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Argan oil for Hair: How Effective Is It Really ?
Table of Contents
Introduction
Argan oil for Hair is a popular ingredient, but its inability to penetrate the hair shaft raises questions about its effectiveness. How effective is it really? The concept of Argan oil hair penetration is crucial when evaluating its benefits.
Argan oil is derived from the nuts of the Argania spinosa tree, which is native to southwest Morocco (Charrouf & Guillaume, 2008).
The oil is produced through a process of heating, roasting, and pressing the nuts. The oil is then filtered to remove any impurities, resulting in a pure and clear product.
The limitations of Argan oil’s capacity to penetrate the hair shaft arise from its lack of medium and short chain fatty acids.
Why Argan Oil Hair Penetration May Be Limited
Argan oil is widely known for its potential benefits for hair, however, scientific evidence claims that its molecular structure prevents it from effectively penetrating the hair shaft, leading to skepticism surrounding its advantages.
This doubt regarding Argan oil hair penetration casts a shadow over its efficacy as a hair care ingredient when contrasted against other oils that have smaller molecular sizes and can thus penetrate the hair shaft, resulting in superior performance and repair.
Understanding the Hair Shaft Structure to Assess Argan oil for Hair
The hair shaft is composed of three layers: the outer cuticle, middle cortex, and inner medulla.
The cuticle is made up of overlapping scales that protect the hair shaft from damage, while the cortex is the thickest layer and provides hair with its strength and elasticity. The medulla is the innermost layer and can be present or absent in different hairs.
The cuticle is the outermost protective layer that covers the hair shaft and plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall health and strength of hair. In addition to protecting the hair shaft, the cuticle also helps to prevent moisture loss and protects against external damage, which can lead to breakage and weakened hair.
Argan Oil’s Composition and Its Impact on Hair Penetration
The effectiveness of vegetable oils, including argan oil, largely depends on their fatty acid composition. The limited presence of medium and short-chain fatty acids in argan oil directly impacts argan oil hair penetration. This limitation makes argan oil more effective as a surface treatment, offering moisture and shine without deep absorption.
Argan oil is composed of approximately 80% unsaturated fatty acids and only approximately 19% (19 g/100 g) saturated fatty acids. Oleic acid (43–49 g/100 g) and linoleic acid (29–36 g/100 g) are the major unsaturated fatty acids found in argan oil. Argan oil also contains two primary saturated fatty acids namely stearic acid (3.15–7 g/100 g) and palmitic acid (11–15 g/100 g). Other fatty acids, such as myristic acid (C14:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), and short-chain fatty acids, are found only in relatively low quantities (Charrouf & Guillaume, 2008), (Yousifi et al., 2009), (Lettreuch et al., 2022).
Limitations of Argan Oil's Ability to Penetrate the Hair Shaft
The absence of medium-chain fatty acids like capric acid (C10:0) and lauric acid (C12:0) limits the success of argan oil hair penetration.
This lack of medium-chain fatty acids and short-chain fatty acids contributes to the inability of the oil to penetrate the hair shaft. This characteristic makes argan oil particularly effective only as a surface treatment, providing moisture and shine without deep absorption and penetration into the hair shaft.
This means that Argan oil remains solely on the surface of the hair and can only serve to establish a protective barrier against external damage and heat styling.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
The limited penetration of Argan oil may hinder its ability to provide deep nourishment and repair to hair, potentially impacting its overall effectiveness as a hair tonic. Additionally, for those seeking more intensive care, combining Argan oil for Hair with other oils known for their penetrating properties, such as Coconut and Avocado oils, may enhance its benefits and provide a more comprehensive approach to hair health.
Our Unique Research and Development: Different hair oils cater to various hair types by offering unique beneficial effects, beyond just acting as emollients. While the primary function of most hair oils and serums, is to moisturise and soften hair, their diverse characteristics must provide additional advantages. By understanding the specific properties of each oil and ingredient, we have developed a nutritive hair oil/serum that can help address different hair concerns, such as dryness, frizz, hair damage, while maintaining scalp moisture and wellness.
Surpassing the benefits of Argan, Amla, and Batana oils for hair, the hair oil serum by Belle’Botanique boasts numerous essential attributes and properties that address various hair concerns. This product not only moisturises and safeguards the hair but also improves its overall health and appearance. Furthermore, it nourishes and moisturises the scalp, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy-look of one’s tresses.
Unlike some oils, our product provides a non-greasy feel, making it suitable for scalp applications without leaving a heavy residue. This non-greasy characteristic also ensures your hair remains well-nourished and protected throughout the day.
References:
Abhishek, Satish, Torane., Vikas, B, Wamane. (2024). (7) Rosemary hair growth serum. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, doi:10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i4a.14991
Charrouf, Z., & Guillaume, D.. (2008). Argan oil : Occurrence, composition and impact on human health. https://doi.org/10.1002/EJLT.200700220
Foti, C., Romita, P., Ranieri, L. D., & Bonamonte, D.. (2014). Allergic contact dermatitis caused by argan oil. https://doi.org/10.1111/COD.12233
Lettreuch, S. H., Saidi, F., Pérez-Camino, M. C., & Castellano, J. M. (2022). Chemical Composition and Physico-chemical Parameters of Traditionally Extracted Oil from Argania spinosa Seeds. Phytotherapie, 20(4–5), 254–263. https://doi.org/10.3166/phyto-2022-0321
Yousfi, M., Bombarda, I., Hamia, C., Djeridane, A., Stocker, P., & Gaydou, E. M.. (2009). Fatty acid, triglyceride and tocopherol composition of Algerian Argan (Argania spinosa) fruit seed lipids. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12349-009-0058-Z
