Argan oil
A light, fatty-acid-rich oil from the Moroccan argan tree that smooths the cuticle surface and adds shine without weighing fine hair down.
- INCI name
- Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
- Origin
- Botanical
- Role
- Emollient oil for slip and shine
- Best for
- Medium and high porosity · Frizz-prone waves and curls · Dull or colour-treated hair
What it does
Argan oil is mostly oleic and linoleic acid with a small amount of tocopherols (vitamin E). On hair it works at the surface: it coats the cuticle, reduces friction between strands and helps lifted cuticle scales lie flatter, which is what you see as shine and less frizz.
It is a surface oil rather than a penetrating one. That makes it a good finishing step for hair that loses moisture fast (high porosity) and a reasonable choice for fine hair, because a few drops are enough. It does little for the inside of the fibre, so it is not a substitute for a conditioner or a protein treatment on damaged hair.
How we use it
As the slip-and-shine oil in leave-in serums and anti-frizz blends, usually at a few percent. The scan lowers the dose for low-porosity or fine hair, where heavier oils sit on top.
Helps with
Often paired with
- Shea butterOcclusive butter that seals moisture in
- Aloe veraLightweight humectant and scalp soother
- Jojoba oilSebum-like liquid wax
Sources
- Hair cosmetics: an overview (Gavazzoni Dias, 2015) · International Journal of Trichology
Educational only, not medical advice. Persistent scalp irritation, sudden hair loss or unexplained breakage warrant a visit to a dermatologist. Written by Cosmixxology R&D.