Beauty Apricot Kernel Oil For Hair Compared: Top Brands Tested
NOW and Majestic Pure both offer pure apricot kernel oil, but they differ in brand trust and details. We compared their purity, value and packaging to help you choose.
| Factor | NOW Foods Solutions Apricot Kernel Oil, | Majestic Pure Apricot Oil, Cold-Pressed, |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | NOW offers 100 percent pure apricot kernel oil with no additives. | Majestic Pure offers 100 percent pure cold-pressed apricot oil. |
| Size and value | NOW 16 oz gives excellent per-ounce value for regular users. | Majestic Pure 16 oz offers similar value with cruelty-free certification. |
| Packaging | NOW uses a clear bottle with UV protectant. | Majestic Pure uses standard packaging focused on purity. |
| Best for | NOW suits loyal users wanting a trusted heritage brand. | Majestic Pure suits buyers prioritizing cruelty-free sourcing. |
| Hair results | Both deliver lightweight moisture, shine and frizz control. | Both absorb fast without greasy residue. |
Our Verdict
NOW wins for most buyers with its trusted quality testing and great 16 oz value. Choose Majestic Pure if cruelty-free certification tops your priorities. Both deliver the same lightweight hair benefits. Pick the brand you trust and use it consistently for the silkiest results.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: First-time triers wanting a mid-size bottle.
Handcraft Blends Apricot Kernel Oil, Cold-Pressed, 8 Fl Oz
- Cold-pressed premium grade carrier oil
- Hexane-free pure formulation
- Good mid-size 8 oz bottle
- Hair and skin friendly
Pros
- Ideal trial size
- Clean hexane-free oil
Cons
- Less known brand
- No dropper included
Best for: Organic buyers and precise scalp application.
Organic Apricot Kernel Oil, Cold-Pressed, 1 Fl Oz with Glass Dropper
- USDA certified organic apricot oil
- Amber glass bottle with dropper
- Precise mess-free application
- Travel-friendly 1 oz size
Pros
- Organic certification
- Perfect for scalp targeting
Cons
- Tiny bottle for the price
- Runs out quickly
Can a Light Oil Help With Scalp Odor?
Scalp odor usually comes from sebum, sweat, and the microbes that feed on them, not from dirt alone. Apricot kernel oil will not perfume the problem away, but a light oil used correctly can help. Massaging a few drops of the Handcraft Blends 8-ounce bottle into the scalp loosens the waxy sebum layer where odor-causing microbes live, and the massage itself lifts that residue so shampoo removes it more completely on wash day. Think of the oil as a pre-cleanse, not a cover-up.
Learn to distinguish normal sebum odor from something that needs attention. A faint oily smell on day three after washing is normal. A sour, musty, or distinctly cheesy smell that appears within a day of washing points toward fungal or bacterial overgrowth, and no cosmetic oil fixes that on its own. If odor comes with yellowish flakes or intense itching, treat it as a scalp condition first. Our best oil for dandruff guide walks through which flaky-scalp situations respond to oils and which need a medicated approach.
Seasonal Shifts: Summer to Winter Oiling
Apricot kernel oil is light enough for year-round use, but the routine around it should change with the seasons. In humid summer months, scalp sweat increases and heavy oiling traps moisture against the skin. Switch to ends-only application with the 1-ounce dropper bottle for precise placement, and oil the scalp only as a pre-wash treatment an hour before shampooing. This keeps the lengths nourished without feeding summer scalp congestion.
Winter reverses the problem. Heated indoor air dries the scalp, and many people mistake winter dryness for dandruff. During the cold months, use the oil as a leave-on scalp treatment twice a week, massaging it in the evening and washing the next morning. NOW and Majestic Pure both make apricot kernel oil in sizes that suit this rhythm, with the larger bottle covering a full winter of twice-weekly sessions. Make the switch gradually over two to three weeks rather than overnight, because the scalp adjusts to routine changes slowly. For a relaxing winter evening routine, our acupressure scalp massage guide pairs well with warm oil application.
Keeping the Scalp Microbiome Balanced While Oiling
The scalp hosts a community of microbes that keeps the skin barrier healthy, and oiling habits can either support or disrupt it. Light, regular oiling with apricot kernel oil rarely causes trouble, but three habits do: leaving heavy oil on for days without washing, oiling over an already irritated or broken scalp, and layering oil on top of silicone-heavy stylers without ever clarifying. Each one creates a sealed, airless environment where the wrong microbes thrive.
A balanced routine looks like this: oil, massage, and wash within 24 hours for scalp application, or use the oil on the lengths only between washes. Clarify once every few weeks if you oil often, so residue never accumulates into a film. Watch for warning signs of disruption, such as new itching that was not there before oiling, or pimples along the hairline. When those appear, pause the oil for a week and let the scalp reset. Our hair oil for dandruff guide covers how oiling interacts with flaky scalps so you can adjust before small issues become real ones.
One last practical note: store the bottle away from bathroom steam and direct sun, since light and heat turn natural oils rancid faster. A cool bedroom drawer keeps apricot kernel oil fresh for months, and the Handcraft Blends 8-ounce size stays good through a full seasonal cycle when stored properly.