Argan oil is everywhere now—pressed into hair serums, face oils, body creams and the kind of minimalist bathroom shelves you save on Pinterest.
But the story of argan oil did not begin in a beauty lab.
Argan oil is a plant oil extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, Argania spinosa, a species deeply connected to southwestern Morocco. Long before it became an international beauty ingredient, Moroccan communities were producing and using the oil for food, skin, hair and traditional preparations. The practices and knowledge surrounding the argan tree are so culturally significant that UNESCO added them to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.
So yes, that tiny golden bottle on your vanity has a much bigger story behind it.
And this is where it gets interesting.
What Exactly Is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is the oil found inside the kernels of the fruit produced by the Moroccan argan tree.
The botanical name of the tree is Argania spinosa. Its fruit contains a hard nut, and inside that nut are kernels from which the oil is extracted.
Depending on how those kernels are prepared, argan oil can be made for cosmetic use or culinary use. Cosmetic argan oil is generally produced using unroasted kernels, while culinary argan oil uses kernels that have first been roasted, creating its characteristic nutty taste and aroma.
That distinction matters.
The argan oil you smooth onto damp skin is not simply a beauty version of cooking oil pulled from the pantry. The two come from the same tree, but their preparation and intended uses are different.
Pure cosmetic argan oil is typically used on the:
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face
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body
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hair
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scalp
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nails and cuticles
Its appeal is surprisingly simple: it is an oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids and naturally occurring antioxidant compounds, while still feeling relatively lightweight compared with many heavier plant oils.
What Is Argan Oil Used For?
One reason argan oil became internationally popular is its versatility.
Instead of building an entire shelf around it, a few drops can fit into several parts of a beauty routine.
Argan Oil for the Face
Argan oil is commonly used as a facial oil to soften and reduce the feeling of dryness.
Try pressing a small amount over slightly damp skin or after moisturizer rather than covering the face in oil.
And no, you don't need half a dropper.
A few drops is usually plenty.
For a deeper explanation of facial application, Zawina's dedicated argan oil skincare/how-to guide should cover the technique, frequency and different skin types rather than duplicating that information here.
Argan Oil for the Body
Argan oil can also be applied after bathing while the skin still holds a little moisture.
This fits naturally into the Moroccan hammam ritual, where cleansing and exfoliation are followed by nourishment.
If you already use Black Beldi Soap and a Kessa glove, argan oil makes sense as the final, replenishing step rather than another treatment added somewhere in the middle.
Argan Oil for Hair
A few drops can be worked through lengths and ends to improve softness, shine and manageability.
It can also be used more generously as a pre-wash oil treatment.
Hair deserves its own guide, though. Someone searching “how to use argan oil for hair” wants instructions—not a history lesson—so that query should remain separate from this article.
Argan Oil for Nails and Cuticles
Massage a drop into dry cuticles or around the nail area whenever they feel rough.
Nothing complicated.
That simplicity is arguably part of argan oil's charm.
Where Does Argan Oil Come From?
Authentic Moroccan argan oil begins with the argan tree.
The argan tree is particularly associated with the Arganeraie of southwestern Morocco, an ecosystem stretching across areas of the country bordered by the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic coast. UNESCO designated the Arganeraie as a Biosphere Reserve in 1998.
This is not simply a convenient place where argan happens to grow.
The tree, landscape and communities living around it have developed together over generations.
Argan trees are well adapted to the region's dry climate, while the trees themselves play an important ecological and economic role in local life. Their fruit provides the kernels used to make argan oil, and argan production continues to support livelihoods throughout the region.
Traditionally, knowledge surrounding harvesting and processing has also been passed between generations, particularly among women.
UNESCO describes the preparation of argan oil as involving a series of skills including harvesting, drying, pulping, sorting, milling and mixing. Traditional knowledge surrounding the argan tree extends beyond oil extraction to food, tools, cultivation and community practices.
So when people call argan oil a Moroccan beauty secret, there is some truth behind the phrase.
Just not in the TikTok sense.
It is less of a hidden skincare hack and more of a regional beauty and food tradition that the rest of the world eventually discovered.
How Is Traditional Moroccan Argan Oil Made?
Making argan oil begins long before anything reaches a bottle.
Traditionally, ripe argan fruit is collected and dried. The dried outer pulp is removed, revealing an extremely hard nut.
That nut then has to be opened to reach the small kernels inside.
This is the part most people miss: the actual oil comes from those kernels, not directly from the fleshy fruit.
Traditional preparation involves several stages of sorting, cracking, grinding and working the kernels to release the oil. UNESCO specifically recognizes this accumulated production knowledge as part of Morocco's intangible cultural heritage.
Historically, this process required significant manual work. The FAO notes that argan oil extraction is labor-intensive and that a surprisingly large quantity of fruit is required to produce a relatively small amount of oil.
Modern production can use mechanical presses to make extraction more efficient and controlled.
For cosmetic argan oil, the kernels are typically left unroasted before pressing. For culinary argan oil, they are roasted first.
That one step changes the final oil significantly.
Why Is Argan Oil Called “Liquid Gold”?
You will see the phrase “liquid gold” almost anywhere argan oil is mentioned.
Part of that nickname comes from its golden appearance. But there is another reason it makes sense: argan oil has historically required a substantial amount of raw fruit and careful work to produce.
According to the FAO, approximately 50 kilograms of argan fruit may be needed to make around half a litre of oil using traditional production systems.
Add its geographically rooted supply, traditional production knowledge and international demand, and the nickname starts making more sense.
It is not simply another generic carrier oil.
For Moroccan communities, argan has value as a food, cosmetic ingredient, livelihood and cultural tradition. UNESCO notes that argan oil is even used in festive dishes and has traditionally been given as a wedding gift.
That cultural context tends to disappear once argan oil reaches the beauty aisle.
It shouldn't.
What’s Inside Argan Oil?
Argan oil's beauty reputation is often reduced to one phrase: “rich in vitamin E.”
That is true, but incomplete.
Oleic and Linoleic Fatty Acids
Around 80% of argan oil's fatty acids are unsaturated, with oleic acid and linoleic acid making up the majority.
Research reviews place oleic acid at roughly 43–49% and linoleic acid at approximately 29–37%, although natural variation occurs.
These fatty acids help explain why plant oils such as argan can work well as emollients: they help soften the feel of dry skin and reduce that rough, depleted feeling that appears when skin lacks lipids.
Tocopherols — the “Vitamin E” Part
Argan oil also contains naturally occurring tocopherols, compounds associated with vitamin E.
Interestingly, gamma-tocopherol is generally the dominant tocopherol found in argan oil rather than alpha-tocopherol, which is the form most people associate with vitamin E supplements.
Plant Sterols and Other Minor Compounds
Argan oil also contains phytosterols and smaller amounts of compounds including polyphenols and squalene. Researchers sometimes analyze its characteristic sterol profile when evaluating the identity and authenticity of argan oil.
Does that mean argan oil is a miracle treatment for every skin concern?
No.
And it doesn't need to be.
Its most sensible cosmetic role is much less dramatic: helping soften, condition and moisturize the skin and hair as part of a consistent routine.
Cosmetic vs Culinary Argan Oil: What’s the Difference?
Both versions begin with argan kernels.
The difference happens before extraction.
Cosmetic Argan Oil
Cosmetic argan oil is generally made from unroasted kernels.
This creates an oil intended for topical application to skin and hair.
A pure cosmetic formula may contain just one ingredient:
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil.
If you are buying an argan oil specifically for your face or hair, this is the type you are looking for.
Culinary Argan Oil
Traditional culinary argan oil is made using roasted kernels.
Roasting creates the deeper aroma and distinctive nutty flavour associated with edible argan oil. It is used in Moroccan food in dressings, dips and other preparations.
The ritual is actually much simpler than it sounds:
unroasted kernels = cosmetic oil
roasted kernels = culinary oil
Same Moroccan tree. Different preparation. Different purpose.
Why Cold-Pressed, Unrefined Argan Oil Matters
Beauty labels love words like virgin, raw, cold-pressed, organic and unrefined.
They are not all interchangeable.
What Does Cold-Pressed Mean?
Cold pressing refers to extracting oil mechanically while limiting excessive heat during the pressing process.
Extraction conditions matter because processing can influence an oil's composition, oxidation, stability and overall quality.
It is worth adding one small clarification.
Culinary argan kernels may be roasted before the oil is subsequently pressed, so “cold-pressed” does not necessarily mean that the ingredient has never encountered heat at any stage. Cosmetic argan oil, by contrast, is typically produced from unroasted kernels.
What Does Unrefined Mean?
Unrefined oil has not undergone the extensive refining processes sometimes used to remove colour, scent or other naturally occurring components from plant oils.
For someone looking for argan oil that remains closer to its naturally extracted state, cold-pressed and unrefined are useful terms to look for.
But quality should never be judged by one buzzword alone.
Origin, ingredient transparency, storage, freshness, processing and authenticity all matter.
If you're specifically trying to distinguish real Moroccan argan oil from diluted, deodorized or heavily processed alternatives, that deserves its own authenticity guide.
Argan Oil Is More Than a Beauty Trend
The beauty world has a habit of discovering an ingredient, declaring it the next miracle and moving on six months later.
Argan oil doesn't fit that story very well.
Its use in Morocco existed long before global beauty brands started printing Moroccan oil across shampoo bottles. The knowledge surrounding the argan tree has been maintained through generations, with production closely tied to communities and landscapes in southwestern Morocco.
That context matters.
Because once you understand what argan oil actually is, choosing and using it becomes much easier.
You do not need ten different argan-infused products.
Sometimes the traditional idea is the simplest one: start with good oil, use a small amount, and let it do one job well.
FAQs About Argan Oil
What is argan oil made from?
Argan oil is extracted from the kernels inside the fruit of the argan tree (Argania spinosa). The kernels are processed and pressed to release the oil.
Where does argan oil come from?
Argan oil is traditionally associated with southwestern Morocco, particularly the Arganeraie region where the argan tree is deeply embedded in the local ecosystem and cultural traditions.
Is argan oil Moroccan?
Argan oil is strongly and historically associated with Morocco. The argan tree and traditional argan-production knowledge are particularly connected with communities of southwestern Morocco.
Why is argan oil called liquid gold?
The nickname refers both to its golden colour and its value. Traditional argan oil production requires significant amounts of fruit and considerable processing to produce a relatively small quantity of oil.
Is argan oil good for skin?
Argan oil is commonly used as an emollient and moisturizer to help skin feel softer and less dry. It contains unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols, but it should be viewed as supportive skincare rather than a treatment for skin diseases.
Can argan oil be used on hair?
Yes. Cosmetic argan oil is commonly used on hair to improve softness, shine and manageability. It can be applied sparingly to the lengths and ends or used as a pre-wash oil treatment.
Can you eat argan oil?
Culinary argan oil can be eaten. It is traditionally produced from roasted argan kernels and has a distinctive nutty flavour. Cosmetic and culinary argan oils should be purchased and used according to their labelled purpose.
What does pure argan oil smell like?
Pure cosmetic argan oil may have a mild natural aroma, although scent can vary depending on processing and storage. Smell alone is not a reliable authenticity test.
What is the INCI name for argan oil?
On cosmetic ingredient lists, pure argan oil is generally listed as Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil.
Is argan oil the same as Moroccan oil?
Not necessarily.
“Argan oil” describes the actual oil derived from Argania spinosa. The phrase “Moroccan oil” is sometimes used loosely in beauty marketing for blended hair or skincare products that may contain argan oil alongside silicones, fragrance or other ingredients.
Check the ingredient list if you specifically want pure argan oil.
Discover Moroccan Argan Oil at Its Source
Argan oil may have become a global beauty staple, but its story still leads back to Morocco.
For Zawina Morocco, that connection matters. Our Pure Organic Argan Oil is sourced and made in Morocco and is offered as a simple, multi-use cosmetic oil for skin, body and hair.
If this is your first bottle, start small.
A few drops after bathing or pressed into slightly damp skin is enough.
Sometimes the best Moroccan beauty rituals aren't complicated at all.