Table of Contents
Updated November 2026
The biggest benefits of argan oil for skin are how silky it feels and how quickly it sinks in: it softens dry skin, rough cuticles, and frizzy ends without feeling greasy, and with a comedogenic rating of 0, it’s a nice choice for the face. Pressed from the kernels of Morocco’s argan tree, it has a soft, nutty scent. Below you’ll find how I use it and four easy recipes. Jump to the recipes.
Argan is one of the 25 oils in my list of carrier oils, where you can compare it with the others.
What Is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is cold-pressed from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), which grows in Morocco. It’s a golden oil with a light, nutty scent, and it contains vitamin E and fatty acids that help it feel smooth and moisturizing. It’s been valued in Morocco for cosmetic use.
Argan Oil Quick Facts
| Argan | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Argania spinosa |
| Part used | Kernel, cold-pressed |
| Scent | Light and nutty |
| Skin type | Most skin types, especially dry, mature, and normal |
| Absorption | Medium, silky, and non-greasy |
| Comedogenic rating | 0 |
| Shelf life | At least 2 years; store it cool and out of the light |
Look for 100% pure, cold-pressed argan oil (affiliate link).
Ways to Use Argan Oil for Skin
1. Face
Argan oil is light and silky, and its comedogenic rating of 0 makes it a good fit for most faces, including oily and combination skin. Smooth a few drops over clean skin at night, or try the facial moisturizer and face roller below.
2. Dry Skin
Smooth a little over damp skin after a shower so it feels soft for the rest of the day. It’s also a nice base for body and massage oils. Learn more about essential oils for dry skin.
3. After Shaving
A few drops on your legs after shaving leave the skin feeling soft and comfortable.
4. Nails and Cuticles
Warm a small amount in your palms, then massage it into your hands, paying extra attention to your nails and cuticles. Rough cuticles and dry hands feel softer right away.
5. Lips
Smooth a thin layer over your lips before bed for soft, comfortable lips in the morning.
Argan Oil for Hair
Argan oil is a favorite for taming frizz and adding shine. Rub a few drops between your palms and smooth them over the ends of freshly washed or blow-dried hair to tame flyaways. For dry ends, use a little more as a leave-in conditioner. It leaves hair looking smooth without feeling greasy.
DIY Argan Oil Recipes
1. Argan Facial Moisturizer
Facial oil · Ages 12+ · 1%
A light, softly floral face oil for after washing.
- 3 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
- 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 1 drop geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
- 1 oz argan oil
- 1 oz glass dropper bottle
Directions: Add the oils to the dropper bottle, cap, and shake. Smooth a few drops over your face after washing, keeping it away from your eyes.
2. Radiant Skin Body Oil
Body oil · Ages 12+ · 2%
A warm, cheerful body oil that’s especially nice after a shower or before bed.
- 12 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
- 7 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
- 5 drops patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
- 1 oz argan oil
- 1 oz jojoba oil (affiliate link)
- 2 oz glass pump bottle
Directions: Add everything to the pump bottle, cap, and shake to blend. Smooth over your body after a shower or before bed.
3. Nourished Nails Roller
Roller · Ages 12+ · 2%
A fresh, clean-scented roller for dry nails and cuticles.
- 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 1 drop lemon (Citrus limon)
- 1 drop tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Argan oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Directions:
- Add the essential oils to your empty roller bottle.
- Top it off with argan oil, leaving a little room at the top.
- Press in the roller ball, cap it, and gently roll the bottle between your hands to mix.
- Label it with the name, the date, and “2%.” Roll onto your nails and cuticles, then massage it in.
Note: At 1 drop, cold-pressed lemon stays under its sun-safe limit.
4. Gentle Face and Neck Roller
Roller · Ages 12+ · 1%
A soft, warm roller for the face and neck at bedtime.
- 1 drop frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
- 1 drop lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Argan oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Directions: Make it the same way as the nails roller and label it “1%.” Roll over the cheeks, jaw, and neck, then smooth it in with your fingertips. Keep it away from the eye area.
A Few Safety Basics
• Keep essential oils away from babies under 2, including diffusing in a room they’re in.
• Always dilute oils before they touch skin, and patch test a new blend on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours.
• Check the age on each recipe. Kids 2 to 4 use only six starter oils at 0.5%, after checking with your pediatrician. Kids 5 to 11 stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• If you’re pregnant, check with your doctor or midwife first. For the first 16 weeks I use only six oils, and only in a diffuser or inhaler: lavender, sweet orange, lemon, ginger, cedarwood (Virginian), and frankincense. After that, skin blends stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• Never put oils on pets, and diffuse with a door open so they can leave. Cats are especially sensitive, including to tea tree, citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus, pine, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, and ylang ylang.
• Never swallow essential oils. If someone does, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
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More Carrier Oil Posts
- List of Carrier Oils: 25 Best Carrier Oils
- Jojoba Carrier Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Best Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils
- Sweet Almond Oil
Ready to make your own blends? Browse my roller bottle kits and my free essential oil guides.
