Argan oil for hair: liquid gold for your ends
Two drops and your ends shine. Where argan oil comes from, what makes it so special and how to use it the right way.
Argan oil is a cold-pressed plant oil from the kernels of the Moroccan argan tree, and one of the most popular oils for hair. It makes dry lengths supple, gives your ends shine and absorbs quickly. Just one or two drops are enough.
Where argan oil comes from
The argan tree grows almost only in south-western Morocco. It's gnarled, thorny and tough, and its forests have been protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1998. Inside its small fruits sits a rock-hard nut, and inside that, the kernels. Traditionally they're cracked by hand, often in women's cooperatives. Kilos and kilos of fruit end up as just one litre of oil. No wonder they call it "liquid gold".
What argan oil does for your hair
Argan oil cares for the parts of your hair that go through the most: your lengths and ends. It naturally contains vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6).
- Shine: the hair surface looks smoother and reflects the light more beautifully.
- Suppleness: dry, stressed lengths feel softer and are easier to comb.
- Cared-for ends: especially in winter, after blow-drying and straightening, your ends love a drop of oil.
- Less frizz: flyaways settle down and your hair looks calmer.
How to use argan oil the right way
The golden rule: less is more. Argan oil belongs on your lengths and ends, not on your roots.
- Dose: put one or two drops from the pipette into your palm. For long or thick hair, a third is fine.
- Warm up: rub it briefly between your hands. The oil warms up and spreads more evenly.
- Work it in: gently scrunch it in from mid-lengths to ends. Smooth whatever's left over the surface.
On towel-dried hair, it makes combing easier. On dry hair, it's your finish for shine.
Argan oil as a hair mask
For a little spa moment: put a few more drops on your dry lengths, leave them on for 30 minutes or even overnight, then wash as usual. A mild shampoo like our Every Day Shampoo washes the oil out thoroughly without drying out your scalp.
Argan oil for fine hair and curls
Fine hair likes it light: one drop is enough, on the ends only. Curls can take a bit more, because they're often drier. One drop into damp curls, then scrunch instead of combing.
Our argan oil
Our Hairfluencer Argan Oil is 100 % pure, cold-pressed argan oil from Morocco, ECO-certified and free from additives. It comes in a glass bottle with a pipette, so you can dose it drop by drop. And because it loves skin and nails too, it quickly becomes your bathroom all-rounder. You'll find more care for lengths and scalp in our Hair care category.
Is your scalp dry in winter? Then grab the tips from Dry scalp in winter. The rule there: moisture for your scalp, oil for your ends.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I put argan oil in my hair?
As often as you like. Lots of people use it after every wash. If your ends are very dry, a drop on dry hair in between is fine too.
Does argan oil make hair greasy?
Not if you get the amount right. One or two drops on lengths and ends only absorb quickly.
Does argan oil go on wet or dry hair?
Both work. On towel-dried hair for easier combing, on dry hair as a shine finish.
Can I leave argan oil in overnight?
Yes. Apply it to your lengths as a hair mask, use an old pillowcase and wash it out in the morning with a mild shampoo.