Argan oil: origin

It comes from southern Morocco. Only from there. Argan oil is extracted from the kernel of the argan fruit (Argania spinosa), a tree that grows between the Atlantic coast and the Atlas Mountains, and which has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

For centuries, Berber women used it for skin, hair, and cooking. The same oil, two uses: cosmetic oil is obtained cold from unroasted seeds; culinary oil from roasted seeds. They smell different and are not interchangeable. If you have ever received argan oil with a toasted nutty smell, it was the culinary one, which works there, but not on your face.

Today, it is one of the most well-known oils in cosmetics. So much so that it deserves an honest explanation of why it really works.

How argan works

Argan is a dry oil. It penetrates quickly, leaves no greasy feeling, and forms a thin protective film on the skin.

Inside: Its abundant fatty acids (mainly oleic and linoleic) integrate into the skin barrier, strengthening it and reducing transepidermal water loss.

Outside: Its very high content of tocopherols (vitamin E) acts as an antioxidant on the surface, neutralizing free radicals before they penetrate deeper.

In hair, it works similarly: it seals the cuticle, reduces frizz, and adds shine without weighing it down.

Properties and benefits

• Nourishing and regenerating. Repairs damaged skin barrier, softens dry skin, and improves texture with continued use.
• Potent antioxidant. One of the oils with the highest concentration of vitamin E. Protects against premature aging caused by sun, pollution, and oxidative stress.
• Soothes and respects the skin. Linoleic acid (omega-6) has a soothing action. Well-tolerated on reactive or sensitive skin.
• Regulating. Works wonders on dry skin, but also on combination and oily skin if used sparingly. That said, if you have very oily or acne-prone skin, jojobausually works better.
• Hair and ends. Nourishes without weighing down, seals split ends, tames frizz. A few drops are enough.
• Nails and cuticles. Hydrates and strengthens. A classic for these purposes.

Use and integration into routine

On the face: 2-3 drops on clean skin, alone or mixed with serum or cream. It works especially well at night, giving it time to work without interference. In the morning, for very dry skin or in winter to start the day with a fresh look.

As a makeup remover: On dry skin, it dissolves mineral makeup and natural pigments. Like our coconut oil, it effectively removes everything before your usual cleansing.

On the hair: A few drops on the ends before drying, or as a finishing touch on dry hair for extra shine. As a pre-shampoo mask if hair is very damaged. Before blow-drying or straightening for more protection.

On the skin, it combines well with vitamin C, bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, and squalane.

Curiosities and facts

The oldest tree in modern cosmetics
Argan can live between 150 and 200 years. It grows slowly, withstands extreme droughts, and its roots reach deep to find water. This resilience translates into a small fruit that is highly concentrated in nutrients.

Women's cooperatives
Traditional oil extraction is a slow and physical job, historically in the hands of Berber women. With the cosmetic boom of the 2000s, cooperatives were created in Morocco that provided work and economic autonomy to thousands of rural women. Today, many brands use this as a selling point, and it's good that it is, as long as it's real.

"Liquid gold" and the hype problem
They call it the liquid gold of the desert. And it works, yes. But at some point, it became more of a marketing term than a description. Today, it's found in everything from €5 creams to €200 treatments. The difference is not always in the oil itself, but in the actual percentage, the quality of extraction, and what accompanies it in the formula. An INCI where Argania spinosa kernel oilappears at the end of the list tells you there's more name than oil.
Our argan oilis 100% Argania spinosa kernel oil, cold-pressed for total purity.

Goats that climb trees
No joke. In southern Morocco, goats literally climb argan trees to eat their fruit. For centuries, farmers collected seeds from their droppings; the digestion process softened the outer shell. Today, extraction is mechanical for hygiene, but the image of goats perched 5 meters high is still real and peculiar.

Don't confuse argan with "Moroccan oil"
Moroccan oilis a registered trademark, not a type of oil. Many products labeled as such contain argan, but others do not. If you want argan, look for Argania spinosa kernel oilin the INCI.

This is how it appears in the INCI: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Other active ingredients that may interest you

Jojoba Oil— sebum-regulating liquid wax, ideal for combination or oily skin
Squalane— ultra-light texture, compatible with all skin types
Bakuchiol— plant-based retinol, combines very well with nourishing oils
Vegetable Oils— discover our selection of oils