Moringa oil: what are its hair benefits?

Rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid naturally present in sebum, the moringa oil strengthens the hydrolipidic film around the hair fibres. As a reminder, the sebum synthesised by the sebaceous glands of the scalp naturally flows along the hair, moisturising and protecting it. However, repeated friction against clothing or overly aggressive brushing can weaken this film. The application of moringa oil helps to restore it, thus ensuring hydration and protection for the hair.

Moringa oil can also function through biomimicry by integrating itself into the hair cuticle, the outermost part. In doing so, it strengthens the intercellular cement, enhancing the cohesion of cells. This cohesion is crucial to ensure the impermeability of the hair's internal layers and maintain their flexibility and elasticity. In addition to its protective properties, moringa oil nourishes and improves the texture of the hair, making it softer and shinier. It is particularly beneficial for dry or weakened hair and offers a natural solution for dull ends.

Thanks to its light and dry texture, moringa oil can be applied to the scalp without weighing it down. Not only beneficial to the lengths, it also ensures the hydration of the scalp. Like the rest of the skin, it is important for the latter to maintain adequate hydration to stay healthy. A dry scalp can lead to itching, irritation, and even dandruff. The high fatty acid content of moringa oil allows it to form an occlusive film on the surface of the scalp, thus helping to retain moisture and limit water loss.

Note : Although the moisturising properties of the moringa oil have not been directly highlighted on the scalp, they have been confirmed in several clinical trials.

Rich in tocopherols (vitamin E) and beta-carotene, antioxidants, moringa oil combats the effects of oxidative stress. Its mechanisms of action are varied: studies in vitro have notably shown that moringa oil can increase the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, key enzymes in the mechanism of eliminating free radicals. This regulation is important, particularly at the level of hair follicles present at the root of the hair and sensitive to oxidative stress. Their destabilisation accelerates, among other things, hair loss. Moreover, several studies have shown a link between oxidative stress and hair whitening, suggesting the benefit of incorporating antioxidants like moringa oil into one's hair care routine.

Please note : The antioxidant properties of moringa oil have been demonstrated in several studies in vitro but it's important to keep in mind that there is currently no evidence that this vegetable oil can slow down the onset of grey hair.

Itching, irritation... The scalp is not spared from these issues. An ally for sensitive skin, the moringa oil can also be used on the scalp with the aim of soothing it. The calming virtues of this natural ingredient come from its biochemical composition rich in anti-inflammatory molecules, such as flavonoids. It has been shown that moringa oil can inhibit the release of nitric oxide, a vasodilator. This vegetable oil can also regulate the NF-κB inflammatory signalling pathway. Other effects have been attributed to it, such as the inhibition of the production of interleukins-1β and 8 (IL-1β and IL-8), of TNF-α and of macrophage inflammatory proteins β (MIP-β), all of which are pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Note : It is once again important to clarify that the anti-inflammatory properties of moringa oil have not been tested on the scalp. However, they have been demonstrated in several clinical studies.

A common hair issue, dandruff is nonetheless a complex problem. The causes of this scalp disorder are quite diverse: overactivity of the sebaceous glands, colonisation by the fungus Malassezia, individual susceptibility... Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, moringa oil is a good candidate for combating this issue. Moreover, its hydrating nature allows it to act gently, without irritating the scalp. According to several in vitro studies, the ability of moringa oil to inhibit the growth of certain microorganisms comes from its richness in flavonoids and quercetin.

The anti-dandruff effect of moringa oil was investigated in a recent clinical trial. One hundred participants suffering from mild to moderate dandruff were recruited and divided into two groups: Group A used an anti-dandruff shampoo containing moringa oil for four weeks, while Group B used the same shampoo but without moringa. At the end of the study, Group A experienced a 60% reduction in dandruff, while it was only 40% for Group B. Furthermore, individuals in Group A reported an improvement in the health of their scalp, particularly a reduction in itching and irritation. Clinical evaluations also showed a decrease in erythema and scaling in this group. These initial results are encouraging regarding the anti-dandruff properties of moringa oil.

Recently, it has been suspected that moringa oil could potentially influence hair growth. This belief is primarily due to its content of β-sitosterol, a compound capable of blocking the 5α-reductase enzyme. In doing so, β-sitosterol prevents the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a molecule partly responsible for androgenetic alopecia. Indeed, it has been shown that when DHT binds to the Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) protein, it triggers the apoptosis of the hair matrix cells, resulting in hair loss. The activity of DKK-1 is also inhibited by linoleic acid, a fatty acid found in moringa oil.

Furthermore, linoleic acid stimulates the β-catenin signalling pathway, a signalling molecule initiating the transition between the telogen, or shedding phase, and the anagen, or growth phase, of the hair cycle. Finally, this fatty acid could activate certain growth factors essential for hair elongation, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). Without clinical studies, it is still too early to assert that moringa oil can reduce hair loss. However, there are reasons to be optimistic.

• FEKADU A. & al. Industrial and Agricultural Potentials of Moringa. Journal of Natural Sciences Research (2014).

• MOWA C. & al. Moringa oleifera and inflammation: a mini-review of its effects and mechanisms. Acta Horticulturae (2017).

• HENDRIANI R. & al. The Potential of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lamk) Seed Oil as an Anti-Alopecia Agent. Journal of Pharmacognosy (2022).

• JAID A. & al. Formulation and Evaluation of Moringa 2 in 1 Herbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner. International Journal of Research and Development (2024).