Hair Oils & Serums Price Comparison

Hair oils and serums occupy a curious middle ground in any haircare routine — they're finishing products, yes, but the best ones do far more than add shine. From Moroccanoil's iconic argan-based treatment to Olaplex's bond-repairing No. 7, the category spans everything from salon-grade repair formulas to lightweight daily smoothers. With 196 products currently tracked across multiple UK retailers, prices range from 6 £ for entry-level options up to 29 £ for premium professional lines.

What strikes us when analysing this market is the sheer breadth of formulation types. A "hair oil" can mean anything from a dense, nourishing argan oil designed to penetrate the cortex, to a silicone-heavy serum that simply coats the strand for instant gloss. These are not interchangeable. Applying a rich coconut-based oil to fine hair is a reliable route to greasy, flat locks — while a featherweight serum on thick, coarse hair will barely register. Getting the formulation right matters more than the brand name on the bottle.

The professional salon brands dominate the upper end of this category. Davines, ALFAPARF Milano, and Macadamia sit comfortably above the median, targeting colour-treated or chemically processed hair with targeted actives like ceramides, bond technology, and UV filters. At the more accessible end, Goldwell and Revlon's Orofluido line offer genuinely solid performance — Goldwell in particular punches well above its average price point. We've seen its serums consistently attract multiple competing offers from UK stockists, which keeps prices competitive.

It's also worth noting the growing importance of heat and UV protection in this segment. Products like the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil blur the line between styling primer and treatment serum — a trend that reflects how consumers now expect multi-tasking from their haircare. If you colour your hair regularly, a serum with UV filters isn't a luxury; it's basic maintenance.

For those exploring the broader treatment category, hair masks pair well with oils for a deeper conditioning routine, while hair smoothing and strengthening products address similar concerns from a different angle. The average price across this category sits around 15 £, but as we'll explain in the guide below, the median is a more useful benchmark — roughly half the catalogue sits below 13 £, and that's where some of the strongest value lies.

How to Choose the Right Hair Oil or Serum

The single biggest mistake buyers make here is treating all hair oils and serums as the same product. They're not. Your hair type, its current condition, and what you actually want to achieve should drive the decision — not the packaging. Here's what genuinely matters.

Oil vs. serum: getting the formulation right for your hair type

This is the first fork in the road. Oils — whether argan, jojoba, or macadamia — provide genuine nutritional benefit and are best suited to medium-to-thick, dry, or frizzy hair. They penetrate the hair shaft to restore moisture and add lasting shine. Serums, particularly silicone-based ones, work differently: they coat the strand to smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz, but offer little structural repair. If your hair is fine or prone to limpness, a lightweight aqueous or silicone serum is almost always the better call. Applying a dense oil to fine hair is one of the most common — and most avoidable — mistakes in haircare.

Bond technology and repairing actives — worth the premium?

Olaplex popularised bond-repair technology, and now most premium serums include some variant of it. The idea is sound: ingredients like bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, amino acids, and ceramides work at a structural level to reconnect broken disulphide bonds in chemically damaged hair. If your hair has been bleached, permed, or repeatedly heat-styled, these actives make a real difference over time. If your hair is in good condition and you just want shine, you're paying for technology you don't need — a mid-range argan oil will serve you just as well at a fraction of the cost.

UV and heat protection: non-negotiable for colour-treated hair

Colour fade is accelerated by two things: UV exposure and heat styling. A serum or oil with built-in UV filters and thermal protection addresses both in a single step. Look for products that explicitly state heat protection (typically up to 230°C) and contain antioxidants like vitamin E or ferulic acid. This is particularly relevant for highlighted or bleached hair, where the cuticle is already compromised. Bumble and Bumble's Invisible Oil primer is a well-known example of this dual-function approach, and it's not alone in the category.

Silicones: the great debate

Silicones (dimethicone, cyclomethicone, amodimethicone) are the workhorses of frizz control and instant shine. They're effective — but they accumulate on the hair shaft over time, which can lead to build-up, dullness, and a dependency cycle where you need more product to achieve the same result. If you use a serum daily, opt for volatile silicones (like cyclopentasiloxane) that evaporate after application, or look for silicone-free formulas if you're washing your hair less frequently. For occasional use, non-volatile silicones are perfectly fine.

Format and concentration: don't overlook the maths

A 30 ml bottle of Olaplex No. 7 at around 13 £ might seem expensive compared to a 150 ml serum at a similar price — but the Olaplex is highly concentrated and requires just two or three drops per use, making it last considerably longer. Always check the recommended usage amount before judging value by volume alone. Sprays tend to be more dilute and suit daily use; pipette or pump formats usually indicate a more concentrated formula designed for targeted application.

Matching the product to your chemical treatment history

Colour-treated hair needs UV protection and colour-preserving actives (look for "colour brilliance" or "colour care" labelling). Relaxed or keratin-treated hair benefits from sulphate-free, humidity-resistant formulas that won't strip the treatment. Bleached or heavily processed hair needs bond repair above all else. Using a generic "shine serum" on heavily bleached hair is better than nothing, but it's not addressing the underlying damage — and over time, that matters.

• Budget picks (From 6 £ to 12 £) : Revlon's Orofluido Elixir and Goldwell's Restoring Serum sit comfortably here. Don't dismiss this tier — Goldwell in particular offers professional-grade formulations at accessible prices. Ideal for those wanting a reliable daily serum without the salon price tag. Expect simpler actives and less targeted formulations, but solid everyday performance.
• The sweet spot (From 12 £ to 13 £) : Where most of the best value lives. GHD's Dramatic Ending serum, Maria Nila's Soft Oil, and Salerm's Keratin Shot all fall here. You start to see genuine repair actives, better fragrance profiles, and more sophisticated delivery systems. A strong choice for most hair types and concerns.
• Mid-premium (From 13 £ to 17 £) : Olaplex No. 7, Bumble and Bumble, and ALFAPARF Milano occupy this range. Formulations become noticeably more targeted — bond repair, UV protection, and colour-care technology are standard at this level. Worth the step up if your hair is colour-treated or chemically processed.
• Professional and luxury (Over 17 £) : Macadamia, Miss Jessie's, and the upper end of the Davines range. These are salon-grade products with premium ingredients and often larger formats. Justified for very damaged, textured, or high-maintenance hair — but for most people, the mid-premium tier delivers comparable results at a lower cost.

Top products

• Moroccanoil Treatment Hair oil 100 ml Unisex (Moroccanoil) : The category benchmark for argan-based oils — genuinely effective for most hair types, though too heavy for very fine hair. One of the most-compared products in this category for good reason.
• Olaplex No. 7 Bond Oil 30 ml (Olaplex) : The go-to for bleached or heavily processed hair. Highly concentrated — a little genuinely goes a long way. Don't be put off by the small bottle; it outlasts most 100 ml rivals.
• Goldwell Dualsenses Color Brilliance Hair serum 150 ml Unisex (Goldwell) : Exceptional value for colour-treated hair. Professional-grade formulation at a price that undercuts most competitors significantly — the strongest budget recommendation in this category.
• GHD dramatic ending Hair serum 30 ml Women (GHD) : A reliable finishing serum from a brand that knows heat styling. Best used as a post-blow-dry smoother rather than a treatment — it's a style product first, repair product second.
• Bumble And Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer 250 ml (Bumble And Bumble) : The best multi-tasker in the top 15 — heat protection, UV defence, and lightweight conditioning in one product. The 250 ml format makes it genuinely cost-effective despite the higher unit price.

Related categories

• Hair Masks
• Hair Creams & Concentrates
• Hair Smoothing & Strengthening Products
• Scalp Treatments
• Hair Loss Remedies
• Hair Lightening Remedies
• Beard & Moustache Care Remedies