5 oils available across the world that guarantee quick hair growth

If you ask any Indian nani what the secret behind long, glossy hair is, she won’t even blink before saying, “beta, oil your hair.” And honestly, she’s been right all along. Trends may come and go - serums, growth sprays, fancy treatments but good old hair oiling has never lost its charm.

Whether you're dealing with postpartum hair fall, stress thinning, or you just miss the days when your braid had actual volume, the right oil can make a huge difference. And fun fact: many of the best hair-growth oils aren’t just Indian favourites, they are loved worldwide.

Here are five tried-and-tested oils from across the globe that genuinely help your hair grow faster (and yes, they all work beautifully in Indian weather too).

Let’s start with the dramatic queen of oils: castor. It’s thick, sticky, and yes, a total mess to wash out, but when it comes to hair growth, this stuff works like magic.

Packed with ricinoleic acid, castor oil boosts blood flow to the scalp and strengthens your roots, which means hair grows faster and denser. No wonder Jamaican Black Castor Oil is such a global favourite now.

Best for:

Heavy hair fall

Thinning hairline

Fine, weak strands

Anyone who wants quick visible results

Try it this way (Indian-style):

Mix castor oil with coconut oil to make it spreadable. Warm it a little, massage deeply, and leave it overnight. In a few weeks, those tiny baby hairs start popping up.

Argan oil went viral because it makes hair super shiny, but it’s also amazing for growth. Straight from Morocco, it's full of vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids, all the good stuff your hair roots love.

Best for:

Frizz

Coloured or chemically treated hair

Dry, flaky scalp

Lifeless lengths

Why Indians adore it:

Our heat, sweat, and pollution can turn hair into a frizzy mess. Argan oil smoothens everything down without making your scalp greasy, perfect for city life.

How to use:

Rub a few drops through damp hair as a serum, or warm it and apply to your scalp once a week for growth.

If there’s one hair oil TikTok and Instagram didn’t exaggerate, it’s rosemary oil. It speeds up cell turnover, strengthens follicles, and some studies even compare its results to minoxidil, the actual medical treatment for hair growth.

Best for:

Early thinning

Patchy hair fall

Weak roots

Dandruff-related fall

How to use safely:

Never apply rosemary essential oil directly. Add 4–5 drops to a carrier oil like coconut or almond, then massage in.

Just add a few drops of rosemary to your regular champi mix. It blends beautifully into our weekly oiling routine.

No hair oil list is complete without coconut oil. From Kerala to the Philippines, this oil has been the ultimate hair-growth secret for ages. It seeps deeper into your hair than most oils, which means stronger strands from the inside.

Best for:

Split ends

Breakage

Very dry hair

Curly or wavy Indian hair that drinks up moisture

Why it works quickly:

Coconut oil reduces protein loss, the main reason Indian hair weakens. Regular use leads to thicker, softer hair that grows faster.

Pro tip:

Infuse it with fenugreek seeds, curry leaves, or hibiscus petals. This classic South Indian combo works like a dream.(Image Credits: Pinterest)

Olive oil isn’t just great in your pasta, it’s amazing for your hair too. Full of oleic acid and antioxidants, it deeply moisturises the scalp, reduces breakage, and helps your hair retain length.

Best for:

Dry, flaky scalp

Curly or textured hair

Heat-damaged strands

Hair that snaps easily while combing

If you live in North India and deal with dry winter air, olive oil is a blessing. It protects your scalp from that seasonal shedding we all complain about.

How to use:

Warm it a little, massage into your scalp, wrap your head with a hot towel, and leave for 45 minutes.

The oil matters, yes - but the routine matters even more. Here’s how to get faster results:

Oil at least twice a week, preferably overnight.

Massage for 5–7 minutes to boost blood flow.

Use a sulphate-free shampoo so you’re not stripping everything away.

Never skip conditioner - long hair needs healthy ends.

Eat hair-friendly foods: nuts, eggs, ghee, methi, curry leaves, amla… all the classics.

Healthy hair doesn’t grow overnight, but with the right oils and a little consistency, the results show up faster than you would think. Castor, argan, rosemary, coconut, and olive oil are trusted worldwide and they fit perfectly into our Indian hair-care habits.

Whether you're a Sunday-champi person or someone who oils right before a shower, these oils can give you stronger roots, thicker lengths, and that dreamy, natural growth without any harsh chemicals.

You can also give sesame oil a try if you’re looking to speed up hair growth naturally. It’s one of those old-school oils that doesn’t get enough credit anymore. Rich in iron, magnesium and B vitamins, sesame oil helps improve blood circulation to the scalp, which is key for stronger roots and faster growth. It’s slightly warming in nature, so a gentle massage with warm sesame oil can really wake up a sluggish scalp, especially if you deal with hair fall or thinning. It also forms a protective layer over the hair, shielding it from pollution and dryness, something our hair badly needs in Indian weather. Use it once a week, preferably at night, and wash it out the next morning for best results.

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

To get the best results from a hair oil massage, always follow it up with a hot towel wrap. The warmth helps open up the scalp pores, allowing the oil to penetrate deeper into the roots and nourish the hair from within. It also boosts blood circulation, relaxes the scalp, and enhances the effectiveness of the massage, making the treatment feel more spa-like and therapeutic. This simple step helps reduce dryness, improves absorption of nutrients, and leaves your hair feeling softer, stronger, and more manageable after every wash.

Applying warm herbal oils like coconut, sesame, or almond to the scalp stimulates blood circulation, nourishes hair follicles, and promotes hair growth. Massaging for 15–20 minutes before washing helps reduce hair fall and enhances texture. Regular oiling also strengthens hair from root to tip, reducing split ends and dryness over time.