Argan Oil is an essential oil that’s produced from the kernels of the Argan tree. As well as being a culinary staple in many parts of Morocco and Algeria, it’s a well-known natural health product that’s used for everything from anti-aging to moisturizing and treating skin injuries. It’s also commonly promoted as a natural hair growth treatment and an alternative to hair loss medications like minoxidil and finasteride.
What Is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is a popular essential oil. It’s produced from the kernels or the argan tree, or Argania spinosa – a tree that’s found in the semi-desert regions of Morocco and other parts of Northeast Africa. Historically, argan oil has been used for cooking, as a natural treatment for skin infections and as an ingredient in skin and hair care products. Like other essential oils, argan oil is widely promoted for its purported health benefits. It’s often promoted as a useful essential oil for reducing inflammation, reversing certain aspects of aging, treating certain skin conditions and moisturizing skin and hair.
Today, argan oil is widely available worldwide. You can find argan oil online and in most health food stores. It’s also commonly used as an ingredient in shampoos, conditioners and skincare products.
Does Argan Oil Work for Hair Growth?
Argan oil does appear to have some cosmetic and health-related benefits. Research on nutrients related to hair growth may have implications for the effectiveness of argan oil as a natural hair growth treatment. For example, although argan oil is primarily made up of triglycerides, it also contains measurable amounts of vitamin E. Tocotrienols, antioxidants that are part of the vitamin E family, are closely linked to hair health. In fact, one study published in 2010 found that supplementation with tocotrienols caused an increase in hair numbers in men and women suffering from hair loss. Argan oil also may be helpful for people with inflammatory skin conditions such as dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) or psoriasis.
How to Use Argan Oil?
Argan oil is widely used in shampoos, conditioners and other hair care products, making it easy to add to your hair care routine if you’d like to give it a try. You can find hair products containing argan oil online and in many supermarkets and drugstores. If you’ve bought argan oil shampoo or conditioner over the counter, follow the instructions on the product’s packaging to use it as part of your hair care routine.
You can also add argan oil to your existing shampoo or conditioner. To do this, try adding one or two drops to your shampoo or conditioner when it’s in your hand, then mix the solutions together before applying them to your hair.
If you’d like to apply argan oil directly, try applying two to three drops of oil to your hair after you dry it with a towel. Argan oil can be used as a conditioner or as a natural styling oil to keep your hair moisturized and protected from damage.