Does Argan Oil Help Hair Growth? Benefits & How To Use

Argan oil comes from the fruit kernels, or seeds, of the argan tree (Argania spinosa). 

There are two main types of argan oil: food-grade and cosmetic-grade. Food-grade argan oil is made from cold-pressed roasted argan kernels, while cosmetic-grade argan oil is made from unroasted kernels.

Argan oil is incorporated into hair products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, styling products, and oil treatments.

There’s no large-scale scientific evidence that argan oil can make your hair grow faster. However, argan oil may help promote hair growth by moisturizing and protecting your hair and scalp.

Argan oil can help strengthen and protect the hair shaft—the part of hair you can see growing out of your scalp. Healthy hair is more likely to grow and less likely to break and become damaged, and a healthy scalp is essential for hair growth.

Argan oil contains moisturizing and protective nutrients like fatty acids and antioxidants that help keep hair healthy. Here’s how these nutrients can improve hair health and support growth: 

Deeply Moisturizes Hair 

Argan oil’s fatty acids—oleic and linoleic acids—moisturize hair from the inside out. On the surface, these fatty acids lubricate the hair shaft for a fuller and shinier appearance.

Oleic and linoleic acids also penetrate the hair axis (the hair strand’s core) and root. They deeply moisturize the hair and help keep it healthy and less likely to break, which may help promote hair growth.

Promotes Scalp Health

Argan oil’s fatty acids and polyphenols—an antioxidant—can penetrate damaged hair follicles (openings where the hair root grows) on your scalp. Coating damaged hair follicles helps repair damaged skin that may prevent hair growth.

Argan oil’s vitamin E content may also help moisturize and repair the scalp. This nutrient has antioxidant properties that help reduce damaging oxidative stress, which can break down hair follicle cells needed for hair growth.

Protects Hair From Damage

Argan oil creates a protective barrier over the hair shaft, helping to strengthen hair and prevent damage from styling and chemical hair treatments.

One study found that the fatty acids in argan oil help condition hair and protect it from oxidative hair dyes that damage hair. A recent study found similar results. Participants experienced significantly reduced hair protein damage when pretreating hair with argan oil prior to oxidative damage tests.

Argan oil is ideal for thick hair types that need a lot of moisture, like type 3 (curly) and type 4 (coily) hair. Argan oil’s protecting and moisturizing properties also make it helpful for treating dye-damaged hair. You can still use argan oil if you have fine hair. However, it is more likely to weigh down hair and make it appear oily.

Hair masks, leave-in conditioners, and shampoos often include argan oil. You can also DIY these treatments with pure argan oil. When choosing argan oil for your hair, look for 100% pure, cold-pressed argan oil labeled for cosmetic use.

Some easy ways to use argan oil for hair growth include: 

• Shampoo: Add a few drops of argan oil to a dollop of shampoo and mix it in your hands. Wash your hair as usual and rinse. Aim to shampoo with argan oil every 2-3 days—or whenever you usually wash your hair. 
• Leave-in conditioner: Wash your hair and leave it slightly damp. Rub 2-3 drops of argan oil between your hands, gently running your coated fingers through the middle and ends of your hair. Try this treatment once or twice a week. 
• Hair oil: Rub a few drops of argan oil between your hands. Apply to the frizzy areas and dry ends of your hair. Use 1-3 times a week as needed. 
• Hair mask: Wash your hair and massage a few tablespoons of argan oil into the scalp, working it down into the hair. Wrap your hair in a towel or cover it with a shower cap. Leave the oil on your hair for 30 minutes to one hour, then rinse out the oil. Do this treatment about once a month or every few weeks. 

Topical argan oil use is generally considered safe but can cause irritation and allergic reactions. Those sensitive or allergic to argan oil can develop contact dermatitis—an itchy, red, or swollen rash.

Severe allergic reactions after applying argan oil to the skin are rare. However, there is one documented case of anaphylaxis. This severe allergic reaction is a medical emergency that can lead to rash, difficulty breathing, and swelling.

If you have oily skin, argan oil may cause irritation, clogged pores, and acne breakouts. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people with oily skin should avoid oil-based products like argan oil.

Before adding argan oil to your hair care routine, always do a patch test to ensure you don’t have a skin reaction. Place a quarter-size amount of argan oil on your skin—like the inner forearm.

Argan oil may help improve hair health and growth, but proper hair care and a healthy diet are also key. Regulating hair growth cycles requires nutrients like folate, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

Some of the best foods for hair growth include avocados, dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, collagen powder, and salmon.

Caring for your hair and correcting damaging practices can also help improve hair growth. Lifestyle changes that can help hair grow faster include:

• Avoid tight hairstyles and extensions: Too tight ponytails, buns, or braids can lead to breakage, and extensions can also weigh down and damage hair. 
• Limit hot tool use: Take a break from hot curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers. Opt for air-drying your hair instead, or use tools once a week on a low heat setting. 
• Use conditioner: Apply a conditioner to the ends of your hair after every shampoo. Consider a deep conditioner after swimming in a pool. 
• Be gentle with wet hair: Gently massage shampoo into the scalp and let it run down your hair. Don’t rub your hair dry with a towel. Let your hair air dry, or wrap it in a towel. 
• Comb wet hair: People with straight hair should comb slightly air-dried hair with a wide-tooth comb. Comb your hair while it’s damp if you have curly or textured hair.
• Limit damaging hair treatments: Take a break from dying your hair, perms, or relaxing treatments. If you can’t give up hair treatments, aim for touch-ups every 8-10 weeks or longer. 

If you are concerned about thinning hair or hair loss, you can also see a dermatologist or primary healthcare provider. They can help you determine if an underlying condition or other hair-related issue is affecting hair growth. 

Fatty acids and antioxidants in argan oil can help strengthen and protect hair, reducing breakage and damage, making it more likely to grow.

However, while argan oil may help improve hair health, it isn’t a miracle oil for growing hair. A dermatologist or trichologist can determine if there’s an underlying condition affecting hair health.