Atlas Cedar essential oil as an ally against dandruff?

Affecting on average one in two people, dandruff consists of scalp flakes that detach and disperse in the hair or fall onto the shoulders. It is caused by an acceleration of cellular renewal in the scalp's epidermis, coupled with abnormal desquamation. Several factors promote the development of dandruff, such as the growth of the fungus Malassezia, a genetic predisposition, excessive sebum secretion, as well as external factors. In some cases, dandruff is accompanied by itching and scalp irritation.

To combat dandruff, many people seeking natural products turn to essential oils, such as the Atlas cedar essential oil, known for its soothing, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory virtues. But does it have a proven effect on this hair issue? While no clinical trial conducted directly with Atlas cedar essential oil has shown that it can fight against dandruff, some of its properties suggest a potential action.

• The essential oil of Atlas cedar is believed to have an antifungal effect.

  The Atlas cedar essential oil contains certain compounds with antifungal action, notably sesquiterpenes. Their cyclic chemical structure indeed allows them to disrupt the cellular membrane of fungi, thereby causing multiple damages to these microorganisms and leading to their death. The antifungal activity of this essential oil was tested in 2019 by KORAICHI and his team on various types of fungi, including Aspergillus niger, Thielavia hyalocarpa and four fungi derived from the genus Penicillium. The measured minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 1%, demonstrating a relevant antifungal activity on the various tested fungi.

  One could therefore hypothesize that the antifungal effect of the sesquiterpenes in Atlas cedar essential oil could also allow it to act on Malassezia and thus help limit the formation of dandruff. However, this hypothesis should be taken with caution, as no study has yet been conducted on the effect of Atlas cedar essential oil specifically on the fungus Malassezia.

• The essential oil of Atlas cedar possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

  The anti-inflammatory effects of Atlas cedar essential oil could be relevant in combating the itching and irritation caused by dandruff. Indeed, this oil is capable of inhibiting the activity of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (LOX), a protein capable of generating harmful hydroperoxides through the oxidation of fatty acids and stimulating the production of leukotrienes, pro-inflammatory mediators. It would be interesting to see if the anti-inflammatory properties of Atlas cedar essential oil, demonstrated in vitro, are confirmed in vivo, particularly when applied topically to the scalp.

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• WIKRAMANAYAKE T. & al. Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff: a comprehensive review. Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology (2015).

• GHANMI M. & al. Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential of Cedrus atlantica (Cedarwood oil). Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants (2015).

• KORAICHI S. & al. Cedrus atlantica essential oil : Antimicrobial activity and effect on the physiochemical properties of cedar wood surface. Moroccan Journal of Biology (2019).

• FIKRI-BENBRAHIM K. & al. Antioxidant, Volatile Compounds; Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Dermatoprotective Properties of Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti Ex Carriere Essential Oil: In Vitro and In Silico Investigations. Molecules (2023).