Argan oil is a plant oil pressed from the kernels of the argan tree, and people put a few drops of it on their hair for dryness, frizz and shine. This guide covers what it does to hair, what the research does and does not show, which hair types it suits, and how to use it without weighing hair down.
We sell an argan oil, so read this with that in mind: the evidence for argan oil on hair is thinner than most hair-oil marketing suggests, and this guide says so. For narrower questions, see our guides to argan oil for the scalp, argan oil for split ends and argan oil vs coconut oil for hair.
A 2022 systematic review of coconut, castor and argan oils for hair found no significant evidence that argan oil improves hair growth or hair quality.
Lab studies on hair tresses disagree: argan oil pre-treatment reduced protein loss after oxidative damage in a 2022 study, while a 2024 study found it increased water uptake and reduced hair resistance in virgin hair.
The AAD's leave-in conditioner page says dermatologist Dr. Mirmirani recommends applying a bit of oil like argan oil if hair still feels dry or frizzy after a leave-in conditioner.
Start with one or two drops on damp mid-lengths and ends, and use less on fine hair. It is a finishing oil; the 2022 review found no significant evidence for hair growth.
Does Argan Oil Actually Work for Hair?
Not in the way most marketing claims. A 2022 systematic review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology analyzed 22 articles on coconut, castor and argan oils and concluded that argan oil does not have any significant evidence supporting its use to improve hair growth, hair quality or treatment of infestation. The review was framed around patients with skin-of-color hair, where oiling is a long-standing practice.
That is not the same as saying it does nothing. The review notes that many dermatologists tell patients to keep using hair oils not because of clinical efficacy but because of a lack of foreseeable side effects. In plain terms, argan oil is a finishing step people choose for how their hair feels and looks, not a proven fix for damaged hair.
For comparison, the same review found clinical evidence for coconut oil on brittle hair. We set the two side by side in our argan oil vs coconut oil for hair guide.
What Does Argan Oil Do to Hair in Lab Tests?
It deposits on the hair and can enter the fiber, and whether that helps depends on the hair. The two lab studies below used hair tresses, not people, and they point in different directions.
- 2022, protective: In a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, excised human hair tresses pre-treated with argan oil lost significantly less protein after exposure to an oxidizing agent than untreated tresses, and the oil was still detectable on the hair after washing.
- 2024, mixed: In a study in Cosmetics, virgin and bleached hair tresses (the study tested Caucasian hair only) were treated with coconut, avocado or argan oil for 24 hours. All three oils reached the inner part of the fiber. In virgin hair, coconut and avocado oil reinforced the hair's water-repelling barrier, while argan oil, which the authors link to its highly unsaturated fatty acids, increased water absorption and reduced hair resistance. In bleached hair, argan oil had more affinity for the fiber, but the hair became more fragile under mechanical stress. The authors conclude that these oils are not always beneficial.
Our reading, not the studies' conclusion: a 24-hour soak is a very different exposure from a couple of drops on damp ends, and neither study tested people, so neither tells you how your own hair will respond. The 2024 authors' own conclusion is that results depend on hair condition. For context, our Argan Oil Pipette product page lists oleic acid at 43-49% and linoleic acid at 29-36%, both unsaturated fatty acids.
Which Hair Types Suit Argan Oil?
No study we found compares argan oil across hair types, so treat this as a starting point built from dermatology guidance, not a rule. It applies whether you are using argan oil for frizz, dryness or shine.
| Hair situation | What the sources say | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Dry, curly or coily | The AAD says curly or tightly coiled hair is more prone to breakage and dryness, and suggests applying oil or leave-in conditioner after washing and conditioning. It names oil generally, not argan specifically. | A reasonable candidate. Start with one or two drops on the ends. |
| Fine or straight | The AAD leave-in conditioner page says fine, straight hair needs a lighter leave-in product to avoid looking limp and greasy, and that fine hair needs less product than thick hair. That advice is about leave-in conditioner, not oil. | Our extrapolation: use a fraction of a drop, on the ends only. |
| Bleached or heavily damaged | In the 2024 lab study, bleached tresses had more affinity for argan oil and became more fragile under mechanical stress. | Treat it as an experiment: ends only, and stop if hair feels weaker or breaks more. |
| Roots and scalp | The AAD says leave-in conditioner should go on the hair, not the scalp, because build-up could irritate the scalp. | Keep oil on the lengths and ends, away from the roots. |
How Do You Use Argan Oil on Hair?
Use very little, on damp hair you have already washed and conditioned, from the mid-lengths down. The steps below combine our product page's instructions with the AAD's leave-in conditioner advice, which is written for conditioner and which we have applied to oil by extension.
- Wash and condition first: The AAD's routine is shampoo, conditioner, then leave-in conditioner, and it suggests a bit of oil like argan oil only for hair that still feels dry or frizzy after that.
- Towel-dry and leave hair a little damp: The AAD says applying leave-in conditioner to damp hair keeps you from getting too much in one area, which can make hair look greasy. Our product page also suggests towel-dried hair for argan oil.
- Start with one or two drops: Our product page suggests one to two drops in the palm, rubbed together, then smoothed over the mid-lengths and ends. The AAD's advice for leave-in conditioner is the smallest amount that does the job, with thick hair needing more and fine hair less.
- Keep it off the scalp: The AAD says build-up on the scalp from leave-in conditioner could irritate it. We apply the same caution to oil, and our scalp guide covers argan oil on the scalp separately.
- Add a little at a time: If hair still feels dry, add one more drop rather than starting with a handful. If it feels limp or coated, use less next time.
Can Argan Oil Help With Hair Growth or Hair Loss?
Not according to the best evidence we found. The 2022 systematic review found no significant evidence for argan oil improving hair growth, so we do not present it as a hair-loss product. Our argan oil for scalp guide covers what is and is not known about growth, dandruff and a dry scalp, and our split ends guide covers breakage at the ends.
How Do You Choose an Argan Oil for Hair?
Read the ingredient list first: a pure argan oil lists a single ingredient, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil. A product sold as a hair oil with argan can be a blend, and only the ingredient list shows what is in the bottle.
Also check that it is sold for cosmetic use. A review in Frontiers in Nutrition says cosmetic argan oil is prepared from unroasted kernels, while food-grade argan oil is cold pressed from kernels roasted for a few minutes.
Our Argan Oil Pipette (Blue Label) is sold for skin, hair and nail use. Its product page lists one ingredient, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, describes it as cold-pressed with Moroccan origin, and supplies it in a 30 ml bottle with a glass pipette that makes one or two drops easy to measure. As with any new leave-on product, try a small amount first.
Featured in this guide
Argan Oil Pipette (Blue Label)
A single-ingredient argan oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil) in a 30 ml bottle with a glass pipette dropper. The full details are on the product page.
Shop now → ✓ 30-day money-back guarantee · Free shipping over $75When Should You See a Dermatologist About Your Hair?
The AAD says a board-certified dermatologist can help if hair breakage or unmanageable hair continues after you have used both a rinse-out conditioner and a leave-in conditioner. Argan oil is not a substitute for that visit, and the sources here give no reason to expect it to fix breakage or hair loss.
This content is for information only and is not medical advice. Individual results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is argan oil good for hair?
The evidence is limited. A 2022 systematic review found no significant evidence that argan oil improves hair growth or quality, but the AAD's leave-in conditioner page says a dermatologist recommends a bit of oil like argan oil for hair that still feels dry or frizzy after a leave-in conditioner.
Should you put argan oil on wet or dry hair?
We found no study comparing the two. The AAD advises damp hair for leave-in conditioner so you do not get too much in one spot, and our product page suggests towel-dried hair for argan oil.
How much argan oil should you use on your hair?
Start with one or two drops, as our product page suggests. The AAD's advice for leave-in conditioner is the smallest amount that does the job: thick hair needs more product and fine hair needs less.
Is argan oil better than coconut oil for hair?
On evidence, coconut oil is ahead: the 2022 systematic review found clinical evidence for coconut oil on brittle hair and none significant for argan oil. Which feels better on your hair is individual, and our head-to-head guide covers both.
Can you use argan oil on bleached or damaged hair?
Proceed carefully. In a 2024 lab study, bleached tresses had more affinity for argan oil and became more fragile under mechanical stress. Try a drop on the ends, and stop if hair feels weaker or breaks more.
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