Argan Oil For Hair: Benefits, Uses, and Alternatives

Oil for hair might seem contradictory — after all, most people try to avoid greasy hair. But as it turns out, there are potential benefits to using natural hair oils, including argan oil for hair.

Derived from kernels of the argan tree found mostly in Morocco and sometimes referred to as “liquid gold,” argan oil is used for everything from anti-aging to moisturizing to treating skin injuries. But if you’re wondering how to use argan oil for hair growth, you might want to look elsewhere. Currently, there’s not much evidence it’s effective for preventing hair loss or promoting regrowth.

Still, there are other argan oil benefits for hair that might make it worth adding to your routine. Below, we cover the possible benefits of argan oil for hair and explain how to use it.

We’ll get straight to the point: While argan oil has benefits, there is extremely limited scientific research on its purported abilities to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss.

Despite argan oil’s popularity in hair products, no scientific studies have looked at its possible effects as a treatment for hair loss. There is also little to no reliable information available on the effectiveness of argan oil for hair growth, thickness, and strength.

That said, research on nutrients related to hair growth may have implications for the effectiveness of argan oil as a natural hair growth treatment. Though argan oil is primarily made up of triglycerides, it also contains measurable amounts of vitamin E, which is closely linked to hair health.

A small 2010 study found that supplementing with vitamin E increased hair count in people experiencing hair loss. However, vitamin E was taken orally in this study, so it's not a perfect one-to-one when talking about topical argan oil.

While using argan oil for hair growth may not pan out, there are other benefits of argan oil for hair and skin.

For instance, a small 2014 study found that postmenopausal women who consumed argan oil by mouth and applied an argan oil solution to their skin had a higher skin-water content level than those who consumed olive oil by mouth and applied the same argan oil to their skin.

Other research has found that argan oil may offer benefits for skin barrier repair, reducing inflammation and improving wound healing.

The research on argan oil for hair benefits may be limited, which poses the question: How is argan oil good for hair?

If you use argan oil for your hair, you may notice some of these nourishing benefits: 

• Improves scalp health. Argan oil benefits for hair could start at the scalp. Argan oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may be helpful for people with inflammatory skin conditions, such as dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) or psoriasis.

• Provides hydration for hair. Argan oil not only contains antioxidants like vitamin E but also fatty acids that are beneficial for dry hair, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid. These can help provide hydration, prevent frizz or flyways, and combat dryness — and possibly even help hair grow faster.

• Helps protect hair from damage. If you dye your hair, using a conditioner with argan oil may help protect your hair from the harsh chemicals of dye, reducing breakage and promoting shiny hair. Research has also found that other oils for hair that are rich in fatty acids provide a protective layer that helps prevent breakage during heat styling. Oil treatment has also shown to reduce the formation of split ends for healthier-looking hair and fewer flyaways. Many heat protection styling products contain argan oil because it’s light but creates a barrier, sealing the hair cuticle.

You can find argan oil online and in most health food stores. It’s a commonly used ingredient in haircare products like shampoos, conditioners, and hair serums, as well as in skincare products. Argan oil treatments are even a popular service offered at hair salons.

Curious about how to use argan oil in your hair care routine? To treat dryness or split ends, add a few drops of argan oil to the ends of the hair only, adjusting the amount you use for the length of your hair. You can apply argan oil to either dry or damp hair for its deep conditioning effects.

If you have dandruff, you may have searched for “argan oil on scalp” to see if you can apply this particular oil directly to your scalp. Good news: A homemade argan oil hair mask or leave-in conditioner can also work as a scalp treatment. Massage eight to 10 drops of argan oil into your hair and scalp, leave it on overnight, and then wash it out the next morning.

Argan oil is generally considered safe, and it can be used by people with all hair types. 

People with coarse, thick, or curly hair can use argan oil daily and may even want to massage a very small amount into their roots and scalp. 

On the other hand, those with fine hair may find that using pure argan oil makes their hair look greasy. If that’s the case, try using a smaller amount of oil, applying it only to the ends of your hair, or double-shampooing your hair after you apply it.

While the science behind argan oil’s purported effects on hair growth is largely lacking, several treatments for hair loss are available — and they’re backed by real scientific evidence. Some have even been approved by the FDA specifically for treating male pattern baldness.

Science-based treatments for hair loss include:

• Minoxidil. A topical medication, minoxidil is applied directly to the areas of your scalp with hair loss. It’s thought to work by improving blood flow and stimulating your hair follicles to enter the growth stage of the hair cycle. We offer a minoxidil foam and a minoxidil liquid solution. 

• Finasteride. An oral medication, finasteride stops testosterone from converting into DHT, the hormone that causes male pattern baldness. It’s highly effective and may even help you grow back hair you’ve lost. You can also use a combination of topical finasteride and minoxidil spray for an effective hair loss treatment.

• Saw palmetto. An herbal treatment, saw palmetto may lower levels of DHT on the scalp, preventing you from losing hair. The herbal solution is an active ingredient in our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto.

• Biotin. Biotin is a vitamin linked to the growth of your hair, nails, and skin. Although it doesn’t treat hair loss, supplementing with biotin may help you maintain healthy hair growth. We offer a convenient form of the B vitamin in our biotin gummies.

Argan oil is also an ingredient in our volumizing shampoo and conditioner if you’re looking for an extra boost.

To figure out what is right for you, consult a healthcare professional, like a dermatologist.

You may have seen argan oil products around when browsing hair care, from shampoos and conditioners to oil treatments. But are there argan oil hair benefits for men?

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Potential argan oil benefits for hair have limited research behind them. However, purported benefits include improved scalp health, hair hydration, and damage protection, which can make it good for dry or frizzy hair. Research is limited on argan oil’s potential to help with hair growth.

• If you’re wondering how to use argan oil on hair, you can either massage a few drops onto your scalp or concentrate on just the ends. Or, add some argan oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner for a hydration boost, applying it straight onto wet hair.

• Although it’s a popular hair care ingredient, there isn’t much research supporting the use of argan oil for hair loss or hair growth. However, science-backed treatments are available, such as medication like minoxidil or biotin supplements.

While the science behind argan oil for hair growth is limited, there are other ways to make your hair grow faster. If you’re dealing with bald spots or hair falling out, your best bet is to explore hair loss treatments that are proven effective.