Essential Oils for Hair Growth
A dry, irritated scalp will be inflamed, causing you to scratch, increase inflammation and hair loss. Shampooing is the act of applying soap to your scalp which removes oils and moisture.
Therefore, each time you use shampoo you must be sure to use a conditioner to restore the oils that shampoo takes away. Making sure your conditioner has the right essential oils is important. Jojoba and argan oil tend to be two of the most common oils for hair growth. Let’s take a closer look at them and see which essential oil is better for hair growth.
Jojoba Oil or Argan Oil For Hair Growth: Which is Best?
Both jojoba and argan oil are essential oils that can promote hair growth and moisturize the scalp but jojoba is better for your hair because it most closely mimics the oils produced by your body.
Argan is a more conventional oil, nourishing the scalp without making it greasy. Argan oil is higher in antioxidants which can help combat oxidative stress and leave your hair feeling softer.15
Jojoba oil is much closer to your natural sebum and can help clear up any congested follicles, regulate your oil production, and absorb deeper into your skin.
Jojoba oil also has natural anti-inflammatory1 as well as anti-fungal properties, meaning it can potentially help those suffering from psoriasis, scalp dermatitis, or dandruff.
Ultimately, both jojoba oil and argan oil are good for hair for different reasons. It may be best to use a product with both argan and jojoba oils to nourish your scalp and hair.
What is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is a shrub native to the dry regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Jojoba oil is produced from the seeds of this shrub.4 Jojoba oil has a waxy texture and may look clear or yellow with a slightly nutty smell.5
Jojoba Oil for Hair Growth
Jojoba oil is thought to have a consistency that mimics sebum, the natural oils in human skin. Sebum plays an important role in locking in moisture and protecting your skin from infection, both of which can contribute to a healthy scalp.
More directly, jojoba oil’s composition makes it an ideal hair moisturizer that can be incorporated into conditioners or used on its own to help protect against split ends, hair breakage, and dryness. Jojoba’s moisturizing properties may also help to combat dandruff caused by excess dryness.6
Jojoba has also been found to be rich in several vitamins and minerals that may promote healthy hair, including:
- B vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Copper
- Zinc
As it can help to strengthen and nourish hair and directly provide moisture to hair follicles, jojoba oil is thought to promote hair growth and support thicker hair.
What is Argan Oil?
Argan oil comes from the argan tree (Argania spinosa) indigenous to Morocco. The oil is extracted from kernels of the tree and incorporated into a wide range of products, from moisturizers to hair conditioners.7
Argan Oil for Hair Growth
Argan oil acts as an effective moisturizer without leaving your skin or hair feeling greasy. However, much of argan oil’s potential benefits come from its high vitamin A and vitamin E content.
Vitamin A actually describes of group of fat-soluble compounds known as retinoids. This group includes retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters. Vitamin A plays a role in vision, reproduction, immune function, and communication between cells.8
In your hair and skin, vitamin A can help the production and management of sebum in your oil glands, which can keep your scalp properly moisturized while managing any excess oiliness.9
Vitamin E describes a group of fat-soluble compounds that are best known for their powerful antioxidant properties, helping to neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidation and cellular damage.10
However, vitamin E has been used for decades to help support healthy skin by combating inflammation, sun damage, and signs of aging. These benefits have been found to extend to your hair.11
A study from 2010 found that vitamin E can improve hair growth through its antioxidant properties by reducing oxidative stress, which has been linked to hair loss.12 Other studies also suggest that vitamin E may also help to increase circulation.13 When applied to the scalp, improved blood flow may encourage hair growth and hair follicle health.14
Read next: How to Make Your Hair Grow Thicker and Faster
Sources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043661804001148
- https://medlineplus.gov/hairloss.html
- https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/androgenetic-alopecia#statistics
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-618/jojoba
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321665.php
- https://www.healthline.com/health/jojoba-oil-for-hair
- http://www.altmedrev.com/archive/publications/16/3/275.pdf
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21914489
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/vitamin-e-for-hair
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/
- http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/22/8/1245
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC199257/
- https://thebestorganicskincare.com/lets-talk-hair-oils-jojoba-oil-vs-argan-oil/
About the Author:
Dr. Bryan Do, D.O. is an osteopathic physician whose research interests include gastroenterology, immunology, and dermatology. He is particularly interested in the role of probiotics in the gut-brain-skin axis and has written many articles on the topic. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before graduating from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana and becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Osteopathic physicians are taught to take a holistic approach to medicine and to consider mind, body, and spirit when treating a patient. Osteopathic physicians receive training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) in addition to the standard rigorous medical school curriculum. Both physicians with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree as well as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) can practice medicine.