Argan Oil: Evidence for Skin and Hair
Argan oil is a Moroccan tree-seed oil; research on skin and hair is small, and blends with cheaper oils and rare allergic reactions are documented.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read natural ingredient safety before you use anything on this page.
Uses studied and safety checks for Argan Oil
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people, from the lab or from tradition, which product and way of use was tested, and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one product or one way of using it does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (3)
- Skin allergy to argan oil (contact dermatitis). Case reports describe allergic contact dermatitis from argan oil, including in an infant, and a report of protein contact dermatitis.
- Severe allergic reaction after argan oil on the skin. One case report is titled "Anaphylaxis after cutaneous application of argan oil".
- Adulteration: argan oil blended with cheaper oils. A 2023 review says falsifiers deliberately blend argan oil with cheaper vegetable oils, lowering quality and possibly causing health problems. A 2022 study built DNA tests to detect olive and soybean oil added to argan oil.
Argan oil on skin and skin elasticity
Preliminary or mixedOne small trial in 60 postmenopausal women over 60 days reported better instrument-measured skin elasticity with eaten argan oil compared with olive oil. All women also put argan oil on one forearm.
Supplements: Promising but limited: one small trial, short, with measures of skin stretch only.
Eaten argan oil and blood cholesterol
Preliminary or mixedA pooled analysis of 5 randomized trials (292 people) found lower total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and slightly higher HDL with eaten argan oil.
Supplements: Promising but limited (lab markers only). Not a reason to swallow cosmetic argan oil.
Argan oil and hair
Not enough evidenceA 2022 systematic review of 22 articles on coconut, castor and argan hair oils found no significant evidence that argan oil improves hair growth, hair quality or lice.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit for hair growth.
Argan oil for eczema, acne and general skin claims
Lab or animal research onlyA 2024 review of 83 articles says argan oil may soothe eczema and acne through moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects, and states the mechanisms are not completely understood.
Supplements: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for eczema or acne in people.
Nut allergy and argan oil
Not enough evidenceGBIF places the argan tree in the family Sapotaceae (synonym Sideroxylon spinosum), not among the botanical tree nuts. We found no source we read that says argan oil cross-reacts with tree-nut or peanut allergy.
Supplements: No evidence either way in the sources we read.
Culinary versus cosmetic argan oil
Not enough evidenceArgan oil is sold as cosmetic and as food-grade oil, and is among the most expensive edible oils. The skin trial used both eaten and skin oil; the cholesterol trials used eaten oil.
Supplements: Do not treat the trials as advice to swallow cosmetic oil.
Quality varies between Moroccan producers
Not enough evidenceA study of oils from 12 cooperatives in one Moroccan region found they fell into different grades (extra virgin to lampante) and that traditional and modern extraction was not standardized.
Supplements: Not applicable; this is a quality item.
Argan boom, rural households and the argan forest
Not enough evidenceA 2011 study of Moroccan households found the argan boom let some families spend more and send girls to secondary school, but did not improve the argan forest and may have harmed it.
Supplements: Not applicable; this is a social and environmental item.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (2)
- Cholesterol BalancePreliminary or mixed
Pooled randomized trials of eaten argan oil found lower LDL and total cholesterol; blood markers only, not skin use.
- Healthy SkinPreliminary or mixed
One small trial in postmenopausal women measured better skin elasticity; no good evidence for skin disease or appearance.
Body systems (3)
- Heart & CirculationPreliminary or mixed
Eaten argan oil changed blood lipid markers in pooled trials; no outcome trials of heart disease.
- Integumentary SystemPreliminary or mixed
Skin elasticity measured in one small trial of postmenopausal women.
- Skin, Hair & BeautyPreliminary or mixed
One small skin-elasticity trial; hair evidence found nothing significant. Widely used cosmetically.
Body parts (1)
- SkinPreliminary or mixed
Skin elasticity improved in one small trial. Allergic skin reactions are also reported.
Biomarkers (3)
- HDL CholesterolPreliminary or mixed
In a pooled analysis of 5 trials of eaten argan oil (292 people), HDL rose by about 4 mg/dl. Eaten oil only; not skin use.
- LDL CholesterolPreliminary or mixed
In a pooled analysis of 5 trials of eaten argan oil (292 people), LDL fell by about 12 mg/dl. Eaten oil only; not skin use.
- TriglyceridesPreliminary or mixed
In a pooled analysis of 5 trials of eaten argan oil (292 people), triglycerides fell by about 14 mg/dl. Eaten oil only; not skin use.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- Contact DermatitisDocumented risk
Case reports describe allergic contact dermatitis from argan oil, including in an infant. Case reports cannot show how often it happens.
- AnaphylaxisDocumented risk
A case report describes anaphylaxis after argan oil was applied to the skin. A single report; frequency unknown.
Argan oil can cause allergic reactions on the skin. Case reports describe allergic contact dermatitis, including in an infant, and anaphylaxis after the oil was applied to the skin. [1][2] Stop using any oil that causes itching, rash or swelling and ask a clinician. Call 911 for swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing.
What argan oil is
Argan oil is pressed from the seeds of the argan tree. The tree was long written as Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels; GBIF now lists that as a synonym of Sideroxylon spinosum L., in the family Sapotaceae. [3] Many journals still use the older name, so both appear in studies. The oil is mostly unsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic and linoleic acid. [4] It is a fixed oil, a different thing from essential oils; see what essential oils are.Traditional use
A review of the tree describes it as a major plant resource in Morocco, used by local people for food, medicine and cosmetics, with oil used traditionally for skin and hair hydration among many other purposes. [4] That is traditional use. It does not show that the oil treats any condition.What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Population and form studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin elasticity | In 60 postmenopausal women over 60 days, eating argan oil (compared with olive oil) and applying it to the forearm improved instrument-measured skin elasticity. [5] | Promising but limited | One small trial; measured skin stretch, not appearance or skin disease |
| Blood cholesterol when eaten | A meta-analysis of 5 trials (292 people) found lower total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and higher HDL. [6] | Promising but limited (lab markers only) | Eaten oil, not skin use |
| Hair growth, hair quality, lice | A systematic review of 22 articles on coconut, castor and argan hair oils found argan oil had no significant evidence for hair growth, quality or infestation. [7] | No good evidence of benefit | Hair oils, reviewed for skin of color patients |
| Acne, eczema and general skin claims | A review summarizes benefits for skin and gut microbes but states the mechanisms are not completely understood. [8] | Insufficient evidence | Review of mixed studies, much of it lab based |
Proper evidence not found in the sources we read (we searched PubMed for argan oil trials and reviews on skin, hair and eczema) for argan oil as a treatment for acne, eczema or hair loss in people.
Quality: blends and variation
Argan oil is sold at high prices, and a review of quality control says falsifiers deliberately blend it with cheaper vegetable oils for profit. [9] Researchers have developed DNA tests to detect olive and soybean oil in argan oil. [10] A study of 12 Moroccan cooperatives found their oils fell into different quality grades and that extraction was not standardized. [11] A label or price cannot tell you which you have. See natural ingredient quality and labels.People and the tree
A 2011 study of Moroccan households found the argan boom allowed some rural families to spend more and send girls to secondary school, but it did not improve the health of the argan forest and may have harmed it. [12] Cooperatives were described as promoting win-win aims, and the study tested those claims; it is an older study and conditions may have changed.Frequently asked questions
Does argan oil help hair grow?
A systematic review found no significant evidence for argan oil improving hair growth or quality. [7]
Does argan oil help skin?
One small trial in 60 postmenopausal women found better measured skin elasticity. [5] Larger trials are needed.
Can argan oil cause an allergy?
Yes, case reports describe contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis. [1][2]
How do I know my argan oil is pure?
A label cannot show it. Research describes blends with cheaper oils and lab tests to detect them. [9][10]
Is argan oil the same as an essential oil?
No. It is a fixed oil pressed from seeds. See what essential oils are. [4]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety and who should ask first
- Allergy and patch testing: see the warning at the top and patch testing natural ingredients. [1]
- Medicines, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, liver and kidney disease, and surgery: not described for argan oil in the sources we read, so we make no claim. Lack of evidence is not proof of safety. See medication interactions.
- Eaten argan oil and cholesterol medicines: the lipid trials were of eaten oil, not skin use. If you take cholesterol medicines, ask a pharmacist before adding it. [6]
Related: jojoba oil, skin barrier care and natural ingredients for hair growth.
References
- Veraldi S, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by argan oil. Dermatitis. 2016;27(6):391; and Barrientos N, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by argan oil in an infant. Contact Dermatitis. 2014;71(5):316-317. Case reports; titles read, no abstracts available. PubMed 27775969. Read 2026-10-23.
- de Las Marinas Alvarez MD, et al. Anaphylaxis after cutaneous application of argan oil. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2021;31(4):332-334. Case report; title read, no abstract available. PubMed 32938575. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, synonym of Sideroxylon spinosum L.. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Read 2026-10-23.
- Mechqoq H, et al. Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological properties of Argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) (Sapotaceae): a review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;281:114528. PubMed 34418509. Read 2026-10-23.
- Boucetta KQ, et al. The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity. Clin Interv Aging. 2015;10:339-349. PubMed 25673976. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ursoniu S, et al. The impact of argan oil on plasma lipids in humans: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2018;32(3):377-383. PubMed 29130532. Read 2026-10-23.
- Phong C, et al. Coconut, castor, and argan oil for hair in skin of color patients: a systematic review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):751-757. PubMed 35816075. Read 2026-10-23.
- Serrafi A, et al. The importance of argan oil in medicine and cosmetology. Nutrients. 2024;16(20):3573. PubMed 39458566. Read 2026-10-23.
- El Maouardi M, et al. Quality control and authentication of argan oils: application of advanced analytical techniques. Molecules. 2023;28(4):1818. PubMed 36838806. Read 2026-10-23.
- Amaral JS, et al. Authentication of argan (Argania spinosa L.) oil using novel DNA-based approaches: detection of olive and soybean oils as potential adulterants. Foods. 2022;11(16):2498. PubMed 36010499. Read 2026-10-23.
- Kabous KE, et al. The study of the heterogeneity of the qualities of argan oils and pomaces from different cooperatives in the Essaouira region (Morocco). J Oleo Sci. 2023;72(3):283-293. PubMed 36878582. Read 2026-10-23.
- Lybbert TJ, et al. Booming markets for Moroccan argan oil appear to benefit some rural households while threatening the endemic argan forest. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(34):13963-13968. PubMed 21873185. Read 2026-10-23.