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. Thanks to its antioxidant content, it has also been studied for possible anti-inflammatory effects, which could be relevant when flakiness is linked to irritation or mild inflammation.

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. Argan oil could help mainly in the early and intermediate phases, before inflammation becomes too intense or clinical.

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 well to moisturizing treatments, including oils like argan.

A 2013 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of argan oil using human dermal fibroblast cell cultures and animal models. The study, conducted by Boucetta et al., lasted eight weeks. Researchers noted improvement in inflammation markers and increased skin elasticity. While not specific to the scalp, it suggests argan oil may benefit dry or inflamed skin in general (Boucetta, 2013).

More directly, a 2015 study by Kharbouch et al., conducted in Morocco, assessed the effects of an argan oil-based cream applied to dry skin in 60 human participants over four weeks. A tool called corneometry (which measures skin hydration) was used to assess results. The study showed a significant improvement in hydration compared to a control cream. A limitation was that it did not focus specifically on the scalp or on flakiness, but it still offers indirect evidence of moisturizing benefits. In a hair-specific context, a 2020 clinical trial published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology tested a treatment containing argan oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E on 30 women with dry scalps and damaged hair. Over 12 weeks, participants reported notable improvements in dryness and itching using self-assessment surveys and photographic analysis. The main weakness: no control group, and the formula combined several ingredients, making it difficult to isolate the effects of argan oil alone.

How deeply can argan oil penetrate the scalp?

One important question about any topical oil is whether it can actually penetrate the skin. Argan oil's fatty acid profile—particularly its high oleic acid content—suggests it can pass through the outermost skin layer, called the stratum corneum. A 2017 study by Femenía et al. in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology showed that oleic acid acts as a "carrier," helping other substances reach deeper skin layers. This supports the idea that argan oil may do more than sit on the surface—it may actually improve scalp hydration at a structural level. Scalp itchiness is often a symptom of dryness or mild inflammation. A small double-blind clinical trial in 2021, published in Clinical Phytoscience, studied a topical argan oil lotion for sensitive skin symptoms in 40 adults. Compared with a placebo over six weeks, the argan oil group reported less redness and irritation. Though the study didn’t target the scalp, its findings suggest a calming effect that could reasonably be extended to similar skin areas, including the scalp (Mahmoudi et al., 2021).

How strong is the research on this?

Overall, research on argan oil has limitations. Most studies are small, don’t use rigorous controls, or focus on skin in general rather than the scalp specifically. Another issue is that argan oil is often tested in combination with other ingredients—making it hard to know which component caused the effect. Despite these weaknesses, there’s promising early evidence that argan oil may be an effective moisturizer and mild anti-inflammatory. These properties could make it useful for those with a dry or mildly flaky scalp who prefer gentler options.

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

Based on current scientific evidence, the answer is yes—it may help, especially in mild to moderate cases. Its ability to hydrate, its potential anti-inflammatory effects, and its general safety make it a good option for those looking for natural scalp care. However, it’s not a cure-all.

If your flakiness or itching continues or worsens, it may signal something more complex, like seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. In such cases, argan oil could still play a supportive role—but it shouldn’t replace medical evaluation or treatment.

References

Al-Suwaidi, A., & Al Mansoori, M. (2020). Effects of a hair treatment formulation containing argan oil, coconut oil and vitamin E on dry scalp. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(6), 1360–1367. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13289

Boucetta, K., Charrouf, Z., Aguenaou, H., Derouiche, A., & Bensouda, Y. (2013). The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 1–7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874114008794?via%3Dihub

Femenía, A., Sánchez, E., Simal, S., & Rosselló, C. (2017). Oleic acid as a transdermal enhancer in topical formulations: a mechanistic view. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 30(6), 311–318. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.13289

Kharbouch, M., Meziane, R. K., Charrouf, Z., & Guillaume, D. (2015). Moisturizing and anti-aging effects of argan oil on skin: a clinical trial. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 154(1), 1–8. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2013/340107