If you’re looking to simplify your hair care routine, there’s one catchall ingredient you should consider incorporating: argan oil. This natural oil nourishes all hair types — yep, even fine and thin textures — while also offering a slew of other benefits including heat protection, damage repair and enhanced shine (we’ll get into all its advantages in a bit). Hairstylists have sung argan oil treatment’s praises for decades, but people aren’t as familiar with how to use the ingredient at home.
So, to clear the confusion once and for all, we tapped three professional hairstylists to explain exactly what argan oil is and how to properly implement it into your at-home hair regimen. Plus, our experts share some of their favorite argan oil-infused formulas — from the best hair oils to shampoos and stylers — that you can use to have a great hair day every day.
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is a natural oil that is cold-pressed from the kernels of argan trees, a plant native to Morocco. “It’s an extremely popular ingredient in skin and hair care products because it’s full of fatty acids,” explains Wes Sharpton, a professional hairstylist and lead brand educator at Hairstory.
Along with fatty acids, the oil is rich in antioxidants and offers seemingly endless benefits to hair. “Argan oil serves as a potent moisturizer, offering hydration and nourishment to dry and damaged hair,” says Rogério Cavalcante, stylist and owner of the Second Floor Salon in New York City. “Additionally, it helps control frizz, acts as a protective shield against heat styling tools, prevents split ends and imparts a radiant shine to the hair, contributing to an overall healthy appearance.” What’s more, Sharpton adds that some studies show that argan oil can guard against sun damage too.
What hair types can use argan oil?
The word “oil” might deter those with oily hair from using argan oil, but celebrity hairstylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor assures that all hair types can use the ingredient. That said, Cavalcante says that those with thick, coarse or coily hair will reap the most benefits from the ingredient because these hair types are usually prone to dryness and require extra hydration and nourishment.
“Thick and coily hair types can use the oil as part of their daily routine,” Taylor says, “while those with fine and straight hair should use less to avoid a greasy effect.” Applying argan oil two to three times a week is a good sweet spot for finer hair types.
Can I apply argan oil directly on my hair?
The short answer is yes, you can apply pure argan oil directly to wet or dry hair or you can use argan oil-infused hair products, like shampoos and conditioners, masks, detanglers and more. If you opt for pure argan oil, there are a few ways to use it. “Argan oil is most effective when applied after washing your hair, while the hair is still wet,” Taylor says. “Besides helping the hair to dry and detangle faster, it nourishes from the roots to the ends and promotes shine.”
“Some may prefer applying argan oil to damp hair for easier distribution, while others may use it on dry hair for a finishing touch,” Cavalcante adds. It really comes down to personal preference. Regardless of whether you choose to use it on damp or dry hair, he says to apply a small amount to your palms (about pea-sized for fine and thin hair types and nickel-sized for thick and coarser hair) then distribute it through the mid-lengths to ends. If you have thin or fine hair and are nervous of applying too much, consider using it as a rinse-out treatment before washing your hair. Administer the oil in the same way, then let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes before hopping in the shower.
Best argan oil hair products
Best for curly hair
While all hair types can benefit from argan oil, the nourishing ingredient works especially well for coarse, curly hair. “Curly and textured hair needs extra hydration,” Cavalcante says. “This curl cream leverages the hydrating powers derived from argan oil, leaving hair soft and shiny, and curls well defined.”
Best for thick hair
This deeply hydrating argan oil-infused shampoo and conditioner duo enhances glossiness, strength and softness — on top of cleansing and conditioning — from the jump. Continued use can also protect and repair hair from UV rays and heat damage.
Best for fine hair
For an affordable pure argan oil that’s especially suitable for fine hair, Taylor recommends this one from Kate Blanc Cosmetics. “This light version leaves hair silky smooth,” she says. As a bonus, it can also be used on skin. “I love that it’s multiuse because it saves money and space,” Taylor says.
Best for damaged hair
“My clients love this [product] and tell me how much [it] has changed their hair with consistent nighttime use,” Cavalcante says. Powered by a mix of marula, camelia and (of course) argan oil, this supercharged serum intensely hydrates, softens and smoothes unruly strands. “If you are struggling with dry hair and breakage due to excessive use of heat tools, or if you went through a bleaching process that left your hair fragile, adding this to your routine will help manage the damage.”
Best for color-treated hair
If your hair is especially brittle from excessive heat styling and coloring, Taylor suggests adding this leave-in conditioner to your routine. “It’s super affordable, contains argan oil and works on color-treated hair to moisturize and make it easier to detangle.”
Best for dry hair
For those looking to splurge a little, Taylor raves about Josie Maran’s Pure Argan Oil. “The best part about this product is that the sole ingredient is the argan [oil],” she says. “You can use as much or as little as you like, and it leaves your hair feeling super hydrated.”
Best for oily hair
Oily hair types may think they need to avoid argan oil, but that’s far from the truth. It all comes down to using products specially formulated for their hair type, like this detergent-free cream cleanser from Hairstory. “The formula cleanses hair without stripping it of the natural protective barrier and then uses argan oil and other ingredients to moisturize and condition, so you don’t need to follow up with a conditioner,” Sharpton says.
Best styler
This multitasking spray not only shields hair from temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit but it conditions strands with a mix of argan oil, avocado oil and vitamin E, and tamps down frizz for silky smooth, healthy ’dos.
