Everything you need to know about argan oil
Frizzy ends after blow-drying or cheeks that feel tight after a shower? A few drops of argan oil can make a difference. Let’s look at what the golden oil can do for your hair, face and lips, and how to use it.
In brief
- Arganolie and argan oil are the same oil, pressed from the kernels of the argan tree.
- It adds shine to hair and makes it softer.
- It softens dry skin, dry lips and beards.
- A few drops are enough for both hair and face.
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is a golden plant oil pressed from the kernels inside the fruit of the argan tree. The tree grows almost exclusively in southwestern Morocco.1
Inside the fruit is a hard nut, which contains the small kernels. The oil is mostly made by women in local cooperatives. The oil naturally contains vitamin E and is rich in the fatty acids oleic acid and linoleic acid.1
Whether the bottle says arganolie, argan olie or argan oil, it is the same oil. On the ingredients list, it is called Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil.
What is argan oil good for?
Argan oil gives hair shine and softness, and softens dry skin, lips and beards.
- Dry hair: softer lengths and ends with shine.
- Dry skin: supple skin on the face and body.
- Lips: soft lips when the cold bites.
- Beard: softer hair and cared-for skin underneath.
Argan oil for hair
Most people use argan oil in their hair. The oil coats the strands, giving hair shine, making it feel softer and easier to detangle. It also tames frizz.
But it cannot repair split ends. There are also no studies showing that argan oil makes hair grow.3 Use it to care for the hair you have.
- Warm 1–2 drops between your palms.
- Apply the oil to the ends and work your way up through the lengths.
- Blow-dry your hair or let it air-dry as usual.
- Smooth an extra drop through dry hair if you want more shine.
Should argan oil go on wet or dry hair?
Both. Apply it to towel-dried hair before blow-drying to make it feel soft. In dry hair, it adds shine and tames frizz. Start with 1–2 drops on the ends.
Myth or fact?
Argan oil makes hair grow.
Myth. Nothing shows this. The oil cares for your hair, adds shine and makes it softer.
Argan oil is too greasy for the face.
Myth. Use just a few drops and see how the oil feels on your skin.
Arganolie and argan oil are the same thing.
Fact. Argan oil is simply the English name.
Argan oil for the face and body
You can use argan oil on your face. It softens dry and mature skin, and a few drops over your cream in the evening are enough.
In postmenopausal women who applied pure argan oil every day, the skin retained moisture better.2 Argan oil is one of the skincare oils used to support the skin’s natural barrier.4
If you have oily skin, a lighter oil such as jojoba oil may feel better. For your body, argan oil works best right after a shower, while your skin is still slightly damp.
On lips and beards
Lips have no sebaceous glands and dry out quickly. In a lip balm, argan oil works with wax and, for example, shea butter to keep lips soft and smooth.
In a beard, the oil softens the hairs and cares for the skin underneath, which often becomes dry and can itch. Massage a few drops into your beard and all the way down to the skin.
Good to know
A few people have developed an allergy to argan oil.5 The oil is pressed from kernels inside a nut. If you have a nut allergy, ask your doctor before trying anything new. Always try a new product on a small patch of skin first, and stop if your skin becomes red or itchy.
Which argan oil should you choose?
The bottle may say pure or organic argan oil, and some varieties are intended for food. Here is the difference:
- For skin and hair: The oil is pressed from unroasted kernels. It is golden.
- For food: The kernels are roasted for a few minutes before being pressed. The oil becomes darker and takes on a nutty flavour.1 Only eat oil sold as cooking oil.
- Pure argan oil: Only Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil appears on the ingredients list.
- Organic: The term tells you how the trees were grown, but not how the oil feels on your skin.
Argan oil for skin and hair keeps for about a year. Store it in a dark place with the lid on, and check the expiry date on the packaging.
Argan oil or coconut oil?
Which oil is best for hair? It depends on your hair and which oil you prefer using. Argan oil feels richer than jojoba oil, but lighter than shea butter.
If you want an oil you can leave in dry hair, argan oil is a good choice. Coconut oil is solid, melts when it touches the skin and is often used as a treatment that you wash out again.
Still unsure? Compare the oils for skin.
Should argan oil go on wet or dry hair?
- Both
- Only on wet hair
- Only on dry hair
Use the oil in towel-dried hair to make it feel softer, or in dry hair when you want more shine.
How much should you use in your hair?
- 1–2 drops
- A good handful
- Enough to cover all your hair
Start at the ends. You can always add another drop.
Your skin itches after using a new oil. What do you do?
- Use a little more
- Carry on, it will probably pass
- Stop using the oil
Listen to your skin’s signals and stop if it becomes red or itchy.
Our care products with argan oil
At ECOOKING, we do not sell pure argan oil or hair oil with argan oil. Instead, you can find it in our lip balms, Multi Balm, men, beard & body oil and bodycare scrub. Reach for the lip balm when your lips feel dry. And if you are not happy with your care products, you have our 100 % satisfaction guarantee.
Lip Balm
Lip balm for dry and chapped lips that hydrates, protects and leaves lips sof...
Vegan lip balm and lip mask with fruit fragrance
Strawberry Bomb and Black Cherry Bomb give lips moisture and shine all day an...
Sun Balm for the Lips SPF 50
Water-resistant lip balm with SPF 50 that protects against UVA and UVB, cares...
Men, Beard & Body Oil
Beard oil and body oil for men that softens the beard, cares for skin affecte...
Multi Balm
Fragrance-free balm for very dry skin that restores the skin barrier and soot...
Bodycare Scrub 03
Our Bodycare Scrub 03 provides natural salt that gently exfoliates, moisturis...
Frequently asked questions
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is a plant oil pressed from the kernels inside the fruit of the argan tree in Morocco. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E.
What is argan oil good for?
It adds shine to dry hair and softens dry skin, lips and beards.
Is argan oil good for hair?
Yes, especially for dry and frizzy hair. A few drops on the ends add shine and make hair easier to detangle.
Should argan oil go on wet or dry hair?
Both. In towel-dried hair, it makes hair softer, and in dry hair, it adds shine.
Can you use argan oil on your face?
Yes, especially on dry and mature skin. Use a few drops over your cream. If you have oily skin, a lighter oil may feel better.
Can you eat argan oil?
Yes, but only argan oil made and sold for food. Oil for skin and hair is not intended to be eaten.
Are arganolie and argan oil the same thing?
Yes. Arganolie is the Danish name, and argan oil is the English name. Many people also write argan olie.
Sources
- Gharby S, Charrouf Z. Argan Oil: Chemical Composition, Extraction Process, and Quality Control. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022. PubMed
- Boucetta KQ et al. Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use. Przegląd Menopauzalny. 2014. PubMed
- Phong C et al. Coconut, Castor, and Argan Oil for Hair in Skin of Color Patients: A Systematic Review. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2022. PubMed
- Lin TK et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017. PubMed
- Foti C et al. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by argan oil. Contact Dermatitis. 2014. PubMed
