Facial hair enthusiasts often wonder if natural remedies like argan oil can actually make a beard grow thicker and faster. Argan oil, often nicknamed “liquid gold” for its rich, nourishing qualities, has become a staple in many beard oils and grooming routines. It’s packed with essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants that hydrate and protect hair. However, the key question for many is: Does argan oil genuinely stimulate new facial hair growth, or is it mostly hype?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cut through the hype. We’ll look at what science says (or doesn’t say), explain how argan oil benefits hair health, and outline when it might help your beard (and when it won’t). By the end, you’ll know whether to count on argan oil for beard growth or simply use it for its conditioning power. Along the way, we’ll include expert insights and even a few surprising quotes from news and research to keep things interesting and authoritative.
What Is Argan Oil and Why Is It Popular?
Argan oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the kernels of the Argania spinosa tree, native to Morocco. It’s been used for centuries in Moroccan cuisine and skincare. In fact, Healthline notes that argan oil has long been used as a home remedy for hair and skin, earning it the moniker “liquid gold”. Today, it’s widely found in beauty products, from shampoos and lotions to specialty beard oils.
Why is argan oil prized? It’s rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids as well as vitamin E These nutrients make it an excellent moisturizer and antioxidant. When applied to hair or skin, argan oil lubricates and adds a protective layer. Many users report softer, shinier hair and reduced frizz and itchiness. Because it is relatively lightweight and easily absorbed, it typically doesn’t feel greasy the way some other oils can.
In traditional use, Moroccan women have applied argan oil to their skin and hair for sun protection and hydration. The oil’s content of vitamin E (tocopherol) and antioxidants also earned it a reputation for healing and regenerative effects. However, beauty claims can sometimes outpace the science. As one news report put it, argan oil “runs through your fingers like liquid gold, hydrating, luscious, and restorative”. But just because it feels luxurious doesn’t mean it will spark new hair growth.
Many beard products include argan oil simply because it conditions existing hair and the skin underneath. For example, a hair restoration specialist notes that beard oil (often containing argan or jojoba) “hydrates both the hair and the underlying skin, preventing dryness and breakage”, which leads to a healthier-looking beard. Keep in mind that hydration and hair quality are not the same as regrowing lost hair. We’ll explore how those differences matter below.
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Argan Oil and Hair Health: The Evidence
To answer whether argan oil can grow facial hair, it helps to first understand what research exists on hair growth in general. Argan oil’s composition, high in fatty acids and antioxidants, suggests it can improve hair shaft health and scalp condition. For example, research shows that oils rich in linoleic and oleic acid add a protective layer to the hair shaft, improving combing force and reducing breakage. This effect can make hair look thicker and healthier, but it doesn’t create new hair follicles.
Claim vs. study: A recent systematic review of popular hair oils found “no significant evidence” that argan oil by itself improves hair growth. In fact, researchers analyzing over two dozen studies on coconut, castor, and argan oil concluded that argan oil did not show any clinical benefit for hair growth or infestation. In other words, the science community hasn’t seen convincing trial results that argan oil makes hair grow faster or denser.
There are hints of possible effects, though primarily in the context of hair conditioning. For example, one small laboratory study reported that mice treated with an argan-oil-based hair tonic experienced more hair growth compared to untreated mice. Specifically, a 2022 experimental study found that argan nano emulsions (1–3% concentration) “promoted hair growth in mice”. However, mouse skin is not the same as human facial skin, and conditions in the lab often do not translate directly to people.
The bottom line from science is this: there is no solid human trial showing that applying argan oil will jump-start new beard growth. Likewise, a health article on beard oils notes that it “hasn’t been scientifically proven that beard oil will help with beard growth”. Instead, experts emphasize that beard oil (including argan oil) is most useful for what it does best: moisturizing and conditioning.
The anecdotal claims tend to blur two things:
- Making existing hair look fuller by moisturizing and aligning strands, and
- Actually creating new hair.
Argan oil can do the first quite well; a well-hydrated beard often appears thicker simply because strands are shinier, less brittle, and break off less. But appearance alone is different from medically increasing follicle count. As one overview notes, argan oil’s nutrients “help keep your hair moisturized and protect against damage”, which can result in less shedding. Less breakage means your beard might look healthier over time, but it doesn’t mean more hairs are growing where there weren’t any before.
How DHT and Fatty Acids Factor In
Facial hair growth is driven by androgens like dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Some people wonder if argan oil might block or boost DHT, thus affecting a beard. Argan oil contains linoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid. In vitro studies (in test tubes) have shown that certain fatty acids can inhibit the 5α-reductase enzyme that produces DHT. For example, a classic Biochemical Journal paper found that linoleic acid did inhibit 5α-reductase, though it was weaker than other fatty acids in this effect.
What does that mean in practice? Possibly nothing: those enzyme tests were far removed from applying oil to skin. No study has clearly shown that argan oil topically changes testosterone or DHT levels in people. Given that DHT actually stimulates beard growth (unlike scalp hair, where excess DHT can cause hair loss), some have even theorized argan’s linoleic acid might slightly reduce DHT in the beard area. This was suggested by a beard-care brand, which cautioned that linoleic acid could theoretically slow growth by modestly lowering DHT.
Does Argan Oil Stimulate Beard Growth? Separating Myth from Reality
The claim “Argan oil will grow your beard” circulates in forums and product ads. But what you’ll actually get from using argan oil on your face is conditioning, hydration, and shine. It can soothe the skin under your beard, reduce itch, and make coarse hairs softer. Many bearded men love it for that reason. For example, the argan oil is called the “Rolls Royce” of beard oils and says it helps “reduce beard itch, banish split ends, and eliminate skin flakiness”. These benefits are real and valuable for beard comfort and appearance.
However, making your beard look fuller is not the same as actually growing more beard hairs. On this front, the evidence is underwhelming. Dermatologists and hair experts caution that no oil, argan or otherwise, has been proven to trigger dormant follicles. Beard oil’s main role is moisturization: it “replaces and supplements the natural oils your skin produces,” helping hair and skin stay healthy. In fact, Healthline bluntly states: “It hasn’t been scientifically proven that beard oil will help with beard growth”.
To make that point even clearer: if a topical oil were truly a growth catalyst, clinical trials would likely exist by now. Instead, studies either show no effect (e.g., the review finding “no evidence”) or are simply absent. The consensus medical stance is that diet, genetics, and hormones determine beard growth more than any supplement you apply. Argan oil cannot override DNA or hormone levels.
Nevertheless, some friendly disclaimers are in order. If your beard is patchy or you have scalp-level hair issues affecting your facial hair, no oil alone will fix that. On the other hand, if your beard is generally growing but feels dry, brittle, or thin, then argan oil can help each strand look smoother and healthier. A well-moisturized beard can appear denser because the hairs lie closer together and reflect light.
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How to Use Argan Oil for Your Beard (Best Practices)
If you decide to give argan oil a try (for softness and manageability), here are some practical tips to get the most out of it:
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Choose high-quality, pure argan oil: Look for 100% pure, cold-pressed argan oil (often labeled “for cosmetic use”). Cosmetic argan oil is pressed from unroasted kernels, preserving nutrients. Impure oils or those mixed with petroleum derivatives won’t offer real benefits. Also, prefer oils in dark glass bottles to protect the antioxidants from light degradation.
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Apply to clean, damp beard: After washing your face/beard or showering, pat your beard slightly dry (it should be damp). Warm a few drops of argan oil between your palms and gently massage it deep into the hair and skin. This ensures even coverage and absorption.
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Massage thoroughly: Work the oil through your beard from root to tip. Make sure to reach the skin beneath, as argan oil also soothes dry beard skin and can reduce itch and dandruff (often called “beardruff”).
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Start with a small amount: A little goes a long way. Start with 3–5 drops (depending on beard length) and adjust as needed. Too much oil can leave the beard looking greasy instead of groomed.
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Use daily or as needed: For maximum conditioning, apply argan oil daily. Some users do it every morning. If your skin is very dry or you have a long beard, you might use it twice a day. Consistency yields the best appearance results.
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Combine with other oils (Recommended): Many beard oils are blends. Argan oil mixes well with oils like jojoba, coconut, or castor to create a balanced beard oil. If you’re using a pre-made beard oil, check its ingredients. If mixing at home, jojoba mimics skin sebum, and castor oil is thicker for extra hydration, while argan oil adds shine and antioxidants.
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Be patient: Even for its intended effects (moisture, softness), argan oil takes time. You won’t see overnight beard growth, but over weeks you should notice a healthier feel and less breakage.
Proper use of argan oil maximizes its real benefits, conditioning and protecting your beard. For example, a randomized trial found that beard oils (with various carrier oils) “significantly improved beard growth rate” over 4 weeks. However, that study included multiple oils (olive, jojoba, argan, etc.) in a formula, making it impossible to credit argan alone. Still, this underscores that the right grooming routine can measurably improve beard condition (more hair survives the growth cycle, fewer hairs break), which translates to a fuller-looking beard.
Do’s and Don’ts:
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Do use argan oil as part of a broader beard care regimen: clean your beard with a gentle wash, trim split ends, and use a healthy diet. Argan oil complements these efforts.
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Don’t rely on argan oil as a beard-growth cure-all. If growth is a major concern (e.g., very thin beard), consider medical approaches (minoxidil, nutritional changes, etc.) under a dermatologist’s guidance.
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Conclusion: Verdict on the Hype
So, does argan oil grow facial hair? The short answer is no, not in the sense of creating new hair follicles or dramatically speeding up hair production. The claim that it can spur beard growth is mostly hype. As clinical reviews note, there’s “no significant evidence” that argan oil improves hair growth. Beard oil experts agree that any perceived “growth” is likely due to enhanced hair health and appearance, not actual new hairs.
What argan oil can do is improve your beard’s condition. It deeply moisturizes, making coarse beard hair smoother and less prone to breakage. A well-maintained beard often looks fuller, simply because each strand is healthier and shinier. As one site puts it, argan oil is “a personal rejuvenator for your beard,” nourishing skin and whiskers with vitamin E, A, and fatty acids. These benefits are real and valuable, just don’t confuse them with actual hair regeneration.
In summary:
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No proven growth magic: Argan oil won’t make dormant beard follicles suddenly produce hair. Science and dermatology reviews agree on this.
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Yes, better hair health: Argan oil can improve the look and feel of your existing beard by moisturizing and protecting it.
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Use wisely: Apply it consistently as a beard conditioner. Expect a softer, less frizzy beard, but set realistic expectations about growth.
If you value a soft, manageable beard, argan oil is worth trying. But if you were counting on it to grow your beard, it’s best viewed as a grooming aid rather than a growth elixir.
Ready to Level Up Your Beard Care?
Interested in premium beard oils that use argan and other nourishing ingredients? Check out BeyondBeard.com, where we craft high-quality, organic beard oils and balms. Our formulas blend argan oil with complementary oils to hydrate your beard and skin. Whether you want to tame frizz, reduce itch, or simply smell great, Beyond Beard has options for you. Shop now for free shipping and start treating your beard to the care it deserves!
