Argan oil: can it help if I have a dry or flaky scalp?

Argan oil has become a common ingredient in hair products, often marketed as "liquid gold" for its supposed benefits for hair and scalp. But when it comes to specific conditions like dryness or flakiness, can it truly make a difference?

This article explores, based on scientific evidence, the potential of argan oil in addressing these symptoms and evaluates how effective it may be compared to other options.

Argan oil is extracted from the nuts of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), native to southwestern Morocco. It’s rich in essential fatty acids, mainly oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6), and contains high levels of vitamin E. In hair care, it’s primarily used as a moisturizer and emollient. That means it can help soften the skin and reduce water loss—two key factors when we talk about scalp dryness.

Does scalp dryness and flakiness need treatment?

Yes—especially if symptoms persist. A dry scalp can result from multiple factors, such as cold weather, harsh shampoo ingredients (like sulfates), frequent washing, or even overall dehydration. Flakiness, on the other hand, may be a sign of mild dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis. However, in many cases it simply reflects insufficient skin hydration. For milder situations, many people look to natural options before turning to medical treatments—and this is where interest in argan oil comes in.

Dryness can appear in different stages.

In early phases, you may notice a feeling of tightness or dullness in the scalp. As it worsens, small, almost transparent flakes may appear—often confused with dandruff. These flakes (called "flaky scalp") result from excessive shedding of the outer layer of skin due to dehydration. In advanced dryness, the skin may become irritated, itchy, or show visible cracking. At this stage, the skin barrier is likely compromised. If a moisturizing oil helps, it is most likely to be in the early phases. Irritated, itchy or cracked skin should be checked by a doctor.

Is flakiness always a sign of disease?

Not necessarily. A flaky scalp refers to visible peeling or shedding of small skin fragments, often due to dryness. It can occur without underlying skin disease. However, if it becomes chronic or is accompanied by redness, inflammation, or thick plaques, it may be part of conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis. These are classified as inflammatory scalp disorders and are often linked to genetic, immune, or microbial factors. In contrast, a mildly flaky scalp is usually tied to external factors—like over-washing, cold temperatures, or nutrient-poor diets—and may respond to moisturizing treatments.

What the research shows

No controlled study of argan oil for a dry or flaky scalp was found. The best-known human studies come from one Moroccan research group (Boucetta et al.). They tested argan oil in 60 postmenopausal women. All the women applied argan oil to one forearm for 60 days; half also ate argan oil and half ate olive oil. The researchers reported better forearm skin hydration and elasticity. These were forearm skin studies, not scalp studies, and they did not look at flaking, dandruff or itching.

How strong is the research on this?

The evidence is thin. The studies are small, come from one group, and measured forearm skin, not the scalp. They suggest argan oil can moisturise dry skin. They do not show that it treats flaking or scalp inflammation.

Allergy warning. Allergic reactions to argan oil have been reported, including allergic contact dermatitis and, rarely, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) (Astier et al., 2010; Veraldi et al., 2016). Try a small amount on a patch of skin first, and stop if redness, itching or swelling occurs.

So… can argan oil help if you have a dry or flaky scalp?

Argan oil may moisturise dry skin, but the evidence is limited and does not include the scalp. It is not a treatment for dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, which need a proper diagnosis. Allergic reactions, including rare severe ones, have been reported; patch-test first and stop if irritation occurs.

If your flakiness or itching continues or worsens, see a doctor or dermatologist.

References

Boucetta, K. Q., Charrouf, Z., Aguenaou, H., Derouiche, A., & Bensouda, Y. (2013). Does argan oil have a moisturizing effect on the skin of postmenopausal women? Skin Research and Technology, 19(3), 356–357. PMID 23530758.

Boucetta, K. Q., Charrouf, Z., Derouiche, A., Rahali, Y., & Bensouda, Y. (2014). Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use. Przegląd Menopauzalny, 13(5), 280–288. PMID 26327867.

Boucetta, K. Q., Charrouf, Z., Aguenaou, H., Derouiche, A., & Bensouda, Y. (2015). The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 10, 339–349. PMID 25673976.

Astier, C., et al. (2010). Anaphylaxis to argan oil. Allergy, 65(5). PMID 19839978.

Veraldi, S., et al. (2016). Allergic contact dermatitis caused by argan oil. Dermatitis, 27(6). PMID 27775969.