Baobab oil—an anti-dandruff agent?

Dandruff flakes are a scalp condition affecting one in two people in France. These are small fragments of scalp skin, known as scales, which detach, disperse through the hair or fall onto the shoulders. They result from excessive scalp shedding. This is a benign but visible condition that can be inconvenient for those affected. In some cases, dandruff is accompanied by itching and scalp irritation. There are two types of dandruff, dry flakes and oily flakes.

Mechanism : The development of dandruff results from an acceleration of epidermal cell turnover in the scalp epidermis, associated with abnormal scaling. A healthy scalp produces dead cells, invisible to the naked eye, daily. Cell turnover follows a regular cycle of about 28 days. During this cycle, epidermal cells complete their maturation, detach from each other, and shed one by one, remaining unseen at the surface. Several factors promote dandruff development, including the presence of the fungus Malassezia on the scalp, genetic predisposition, sebum secretion, and external triggers.

No studies have examined the effects of baobab oil on dandruff or the Malassezia fungus. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm and substantiate these effects. antifungal activity A study of baobab hydroalcoholic extract found it exhibits antifungal activity against Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli. This suggests the oil may help control dandruff.

• Baobab oil has an anti-inflammatory effect:

  First, baobab oil has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation markers, recruit anti-inflammatory cells and signalling factors. These properties stem from its fatty acid profile. Alongside its other components, it soothes irritation and itching associated with dandruff.

• Baobab oil exhibits hydrating properties:

  Secondly, vitamin A and essential fatty acids in baobab oil penetrate the scalp and hair fibres, supporting hair hydration by preventing dryness and water loss. This restores epidermal balance and strengthens the surface hydrolipidic film, making it richer and more resistant to dandruff.

• Baobab oil modulates sebum production:

  The oil’s richness in essential fatty acids gives it a role in regulating sebum production by the sebaceous glands. The mechanism remains undercharacterised but, according to several sources, it may regulate sebum levels, preventing overproduction. It could therefore influence the development of dandruff.

To optimise the benefits of baobab oil, precise application guidelines must be followed. A patch test prior to use is recommended to prevent allergic reactions. On hair, apply the oil as a pre-shampoo treatment. Massage into the scalp to stimulate circulation. A few drops can be added to the shampoo during washing. A few drops are enough, to avoid weighing down the scalp.

• Wikramanayake T et al. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology (2015).

• Yusuf A et al. Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity of baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaves and stem bark extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Journal of Biosciences and Biotechnology (2017).

• BASIRAT A. et al. African oils in dermatology. Dermatological Therapy (2021).