Argan Oil for Dry Hair: Benefits, How to Use It, and What to Look For

Hands up if your bathroom is packed with serums, oils, creams and break-the-bank hair masks that all promised to transform your dry hair into juicy hydrated locks. You are not alone. If your hair is prone to dryness, read on to discover how argan oil can restore softness and shine to frayed, frazzled hair.

Why Dry Hair Needs a Different Kind of Moisture

There are many reasons for dry hair. And it’s usually a combination of things that cause moisture loss – ranging from everyday heat styling, product build-up and hormones, to changes in weather, central heating and environmental exposure. Let’s face it, your hair goes through A LOT. All those factors can change its very structure and how it behaves (or doesn’t behave). So it’s no wonder that dry hair is prone to breakage, frizz and dullness. But help is at hand.  

What Makes Argan Oil Different for Dry Hair Specifically

Often referred to as ‘liquid gold’, argan oil has been used for centuries for its nourishing, hydrating and healing properties. A triple win for dry, thirsty hair. For a start, it’s packed with oleic and linoleic fatty acids, making it a hydrating superhero for both your hair and scalp. As well as fatty acids, argan oil is choc-full of vitamin E and antioxidants which could help protect your hair from free-radical damage. Let’s take a closer look.

The secret is its lightweight, small molecular structure. This allows argan oil to slip beneath the outer cuticle layer of each strand and replenish moisture deep within the hair shaft. Essential if you’re fighting frizz caused by dry, porous hair.

Hydrated hair is happy hair, giving your strands back their elasticity and bounce, meaning less breakage and dryness. Used regularly, argan oil could even seal and smooth those damaged cuticles and split ends, helping protect your hair from further heat damage. And because argan oil burns at a much higher temperature, it’s ideal as heat-protection when used as a leave-in styling product. It seems there’s nothing this ancient oil can’t do. So, how best to use it?

How to Use Argan Oil on Dry Hair: Four Methods That Actually Work

1. Feeling completely frazzled? Give dry, damaged hair a nourishing overnight mask. Apply 6-8 drops of argan oil (depending on the length/thickness) to dry hair and scalp, pop on a shower cap, satin bonnet or microfibre hair wrap to sleep in. In the morning, shampoo, condition and style as usual.
2. Looking for softness & shine? Smooth the appearance of spilt ends and reclaim your glossy locks by using argan oil as a leave-in conditioner. Put 2-3 drops in your hands and run them through freshly-washed, towel-dried tresses, paying particular attention to the ends.
3. Save your strands from heat damage without giving up your favourite styling tools. When your hair is about 80% dry after washing, warm up 1-2 drops of argan oil in your hands before running your fingers from mid-length to the ends of your hair. Let it absorb for a minute or two before blow-drying or hot styling as usual.
4. Say goodbye to ‘Monica hair’ by using argan oil to finish off your styling routine. When your hair is dry, run 1-2 drops (a little goes a long way here) through your hair to tame frizz and seal split ends.

Can You Use Argan Oil on Dry Hair Every Day?

As a general rule, yes, dry hair types can use argan oil in their daily routine. Just a couple of things to bear in mind to ensure you achieve glossy not greasy locks. If you have very dry, thick, curly or afro hair type, argan oil is especially moisturising and ideal as a daily leave-in conditioner or to tame fly-aways. It’s best to limit overnight deep conditioning treatments to 1-2 times a week though. If you have fine or thinning dry hair, use argan oil just once or twice a week. Be sparing with your application, avoiding your roots and scalp as this can cause excess oiliness.

If adding an extra step into your haircare routine doesn’t work for you, try hair products with argan oil already in them. Like our Shea & Argan Shampoo, Shea & Argan Conditioner and Shea & Argan Nourishing Hair Mask. They’re an easy way to incorporate all the benefits of organic argan oil without any extra effort.

Is It Better to Put Argan Oil on Wet or Dry Hair for Growth?

The short answer is both - each with different benefits. You can improve elasticity, and therefore help prevent hair breakage, by applying a few drops to damp hair along the mid-lengths. But for targeted growth benefits, massaging argan oil into your scalp as a pre-wash ritual helps improve circulation giving you the foundation for healthier hair growth. Plus it’s two minutes of relaxing me-time. Win win.  

Who Should Not Use Argan Oil on Their Hair?

Those with a nut allergy should avoid using it as it comes from the tree-nut of the argan tree. If your scalp naturally produces a lot of oil, then adding extra oil may cause congestion or worsen any existing issues. And finally, anyone with clinically diagnosed hair loss might not see any benefits from a topical oil and is better off seeking medical treatment.

Argan oil vs other oils for dry hair: which one wins?

Choosing the right oil for your dry, damaged hair can be a bit of a minefield. Do you go for the trending oil, splash out on the expensive oil or simply raid your kitchen cupboard? One of the most common alternatives to argan is coconut oil. But this is heavier and can cause build-up without actually hydrating your hair at a deeper level. A lighter alternative is jojoba, however it’s less intense so may not offer enough nourishment. Then there’s castor oil. It’s too thick for daily use and its large molecular structure means it coats your strands locking moisture out.

So argan oil is the goldilocks of hair oils. Not too thick. Not too thin. Just right. Its unique composition of small molecules mean all the natural moisture and nutrients can be delivered exactly where it’s needed most, leaving your hair feeling smooth and healthy. No wonder it’s called liquid gold.

 

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