Top 10 Hair Serums
10 Hair Serums That Will Soften And Nourish Dry Strands
So you've got yourself a fancy new microfiber towel, you're sleeping on a silk pillowcase, and you're even cutting back on the blow-drying, so why is your hair still looking haggard? Chances are you're missing a big component of any healthy hair regimen—a serum. The do-it-all styling product can solve pretty much any issue in the book—from dryness and heat damage to frizz and flyaways—and all it takes is a few pumps post-shower to see results. So to help you get your tresses back on track, we're bringing you a list of the Top 10 hair serums on the shelves, all backed by our data-driven algorithm that factors in best-selling buzz, editorial mentions, and real user reviews. Whether you want to add silkiness and shine to your air-dried look or a layer of protection before you heat style, there's a best-selling formula below for every hair type and preference. Opening image: @garnierusa
Love our 10 Best Hair Serums? Check out our 10 Best Leave-In Conditioners next!
April 17, 2020
Top 10 Lists serve as unbiased shopping guides to the most trusted product recommendations on the internet. Products are scored and ranked using an algorithm backed by data consumers find most valuable when making a purchase. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
The Rankings
Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum
WHAT IT DOES: Using four lesser-known oils—maize, procaxi, argan, and camellia—this luxurious oil-serum hybrid instantly provides nourishment and shine while preventing against breakage.
HELPFUL TIP: You can use this before, during, and after blow-drying for hair that's shiny, hydrated, and healthy-looking.
Sachajuan Shine Serum
BEST FOR: One of the biggest benefits of hair serum is its frizz-fighting capabilities, and this formula from Sachajuan is exceptionally good at it. Thanks to vitamin B12 and dimethicone, it coats each follicle and fills in ridges for smooth, lustrous shine and a soft texture.
USERS SAID: "My stylist used this on me and I fell in love with it. It is absolutely ah-mazing! It keeps my hair completely straight and just-left-the-salon smooth all day. I don't know what it is about this product versus all the others I have used, but it is the only thing I use on my hair, and it is an absolute hair miracle."
Verb Ghost Weightless Hair Oil
LOVED FOR: There's a reason this stuff is called Ghost Oil—the weightless formula instantly absorbs when applied, leaving hair shiny, smooth, and frizz-free without leaving a trace of heaviness or buildup. This is thanks to moringa oil, which moisturizes and detangles while remaining extra lightweight.
HELPFUL TIP: A little goes a long way with this formula, so it's best to use just two to three drops all over the hair for ultimate shine.
Oribe Smooth Style Serum
BEST FOR: Dryness and damage got you down? Reach for Oribe's Smooth Style Serum. Infused with exotic oils and extracts like watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss, it instantly softens damaged strands to reveal a sleek, healthy look. Bye-bye, split ends.
USERS SAID: "I use this as a thermal styling protectant when I'm styling my hair. It keeps my hair from looking dry after styling it, and it smells like a million bucks!"
OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum
WHY YOU NEED IT: Not only is this drugstore find one of the most affordable products on the list, but it's also the most versatile. Made with organic coconut milk and silk proteins, the formula repairs damaged hair, seals split ends, and fights frizz, all while providing a fragrant layer of protection around each strand to prep for heat styling.
LOVED FOR: Not going to lie, we'd buy this serum just for the scent alone.
Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Serum
BEST FOR: Applying a heat protector before styling is a must, and this is one of the best in the biz. Using lightweight silicones, the formula smooths, conditions, and seals the strands to provide silky, shiny, and frizz-free results without the damage, and best of all, it helps speed up drying time too.
HELPFUL TIP: Though its lightweight, this formula is still crazy powerful. We recommend using it sparingly, especially if you have fine hair.
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum
WHY YOU NEED IT: This hard-working serum is proof that you don't need to shell out tons of cash for sleek and shiny hair. Using the same super effective ingredients the pros do (think Moroccan argan oil), this drugstore formula provides salon-worthy results for under $5.
USERS SAID: "I have very thick, wavy hair which explodes in the heat and humidity. This stuff keeps my hair shiny and sleek, it smells really nice, and it doesn't make my hair clumpy or oily like a lot of products do. It's great for the price—highly recommend!"
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
WHAT IT DOES: When you need some serious hair rehab, Olaplex will never disappoint you. This highly-concentrated but ultra-lightweight oil helps repair broken bonds in strands to prevent further damage and breakage, leaving even the most heat-styled, chemically-treated, and color-processed hair looking healthy again.
FROM THE EXPERTS: This powerful oil will dramatically increase shine, softness, and color vibrancy all while providing heat protection up to 450 degrees.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum
WHAT IT DOES: There are few things this affordable serum can't do. Featuring bamboo extract, the six-in-one formula eliminates frizz, prevents damage from heat styling, repels humidity, smooths strands, hydrates parched hair, and tames flyaways no matter how thick or coarse your hair is.
USERS SAID: "I love this stuff. I have curly hair that I blow dry straight, and this works so well on it. I hardly have to use more than a couple of pumps, and the bottle seems to last forever. We recently went on a trip and I was convinced my hair would be a disaster because it was very cold and somewhat damp, but this stuff worked like a charm."
Ouai Hair Oil
BEST FOR: If you have color-treated hair, this could be your savior. With African galanga, ama, and Asian borage oils, it'll keep color from fading while protecting against heat damage and adding shine.
ABOUT THE BRAND: Created by the Kar-Jenner stylist Jen Atkin herself, each product in this line is designed to provide that effortless, model-off-duty look.
The Latest