Argan oil is a plant oil pressed from the kernels of the argan tree, and in beauty it does one job well: it softens. On the lengths and ends of your hair it adds slip and shine and helps tame the look of frizz; on your face and body it helps dry skin feel supple and comfortable. A little goes a long way, so think in drops, not palmfuls, and choose a pure oil or a product that contains it by how much argan you want.
What Is Argan Oil?
The argan tree grows in south-western Morocco, and its fruit holds a hard nut with small, oil-rich kernels inside. The oil used in skincare and haircare is pressed from those kernels without roasting, which keeps it pale and nearly scentless. On an ingredient list you will find it as Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil. Argania Spinosa Leaf Extract, which appears in some formulas, is a different ingredient from the same tree.
In cosmetic-science terms, argan oil is an emollient. It is made mostly of fatty acids, chiefly oleic and linoleic, and it naturally carries vitamin E (tocopherols). Emollients fill in the tiny gaps on the surface of skin and hair, so the surface feels smoother and holds on to its moisture more comfortably. Argan oil does not add water itself; it helps keep in the water that is already there. That is why it works best on damp hair and freshly washed skin.
Pure Argan Oil or a Product That Contains It?
A pure argan oil lists Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil first, often with only vitamin E beside it to protect the oil. It is the most versatile form: one bottle can go on face, body, ends and cuticles. Many products named for argan are something else: a shampoo, conditioner, mask or hair oil in which argan is one ingredient among several. Many argan hair oils, for example, are built on silicones, which give the slip and gloss you feel straight away, with argan and other plant oils inside that base. Neither is better. The ingredient list tells you which you are holding, and so how much argan you are actually getting.
Argan Oil on the Face
For the face, choose an oil made for it, keep the dose small and press rather than rub. Two or three drops are enough for the whole face. Warm them between your fingertips and press them over the skin as the last step of your evening routine, or mix a drop into your moisturiser if your skin is dry. In the morning, a face oil goes before sunscreen, and lightly, so that the sunscreen still spreads evenly.
Revox B77 Bio Argan Oil is cold-pressed argan oil with vitamin E, in a dropper bottle, for the face and neck. Flor de Mayo's Argán Face Oil is the same simple pairing of argan oil and vitamin E, and the house presents it for skin, hair and nails. Melvita's Argan Oil & Rose Hip Oil Face Serum leads with argan oil, then rose hip seed oil, sea buckthorn oil and a touch of rose, in a small 10 ml bottle. Diar Argan's Organic Moroccan Argan Oil & Vanilla Face Serum combines argan oil with vanilla extract; apply a few drops, then follow with your usual moisturiser.
- Bio Argan Oil Face Oil
- Argán Face Oil
- Argan Oil & Rose Hip Oil Face Serum
- Organic Moroccan Argan Oil & Vanilla Face Serum
If your skin breaks out easily, try any new face oil on a small area for a few evenings before using it all over. Argan oil comes from a nut kernel, so if you have a nut allergy, ask your pharmacist or doctor before using it.
Argan Oil on Lengths and Ends
Hair is oldest and driest at the ends, which is where argan oil earns its place. Work it through the mid-lengths and ends, and keep it away from the roots unless the product is made for the scalp. On damp hair it spreads evenly and helps detangling; on dry hair a final drop smooths flyaways and adds shine. If your hair is fine, start with one drop or one pump and add more only if your ends still feel dry. If your hair tends to look oily, we set out a balancing routine in Oily Hair: Why It Happens and a Routine That Balances It.
Hask Argan Oil from Morocco Repairing Hair Oil is a spray with argan oil and keratin amino acids in a light silicone base, for damp or dry hair. Farouk's Argan Oil Hair Oil pairs argan with moringa oil and hydrolysed silk in a pump bottle. Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil is a multi-care oil made for dry, brittle hair. Arganour's Argan Argan Hair Serum sets argan among plant oils including babassu, coconut, sweet almond and avocado, with a dry-touch finish for all hair types.
- Argan Oil from Morocco Repairing Hair Oil
- Argan Oil Hair Oil
- All Soft Argan-6 Oil Hair Oil
- Argan Argan Hair Serum
Argan in Shampoo, Conditioner and Masks
A wash-off product leaves less oil behind than a leave-in, which suits hair that is easily weighed down. Apply conditioner and masks from mid-lengths to ends, leave a mask on for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly. You can also use a pure argan oil as a pre-wash treatment: smooth a few drops through dry ends, leave it for up to an hour, then shampoo as usual.
Rated Green Real Argan Repairing Shampoo combines cold-pressed argan oil with a 13-peptide complex. Ogx Argan Oil Of Morocco Conditioner pairs argan oil with hydrolysed keratin, cocoa butter and avocado oil; apply it through the lengths and ends after shampooing. Postquam's Argan Sublime Hair Mask brings argan oil together with hydrolysed keratin and shea butter, made for hair that needs extra care after colouring.
- Real Argan Cold Pressed Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo
- Argan Oil Of Morocco Conditioner
- Argan Sublime Hair Mask
Argan Oil on the Body
On the body, apply argan to skin that is still slightly damp after a bath or shower, so that the oil seals in water rather than sitting on top. Elbows, knees, shins and heels take the most. A body milk or a shower gel with argan gives a lighter touch, for days when you would rather not use oil at all.
Diar Argan's Nourishing Organic Moroccan Argan Oil & Aloe Vera Body Oil leads with argan oil, with sesame, jojoba and carrot oils and aloe vera, in a dry-touch texture that absorbs quickly. Melvita's L'Argan Bio Velvety Body Milk is a light, velvety lotion with argan oil and argan leaf extract, made to soften skin. Byphasse Organic Argan Oil from Morocco Shower Gel is a pH-neutral shower gel with argan oil, for everyday washing.
- Nourishing Organic Moroccan Argan Oil & Aloe Vera Body Oil
- L'Argan Bio Velvety Body Milk
- Organic Argan Oil from Morocco Shower Gel
How Much Argan Oil Should You Use?
- Face: two or three drops, pressed in as the last step at night.
- Fine hair: one drop or one pump, on the ends only.
- Thick or curly hair: two to four drops, through the mid-lengths and ends.
- Body: a few pumps on damp skin after washing.
- Cuticles and nails: a single drop, massaged in.
If your hair looks flat or your skin feels greasy an hour later, you have used too much. Halve the amount next time.
In Short
If you choose one product, choose a pure argan oil. Use it on the ends of your hair after washing and a few drops on your face at night for a fortnight, and you will know whether it belongs in your routine.
