Trying to figure out what is the best hair serum around? We hear you. If you thought the skincare routine was overwhelming, haircare can be even more tiring.
But we are not here to scare you, all the contrary we want to help you in your quest to try to discover which is the best hair serum, and that is exactly what we’ll be sharing with you today.
Hair serum does not have to be complicated, it is actually one of the simpler products to discover and invest in the post-hair-wash serums made to care for your lengths, and of course, there’s a perfect one meant for every concern.
Needless to say, the best hair serums are the ultimate weapon to ward off every hair concern. Think of hair serum as a serum for your face, it is one of the steps in your routine you never skip.
Incorporating a hair serum into your routine is one of the most effective ways to make your mane healthier, more manageable, and look it’s very best. And who doesn’t want healthy, manageable, great-looking hair?
Hair serum is also used as a finishing touch after a blowout. It seals the hair cuticle down and will leave your hair with a polished, frizz-free style
As you can tell by now, the best hair serum has numerous benefits. And with a sea of options in the market, finding the right best hair serum for women, and the best hair serum for men sounds quite discouraging, but that is what we’re here for.
Continue reading and check out our top picks on the best hair serum, where to find them, how to use them, tips from users, and more.
Best Hair Serum Reviewed In This Guide
Best Overall: Herstyler Hair Repair Best Hair Serum Overall
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest On Amazon: John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Best Hair Serum on Amazon
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest Affordable: Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Anti-Frizz Best Hair Serum On A Budget
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest For Shine: BIOSILK Silk Therapy Original Cure Best Hair Serum for shine
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest For Thick Frizzy Hair: OUAI Hair Oil Best Hair Serum for thick frizzy hair
⇣ Jump to ReviewHow To Choose The Perfect Best Hair Serum For You?
The best hair serums for women are those that suit your particular hair type and help you deal with targeted issues. It is also important to know how to properly use them in order to make the most out of these potent products.
Understand that not all hair serums are made equal, we tend to think that the best hair serum is some sort of magical product that works as a pick-me-up for our tresses, it needs to be understood that serums serve multiple purposes.
This is how you can choose the perfect one that can be highly beneficial for your hair. When shopping for a hair serum what you’ll choose really depends on what benefit your hair and scalp need, experts say.
Since hair serums are such versatile products, your specific hair type and concerns will help determine what you’ll need to look for. In general, is best to stay clear from sulfates and parabens which is key to preventing dryness.
Also, you want to look for hair oils and serums with more naturally derived ingredients, since these will provide the most benefits to the hair without coating hair with chemicals.
Additionally, you want to avoid those containing synthetic perfumes as those will actually dry out the hair, which is usually the opposite of what you might want to achieve with a serum.
Ingredients like natural oils, glycerin, biotin, proteins, antioxidants, and silicones are all great to look for in a hair serum. Silicones are great for smoothing the hair, but the fix is topical and temporary.
Silicones sit on top of the hair rather than entering the interior of the hair, so make sure to properly wash your hair if using products with silicones. Hair serums are used for addressing different hair issues. You will get frizz control, volumizing, and heat protectant serums on the market.
Some products add shine, reduce dryness, or repair hair damage. Pick a product that matches your hair concern
Types Of Best Hair Serum
Best Hair Serum For Dry Hair
Excessively dry hair needs extra care and nutrition; however one question is how to tell if your hair is dry or damaged?. The good news is that now there are serums available that can be applied overnight and kept that can revitalize your hair while you get your beauty sleep.
Make sure though that these serums are cream-based and not oil-based so that they don’t weigh down your hair instead of moisturizing it.
Best Hair Serum For Curly Hair
Curls automatically tend to get frizzier and more difficult to manage. The best serums for wavy and curly hair are those that have intense moisturizing properties. To keep those curls bouncy and glossy and bring them back to life, pick serums laden with hydrating oils like jojoba, argan, and sweet almond.
Curl defining serums are super lightweight, as thick hair serums can weigh down your curls. They helped leave your hair bouncy and define your natural curls.
Best Hair Serum For Chemically Treated Hair
There are lightweight cream-based hair serums that besides silicone contain ingredients like jojoba, argan, and coconut oil along with green tea extracts. These work perfectly for colored and chemically processed hair.
Best Hair Serum For Split-End Hair
Split ends make our manes prone to breakage and frayed. If you have too many split ends, hair serum is a must to improve the appearance of your hair. But make sure you pick hair serums that contain keratin as keratin is known to repair annoying split ends and prevent strands from splitting.
Best Hair Serum For Thick And Frizzy Hair
Silicone-based hair serum is the best bet for hair that is dry, thick, and frizzy because it acts as a thick sealant and is known to act as occlusives that block out the evaporation of water and keep hair hydrated. If you’re using this ingredient, it is best to skip it in the rest of your hair care products.
Best Hair Serum For Dull Hair
Oils like argan and almond can instantly add shine and smoothen hair that’s lacking luster. Vitamin E capsules can also be used as a serum to boost hair vitality and make it appear healthier and more nourished.
Oil-Based Best Hair Serum
Oil-based serums are infused with essential and carrier oils, like almond oil, argan oil, and coconut oil. They are super concentrated and rich, as they do not have any water content. They are best for very dry and untamable hair.
Spray Best Hair Serum
Spray-type serums are the best option for on-the-go applications. They give you a salon-like hair finish anytime and anywhere. Thus, they are perfect for carrying during vacations.
Water-Based Serum Best Hair Serum
If you have very thin hair, then a water-based serum is the best option for you. It does not weigh down your hair and yet leaves it luscious and sleek.
Hair Issues Best Hair Serum
Many serums target specific hair issues like hair fall, low viscosity, fizziness, etc. These serums have nourishing and rejuvenating ingredients like avocado oil, vitamin E, argan oil, coconut oil, and essential extracts.
Silicone-Based Best Hair Serum
If you have very weak and brittle locks, silicone-based hair serums smooth your hair instantly and induce luster.
Best Hair Serum List
1. Herstyler Hair Repair Best Hair Serum overall
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This amazing formula repairs brittle and dry ends and revives dull and damaged hair to reveal a healthy sheen. Prepare to be amazed.
Fortified with Argan oil, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, the Herstyler Argan Oil Serum softens hair effortlessly and instantly. So bid goodbye to dull, damaged, and frizzy hair for an instant makeover that will leave you spellbound.
Also called Liquid Gold, Argan oil is power-packed with Vitamin E. It increases elasticity and restores shine to dull, lifeless hair. It also creates a protective barrier against damaging UV rays.
Apply 2-3 drops of this revolutionary hair repairing serum and work it into your hair in slow gentle movements.
This hair shine serum transforms dry, damaged hair leaving it lush and glossy. What’s more, is that this frizz control hair product works well on straight or curly hair. The novel mix of Aloe and Argan oil extracts works in this de-frizz hair product to leave your tresses soft, shiny, and stunning. From de-glam to glamorous in a matter of minutes.
This hair smoothing serum is a complete hairstyling solution. It reduces frizz, tames hair, loosens tangles, lessens split ends, and restores shine to hair.
Aloe Vera nourishes the scalp, addresses hair woes, and stimulates dormant hair follicles. This Vitamin E serum locks in moisture and nutrients to condition your hair.
I’ve been using this hair serum for about 4 years now and I love it. My hair is naturally fizzy, but this hair serum keeps it under control looking shiny, silky and feeling softer than baby skin. It has a beautiful, yet soft smell to it.
It makes me feel like the Little Mermaid underwater with her beautiful red hair flowing around except my hair flows around gracefully in the air (if that makes any sense lol) As you can see in my picture it’s safe to use on bleached/dyed hair.
My hair is thick and long so I divide my hair into 2 parts and use 3 small pumps of hair serum on each side (a little goes a LONG way!). Just be sure to not put too much or it’ll turn out oily. I highly recommend it for any type of hair especially frizzy hair and if you straighten/curl it often.
How To Use Herstyler Repair Best Hair Serum
- Apply 1 – 2 pumps (depending on the volume and length of your hair) into dry or damp hair, starting from the ends, and moving upwards.
- Style as usual.
- To touch up your style, apply a small drop onto your palms and work lightly into dry hair.
2. John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Best Hair Serum on Amazon
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Iconic extra strength 6-in-1 serum eliminates frizz, prevents damage from heat styling, repels humidity, smooths strands, hydrates parched hair, and tames flyaways.
In addition to eliminating frizz, a dime-sized amount of serum applied to soaking wet hair can prevent damage from heat styling, repel humidity, smooth strands, hydrate, and tame unruly flyaways.
With its blend of silk proteins and seaweed extract, plus its famous frizz-fighting ingredients, John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength 6 Effects+ Serum instantly transforms wild, unmanageable hair into gorgeous, silky locks.
Carefully formulated and featuring bamboo extract, this weightless, anti-frizz hair serum repairs dry, damaged, and frizzy hair. The salon-quality serum is safe for use on natural, color-treated, or highlighted hair.
A single pump of our after-wash hair serum should be applied to soaking wet hair to lock in moisture. Use an extra pump, as needed, to distribute evenly but avoid roots.
This is the OG. When I was little girl I would use this all the time to try and game my frizziness. It worked miracles then and still does. I just recently purchased this again after not using it for a while and experimenting with other products and it still works wonders.
I live in hot and humid South Florida and just looking out the window can give you frizz. This product does not make my hair look greasy. It also defines my 3c curls. For the price it’s definitely worth it.
How To Use John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Best Hair Serum
- Apply to wet hair. Apply a dime-sized amount of John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength 6 Effects+ Serum into the palm and rub your hands together.
- Work into hair, distributing evenly but avoiding roots.
- Add more of the product depending on the length and thickness of the hair.
- Do not rinse out. Styling products can be layered into hair after serum.
3. Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Anti-Frizz Best Hair Serum On A Budget
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Garnier Anti Frizz Serum brings the frizz-taming power of Moroccan argan oil, this Anti Frizz serum penetrates into frizzy, dry, unmanageable hair for lasting smoothness and shine
Nourish and Style with Garnier Fructis, from Mega Full to Anti Frizz hair products Garnier has shampoos, leave-in conditioners, hair masks, texturizing sprays, and more to help you care for your hair your way.
The best hair serum offers up to 72-hour frizz control even in 97% humidity, for straight to wavy/curly hair types. Cruelty-free, vegan formula with no animal-derived ingredients, no parabens, no sulfates, and no DMDM hydantoin.
The Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum is infused with our exclusive duo of ingredients, argan oil; sustainably sourced natural oil from Morocco, and Kera-system; a combination of vitamin E, plant protein, and conditioning agents. Visible results: hair is intensely smooth and shiny for up to 72 hours.
Terrific product. I squirt a few drops in my palms, then I brush fingers and hands right through my short, but a full crop of graying hair. Makes these tresses look ever so shiny and silky while keeping it all in place.
Don’t even need to use hairspray. I especially like the fact that it’s not greasy, nor gummy, nor does it have an odor. It just has a pleasant and unassuming scent. Most of all, this product enhances the natural wave and light curl that I still have.
For me, it’s best used right after a shampoo and a towel dry.
How To Use Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Best Hair Serum
- After using Sleek & Shine shampoo and conditioner, dispense 1 pump of serum, or as much as needed for your hair type, into your hands.
- Apply uniformly to damp or dry hair.
- Do not rinse. For the sleekest look, style using a brush and blow dryer.
4. BIOSILK Silk Therapy Original Cure Best Hair Serum for shine
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BioSilk Silk Therapy Original is a weightless leave-in silk replenishing and reconstructing treatment that helps repair, smooth, and protects all hair types.
This quest for healthier hair is how BioSilk Silk Therapy emerged in 1986. For centuries, silk was celebrated as a luxurious fabric due to its smooth texture and brilliant luster. Throughout history, silk clothed royalty and the elite, continually evolving with fashion trends to be one of the most coveted fabrics of all times.
The launch of BioSilk Silk Therapy was yet another first since natural pure silk had never been used in hair care before. BioSilk Silk Therapy continues to be one of the company’s strongest product offerings, winning countless beauty awards throughout the years and is a recognized brand among 97% of women.
I have been using Biosilk for years, it’s the ONLY serum that smooths my frizz without being greasy. I have tried many cheaper options, Argan Oil, coconut oil, various Garnier serums, etc.
This one is exponentially better than anything else I have tried. I saw a few reviews that state it’s a knockoff. But at this price for a huge bottle that will last me a year, I took the risk.
And I honestly can’t tell the difference. It smells lovely, makes my hair so soft and manageable, and doesn’t take much to do the job. It’s a great deal for an amazing product.
How to Use BIOSILK Silk Therapy Best Hair Serum
- Shake well before use.
- Place a small amount of silk therapy in the palms and apply from the scalp to the ends.
- May be used on wet or dry hair or skin. Use as often as necessary.
5. OUAI Hair Oil Best Hair Serum for thick frizzy hair
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A powerful, multi-tasking oil for every occasion. It protects hair from color fading and heat/UV damage, smooths split ends and frizz, and adds next-level shine. For that high-gloss sleek look, use the OUAI Hair Oil. Protects hair from heat damage up to 450°F/232°C.
African galanga, ama, and Asian borage oils protect and smooth hair as you’ve never seen before.
In that casual Parisian way. OUAI is about being better IRL than on Instagram. It’s about having honest conversations with our community. It’s about letting go of unrealistic expectations and embracing your imperfections.
This stuff is heaven to my bleach blonde hair. I put a couple pumps onto my towel-dried hair and then another bit to smooth out any dry ends after I’ve blow dried it.
My hair looks like a sad frizzy mess until I put this stuff in, and then my hair is so silky and shiny. I think I originally got a sample in an Ipsy bag and thought it was strange to put oil in your hair. But then after I went blonde, my hair texture dried up and I panicked a bit. This product makes all the difference. Seriously.
Ingredients that get the job done. All OUAI products are carefully crafted to cut styling time and nourish your hair health.
For real life, for real people. Celebrity stylist Jen Atkin had used every product on the market but couldn’t find a brand she or her friends could relate to. OUAI offers luxury products at affordable prices that are user-friendly- no glam squad needed.
Work 1-3 drops through wet hair, add to dry hair after a blowout or leave on overnight as an intense hydrating mask.
Best Hair Serum Buying Guide
What Is The Best Hair Serum?
Hair serums are an essential product in any beauty lover’s arsenal. They provide multiple benefits to your mane and keep it looking attractive. The primary purpose of hair serum is to make your locks look shinier, less knotted, and healthier.
Hair serums are basically silicone-based product that coats the surface of your hair and gives your hair softness and shine and prevents it from getting tangled.
These are also oil-based product that softens and soothes the cuticle layer of the hair. As a lubricant, it helps prevent cuticle damage when styling.
The best hair serums are made to tackle different hair concerns as well, while some may work on multiple needs at once, others target specific uses.
How Does The Best Hair Serum Work?
Hair serums add shine, reduces frizz and dryness, and work best for long and medium hair length. While it is true that silicon is the main ingredient in most hair serums, you need to pay attention to what are the other ingredients in your frizz fighter too.
For instance, if you have very dry and frizzy hair, you should opt for a hair serum that is infused with oils like castor, rosewood, and marula that will provide intense hydration.
Hair serums have protective and reparative properties making them essential in your haircare routine.
Features To Look For In The Best Hair Serum
Hair & Scalp Needs
When buying a hair serum what you’ll choose really depends on what benefit your hair and scalp need. Since hair serums are such versatile products, your specific hair type and concerns will help determine what you’ll need to look for. Generally, avoiding sulfates and parabens is key to preventing dryness.
Ingredients
Look for hair oils and serums with more naturally derived ingredients. They will provide the most benefits to the hair without coating hair with chemicals. Also stay clear from serums that contain synthetic perfumes as those will actually dry out the hair, which is usually the opposite of what you might want to achieve with a serum.
For frizz control, look for a serum with dimethicone or any silicone-based hair serum. If you are looking for a hair repair serum, go for one that is rich in proteins. If you are looking for a serum to add gloss and shine to your hair, buy one that contains natural oils like argan oil or macadamia oil.
Hair Type
There are different hair serums for each hair type. For example, if you have curly hair, you can use a serum that creates bouncy or defined curls. Likewise, if you have straight hair, a serum can enhance the smoothness and shine of your locks.
Controls Frizz
If your hair is weak and damaged, it may look frizzy or dry. You may also have flyaways, or hair that looks like it’s standing on end.
The silicone in the best hair serum for frizzy hair can help control these issues. It adds weight to weak strands, giving them more substance. Silicon’s ability to coat your hair also helps lock in your natural curl pattern.
Some hair serums contain hydrolyzed proteins, which can help counteract the static charge that causes frizz and flyaways.
Boosts Smoothness
The anti-frizz effect of the best hair serum also helps improve the smoothness of your hair. This is due to the coating action of silicone, which creates the appearance of sleek and polished strands.
Reduces Tangles
When your hair is smooth and sleek, it’s less likely to tangle or knot. The detangling effect of the best hair serum can make your hair easier to comb, style, and manage.
Promotes Shine
You need the best hair serum to promote shine. When your hair is smooth, it tends to look shinier and glossier. Plus, some types of silicone used in hair serum can help reflect light, which increases the appearance of overall shine.
Protect Against Damage
Because the best hair serum coats your hair, it can help protect your strands from different types of damage. Some hair serums are marketed as heat protectants, which are applied before using heat-styling tools.
This includes damage caused by:
- Chemical processing (like coloring, perming, or straightening)
- Heat damage (from blow-drying and heated styling tools)
- Environmental stress (like sun exposure)
- Mechanical stress (due to repeated hairstyling)
Common Questions About Best Hair Serum
Why do you need to use hair serum?
- They help tame static flyaways and leave your hair more manageable.
- Serums also help smoothen your hair and polish your strands.
- They help your hair to appear sleek.
- Hair serums also leave your hair shiny.
- Some serums with special formulae can help straighten your hair.
- Serums specifically formulated for curly hair add an additional dose of moisture to the tresses, creating bouncier curls.
- Regular use of serums can reverse hair damage from chemical processing, like straightening, perming, or coloring.
- They coat your hair strands and help reduce mechanical stress due to repeated styling.
- They protect your hair from heat damage caused by blow-drying or styling tools.
- Serums equipped with UV filters protect your hair from sun exposure and environmental aggression.
Should you use hair serum daily?
Yes, you can use hair serums daily on your hair. Using a serum, especially while drying or styling your hair, will protect your hair from thermal heat, allow your hair to retain moisture, and help tame frizz.
Is it ok to use hair serum on the scalp?
No, using hair serums on your scalp can leave your scalp greasy and encourage dandruff on the long go. It also weighs down your hair and makes it look unappealing.
How to apply hair serum properly?
- Make sure your hair is damp or clean for the best results.
- Take 1 to 2 drops of hair serum in your hand, and rub it between the palm of your hands for roughly five seconds.
- Now, part the hair into sections and work the hair serum from the middle to the end of each partition. Try to spread the product as evenly as possible. Also, stay away from the roots, as applying serum to the roots can make your hair look greasy.
- Once you are done, use a wide-tooth comb to brush your hair from the middle to the ends to help evenly distribute the serum.
- Style your hair as needed and reapply the serum any time of the day if necessary.
Enjoy Your New Best Hair Serum
Now that you’ve learned about our top picks for the best hair serum, you can make an informed choice and see what’s best for your specific hair needs. We hope this guide was helpful in your hunt for the best hair serum.
Adding a serum to your regular hair care routine makes your tresses manageable, nourished, and hydrated. Make sure to invest in a serum that suits your hair type, length, and viscosity to obtain maximum results from your serum.
Do not hesitate in contacting us if you have any doubts. We are always happy to hear from you.
Disclosure: The Hair Products recommended in this article are our top favorites because they have a great combination of quality, features, and affordability. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the links as a way to support this site. If you buy a qualifying product, you’re not charged anything extra, but I’ll get a small commission to help pay for my expenses. I hope you find our advice helpful and discover the Best Hair Products for your needs on this list.
