Dr Ahmad Moussa (FRCS) — Updated on January 19, 2026
Using marula oil for hair growth can be a tempting solution if you are experiencing hair loss, since it is well-reputed in the cosmetic industry for its anti-aging, antioxidant and emollient qualities. But is it safe to use marula oil on your hair and scalp? And will it make your hair grow back?
While so far, no clinical trials have studied marula oil’s efficacy for hair growth, there is some evidence that it does provide hair health benefits which may, indirectly, lead to a fuller head of hair. A 2024 research paper claims that the high protein content of marula fruit may help with cellular development and repair, helping to prevent poor hair growth [1]. However, this applies to marula fruit consumption rather than marula oil application — and there’s still very little research in this area.
Keep reading this article to read more about:
- What marula oil is and how it can be used on your hair
- The hair and scalp benefits of marula oil
- Natural alternatives to marula oil for hair growth
- Reasons why your hair may be falling out and the best treatments available
- What is marula oil?
- Is marula oil good for your hair?
- Does marula oil make your hair grow?
- Does marula oil have any unwanted side effects?
- How often can I use marula oil on my hair?
- How to use marula oil on your hair
- What other essential oils can I use for hair growth?
- Why is my hair thinning?
- How can I stop my hair from falling out?
What is marula oil?
Marula oil is a natural oil extracted from the nut kernels of the Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) tree fruit native to multiple regions of sub-Saharan Africa [2]. This oil has multiple uses, ranging from cooking and leatherworking to skin and hair care, as well as medicine [3].
Like batana hair oil, marula oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. It has few side effects, making it a popular ingredient in the cosmetic industry, to smooth out skin, remove blemishes, and moisturise and strengthen hair.
MARULA OIL COMPOSITION [4] |
Fatty acids Monounsaturated fats:
Polyunsaturated fats:
Saturated fats:
|
Tocopherols
|
Sterols
|
Flavonoids |
Is marula oil good for your hair?
The field of natural hair oils for growth is largely understudied, so there haven’t been any clinical trials to determine the efficiency of marula oil for different hair uses. However, the composition of marula oil does reveal promising benefits, some of which are supported by small scale in-vitro studies:
Marula oil is antioxidant-rich
Marula oil contains natural antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, as well as high amounts of Vitamin C, but also Vitamin E, which help combat the damaging action of free radicals and of UV radiation and pollution [5].
Marula oil has emollient and moisturising properties
A 2024 study found 16 fatty acids present in marula oil, with oleic acid making up 73% of its fatty acid content [15]. While these researchers didn’t note any particular benefits for hair, other studies have demonstrated the positive effect of oleic acid on hair growth [16].
The fatty acids in marula oil are also commonly encountered in hair moisturisers, as they help retain water within the hair shaft. This is very good for preventing dry, brittle hair which breaks off easily [5][6].
Marula oil may have hair-strengthening properties
There is some indication that marula oil helps increase protein levels in your hair fibres and thus make the hair strands stronger, more resistant to breakage and less likely to get split ends [8].
Marula oil increases hair shine
Marula oil nourishes and protects the scalp and hair strands without encumbering them or making them look greasy This gives your locks a healthy, shiny look [7].
Marula oil makes detangling easier
Fatty acids found in marula oil lubricate the hair strands and reduce friction, making them smoother, less frizzy, less likely to break during combing and easier to detangle and style [14].
It may have anti-inflammatory properties
While the pathways through which marula oil is said to reduce scalp inflammation have not yet been studied sufficiently and are not properly understood, some studies assert that it may indeed have such properties [2]. This is likely due to the fact that it moisturises the skin and reduces dryness and itching and it may also possess anti-inflammatory compounds (but further research is needed to confirm this) [9].
Marula oil has some antimicrobial properties
A 2017 in-vitro study [10] performed on marula oil revealed that it was efficient in reducing certain strains of bacteria. While this does not prove efficiency against other microorganisms which can cause common scalp problems, it shows a possible antimicrobial effect and may be helpful against scalp acne.
Marula oil may have limited anti-aging properties
One study reveals that while the marula stem extract has demonstrated potent anti-aging activity, marula oil only demonstrated limited activity in this aspect [11]. However, the fact that it has a protective effect on hair strands, shielding them to some extent from heat damage, pollution and UV radiation shows that it might have some anti-aging properties.
It should be kept in mind that these qualities of the marula oil need to be further researched in order to determine the quantities and concentrations of oil that need to be applied to your scalp in order to achieve full benefits.
This is even more important since one study has revealed significant composition differences between marula oils obtained from fruit grown in different geographical locations [12].
Does marula oil make your hair grow?
No clinical studies have tested marula oil’s hair growth properties so far, so it is difficult to say. However, the hair benefits listed above can indirectly reduce hair loss, as hair strands which are well-moisturised, nourished, fortified and shielded from environmental damage will be more difficult to break and may even undergo more growth.
Does marula oil have any unwanted side effects?
Marula oil has been found to be non-irritant and generally safe to use without any significant side effects [7].
However, since it is an oil, using it too frequently and in large quantities on an already oily scalp can make hair greasy. This can not only clog your hair follicles and give your hair a less-than-fresh appearance, but it can also lead to the proliferation of Malassezia, a fungus which often causes yeast infections on the scalp, such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
Finally, since any substance can cause an allergic reaction in those sensitive to it, be sure to test marula oil on a small patch of skin before applying it to your scalp.
How often can I use marula oil on my hair?
If you have a dry scalp, it is safe to use this oil as often as daily. However, for an oily scalp, it is not advisable to exceed 1-2 times per week.
How to use marula oil on your hair
Here are some of the most common ways in which marula oil can be used on your hair. Feel free to choose the option that best suits your hair needs:
| Best ways to use marula oil on your hair | |
| Use marula oil as hair treatment |
|
| Use marula oil as a conditioner |
|
| Mix marula oil with other essential oils and apply as a hair mask |
|
| Mixing marula oil in your hair products |
|
What other essential oils can I use for hair growth?
If you are looking for the best essential oils for hair growth, here are some other natural remedies which might contribute to your hair and scalp health and more luxurious locks:
- Rosemary oil for hair growth
- Black seed oil for hair growth
- Peppermint oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Mustard oil for hair growth
Why is my hair thinning?
There could be a number of reasons why your hair is falling out. The most common of these are the following:
- Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness)
- Telogen effluvium
- Alopecia areata
- Medication-induced hair loss
- Postpartum hair loss
- Traction alopecia
- Summer hair loss
- Common scalp problems (e.g. dandruff, scalp psoriasis, ringworm, etc.)
Regardless of the cause of your hair shedding it is important to get a diagnosis at the first signs of hair loss and balding. That is because while some hair conditions are reversible without medical intervention, most will get worse and may become too advanced for treatment.
How can I stop my hair from falling out?
It is natural to worry and look for solutions if you are experiencing hair loss. However, the best way to be sure you are getting the right treatment is to book a consultation with a trichologist. They will perform a thorough examination of your scalp and hair and may recommend one of the many evidence-based treatments and therapies, according to your scalp needs:
- Minoxidil
- Finasteride (usually not recommended for premenopausal women)
- Steroid creams for hair loss
- Dermarolling for hair growth
- Red light therapy for hair growth
- Hair transplant
If your hair loss is too advanced to respond to non-surgical treatment, there is no need to worry. Hair restoration surgery is safe and fast and recent technological advancements ensure that you can get a natural looking hair transplant whether you opt for a FUE or FUT type procedure.
As you can see in our before and after hair transplant gallery, the results are very good and the best hair transplant clinics in the UK have a 97-100% success rate.
Moreover, the best part is that, unlike medication that you have to keep taking, a hair transplant is permanent, so it is the quickest way to regain your once-luxurious locks.
- Quality aspects of marula (Sclerocarya birrea) fruit, nutritional composition, and the formation of value-added products for human nutrition: a review
- Chapter 21 – Sclerocarya birrea
- Local knowledge, pattern and diversity of use of Sclerocarya birrea
- The importance of an indigenous tree to southern African communities with specific relevance to its domestication and commercialization: A case of the marula tree
- Assessing the dielectric performance of Sclerocarya birrea (Marula oil) and mineral oil for eco-friendly power transformer applications
- Traditional Sudanese Foods
- Safety and efficacy of Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst (Marula) oil: A clinical perspective
- A comparison of the proximate, fibre, mineral content, amino acid and the fatty acid profile of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea caffra) nut and soyabean (Glycine max) meals
- African seed oils of commercial importance — Cosmetic applications
- Fatty Acids, Tocopherols, Phenolics and the Antimicrobial Effect of Sclerocarya birrea Kernels with Different Harvesting Dates
- Anti-aging potential of extracts from Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst and its chemical profiling by UPLC-Q-TOF-M
- Yield and Physicochemical Properties of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) Seed Oils among Nine International Provenances Tested in Malawi
- L-arginine induces nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in patients with critical limb ischemia. A randomised, controlled study
- Hair Cosmetics: An Overview
- Chemical Profile and Potential Applications of Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst. subsp. caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro Kernel Oils: Analysis of Volatile Compounds and Fatty Acids
- Development of Tea Seed Oil Nanostructured Lipid Carriers and In Vitro Studies on Their Applications in Inducing Human Hair Growth
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Dr Ahmad Moussa (FRCS) — Updated on January 19, 2026
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