Argan oil: Is it useful for androgenic alopecia, or just for making hair look nice?

Argan oil, often called "liquid gold," has gained popularity in hair care due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties. However, its effectiveness in treating androgenic alopecia—a common form of hair loss related to hormonal and genetic factors—is a matter of debate. To answer this question, it’s also necessary to consider the various types of alopecia, as the relationship between argan oil and hair loss may vary depending on the underlying cause. While androgenic alopecia affects both men and women and is characterized by a progressive thinning of the hair. This type of hair loss is mainly influenced by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone that shortens the hair growth phase, causing hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop producing hair.

However, it is not the only type of alopecia.

There are other forms, such as alopecia areata (autoimmune), diffuse alopecia from stress or nutritional deficiencies, scarring alopecia (linked to permanent follicle damage), and traction alopecia (caused by tight hairstyles). This diversity is crucial when evaluating whether argan oil might be beneficial in some contexts and not in others.

Properties of argan oil

Argan oil is rich in essential fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acid, antioxidants like vitamin E, plant sterols, and phenolic compounds. These components give it moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and protective benefits for the hair and scalp. It’s also credited with mild antimicrobial properties, which can help maintain a healthy scalp environment. To date, scientific evidence supporting argan oil as a treatment for androgenic alopecia is limited. A clinical study published in 2020 in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology evaluated a blend of oils, including argan, in 120 people with mild to moderate hair loss. Over six months, hair density was compared between the treatment group and a placebo group. The results showed significant improvement, but because it involved a mixture of oils, it’s not possible to attribute the effect directly to argan oil (Nabi et al., 2020).

Regarding alopecia areata, no specific studies exist on argan oil as a treatment.

*However, the oil’s general anti-inflammatory effects have been studied. *

A 2011 study published in Phytotherapy Research showed that argan oil can reduce inflammatory markers in patients with dyslipidemia. While not directly related to the scalp, these results could suggest indirect benefits when considering alopecia areata as an inflammatory proces. In animal models, a 2013 study in rats evaluated plant extracts with antioxidant properties, including argan oil, and observed a reduction in testosterone levels and prostate size. This suggests a possible anti-androgenic action. However, the study lasted only 22 days and didn’t focus on hair loss, so its implications for alopecia should be interpreted cautiously,

When it comes to using argan oil in its pure form, research is virtually nonexistent. Most studies include argan oil as part of a mixture or cosmetic formulation. This makes it difficult to conclude whether using pure argan oil has a real impact on alopecia beyond improving the appearance of hair and scalp health. Currently, there is no robust scientific evidence supporting the use of argan oil as a direct treatment for androgenic alopecia or any other type of hair loss. Its role appears to be more aligned with maintaining a healthy scalp and cosmetically improving hair: adding shine, softness, and reducing frizz. In cases where alopecia is accompanied by inflammation or dryness, argan oil may offer some symptomatic relief, but not a cure.

User Experiences

Argan oil is commonly mentioned in the Tressless community, but its perceived effectiveness for androgenic alopecia (AGA) is generally limited to cosmetic benefits rather than regrowth. Most users discuss it in the context of scalp conditioning, combining it with other treatments, or managing dryness caused by harsher interventions like ketoconazole or minoxidil.

A widely referenced post comes from a user who documented two months of oiling their hair and scalp twice weekly using a blend that included argan oil, along with rosemary, castor, jojoba, coconut, and olive oils. They reported visible improvement in crown density, but because the mix involved multiple oils, it's impossible to isolate argan oil as the effective agent. The results were more likely due to cumulative moisturization and possibly improved scalp health rather than direct action on AGA. In another case, a user tested argan oil, castor oil, and tea tree oil individually to treat temple thinning. They concluded none of the oils had any noticeable impact on regrowth and decided to consult a dermatologist for pharmaceutical treatments instead, suggesting disillusionment with natural oils for hair loss reversal.

A 27-year-old male who abandoned minoxidil and adopted dermarolling with peppermint oil reported improvements in thickness and reduced shedding. He used argan oil conditioner as part of his regimen, but attributed regrowth primarily to microneedling and essential oils, not argan oil itself. Argan oil is often brought up for its supportive role in hair health. One user described its utility in counteracting the drying effects of ketoconazole shampoo, especially for curly or wavy hair types. It’s seen as a good conditioner, not a regrowth agent. Another thread discussing a regimen of finasteride, melatonin, and rosemary oil included argan oil as part of a supportive routine.

Again, it was framed more as a moisturizing adjunct to more potent anti-androgens, not as a standalone treatment.

Lastly, a frustrated user expressed concern after trying multiple treatments including minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, microneedling, and oils like argan and rosemary. They mentioned argan oil but did not attribute any regrowth success to it, reinforcing the consensus that it’s unlikely to help on its own for AGA. Across the community, argan oil is primarily used for its cosmetic and moisturizing properties. There is no consistent evidence from user reports that it provides significant benefits for reversing androgenic alopecia. It's occasionally included in broader oil mixtures or regimens, but its role appears to be supportive, helping with hair texture and scalp dryness rather than acting on the hormonal or follicular pathways central to AGA.

References

Berrougui, H., Ettaib, A., Herrera Gonzalez, M. D., Alvarez de Sotomayor, M., & Haddad, P. S. (2011). Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of argan oil in human subjects. Phytotherapy Research, 25(9), 1369–1376. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3403

Bouaziz, M., Fki, I., Jemai, H., Ayadi, M., & Sayadi, S. (2013). Lipid composition and antioxidant activities of Tunisian extra virgin olive oil: Effects of seasonal variations. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/808435

Nabi, M., Kakar, M. A., & Amanullah, M. (2020). Efficacy of a herbal hair oil in the treatment of hair fall. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 13, 605–612. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S262679

Perfect Hair Health. (2022). Does argan oil help with hair loss? https://www.perfecthairhealth.com/argan-oil-hair-loss/

Hair Loss Cure 2020. (2023). Argan oil and hair growth. https://www.hairlosscure2020.com/argan-oil-hair-growth/