Argan Oil for Hair: What It Actually Does (and How to Use It)
Let's start with a confession... most of us bought our first bottle of argan oil because the internet told us to, used it approximately twice, and then let it live at the back of the cupboard next to the dry shampoo we also don't use properly. If that's you, no judgement – but argan oil genuinely deserves better, especially if your hair has started behaving like a stranger lately.
Because here's the thing. Somewhere around our forties, hair tends to get the memo that it's allowed to change too – drier, flatter, frizzier, a bit more "what is it doing today?" than it used to be. Argan oil is one of the simplest, loveliest ways to coax it back toward glossy. So let's talk about what argan oil for hair actually does, who it suits, and how to use it without ending up looking like you've deep-fried your fringe.
Argаn Oil's History
Argan oil comes from the kernels of the argan tree, which grows in pretty much one place on earth – the Sous Valley in southwestern Morocco. For centuries, Berber women have hand-pressed these kernels into a rich, golden oil, which is exactly why it earned the nickname "liquid gold". It's labour-intensive, it's precious, and a good one is worth every drop.
It's also naturally loaded with vitamin E and fatty acids, which is the short version of why it feels so nourishing on hair and skin. (We won't bore you with the full chemistry lecture. There are blogs for that, and they are not this fun.)
What argan oil actually does for your hair
In plain terms: it makes hair look and feel better. A few drops smooths the surface of the hair, so strands catch the light and look glossier rather than dull and thirsty. It helps tame the look of frizz and flyaways – the bane of every humid Australian summer – and leaves hair feeling softer and more manageable, so your brush stops fighting you.
It's especially lovely on dry mid-lengths and ends, where hair takes the most punishment from heat, colour and simply existing. If your ends are looking a bit frazzled and straw-like, argan oil smooths their appearance and brings back that healthy-looking sheen, no scissors required.
Who's it for?
Short answer: most people. It's a genuine friend to dry, frizzy, dull or colour-treated hair, and it's a quiet hero for hair that's changed with age and just doesn't look as lush as it once did. If you've got finer hair and you're nervous about oils weighing you down, don't be – the trick is simply using less (more on that below), and reaching for a lightweight oil rather than something heavy and greasy.
Related Article: The Best Oils for Hair Growth & Thickness
How to actually use it (without looking like you dunked your head in the chip fryer)
This is where most people go wrong, so lean in. The golden rule of argan oil is: less than you think. Start with one or two drops. You can always add more; you cannot un-grease.
A few ways to use it:
- As a finishing serum: warm a couple of drops between your palms and smooth through the mid-lengths and ends of dry hair. Instant gloss, tamed frizz, done.
- On damp hair: work a small amount through towel-dried hair before you style, for softness and shine as it dries.
- As a pre-wash treat: massage a little through the lengths an hour or so before you shampoo, then wash as normal. Lovely for hair that's feeling especially parched.
Keep it mostly to the lengths and ends rather than drenching your roots, unless your scalp is on the drier side. For this we'd reach for our Organic Hair Renewal Oil, which blends argan with other nourishing botanicals and is light enough that it sinks in rather than sitting on top looking slick.
Not all argan oil is created equal
Here's the bit the pretty packaging won't tell you. A lot of "argan oil" on shelves is diluted, heavily processed, or cut with cheaper carrier oils – which is about as useful for your hair as a chocolate teapot.
When you're buying, look for a few things: it should be cold-pressed and ideally pure or close to it, it should have a mild, slightly nutty scent (not perfumey, not rancid), and it's worth knowing where it came from. Ethically sourced Moroccan argan oil, pressed by the cooperatives who've done it for generations, is the real deal – and it shows.
Can you use it on your face too?
Absolutely – argan oil is a brilliant multitasker, and it's one of the base oils in our Signature Night Face Oil.
If you're trying to decide between argan and its fancier cousin, prickly pear seed oil, for your skin specifically, we've broken down the whole debate in our guide to argan oil vs prickly pear seed oil.
The no-fuss verdict:
Argan oil for hair is one of those rare beauty buys that actually lives up to the hype – as long as you use a good one, and use it with a light hand.
Dig the bottle out of the cupboard (or treat yourself to a proper one - like Indagare's Hair Renewal Oil formula), start with a few drops, and give your hair the glossy, grown-up glow-up it's been quietly asking for.
FAQs:
What does argan oil do for your hair?
Argan oil smooths the surface of the hair, so it looks glossier and less dull, helps tame the look of frizz and flyaways, and leaves hair feeling softer and more manageable. It's particularly good on dry mid-lengths and ends.
Is argan oil good for all hair types?
It suits most hair types, from dry and frizzy to colour-treated and ageing hair. If you have finer hair, use just a drop or two and keep it to the lengths and ends so it doesn't feel heavy.
Should I put argan oil on wet or dry hair?
Both work. On damp hair it adds softness and shine as your hair dries; on dry hair, a drop or two smooths frizz and adds gloss as a finishing serum. You can also use it as a pre-wash treatment an hour before shampooing.
How often should I use argan oil on my hair?
There's no strict rule – a few times a week as a finishing serum is plenty for most people, and you can do an occasional pre-wash treatment when your hair is feeling especially dry. Let how your hair looks and feels guide you.
Will argan oil make my hair greasy?
Only if you overdo it. The most common mistake is using too much – start with one or two drops, warm it between your palms, and focus on the ends rather than the roots. You can always add a little more.