overall benefits: Adds shine to hair, smooths out strands, tames frizz and flyaways, strengthens hair over time, and provides heat protection of up to 450°F.
• Material type: Sulfate-free, paraben-free, and vegan-friendly

3. Best for Wavy hair – Nexxus Ultra Lightweight Hair Oil

The Nexxus Repair and Nourish Hair Oil is an intensely nourishing and restorative hair oil, deeply infused with the Rose of Jericho oil and Damascus Rose oil.

Why we chose the Nexxus Hair Oil:

The product has a restorative formula, thanks to its key ingredients that seal in moisture and boost shine while, of course, working to revive lifeless strands. It has a fresh and modern rose aroma that is sophisticated and luxurious, adding a fine fragrance to your hair without lifting half a finger.

In addition to its nourishing and restorative properties, the Nexxus Ultra Lightweight Hair Oil is also formulated to control frizz, shield hair from humidity, and provide maximum heat protection to your strands. 

If you’re looking for an “everything” serum for your hair, the Nexxus repair oil is definitely the best place to look. 

Here’s what people are saying:

1. I’ve had a really hard time managing my bleached Wavy hair until I came across this oil. I use a substantial amount every day to add shine to my hair and really be friss-free. I’ve noticed it’s already repairing my damage and nourishing my hair like it said it would. It has a wonderful smell which I really love, plus the fact that it doesn’t make my hair feel greasy at all.  – Abigail, wavy hair (bleached).
2. This product is not wavy, sticky, or oily on my hair. Just a pump or two is enough to smooth and add a perfect shine to my hair. It is very lightweight with a clean, floral scent. I absolutely love it and will definitely buy it again. – Breanna, wavy hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 3.3 FL oz
• Scent: Rosy
• Key ingredients: Rose of Jericho oil and Damascus Rose oil.
• Suitable for: All hair types
• How to use: Apply 2-3 drops on damp or dry hair and reapply as needed. 
• Overall benefits: 72h humidity shield, 48h frizz control, and 450°F heat protection. It also nourishes, adds shine to hair, seals in moisture, and repairs dry strands. 
• Material type: Paraben-free

4. Best for Curly hair – Rizos Curls Nourish Hair Oil 

The Rizos Curls Nourish Oil is a lightweight oil that adds moisture to hair and scalp while reducing frizz and adding shine.

Why we chose this: 

Made with 100% pure essential oils, this product is formulated to deeply nourish and moisturize your strands while minimizing frizz and improving overall hair health. 

It is made from all-natural ingredients like carrot seed oil which works to restore luster and repair split ends, orange oil which gives an instant radiant glow, grapefruit oil which soothes the scalp and improves hair health, and finally, castor oil which nourishes deeply, reduces frizz, and improves softness.

Here’s why our readers love the Rizos oil: 

1. I love this oil because it’s much lighter than any other “lightweight” oils I’ve used on my hair. It makes my hair soft and shiny, and it smells wonderful! A little really goes a long way so the value for your money is great.  – Kristen, curly hair.
2. I love this for my curly-haired daughter, she rubs it all over and it leaves her skin and hair so soft.  – Amy, curly hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 1 Fl oz (30 ml)
• Scent: Fresh
• Key ingredients: Grapefruit oil, orange oil, carrot oil, moringa, sunflower, and castor oil.
• Suitable for: All wavy, curly, and coily hair types 
• How to use: Apply a few drops to cleansed hair for an instant boost of nourishing moisture. Use at ends of styled hair for added moisture and shine. 
• Overall benefits: Adds moisture to hair and scalp, deeply nourishes, softens strands, and gives a radiant shine.
• Material type: Silicon-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan-friendly, dermatologist-tested, and 100% recyclable.

5. Best for Afro hair – Shea Moisture Amla-Infused Bonding Oil

This is a lightweight multi-benefit oil that’s blended with fair trade shea butter to strengthen, moisturize, and protect hair against damage.

Why we chose this product: 

It’s a widely known fact that natural afro hair is very prone to breakage and highly susceptible to different forms of damage. So it only makes sense that we select a product that covers all bases.

The Shea moisture lightweight bonding oil is our top choice for natural afro hair because it was carefully formulated with products that strengthen your strands from root to tip, coat your cuticles to smooth frizz for up to 24 hours, and protect your hair from styling damage. It works to repair broken hair bonds from the inside out, all while leaving your hair strengthened, moisturized, and healthy.

Reviews from users: 

1. It’s a nice hair oil, perfect for use before getting braids. It leaves my hair feeling soft and shiny without a greasy touch.  – Amy, Afro hair.
2. 10/10, highly recommended! It keeps my hair together after a blowout and it smells amazing all day long. It’s not too oily and heavy, and it makes my hair look shinier and healthier. – Clarissa, curly hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 3.3 Fl oz (97 ml)
• Scent: Fragranced
• Key ingredients: Amla oil, raw shea butter.
• Suitable for: All hair types
• How to use: Press 1-2 pumps into your hands and smooth over damp or dry hair. Use before or after styling, concentrating on mid-lengths and ends.
• Overall benefits: Bonding, frizz control, strengthening, and heat/UV protection.
• Material type: Paraben-free, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and petrolatum-free.

6. Best for frizz – Ouai Hair Oil

The Ouai hair oil is a powerful multitasking hair oil that is perfect for every occasion.

Why we chose it:

This product contains a UV filter that protects your hair color from fading. It also adds shine, softness, and hydration to the hair, aiding in that sleek, frizz-free finish. It reduces breakage by 90% when used with heat while providing maximum heat protection for your delicate strands. 

And let’s not forget the powerhouse of key ingredients that come with this product! First, we have Ama oil which keeps your hair strong and protected against humidity. Then there’s Borage seed oil which hydrates your strands and smooths out frizz. And lastly,  we have the Galangal root extract which protects your hair fibers from color fading due to UV exposure.

User reviews:

1. This hair oil is lighter than all the lightweight oils I’ve ever tried. It leaves my heavily color-treated hair looking shiny and healthy with a light floral scent.  – Jennifer, straight hair.
2. This product works great for eliminating frizz, especially after a couple days of washing your hair. The scent is beautiful and it lingers a little throughout the day (people loved the smell and asked what perfume I was wearing). A little goes a long way. I will definitely purchase it again.  – Debra, curly hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 1.5 Fl oz (45 ml)
• Scent: Rue St. Honoré
• Key ingredients: Ama oil, borage seed oil, and galangal root extract.
• Suitable for: All hair types
• How to use: Work 1-3 drops of the magic formula through wet hair for frizz control. You can also apply it to dry hair after a blowout or leave it overnight for intense hydration.
• Overall benefits: Frizz control, heat/UV protection, adds shine, and smooths split ends.
• Material type: Sulfate-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLES-free, cruelty-free, color-safe, keratin-safe, and recyclable.

7. Best for dry/damaged hair – K18 Molecular Repair Oil

The K18 weightless hair oil repairs hair at a molecular level across multiple bond types, restoring healthy hair for all hair types.

Why we chose it: 

The biotech-engineered K18 Peptide oil works on all hair types to strengthen, repair, and improve shine at two whole levels of the hair fiber. The weightless silicon-free oil has been clinically proven to provide 24-hour frizz control while promoting 104% more shine, 78% reduction in split ends, and maximum heat protection of up to 450°F. 

It works to reverse the damage that causes frizzy hair, reinforcing the hair’s natural barrier for immediate frizz reduction and enhanced shine.

Here’s what some customers have to say:

1. I love what this has done for my hair. I’m 58 years old and my ends look healthier than ever. My hair is also the longest it’s ever been, so I highly recommend.  – Carolyne, straight hair.
2. May not be for everyone, but it certainly is for me! I have loose, fine curly hair and it works wonders on taming the frizz. Love this and will definitely buy it again.  – Stefani, curly hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 1 Fl oz (30 ml)
• Scent: Unscented
• Key ingredients: Sunflower oil, hemisqalane, and squalane.
• Suitable for: Frizzy, dry, and damaged hair (all hair types) 
• How to use: Apply 1-3 drops on damp hair and wait 4 mins before styling. Apply another 1-3 drops as a finisher after styling.
• Overall benefits: Repairs hair at a molecular level, reduces split ends, eliminates frizz, adds shine to strands, and provides maximum heat protection. 
• Material type: Silicon-free

8. Best for breakage & split ends – Luseta Keratin Hair Oil Serum

This weightless hair repair serum increases the elasticity of the hair strands to help resist breakage,  all while adding shine and softness to the hair.

Why this is a top choice: 

We chose his keratin-infused hair oil because of its ability to deeply penetrate the hair follicles and reconstruct inner layers. 

In addition to its reparative properties, the oil/serum is specifically designed to nourish and strengthen dry/damaged hair which is more prone to breakage and split ends. It is infused with not just keratin, but also hair-loving proteins that help it bond with breakage to create stronger hair. A few drops of this oil will leave your hair feeling stronger, more moisturized, and way less frizzy.

What people are saying: 

1. This oil is a game-changer for me. My hair is bleached and super dry, and I’ve been having trouble styling it. From the moment I used this product, my hair fell in love with it. It smells amazing and it smooths my hair out perfectly.   – Karla, wavy hair (bleached).
2. I have thick curly hair that’s prone to frizz and this product eliminates all of it! It makes my hair look healthy without being oily or sticky. The bottle lasts a long while and it makes my hair smell nice too. – Adrian, curly hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 3.38 Fl oz (100 ml)
• Scent: Keratin
• Key ingredients: Keratin, protein, quinoa seed extract, and sunflower seed oil. 
• Suitable for: Damaged hair, all hair types
• How to use: Smooth into palms and apply to strands from mids to ends. Amount depends on hair length and thickness.
• Overall benefits: Nourishes, strengthens, and repairs hair strands, while adding shine and softness, controlling frizz, and preventing breakage.
• Material type: Sulfate-free, phosphate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, and color-safe. 

9. Best for shine – Olaplex No 7 Bonding Oil

The Olaplex No 7 Bonding Oil is a reparative styling oil that provides maximum shine, softness, and color vibrancy.

Here’s why we chose it:

We picked this concentrated yet lightweight hair oil because it has been proven to strengthen, protect, and provide your hair with the smoothest shine you ever did see. It adds softness and definition to all hair type strands while providing maximum protection from heat styling tools, UV rays that cause hair color fading, and elements that cause frizz and breakage.

Reviews on this product:

1. I honestly couldn’t be without this oil, it’s better than any other oil I’ve ever used on my hair. I use it almost daily and I even add a little bit to my roots. It absorbs nicely without making my hair greasy. It’s also fantastic to use with other products. – Lucia, straight hair.
2. I have never had a product make my hair so soft so quickly. It feels like I’m putting my hands through a cloud. The oil lasts forever and it isn’t greasy or sticky on your hair. I can’t recommend this highly enough, it’s definitely worth it! – Kat, wavy hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 1 Fl oz (30 ml)
• Scent: Unscented
• Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol, argan oil, sweet almond oil.
• Suitable for: All hair types
• How to use: Use 2-3 drops on wet/dry hair, before or after styling with heat. Add more as needed.
• Overall benefits: Strengthens hair and adds shine, acts as a detangling aid, and provides frizz control and maximum heat protection.
• Material type: Sulfate-free, gluten-free, aluminium-free, paraben-free, formaldehyde-free, vegan-friendly, and colorsafe.

10. Best Luxury – Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Are you looking for a hair oil that screams luxury? The Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing hair oil should be your top choice!

Why we picked this product:

Ever noticed the way a celebrity’s hair shines when they walk past you at an award show?! It’s like you can just tell they’re using nothing but luxury products, and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you purchase a bottle of this oil. 

With a bottle of the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing hair oil, you get a weightless luxury oil that absorbs instantly into your strands leaving your hair soft with nourishment for days and a silky smooth shine that could blind your opps from outer space. 

As an added perk, the product has been specially formulated to protect hair from oxidative stress, photoaging, and the deterioration of natural keratin, protecting your hair from the dry, damaging, and color-depleting effects of natural elements. You get all this with deep conditioning, maximum strengthening, 72-hours frizz protection, and ultimate heat protection up to 450°F.

Here are a few reviews we gathered:

1. This oil leaves my hair shiny, more manageable, and healthy-looking. You only need a little bit, and it goes a long way. My hair is colored and very fine, but this product doesn’t weigh it down. The smell is really nice too. – Cyndi, straight hair.
2. I live in Colorado and the dry climate is hard on my curly hair. This oil has become a staple in my morning hair care routine, and I even sometimes add a few more drops during the day. I’m also blonde but it doesn’t stain my hair like some other oils do. It’s expensive but definitely worth it! Lasts a good 2-3 months. – Scotty, curly hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 3.8 Fl oz
• Scent: Cote d’Azur
• Key ingredients: Jasmine oil, argan oil, and sandalwood extract.
• Suitable for: All hair types
• How to use: Apply to damp hair before styling. Add a little bit to your ends after styling for extra luster, conditioning, and frizz control.
• Overall benefits: Adds shine to hair, smooths frizz, strengthens strands, conditions deeply, and provides overall protection from heat and other forms of damage.
• Material type: Gluten-free, colorsafe.

11. Best budget – Shea Moisture Smooth and Shine Oil (Coconut & Hibiscus)

The Shea Moisture Smooth and Shine Oil is a coconut and hibiscus-infused lightweight oil that’s perfect for adding a luminous shine to your strands. 

Why did we choose this product?

The Shea Moisture Smooth and Shine Oil did not simply make this list because of its budget-friendly nature. 

In addition to being the most affordable option on the list, this product has been proven to help smooth frizz and protect strands from humidity for up to 24 hours. It also provides extra moisture to the hair, coupled with 4x more softness, 5x stronger hair, 83% breakage reduction, and heat protection up to 450°F.

This all-in-one formula will leave your hair feeling smoother and looking shinier with a healthy glow. 

Let’s see what people have to say about this budget-friendly product: 

1. Love this! I use it on my wet hair and scrunch it into the ends. My hair looks so much healthier since using this product and my ends don’t get so dry anymore. – Kristin, wavy hair.
2. I use it on my wet or dry hair and it makes my hair so soft. It also cuts down on the frizz and detangles my hair so smoothly. It has a smell that’s fresh like summer and it works as well as other expensive brands. – Queen, curly hair.

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 3.3 Fl oz
• Scent: Coconut
• Key ingredients: Coconut oil, hibiscus flower, manketti oil, and neem oil.
• Suitable for: Damaged hair / all hair types
• How to use: Apply 2-3 pumps to dry or damp hair.
• Overall benefits: Adds shine to hair, controls frizz and humidity, reduces breakage, adds moisture, provides maximum heat protection, and promotes overall healthy hair.
• Material type: Paraben-free, cruelty-free

12. Best Natural – Gya Labs Organic Jojoba Oil

The Gya Labs pure jojoba oil is a cold-pressed, vegan-friendly, multipurpose organic oil that can be used for a myriad of things from hair, skin, and nail care to massage therapy. 

Why we chose it: 

We chose this nourishing lightweight oil from Gya Labs because of its key ingredient – cold-pressed organic jojoba oil. Studies have shown that jojoba oil should actually be considered the best oil for hair care because it is very identical to the natural sebum produced by the scalp. On top of that, jojoba oil is also known to be rich in minerals and antioxidants that nourish the hair. Examples of those include copper, zinc, and vitamins B, C, and E. 

Getting the Gya Labs organic jojoba oil not only guarantees you instant access to a 100% pure lightweight oil but also a multipurpose formula that you can use for just about anything!

Additional Information: 

• Product size: 3.4 Fl oz (100 ml)
• Scent: jojoba
• Key ingredients: 100% pure jojoba oil
• Suitable for: All hair and skin types
• How to use: Use 3 drops of this product with 1 drop of essential oil for a nourishing serum.
• Overall benefits: Nourishes scalp, adds shine to hair, and promotes overall hair health.
• Material type: 100% Organic

Conclusion

Incorporating lightweight oils into your routine can significantly enhance the health, manageability, and overall style of your hair. While all these lightweight oils may be similar, they each have differentiating qualities that make them uniquely different from the rest. That said, we encourage you to take your time to understand the products and get acquainted with your preferred options before making a purchase.

Whether you’re battling frizz, fighting dryness, or seeking salon-quality shine, our expertly reviewed list post has got you covered. Try one (or two!) of our top picks today and get ready to love your locks a little more.