We all want hair that looks and feels like a million bucks, right? Well, folks, it's easier than you think. Incorporating a good hair serum into your routine can really change the game. There's truly a formula for every hair goal, whether that's growth, extra hydration, or a thicker appearance. I personally fall into the "extra hydration" camp since my hair is incredibly thick and curly, and I can say with confidence that the addition of a moisture-boosting serum really helped the health of my hair. If you're in the market for a new addition to your haircare routine, you'll definitely want to keep scrolling. I'm sharing a few key serums you should invest in based on your hair goals along with advice from a celebrity hairstylist.
What to Look for in a Hair Serum
The best hair serums offer a variety of benefits, but you'll want to pick one based on your current hair goals. If you want to promote growth, celebrity hairstylist Laurabeth Cabott has a bit of advice. "There are several key ingredients that go into [hair growth–promoting] products—the main ones being biotin, peppermint, and keratin," she says. Of the three, biotin is the most common ingredient you'll see in a formula that's meant to promote strand growth.
Those with dry hair who need extra hydration may want to go a different route. "If you're lacking moisture, look for something with coconut, aloe, or vitamins such as B5," Cabott adds. Thinning or fine hair types should invest in a thickening serum. These types of serums plump the hair follicle to give strands a fuller, more voluminous appearance. Those with thick hair will want to look for something lightweight and hydrating that won't weigh the hair down, and curly, coily, and natural hair types will want formulas that lock in extra hydration since they tend to dry out easier. Take a look at our picks for each below.
Best Overall: Moroccanoil Mending Infusion Styling Hair Serum
This light yet extremely nourishing hair serum from Moroccanoil nabs the top spot because it's hydrating enough for thicker hair types but light enough for finer ones. Argan oil restores elasticity, smoothness, and manageability, while baobab extract and hydrolyzed quinoa strengthen and further condition the hair.
Best for Fine Hair: R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Treatment
Cabott loves this serum treatment with biotin from R+Co for thinner hair types. "My clients are always raving about how full their hair feels [when they use it]," she says. It's chock-full of hair-strengthening and shine-boosting ingredients like biotin and ginseng root, and quinoa-seed extract and castor oil help repair damaged hair.
Best for Hair Growth: Act+Acre 2% Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex Scalp Serum
Although several options on this list are great at encouraging healthy hair growth, Act+Acre's formula is our favorite. It also doesn't hurt that it has a near-perfect five-star rating on Sephora.com. It's powered by a Stem Cell H2-Grow Complex that supports hair growth for fuller, thicker, and longer strands. Apple stem cells stimulate hair follicles, and bamboo and pea extracts address premature aging of the hair follicles.
Best for Frizz: Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
If you have a lot of baby hairs that just never want to lay smoothly, Olaplex products just might change your life. I use the brand's Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner ($60), and I can definitely vouch for each's ability to tame frizz—it's truly the best duo I've used in a while. The No. 9 hair serum is equally as good at nourishing hair while reducing things like static and frizz. Additionally, it helps repair broken bonds for stronger hair, blocks daily pollutants, and can act as a heat protectant.
Best for Dryness: Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil
If your hair tends to dry out easily, try an oil-rich formula like this one from Bumble and Bumble. It's completely weightless and won't leave hair greasy, but it does provide a heck of a lot of moisture with coconut, argan, macadamia-seed, sweet almond, and grapeseed oils.
Best for Thick Hair: Mizani 25 Miracle Nourishing Oil
Having thick hair can be a struggle—take it from someone who knows. You need something hydrating, especially if you also have curls, but the formula can't be too much, or it will weigh down your already thick mane. Mizani's Nourishing Hair Oil definitely solves that problem. It contains a blend of coconut, jojoba, and sunflower oils to strengthen, moisturize, and add softness to the hair without making it greasy.
Best for Curly Hair: Davines This Is a Curl Building Serum
My stylist recommended this curl serum to me a few years ago, and I never looked back. First, it smells like a dream, so I always look forward to putting it on. Second, it adds so much softness and definition to curls without making them crunchy or causing buildup on my scalp. It's also flexible and hydrates beautifully. Do yourself a favor and give it a go. I don't think you'll regret it.
Best With Biotin: Accallo Hair Growth Serum With Biotin and Rice Water
I get it. You might automatically be weary of any kind of TikTok trend, but using rice water for hair growth might have some merit. Even folks reviewing this serum from Accallo report some great results.
Best for Natural Hair: Adwoa Beauty Baomint Protect + Shine Oil Blend
Like curls, natural hair textures tend to get dry easily and need a lot of extra moisture. This Adwoa offering is more of an oil blend than a serum, but it supports a healthy scalp, moisturizes deeply, and helps prevent future hair loss with a blend of antioxidant-rich oils.
Best Drugstore: OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum
Strand breakage can be extremely frustrating, but with the right tools in your arsenal, it can be a thing of the past. This OGX serum helps strengthen, repair, and hydrate hair with coconut oil and coconut milk. Whipped egg white protein in the formula also helps promote smoother, shinier hair.
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