How to Use Argan Oil on Hair: Ends, Pre-Wash and Finishing
Argan oil is one of the most familiar hair oils in the world, and it is easy to see why: a single drop smooths through dry ends and leaves them looking glossy. The trick is using very little, at the right moment. This guide covers the three ways to use it, and how much your hair actually needs.
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is pressed from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), which grows in southwestern Morocco. It is golden, silky and light enough to use on the lengths of the hair without weighing them down. FAYNAN Pure Argan Oil is a single ingredient, with nothing added.
Method 1: a finishing drop on dry ends
This is the most common way to use argan oil, and the easiest.
- Start with dry or towel-dried hair.
- Warm one or two drops between your palms.
- Smooth through the ends first, then lightly over the mid-lengths. Keep it away from the roots.
Ends look glossy and feel smooth. If hair looks flat or greasy, you used too much: next time, halve it.
Method 2: a pre-wash oil
For a deeper ritual, use argan oil before you shampoo, the way oils have long been used across the Middle East and North Africa.
- Apply a few drops to dry hair, section by section, concentrating on the lengths and ends.
- Leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Shampoo thoroughly, twice if needed, then condition as usual.
For the full method, read How to Use a Pre-Wash Hair Oil, and Pre-Wash Oil vs Finishing Oil for how the two moments differ.
Method 3: a drop in your blend
Argan oil mixes easily with other single oils. One drop added to a few drops of Pure Date Seed Oil makes a light pre-wash blend for longer hair.
How much argan oil to use
| Hair | Finishing | Pre-wash |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or short | 1 drop | A few drops, lengths only |
| Shoulder-length | 1 to 2 drops | About half a dropper |
| Long, thick, curly or coily | 2 to 3 drops, added slowly | Work in sections, add as needed |
These are starting points. For more detail by hair type, see How Much Hair Oil Should You Use?, Hair Oiling for Fine Hair and Oiling Curly and Coily Hair.
Argan, jojoba or date seed?
- Argan: golden and silky, the classic finishing drop for glossy-looking ends.
- Jojoba: lighter still, and quick to absorb. A good choice for fine hair. Read Argan Oil vs Jojoba Oil.
- Date Seed: fine and light, made for the pre-wash moment.
Still deciding? How to Choose a Hair Oil compares every single seed oil we make.
Beyond the hair
The same bottle works for the face and nails: press two drops onto clean skin in the evening, or massage one drop into each nail and cuticle.
A few things to keep in mind
- Test on a small area of skin before first use.
- Avoid contact with the eyes.
- Color-treated hair: try on a small strand first.
- Store tightly closed, away from heat and direct light.
Looking for a ready-made pre-wash ritual? Our Botanical Hair Ritual Oil blends Wild Pistachio (Butm), Sidr and Black Seed. Browse every hair oil in the Hair Oils collection.