Moringa oil: what are its hair benefits?

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.