Argan Oil Benefits for Skin and Hair: What the Research Actually Shows
We press argan oil for a living, so you might expect us to tell you it does everything. It doesn't. And the brands we supply are better off knowing exactly what it does well.
Some of argan oil's reputation is backed by real clinical studies. Some is reasonable but not yet proven. And a few popular claims have no evidence at all. This page sorts them out, in plain language.
What's Actually in Argan Oil
Argan oil is almost entirely fatty acids, mostly oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6). That balance explains why it feels nourishing but absorbs faster than heavier oils like olive oil.
The interesting part is the small fraction that isn't fat:
- Tocopherols (vitamin E), mostly in the gamma form. They are antioxidants that also protect the oil itself from going rancid.
- Plant sterols,especially schottenol and spinasterol. They are rare in other oils and help explain argan's skin-conditioning feel.
- Polyphenols and squalene, which add antioxidant and emollient properties.
This minor fraction is also the most fragile. Refining, heat and poor storage destroy it first. We come back to that below, because it's where cheap oil loses its benefits.
Argan Oil Benefits for Skin
Hydration and barrier support: the best-supported benefit
This is where the research is strongest. Moroccan researchers found that daily topical use of argan oil in postmenopausal women significantly reduced water loss through the skin and increased the water content of the outer skin layer.
In a separate trial, 30 healthy postmenopausal women applied argan oil every night for two months. The results showed the same moisturizing effect: less water loss and more hydration.
In practical terms, argan oil helps skin hold on to its own moisture. That's why it works well as the last step of a routine, over a water-based serum or toner.
Skin elasticity: promising, with limits
A 2015 study followed 60 postmenopausal women for 60 days. Half ate argan oil daily and half ate olive oil as a control, and all of them applied argan oil to one forearm. Several elasticity measurements improved significantly, with both the eaten and the applied oil.
Be fair about the limits. It's one small study, in one age group, measured on the forearm rather than the face. It supports "helps improve skin elasticity." It does not support "erases wrinkles."
Dry and sensitive skin
Dermatologists do recommend argan oil for dry, sensitive skin, with one important condition: the oil must be free of added fragrance and preservatives, because these can make conditions like eczema worse.
This matches what we see: pure oil tends to be well tolerated, while "argan" blends heavy with perfume cause complaints.
Oily and acne-prone skin: go carefully
Argan oil is lighter than many oils, and people with combination skin often use it happily. But the evidence for acne benefits is thin. The honest advice: patch-test first, use two or three drops, not more, and stop if breakouts increase.
Argan Oil Benefits for Hair
Protecting colored and chemically treated hair
Hair dye damages the protein structure of the hair shaft, and argan oil has been tested for exactly this. In a 2013 Brazilian study, hair bleached with an ultra-blond dye was then treated with a basic hair-care formula. A version containing only 1% argan oil was compared with the same formula without it, and with a version containing cupuassu butter.
A 2022 study tested argan oil as a pre-treatment before oxidative damage. Hair treated with argan oil first lost significantly less protein, and oil remained on the hair even after washing.
This is one of argan oil's most practical selling points for haircare brands, and one that competitors rarely mention.
Frizz, shine and split ends
This is argan oil's everyday job. A few drops on the lengths and ends smooth the cuticle, reduce frizz and add shine. It won't repair a split end permanently, since no product can. But it makes ends look and feel healthier and less likely to snag and break.
The scalp: less is more
Many people rub argan oil into the scalp. Be careful: dermatologists warn that oils can promote dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) when overused, especially with oily hair. For the scalp, a small amount once a week is plenty. Or keep the oil on the lengths only.
The Evidence at a Glance
| Benefit | Evidence level | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Skin hydration / barrier support | Good (human clinical studies) | Safe to highlight |
| Skin elasticity | Moderate (one small clinical study) | Say "helps improve elasticity", not "anti-wrinkle" |
| Soothing dry, sensitive skin | Moderate (dermatologist consensus) | Only with pure, fragrance-free oil |
| Protecting dyed / chemically treated hair | Moderate (lab studies on hair fibers) | Strong selling point for haircare |
| Frizz, shine, softer ends | Well established (cosmetic effect) | Everyday benefit, easy to demonstrate |
| Acne improvement | Weak | Don't promise it |
| Hair growth | No evidence | Don't claim it |
| Stretch mark removal | No evidence | Don't claim it |
Three Myths We Hear Every Week
"Argan oil makes hair grow."There's no evidence for this. Healthier hair breaks less, so hair may seem to grow longer, but the oil doesn't act on the follicle.
"It removes stretch marks."Very popular, and not proven. There's no strong evidence that any topical product reliably reduces stretch marks.
"It cures eczema."Pure argan oil can make dry, irritated skin more comfortable. But "cures" is a medical claim, and it can get a cosmetic brand into legal trouble (see below).
How to Use Argan Oil to Get Real Results
- Face: 2-3 drops, warmed between the fingertips and pressed onto slightly damp skin at night. On very dry days, add a drop to your moisturizer.
- Hair: 1-3 drops on the lengths and ends, on damp or dry hair. Use more only if hair is thick and very dry.
- Before coloring: apply a little to the lengths a few hours before a color treatment, based on the pre-treatment research above.
- Body:massage into skin right after a shower, while it's still damp.
- Nails and cuticles: one drop per hand, rubbed in at night.
Common mistakes: using too much, so it feels greasy and people give up. Putting it on bone-dry skin, where it has less water to lock in. Loading the scalp daily. Storing the bottle in a sunny bathroom.
Why the Quality of the Oil Changes the Benefits
Everything above depends on having real, well-handled argan oil. The vitamin E and sterols that make argan special are the first things lost when oil is refined, overheated, diluted with cheaper oils, or stored in clear bottles.
- Cosmetic oil comes from unroasted kernels. Culinary oil is roasted and made for food.
- Buy it in dark glass, not clear plastic.
- For bulk purchases, ask for a batch COA. See our guide on how to spot fake argan oil.
For Brands: Turning Benefits Into Claims You Can Defend
If you sell argan oil products, your benefit claims are regulated.
In the EU, cosmetic claims must meet the common criteria of Regulation (EU) No 655/2013: legal compliance, truthfulness, evidential support, honesty, fairness and informed decision-making. You must be able to back up what you say.
In the US,the line between a cosmetic and a drug depends on the claim. "Moisturizes dry skin" is cosmetic. "Treats eczema" or "stops hair loss" makes the product an unapproved drug in the FDA's eyes.
| Say this | Not this |
|---|---|
| "Helps skin retain moisture" | "Heals dry skin conditions" |
| "Helps improve skin elasticity" | "Erases wrinkles" |
| "Helps protect color-treated hair" | "Repairs damaged hair permanently" |
| "Tames frizz and adds shine" | "Makes hair grow faster" |
| "Suitable for dry, sensitive skin" | "Cures eczema / psoriasis" |
For formulators: typical use levels suggested by ingredient suppliers are 1-4% in skincare and 0.2-2% in shampoos and conditioners. Pure argan oil products are, of course, 100%.
We give every private label client a copy of the table above with their samples.
The Honest Bottom Line
Argan oil earns its reputation for hydration, softness, shine and protecting treated hair. The evidence for elasticity is encouraging. It is not a cure, and it doesn't grow hair.
Sell it for what it does well, and make sure the oil is real. That's how brands build customers who reorder.
Want samples with a batch COA and our claims guide? Request a Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Is argan oil good for your face?
Yes, for most skin types, especially dry and mature skin. Studies show it helps skin retain moisture. Use 2-3 drops on slightly damp skin, and patch-test first if your skin is oily or acne-prone.
Does argan oil really help wrinkles?
A 2015 clinical study found improved skin elasticity after 60 days of use in postmenopausal women. That's encouraging, but the study was small. "Helps improve elasticity" is accurate; "removes wrinkles" is not.
Can argan oil make your hair grow?
There's no scientific evidence that it does. It reduces breakage and improves shine, which can make hair look fuller and longer.
Is argan oil good for colored hair?
Yes. Lab studies found that argan oil, including at low concentrations in hair-care formulas, reduced protein loss in dyed or oxidatively damaged hair.
Can argan oil cause dandruff?
It can if you overuse it on an oily scalp, because oils can feed the yeast involved in dandruff. Use it mainly on the lengths and ends.
Can people with nut allergies use argan oil?
Argan is a tree nut, and allergic reactions, while rare, have been reported. Anyone with a nut allergy should check with a doctor and patch-test before use.
Sources
- Boucetta KQ et al. The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2015;10:339-349.
- Boucetta KQ et al. Studies on topical and dietary argan oil and postmenopausal skin hydration (transepidermal water loss). [ADD FULL REFERENCE]
- Faria PM et al. Hair protective effect of argan oil and cupuassu butter post treatment with hair dye. J Cosmet Dermatol Sci Appl, 2013;3:40-44.
- Sharifi et al. Argan oil as a pretreatment of human hair before exposure to oxidative damage. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2022;21(10):5010-5017.
- Regulation (EU) No 655/2013 laying down common criteria for the justification of claims used in relation to cosmetic products.