If you're a woman in your 40s or older and noticing drier skin, deeper lines, or thinning edges from those hormone shifts – you're not alone. Menopause and perimenopause can make our skin lose bounce and our hair shed more, leaving us searching for answers.
Two heroes – argan oil from Moroccan trees and olive oil from the Mediterranean – promise hydration, strength, and glow. But which one fights aging skin and hair loss better for African women of colour? Because radiant skin and lush hair are your right at any age!
Why Our Skin and Hair Change After 35
Estrogen drops steal collagen (up to 30% in the first 5 menopause years), drying skin and thinning strands. Both oils offer fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants to plump skin, seal moisture, and nourish scalps. Argan shines with rare ferulic acid and higher sterols; olive brings squalene for softness.
Argan Oil for Menopausal Skin
Daily argan (eaten or rubbed in) boosted hydration and elasticity in postmenopausal women – better than olive oil. One study of 60 women aged 49-61, found that those who ate argan (25g/day + topical) had smoother, firmer skin after 60 days.
Olive eaters saw less change. Olive oil's linoleic acid (36%) rebuilds the skin's barrier that gets affected by hormones, while the vitamin E in olive oil fights the free radicals that cause lines.
Olive Oil for Solid Everyday Moisture
Extra virgin olive oil hydrates deeply with oleic acid (70%) and squalene, easing dryness and itch from hot flashes. It softens fine lines but lacks argan's collagen boost. It can work great as a budget face oil or bath soak
Hair Benefits: Stopping Thinning and Breakage
Argan's lightweight formula coats strands without grease, reducing breakage from dry scalps. Vitamin E and fatty acids improve elasticity in thinning hair; studies link it to healthier follicles during hormone dips. Rub 2-3 drops on edges nightly, – many people report thicker roots after 4-6 weeks.
Olive penetrates thicker hair, loosening buildup and moisturising scalps to curb fallout. Weekly masks (mix with honey) revive brittle strands, but it weighs down fine, thinning hair.
Simple Ways to Use Them
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Argan (pure, cold-pressed): 1 tsp in morning smoothie for skin glow; 2 drops serum on face/neck PM; fingertips on edges/scalp.
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Olive (extra virgin): Warm 2 tbsp for 20min hair mask weekly; mix with shea for body butter; facial oil if skin loves heaviness.
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Combo hack: Argan AM, olive PM – or blend for custom balm.
Remember to buy food-grade for eating (100% pure, no fillers), start small and do allergy tests.
Top 5 African Oil Alternatives
If argan and olive oils feel like a stretch on the budget, our African continent has incredible alternatives right at home – often cheaper, easier to source, and just as effective for hormone-dry skin, thinning hair, and those stubborn lines.
1. Baobab Seed Oil (Adansonia digitata) — The Collagen Queen
Baobab is the kind of oil that feels like it was made for hormone-dry skin. It’s rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants, and it supports softness and elasticity.
Skin win: helps menopausal skin look more supple and less “tight.”
Hair win: calms dry scalp and helps strands feel stronger.
Why it stands out: baobab is often praised for supporting elasticity—a big deal when estrogen drops.
2. Marula Oil (Sclerocarya birrea) — The Lightweight Argan Twin
Marula is a beautiful option for women who want glow without grease. It’s fast-absorbing, nourishing, and tends to suit mature skin well.
Skin win: smooths and seals moisture without clogging.
Hair win: reduces frizz and adds softness to coils.
Why it stands out: absorbs quickly and feels “dry” on the skin in a good way.
3. Unrefined Shea Butter (Vitellaria paradoxa) — Olive Oil’s Rich Cousin
Shea isn’t just moisturising—it’s protective. It’s especially good when your skin barrier feels compromised.
Skin win: deep comfort for eczema-prone or very dry skin.
Hair win: sealing ends, protecting edges, supporting protective styles.
Why it stands out: barrier repair—exactly what menopausal skin often needs.
4. Moringa Seed Oil (Moringa oleifera) — Anti-Aging Multi-Tasker
Moringa oil is underrated for mature skin. It’s nourishing, supportive for texture, and works well when you’re oily-but-dry (which happens to many women in perimenopause).
Skin win: softens texture, supports glow, helps skin feel stronger.
Hair win: helps breakage-prone hair feel more resilient.
Why it stands out: strong antioxidant profile + scalp-friendly feel.
5. Mafura Oil (Trichilia emetica) — The Southern Star
Mafura is thick, soothing, and particularly loved for irritated skin and scalp.
Skin win: comfort for dryness + irritation
Hair win: seals cuticles and helps with dryness-related breakage
Why it stands out: soothing for itchy, reactive scalps.
| Alternative | How It Matches Argan/Olive | Skin Win (Menopause) | Hair Win (Thinning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baobab | Antioxidants + omegas | Elasticity + softness | Scalp calm + strength |
| Marula | Vit E + light feel | Line-smoothing glow | Frizz control |
| Shea | Deep oleic moisture | Barrier repair | Root + edge sealing |
| Moringa | Antioxidants, non-greasy | Texture support | Breakage defense |
| Mafura | Rich, soothing omegas | Irritation relief | Cuticle sealing |
Radiant Skin and Full Hair Are Still Yours
Menopause doesn’t mean your beauty gets put on pause. It just means your body is asking for a new kind of support—more barrier care, more consistency, and ingredients that work with your changing hormones.
And please don’t let anyone convince you that the best solutions only come from overseas. Baobab, marula, shea, moringa, and mafura aren’t “alternatives”—they’re ancestral solutions that deserve a front-row seat in the conversation.
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