Hair oil and scalp oil are not the same thing — here’s what experts want you to know

NBC Selected independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more.Hair CareHair oil vs. scalp oil: How using the wrong one could have the opposite effect you’re looking forPlus, who should and should not be using them.July 15, 2026, 5:02 PM EDTBethany HeitmanCommerce EditorSkip to table of contentsHair oil tends to be thicker, whereas scalp oil is usually lightweight to prevent your roots from looking greasy.In this articleOur top picksWhat is the difference between hair oil and scalp oil?The best hair oils of 2026The best scalp oils of 2026How I picked the best hair and scalp oilsFrequently asked questionsMeet our hair and scalp expertsWhy trust NBC Select?See 5 MoreWalk down the hair care aisle or scroll your For You page and you’ll find no shortage of products promising shinier, stronger, faster-growing hair — many of them oils. At the same time, there are a ton of oils on the market made specifically for your scalp. And here is where things get tricky — though people may use the terms interchangeably, these two product types are not the same. In fact, if you use hair oil on your scalp (or vice versa), you may be setting yourself up for a major beauty failure. To better understand the difference between hair and scalp oils, I spoke with hairstylists and trichologists Below, they explain exactly what each product does, how to use them and even recommend some of their favorite options.Selected.Our top picksBest overall hair oilOlaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil$undefined$32.00AmazonLearn moreBest overall scalp oilInnersense Organic Beauty Hair Renew Scalp Oil$undefined$30.00UltaLearn moreBest combination oilCarol's Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp and Hair Oil$11.94$13.99AmazonLearn moreWhat is the difference between hair oil and scalp oil?The fact that hair and scalp oils are used on separate areas isn’t the only difference in these two products — they do different things and have...