How Much Hair Oil Should You Use? A Simple Guide by Hair Type
Most people who are new to hair oiling use too much. A pre-wash oil only needs to give the hair and scalp a light, even coat, and more oil does not mean a better result. It usually means a longer rinse. This guide gives you a sensible starting amount for your hair, and a simple way to find your own measure.
The short answer
Start with a little, apply it in sections, and add only where your hair still feels dry. For most people, a starting amount looks like this:
| Your hair | A good starting amount | Where to focus |
|---|---|---|
| Short or fine | 3 to 5 drops | Scalp and mid-lengths, very lightly on the ends |
| Shoulder-length | About half a dropper | Partings at the scalp, then through the lengths |
| Long or thick | About one dropper, added in stages | Section by section, lengths and ends |
| Curly or coily | One dropper or more, in sections | Lengths and ends first, then the scalp |
These are starting points, not rules. Droppers differ from bottle to bottle, and the right amount depends on your hair's length, density and how dry it feels on the day.
Why less works better
An oil spreads further than you expect once it is warmed between your palms. Applied in sections, a small amount reaches more hair than a large amount poured onto one spot. Using less also makes the wash easier: the more oil you apply, the more shampoo and rinsing it takes to leave hair feeling clean.
How to apply it evenly
- Section your hair into four parts, or more if it is long or thick.
- Warm a few drops between your palms before each section.
- Press the oil along the parting at the scalp, then smooth what remains down the lengths.
- Add a drop more only to areas that still feel dry, usually the ends.
For the full method, from application to shampoo, read How to Use a Pre-Wash Hair Oil.
Adjust after your first wash
The best guide is how your hair feels once it is washed and dried:
- Still feels coated or heavy? Use less next time, or shampoo twice. Our guide How to Wash Oil Out of Your Hair covers the rinse.
- Ends still feel dry? Add a drop or two to the lengths and ends only.
- Just right? Note the amount, and use the same measure next wash day.
Change one thing at a time, so you know what made the difference.
Does the oil itself change the amount?
It does. Lighter oils, such as date seed oil, spread easily, so a few drops go a long way. Richer oils, such as pumpkin seed oil, feel fuller, and many people use a little less. If you are still choosing, our guide How to Choose a Hair Oil compares the feel of each single oil.
By hair type
- Fine hair: keep to the scalp and mid-lengths, and use the smallest amount. Read Hair Oiling for Fine Hair.
- Curly and coily hair: work in more sections and concentrate on the lengths. Read Hair Oiling for Curly and Coily Hair.
Before you begin
- Test a new oil on a small area of skin before first use.
- If your hair is color-treated or light, try a small strand first.
- Keep oil away from the eyes, and stop using any product if irritation occurs.
A few drops, well placed
Hair oiling is a ritual of small amounts. Start lightly, place the oil with care, and let your hair tell you what it needs. Our Botanical Hair Ritual Oil was made for exactly this moment before the wash, or explore every pre-wash hair oil.