Argan oil is one of the most popular oils for natural hair because of its ability to prevent hair breakage and promote shiny hair.
When argan oil is used correctly, your hair will thrive and grow.
If you have any questions or always wondered about argan oil for hair, I will be covering most of them in this article.
- How argan oil is made
- Benefits of argan oil for hair
- Argan oil recipes for hair
- Where to buy the best brands of argan oil
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Argan Oil for Hair
Argan oil is produced from the green nut of the Argan tree, which grows in Morocco.
Argan oil came into the mainstream not too long ago and has become popular in hair care.
Argan oil can also be consumed and is used in cooking in Morocco.
The argan tree can survive for years in the desert but the tree is now considered endangered and under the protection of UNESCO.
The process of extracting argan oil is manual and labor-intensive. The task is usually carried about by women of the Berber tribe in Morocco.
The trade supports the local economy and provides a lot of women with employment.
However, due to this labor-intensive process, authentic argan oil is very expensive but you don’t need much at a time.
What’s in Argan Oil?
Argan oil is rich in natural antioxidants and essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-9. It also contains a high amount of vitamin E and squalene.
Olive oil, macadamia nut oil, and amaranth oil are some other oils that contain a lot of squalene as well.
Why is squalene good for hair? Squalene has the ability to readily absorb into the hair and skin.
Argan oil is one of the premium ingredients featured in Arewa Hair Styling Oil for long-lasting and moisturized hairstyles.
Benefits of Argan Oil for Hair
1. Locks in Moisture
Argan oil helps hair to lock in moisture for longer.
If you’re practicing the LCO (liquid, cream, oil) method for hair care, argan oil can be used as the oil.
2. Improves Hair Elasticity
Argan oil fortifies the hair strands to enhance elasticity. Elasticity is a sign of healthy hair.
When you tug on some strands of wet hair gently and it bounces back when you let it go; that’s a sign of elasticity.
In addition to improving elasticity, argan oil also reduces split ends and helps manage hair breakage.
3. Tames Frizzy Hair
Argan oil tames frizzy hair, smooths down flyaways, and promotes shiny and glossy hair.
A few drops applied to the hair in its pure form before or after styling especially with heat will do the trick.
4. Softer Hair
Argan oil has abundant quantities of vitamin E.
When included in deep conditioning treatments, argan oil softens even the driest of strands brought on by mishandling hair and other harmful hair care practices.
5. Protects Hair from Elements
I receive a lot of questions asking about swimming with natural hair and I will write a separate article later about this.
In the meantime, feel free to apply a few drops of argan oil to your hair for protection before going into the pool or ocean.
When you wash your hair after swimming, apply a few drops of argan oil again to put the bounce back in your hair.
How Do I Use Argan Oil on my Hair?
Ready to try out argan oil? For the best ways to use argan oil on hair, check out the recipes below:
- You can add 1 teaspoon of argan oil to your deep conditioning mix and use a hair steamer to get the best results. This is also great if you have colored hair.
- Before finger detangling, pour 5 – 10 drops of argan oil in your palms, rub your hands together and detangle as usual. If you’re using a hairbrush, apply the argan oil to the brush before running through hair.
- Apply 3 – 5 drops of argan oil to hair prior to heat styling. This does not replace a heat protectant. Apply over the heat protectant. Apply again after heat styling. This process keeps frizz in check.
Can You Use Argan Oil on Hair Every day?
Yes, you can use argan oil every day but use it in moderation of course. 3 – 5 drops are more than enough.
However, if you are applying other products to your hair at the same time, pay attention to the look and feel of your hair so you don’t overdo it.
What Are the Side Effects of Argan Oil?
Argan oil is relatively safe but it comes from the argan nut. If you have a nut allergy, I would recommend avoiding it.
A similar substitution would be jojoba oil or roucou oil.
You should also be on guard for argan oil that has been adulterated as it can cause allergic reactions as well.
Best Organic Argan Oil for Hair
Always buy ethically sourced, authentic argan oil. Don’t buy culinary argan oil for use on the hair.
Culinary argan oil is roasted and processed for consumption purposes, and won’t be as effective for the hair.
Additionally, avoid argan oil sold in clear plastic bottles as exposure to sunlight damages the oil. Below are some of my favorite brands of argan oil for hair:-
Elma and Sana Argan Oil
Kahina Giving Beauty Argan Oil
Josie Maran Argan Oil
Eve Hansen Pure Argan Oil
TeliaOils Organic Argan Oil
Radha Beauty Organic Argan Oil
Bella Terra Oils Organic Argan Oil
If you have any questions about using argan oil on hair, ask in the comments section and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
Interested in other kinds of oils and how you can use them on hair?
How to Grow Your Hair Healthy & Long With Natural Oils features over 40 natural oils for healthy hair care and growth.
Check out more about this healthy hair care resource and how you can grab a discount on the newly revised paperback copy HERE.
The original version of this article first appeared on Natural Oils for Hair and Health HERE and HERE.
Abi is a curly hair expert, researcher, product tester, and author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She is also the founder of Ade Ori Hair Care, Healthy Natural Hair Products, and Natural Oils for Hair & Beauty. HNHP has strict editorial standards and ensures all the information on Healthy Natural Hair Products is the best for natural hair care. Learn more about our Editorial Policies
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