The Best Hair Serum

Buying Guide

Hair serums are treatment and styling products that coat the hair’s surface. They often have silicone, which remains on the surface to add shine, reduce frizz, eliminate tangles and make the strands softer and smoother. Some also have hydrolyzed proteins that combat the static charges that lead to flyaways and frizziness. You’ll also see ingredients like biotin, coconut milk, argan oil and other kinds of oil in these products.

Hair serums work like lubricants on straight, wavy and curly hair, but they also can target specific concerns like breakage and hair loss, even guarding against heat damage. If dullness is the issue, look for serums with oils like almond, argan and Vitamin E, as these can immediately smooth out hair and make it shiny. For thick, dry and frizzy hair, opt for a silicone-based serum, as these tend to seal the hair cuticle, preventing water evaporation and increasing hydration.

People with curly hair need a lot of moisture, so look for a lightweight one that offers a hydrating formula to help prevent breakage. Heavier serums can weigh down the curls, and you don’t want that. Colored hair can also benefit from hydration, so look for cream-based serums or oil blends formulated for color. Thin hair that tends to frizz does better with lighter silicone blends that are water soluble; oils can also weigh down this kind of hair.  

You can also find hair serums that claim to make hair grow thicker, and are supposedly be effective when used regularly. Hair loss can be hereditary, age-related, a result of cancer treatments and other illnesses and stressors, age or alopecia. The serums’ results are never guaranteed; talk with a doctor before trying any of these products.

• Only use a few drops of the serum at a time. Rub this into your hands for a few seconds and apply to the ends of the hair, nape, mid-length and top of your head, in that order.
• Applying too much serum on the crown of your head can make your hair oily.
• Don’t use hair serum more than once a day.
• If your hair looks weighed down after using a serum, switch to a lightweight version.
• If your serum contains silicone, don’t use it in combination with other hair care products that have it.
• Hair serums can also protect against pollutants and UV exposure.
• Serums that feel sticky and tacky contain a heavy dose of moisturizing ingredients and are not appropriate for all hair types; they are better for thicker, drier hair.