Dull skin, weak hair? Your need these argan oil-infused products in your kit

By Naaila Khan7 September 2019

The lightweight oil doesn’t clog pores or weigh hair down. Here’s how to use it best

Applying oil to an already oily, acne-prone face feels counterproductive in every way. But oftentimes, people break out due to a damaged skin barrier, which overcompensates by producing even more oil. This can clog pores and result in even more breakouts. Argan oil, however, can break this cycle by moisturising the skin without overloading it with too much.

Apart from being a popular anti-acne ingredient, argan oil is also known as ‘liquid gold’ because of its many skin and hair benefits. And it falls in the sweet middle spot of the heaviness spectrum as well, ie, it’s neither too thick like coconut oil can be, nor as light as castor oil. It’s a nice in-between—packed with omega fatty acids, Vitamin E, and linoleic acids, making it perfect for skin and hair.

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil

This 100 per cent pure, organic, multitasking Moroccan argan oil is lightweight, and soaks right in to hydrate skin, flaky lips, split ends, cuticles, feet, bug bites... just about anything. The true benefit in this product is in the manufacturing—it is cold pressed, so the integrity of the oil’s fatty acids, vitamins, phenols and carotenes is preserved.

Moroccanoil Treatment

Few bathroom shelves that have not housed one of these bottles. Truly a cult favourite, this frizz-fighting, hydrating finishing product has earned the buzz it has received. How do you use it? Aside from soaking in it for a full-blown at-home deep conditioning hair spa, a small amount (applied to damp hair from the mid-lengths to the tips) makes for a great non-greasy serum that tames down flyaways.

Origins Plantscription Youth-Renewing Face Oil

Argan oil is also a well-touted anti-ageing superstar. This particularly quick-absorbing face oil is packed with 20 precious oils from around the world, including raspberry seed oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, evening primrose, and argan oil, that help fade spots and fine lines. The formula is non-greasy and light enough to stay well put underneath makeup.

The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Massage Soap

One whiff of this non-drying, ultra hydrating bar soap will transport you straight to a hammam. Traditionally, argan oil has been used as a treatment for dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, wrinkles and skin inflammation, so it’s an ideal all-over ingredient. The soap lathers easily and cleans deeply, and has a light scent that lingers all day.

OGX Moroccan Curling Perfection Defining Cream

If you have a curly mane, this product promises to solve all your styling woes. This cream feels lightweight in the bottle, but it’s a heavyweight for detangling and delivering shine. The argan oil-infused formula is easy to spread over your curls, and renders them bouncy and glossy without weighing them down.

Lakmé Absolute Argan Oil Radiance Oil-In-Gel

For all the goodness—hydrating, acne-fighting and oil balancing—of argan oil without the sticky and messy texture, this lightweight gel-in-cream is a solid pick. The whipped texture is non-greasy, and sinks in almost immediately onto the skin surface. Layer it under makeup in the day, or massage it in as a night cream as part of your PM routine.

Mamaearth Argan Hair Mask

If you’ve recently coloured your stands or relied on too many heat tools, you may find that the ends of your hair feel rough and frizzy. This is because the cuticles of damaged tresses are probably frayed, which makes them look and feel dry. Light cannot reflect off of a craggy surface, so your mane doesn’t look as smooth and shiny as you’d like it to. This argan and avocado oil-rich formula works in ten minutes, softening the hair and flattening the cuticles for a healthier mane of hair. Just massage a dollop onto damp hair, and rinse it out for best results.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter

This one’s a great buy for those suffering from acne. This buttery cream sinks quickly and deeply into the skin, leaving it feeling nourished and moisturised from the get go. The argan and watermelon seed oil are suspended in a base of shea butter and aloe nectar, which help soothe redness and inflammation as well.