Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

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We all know that a great hair serum is the swiftest shortcut to smooth lengths and reflective shine – but now there's a whole host of next-gen formulas that promise to go above and beyond the basics.

From encouraging growth to preventing colour fade and even helping to speed up your blow-dry (yes, that’s a thing), today’s best hair serums are here to solve your every demand, no matter how high-maintenance your hair may be.

Serums infused with oils are here to deliver deeper nourishment and prevent split ends, while antioxidant-fuelled concoctions will reflect harmful UV rays, stopping them from fading that pricey balayage. For curls that need a little encouragement, there’s a serum to lend instant definition, and for Monica Geller-style humidity hair, there’s a magical potion to slim down the volume.

We totally get that the hair aisle can be incredibly overwhelming especially with so many new brands popping up, but we are here to help, no matter your hair texture.

For our curly/coily people we have Andrew Fitzsimon's new Fantasy Curls Serum, styling addicts will benefit from JVN's new Instant Recovery Serum and because scalp health = hair health, we all should invest in Arkive's The Root-Ine Scalp Serum.

Scroll down to shop the stand-out serums that really stood up to the beauty team’s scrutiny and thank us later for your glossy, healthy manes.

The 12 best hair serums to try now

Best hair serum for overall hair health

Arkive boots.com

Arkive The Root-Ine Scalp Serum

Best hair serum for curls and coils

Andrew Fitzsimons boots.com

Andrew Fitzsimons Nourishing Anti Frizz Serum for Curly Hair

Best hair serum for heat styling

JVN Hair spacenk.com.uk

Complete Instant Recovery Serum

Best hair serum for damaged hair

Davines feelunique.com

Davines OI Oil

Best hair serum for blonde hair

LOreal Elvive boots.com

Colour Protect Purple Anti-Brassiness Hair Oil

Best hair serum for frizz

Coco & Eve cultbeauty.co.uk

Miracle Hair Elixir

Best hair serum for dry hair

Kérastase lookfantastic.com

Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum

Best hair serum for frizzy hair

Moroccanoil feelunique.com

Moroccanoil Treatment

Best serum for glass shine

EVO amazon.co.uk

Love Perpetua Shine Drops

Best hair growth serum

Grow Gorgeous lookfantastic.com

Daily Growth Serum

Best hair serum for curly hair

Umberto Giannini boots.com

No More Frizz Curl Serum

Best hair serum for fine hair

The Inkey List asos.com

The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Hair Treatment

Best hair serum for frazzled ends

ghd lookfantastic.com

Dramatic Ending Smooth and Finish Serum

Laura Capon Senior Fashion & Beauty Writer Laura writes about everything beauty and fashion related for Cosmopolitan UK and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube.

Boldplex 6 Hair Serum - Hydrating Leave In Protein Treatment for Frizzy, Dry, Damaged, Colored, Broken, Curly, Straight or Bleached Hair Types - Paraben & Sulfate Free. Cruelty Free, 100% Vegan. 5.9 Fl.Oz

No matter how you take care of your tresses – use good hair care products, sleep on satin pillowcases, oil as required – you can’t miss using the best hair serum. After all, the serum adds the final shine and gloss to the hair, fights against aggressors, and protects your damaged hair.

Hair serums are truly the knights in shining armor. They fight hair frizz, tame flyaways, help smoothen and straighten different hair types. Hair serums take care of damaged hair and help treat split ends to give you healthy hair. That’s why you need hair serums to get gorgeous-looking tresses all day, every day. So, have a look at the 15 best hair serums below.

Our Top Picks
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Best Overall:Herstyler Hair Serum
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Best Long-Lasting Effects:Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum
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Best For Color-Treated Hair:JOHN FRIEDA FRIZZ EASE Extra Strength Serum
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Best Gluten-Free Formula:Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
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Best Vegan Formula:GIOVANNI 2chic Repairing Super Potion Hair Oil Serum
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Best For All Hair Types:Vitamins Keratin Hair Serum
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Best For Fine Hair:GK Hair Serum
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Best Non-Sticky Formula:OGX Smoothing + Liquid Pearl Luminescent Serum
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Best For Porous Hair:davines This Is A Curl Building Serum
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Best For All Curly Hair:Redken Curvaceous Full Swirl Cream-Serum
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15 Best Hair Serums For Every Hair Type – Reviews 

1. Best Overall:Herstyler Hair Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The Herstyler Hair Serum is formulated with argan oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E. This amazing blend instantly controls unmanageable hair by eliminating frizz and softening the hair strands. It gives an instant makeover to dull, damaged hair.

This hair serum is enriched with argan oil, also called Liquid Gold, which increases elasticity and restores sheen and softness to dull hair. It also creates a protective shield for UV rays and protects the hair from further damage. Vitamin E repairs hair damage and maintains a healthy scalp and hair, and aloe vera leaves the hair smooth and shiny. This hair smoothing serum tames the hair by loosening tangles and fixing split ends. It is non-greasy and works well for curly or straight hair. This video will help you understand the product better.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil, Vitamin E, and Aloe vera 

Pros

  • Non-greasy
  • Lightweight
  • Ideal for daily use
  • Suitable for men and women
  • Great for humid environments
  • Works well on extensions and wigs 

Cons

  • Strong fragrance

2. Best Long-Lasting Effects:Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum is powered with Moroccon argan oil that offers long-lasting shine and smoothness. This serum seeps into dry, unmanageable hair and controls frizz even in 97% humidity. The Active Fruit Protein contains fruit- and plant-derived extracts, vitamins B3 and B6, and citrus protein that make your hair stronger and healthier. This serum is paraben-free. Check out the detailed review of the product in this video.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil and Active Fruit Protein 

Pros

  • Paraben-free
  • Long-lasting effects
  • Smells nice 

Cons

  • Greasy

3. Best For Color-Treated Hair: JOHN FRIEDA FRIZZ EASE Extra Strength Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The JOHN FRIEDA FRIZZ EASE Extra Strength Serum hydrates each hair strand to prevent frizz. The blend of seaweed extract and silk proteins conditions the hair, improves manageability, and gives it a smooth, shiny finish. This 6-in-1 serum offers thermal protection to protect your hair from heat.

The serum creates a shield against frizz with bamboo extract and provides nourishment to each strand. It prevents damage from heat styling, repels humidity, and transforms unmanageable locks into gorgeous, silky hair. This weightless serum is suitable for color-treated, natural, and highlighted hair and works well for curly-wavy and medium-thick coarse hair. Watch this video of the product for more information.

Key Ingredients: Bamboo extract, Hydrolyzed silk, and Seaweed extract

Pros

  • Protects the hair from heat
  • Safe for color-treated hair
  • Lightweight
  • A little goes a long way 

Cons

  • Does not work in high humidity

4. Best Gluten-Free Formula:Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum is a bestselling blowout primer. The award-winning formula speeds up the drying process to give you silky smooth hair faster.

This hair straightening serum contains lightweight silicones that seal and condition each cuticle, keeping the hair free of frizz under any weather conditions. It is humidity-resistant and has an invigorating scent – a blend of orange, apple, and bergamot. This serum works well for oily, normal, or dry hair.

Key Ingredients: Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, andCyclotrisiloxane

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Smells great
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • Paraben-free
  • A little goes a long way 

Cons

None

5. Best Vegan Formula:GIOVANNI 2chic Repairing Super Potion Hair Oil Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

If your hair needs serious repair and rejuvenation, go for the GIOVANNI 2chic Repairing Super Potion Hair Oil Serum. The Dual Repairing Complex helps strengthen and smoothen your mane. This complex is a blend of coconut oil and freshly ripened blackberries to tame dry, unruly hair.

This serum also contains shea butter, keratin, and jojoba that nourish and soften your hair. It does not strip your hair of its color or nutrients. This oil-based serum reduces frizz, repairs split ends, and makes the hair soft, manageable, and lustrous. It is cruelty-free and does not contain sulfates, parabens, artificial dyes, and chemicals.

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Blackberries, Shea butter, Keratin, and Jojobaoil

Pros

  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Color-safe
  • Paraben-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • Makes the hair greasy

6. Best For All Hair Types:Vitamins Keratin Hair Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

If you have dry, frizzy hair, check out the Vitamins Keratin Hair Serum. It is enriched with Moroccan argan oil, keratin, wheat germ oil, and vitamin E that protect and heal your hair from damage caused by the sun, heat, and flat irons. This weightless serum repairs and softens damaged hair and adds gloss and shine.

It repairs split ends and provides Anti-Breakage Transformative Hair Therapy. This hair smoothing serum leaves the hair stronger, fuller, and silky. It is lightweight, non-oily, and suitable for all types of hair. The anti-humidity protein serum is free of parabens, sulfates, and alcohol. 

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Keratin, Moroccan argan oil, and Wheat germ oil

Pros

  • Non-greasy
  • Lightweight
  • Paraben-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • May leave residue

7. Best For Fine Hair:GK Hair Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The GK Hair Serum contains argan oil that locks in moisture and balances oil production and Juvenix, a keratin anti-aging protein that restores the hair and prevents future damage. Other natural extracts revitalize the hair follicles, stimulate cell renewal, and promote healthy hair growth.

This serum creates a protective layer on each hair shaft and keeps it youthful. It fills up gaps in the hair follicles to make your hair smooth and frizz-free without weighing it down. This serum tames flyaways and transforms dull, dry hair into smooth, healthy, and glossy locks. It also combats damage caused by coloring and smoothing treatments. This product is suitable for straight, wavy, and curly hair types and can be used by men and women.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil and Juvexin 

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Non-greasy
  • A little goes a long way
  • Suitable for fine hair 

Cons

  • Strong fragrance

8. Best Non-Sticky Formula:OGX Smoothing + Liquid Pearl Luminescent Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The OGX Smoothing + Liquid Pearl Luminescent Serum is the best hair shine serum. It contains sea kelp and pearl extract that imparts shine and smoothness to the hair.

This sparkly serum makes your hair look fuller, whether it is straight and smooth or curly and bouncy. It has a sensual, invigorating fragrance, and it hydrates and moisturizes the hair and removes scented cream residue. This shine-enhancing serum also protects color-treated hair and makes it look sleek and shiny.

Key Ingredients: Sea kelp and Pearl extract 

Pros

  • Color-safe
  • Non-sticky
  • Lightweight
  • Contains organic ingredients

Cons

  • Strong scent

9. Best For Porous Hair:davines This Is A Curl Building Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

This leave-in serum defines your curls, coils, and waves and makes them bouncy. It blocks humidity and frizz, promotes elasticity, and adds shine to your hair.

This curl building serum nourishes your curls and protects them from heat damage. It provides a soft, flexible hold and locks in moisture to prevent humidity from penetrating the hair follicles. This conditioning serum is suitable for porous hair and brittle hair that is prone to breakage and split ends. 

Pros

  • Defines curls
  • Paraben-free
  • Smells nice
  • No artificial colorants

Cons

  • May make the hair crunchy

10. Best For All Curly Hair:Redken Curvaceous Full Swirl Cream-Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

This 2-in-1 cream-serum formula locks in moisture and repels humidity. It controls frizz, enhances curl definition for all curl types, and prevents hair breakage. This serum features the Curl Memory Complex, an exclusive technology that helps the curls retain moisture while coating the cuticles to smooth frizz and strengthening the strands.

The Interlock Protein Network in the serum conditions and strengthens the hair and enhances surface protection, while the UV filters protect the hair from UV damage. Moringa oil keeps the hair hydrated, and the sugar crystals activate the shape of the curls. 

Key Ingredients: Curl Memory Complex, Moringa Oil, Sugar Crystals, UV filters, and Interlock Protein Network 

Pros

  • Provides UV protection
  • Defines curls
  • Pleasant scent
  • Value for money

Cons

  • Makes the hair crunchy

11. Best Non-Oily Option:Zero Frizz Hair Keratin Corrective Hair Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The  Zero Frizz Keratin Corrective Hair Serum tames frizz and flyaway hair, leaving you with shiny, manageable tresses. It protects color-treated hair and prolongs the longevity of the color. The brilliant formula works best on wet hair and easily detangles very thick and long hair. The hair cuticles absorb the keratin present in this serum, which makes them smooth and glossy. 

Key Ingredients: Keratin and Silicone 

Pros

  • Color-safe
  • Lightweight
  • Non-oily
  • A little goes a long way 

Cons

  • May dry the hair out

12. Best Sulfate-Free Product:Fantasia IC Frizz Buster Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

If you are struggling to manage your unruly, frizzy hair, try the Fantasia IC Frizz Buster Serum. This lightweight, non-greasy formula transforms frizzy, heat-damaged hair to smooth and shiny locks. The serum makes your hair manageable and offers styling control. It strengthens the cuticles and moisturizes the hair to make it healthy.

Pros

  • Alcohol-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Lightweight
  • Non-greasy
  • Works well for human hair extensions and wigs 

Cons

  • Difficultto wash off

13. Best For Split Ends:Hair Food Damage Recovery Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The Hair Food Hemp Extract &Manuka Honey Damage Recovery Serum is a fabulous potion to transform your damaged hair into soft, silky tresses. It contains a blend of the essences of honey and hemp, which imparts a heavenly fragrance to the hair.

This serum repairs and rejuvenates damaged hair and treats dry and split ends. For best results, use it with other hair care or styling products on damp hair.If you want some extra shine, use a little serum on dry hair. This serum is free of parabens, sulfates, and dyes.

Key Ingredients: Hemp extract and Manuka honey

Pros

  • Sulfate-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Dye-free
  • Chlorine-free
  • No artificial colors 

Cons

  • May weigh thin hair down

14. Best For Chemically Treated Hair:Obliphica Professional Seaberry Hair Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The Obliphica Professional Seaberry Hair Serum incorporates the wisdom of Ayurveda, Eastern, and Traditional medicinal practices and uses seaberry oil as the main ingredient for its miraculous healing powers. Seaberry oil contains vitamins, amino acids, bio-active compounds, omega fatty acids, and flavonoids that create an antioxidant shield for the hair from environmental aggressors.

This hair serum is the ultimate solution for undernourished and weak hair. It helps regenerate damaged hair and provides long-lasting protection from frizz and split ends. The luxurious formula provides instant rejuvenation and soft silky hair. This serum promotes optimum nourishment for healthy hair growth while taming wild, unruly hair. It reduces static and flyaways and works well as a detangler. It is suitable for all hair types and claims to reduce frizz up to 30% after 8 hours in high humidity.

Key Ingredients: Seaberry oil 

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Non-greasy
  • Smells amazing
  • Protects chemically treated hair

Cons

  • Expensive

15. Best Clinically-Tested Formula:Mise En Scene Perfect Serum

Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

The Mise En Scene Perfect Serum is formulated with seven naturally derived oils: argan, olive, coconut, apricot, marula, jojoba, and camellia. This anti-breakage leave-in serum is suitable for all hair types.

The hydrating serum nourishes the hair, reduces hair roughness, and smoothes split ends for healthy-looking hair. In addition, it provides heat protection to hair to prevent damage caused by heat styling. It also strengthens hair and improves its sleekness and elasticity, leaving the hair detangled and manageable.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil, Olive oil, Coconut oil, Apricot oil, Marula oil, Jojoba oil, and Camellia oil

Pros

  • Free from harsh chemicals
  • Non-sticky
  • Clinically-tested
  • Suitable for all hair types
  • Pleasant scent

Cons

  • May weigh the hair down

Hair serums prove beneficial in repairing damaged strands and hydrating your scalp. They can offer your strands moisturization and nourishment while making sure that your hair appears shinier, silkier, and smoother. Hair serums can eliminate frizz and soften the locks that have been damaged. While choosing the best hair serums, you should choose the ones that have been curated with natural ingredients. It is better to avoid serums that come with chemicals, harmful additives, and toxins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hair serums really work?

Yes, especially if you style your hair regularly. A hair serum forms a protective layer over the hair, protecting it from environmental aggressors. It also optimizes scalp conditions, which, in turn, improves the quality of hair.

Can we use a hair serum daily?

Preferably not. If you have very frizzy and unmanageable hair, you can use an oil-based serum everyday. It is best to limit the use of serums for days you wash your hair or for special occasions and hairstyling.

Is a hair serum harmful?

Hair serums with silicones can be harmful in the long run if used excessively. The chemicals in some serums can cause the hair to dry out and lead to breakage. However, it is important to remember that serums primarily coat the hair shafts and do not penetrate the scalp. Hence, they will not cause harm if used correctly and in limited amounts.

Does a hair serum stop hair fall?

Not primarily. A hair serum coats the hair shafts and does not penetrate the cuticles like oil. It does not change the structure of the hair. Instead, it controls frizz and enhances curls. A nourishing serum gives you healthier hair, which, in turn, could reduce hair fall.

Can a serum help hair grow?

Not all serums promote hair growth. However, they may encourage the follicles to produce shinier and thicker hair. This may make your hair look fuller.

Where do you apply hair serum?

Apply it to the hair strands. Avoid direct application to the scalp to avoid a greasy look.

What comes first: oil or serum?

Serum comes first. Hair serum should be used after the hair is washed and towel-dried. If required, a little oil can be applied after the serum for a better finish for very dry or frizzy hair. Keep oil away from the roots to avoid a greasy look.

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Best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified... more

Which hair serum is best for frizzy and dry hair?

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What is a good hair serum for dry hair?

Best Hair Serums For Dry Hair.
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Streax Pro Vita Gloss Hair Serum. ... .
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Does hair serum stop frizzy hair?

Hair serum can benefit your hair in several different ways. Depending on the type of serum you use, it can help add shine, reduce frizz, and enhance your natural texture. It can also keep your hair healthy by protecting against damage.

Is serum or oil better for frizzy hair?

If you're looking for a multi-tasker and the perfect remedy to treat hair prone to breakage, damage, fraying, dryness, frizzing, and split ends, choose hair oils over serums.