Argan Oil: Uses, Benefits, & More

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreSimilar SupplementsSources & What to Look For

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Uses

Side Effects

Precautions

Dosage

Toxicity

Interactions

How to Store

Similar Supplements

Sources & What to Look For

Argan oil is a natural oil extracted from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), which is native to Morocco.

Rich in fatty acids andantioxidants, argan oil is used for cooking, as well as for skin conditions and cosmetic products.

Here’s what you need to know about argan oil’s potential uses, benefits, and precautions.

Supplement Facts

Uses of Argan Oil

Argan oil is marketed for many different cosmetic and therapeutic purposes.

It’s also apolyunsaturatedoil, popular for cooking and consideredheart-healthy.

There needs to be more science to support most of argan oil’s purported benefits.

However, some evidence exists for its use in skin care, high cholesterol, and knee osteoarthritis.

May Counter Effects of Aging in Skin

Another study showed that argan oil led to a significant increase inskin elasticityof people assigned female at birth who were also postmenopausal after 60 days.

Randomized controlled trials, the gold standard in scientific research, are needed to determine argan oil’s effectiveness.

May Lower Cholesterol

A systematic review (a collection of studies) looked at the effects of argan oil given for at least two weeks on cholesterol.

Scientists concluded argan oil lowered total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL, or “bad” cholesterol), andtriglycerides.

Supplementation with the oil also increasedhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL, or “good” cholesterol) levels.

Scientists noted that more large clinical trials are needed to determine if argan oil benefits overall heart health and outcomes.

May Improve Knee Osteoarthritis

One study included 100 predominantly people assigned female at birth, withosteoarthritis of the knee(KOA).

The people who supplemented with argan oil also increased their walking distance.

Again, more research is needed before argan oil can be routinely recommended.

Additional Uses

In addition, argan oil has been studied for conditions including:

To date, few scientific studies support these uses. More data is needed before argan oil can be recommended for any of them.

Much of argan oil research is from animal models that may or may not translate into benefits for humans.

What Are the Side Effects of Argan Oil?

Your healthcare provider may recommend you use argan oil for skin health or for another reason.

However, using a natural oil like this one may have potential side effects.

These side effects may be common or severe.

Common Side Effects

Argan oil may causecontact dermatitis, a rash at the application site.

In studies of people assigned female at birth who were postmenopausal, no side effects were noted.

Severe Side Effects

There has been one report ofanaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction associated with argan oil.

However, in general, severe side effects with argan oil are not expected.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people with oily skin avoid oil-based skin products like argan oil.

Dosage: How Much Argan Oil Should I Use?

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.

There are no guidelines for the appropriate use of argan oil.

The following doses have been used in clinical trials:

What Happens If I Use Too Much Argan Oil?

There is no data on argan oil toxicity.

Still, it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions after getting the green light from your healthcare provider.

Argan oil containstocopherols, a form of vitamin E, which may slow blood clotting.

This could potentially cause an interaction with blood thinners like Jantoven (warfarin), leading to an increased bleeding risk.

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

How to Store Argan Oil

Argan oil should be stored in a dark bottle and kept in a cool room to help prevent deterioration of the oil that can occur with exposure to light.

Discard after one year or according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Some other plant oils that may reverse signs of skin aging are:

Other supplements that may improve osteoarthritis symptoms include:

Please talk about using any of these supplements with your healthcare provider before taking them.

Just because products are natural does not mean they’re safe for everyone or effective.

Sources of Argan Oil & What to Look For

Argan oil is sold as a cooking oil, a cosmetic ingredient, and dietary supplement.

Argan oil products can be found online and in many grocery stores, drugstores, and specialty beauty shops.

Food Sources of Argan Oil

Edible argan oil is a cold-pressed oil typically made from roasted argan kernels.

It has a golden color and sweet, nutty flavor,and is often eaten with bread or drizzled over fish or salads.

Because argan oil is expensive compared to other vegetable oils, it is at risk of being adulterated (contaminated) or mixed with other less expensive oils.

Argan Oil Supplements

Cosmetic-grade argan oil is made from raw argan kernels and sold as a pure oil ingredient in skin creams, lotions, serums, face masks, ointments, and shampoos.

Remember, though, that these quality assurances do not mean that the product has been proven safe or effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Argan oil for cooking has a relatively long shelf life (up to two years), but the oil used in cosmetics is typically only stable for about a year.

Probably not. A systematic review of 22 articles concluded that there’s no strong evidence for using argan oil for hair growth, improving hair quality, or treating infestations.Castor oilandcoconut oilhave more evidence to support their use in hair care.

Probably not, though anecdotal reports abound. A preliminary study of 22 volunteers showed an argan oil product increased skin elasticity and could help prevent or treat early stretch marks. However, more research is needed.

19 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Substance Record for SID 472397606,ARGAN OIL, Source: FDA Global Substance Registration System (GSRS).

Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Aguenaou H, Derouiche A, Bensouda Y.The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity.Clin Interv Aging. 2015;10:339-349. doi:10.2147/CIA.S71684

Vamecq J, Andreoletti P, El Kebbaj R, et al.Peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase type 1: anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties with a special emphasis on studies with LPS and argan oil as a model transposable to aging.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:6986984. doi:10.1155/2018/6986984

Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Derouiche A, Rahali Y, Bensouda Y.Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use.Prz Menopauzalny. 2014;13(5):280-288. doi:10.5114/pm.2014.46470

Ursoniu S, Sahebkar A, Serban MC, Banach M; Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta-analysis Collaboration Group.The impact of argan oil on plasma lipids in humans: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytother Res. 2018;32(3):377-383. doi:10.1002/ptr.5959

Essouiri J, Harzy T, Benaicha N, Errasfa M, Abourazzak FE.Effectiveness of argan oil consumption on knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2017;13(3):231-235. doi:10.2174/1573397113666170710123031

Berraaouan A, Abid S, Bnouham M.Antidiabetic oils.Curr Diabetes Rev. 2013;9(6):499-505. doi:10.2174/15733998113096660081

Essouiri J, Abourazzak FE, Lazrak F, et al.Efficacy of argane oil on metabolic syndrome in a Moroccan knee osteoarthritis population.Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2018;14(1):84-88. doi:10.2174/1573397112666161205103009

Bourdel-Marchasson I, Ostan R, Regueme SC, et al.Quality of life: psychological symptoms-effects of a 2-month healthy diet and nutraceutical intervention; a randomized, open-label intervention trial (RISTOMED).Nutrients. 2020;12(3):800. doi:10.3390/nu12030800

Er R, Aydın B, Şekeroğlu V, Atlı Şekeroğlu Z.Protective effect of Argan oil on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress against acrylamide-induced liver and kidney injury in rats.Biomarkers. 2020;25(6):458-467. doi:10.1080/1354750X.2020.1797877

Monfalouti HE, Guillaume D, Denhez C, Charrouf Z.Therapeutic potential of argan oil: a review.Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2010;62(12):1669-1675. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.2010.01190.x

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Phong C, Lee V, Yale K, Sung C, Mesinkovska N.Coconut, castor, and argan oil for hair in skin of color patients: a systematic review.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):751-757. doi:10.36849/JDD.6972

Bogdan C, Moldovan ML, Man IM, Crișan M.Preliminary study on the development of an antistretch marks water-in-oil cream: ultrasound assessment, texture analysis, and sensory analysis.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016;9:249-255. doi:10.2147/CCID.S107298

Avsar U, Halici Z, Akpinar E, et al.The Effects of Argan Oil in Second-degree Burn Wound Healing in Rats.Ostomy Wound Manage.2016;62(3):26-34.Bellahcen S, Hakkou Z, Ziyyat A, et al.Antidiabetic and antihypertensive effect of virgin argan oil in model of neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic and l-nitroarginine methylester (l-NAME) hypertensive rats.J Complement Integr Med.2013;6:10. doi:10.1515/jcim-2013-0008.Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Aguenaou H, et al.The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity.Clin Interv Aging.2015;10:339-349. doi:10.2147/CIA.S71684.Faria PM, Camargo lN, Haddad Carvalho RS, et al.Hair protective effect of argan oil (argania spinosa kernel oil) and cupuassu butter (theobroma grandiflorum seed butter) post treatment with hair dye.J Cosm Dermatol Sci Appl. 2013;3:40-44. doi:10.4236/jcdsa.2013.33A1006.Sour S, Belarbi M, Sari N, et al.Argan oil reduces, in rats, the high fat diet-Induced metabolic effects of obesity.Nutr Metabol Cardiovasc Dis. 2015;25(4):382-387. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2015.01.001.

Avsar U, Halici Z, Akpinar E, et al.The Effects of Argan Oil in Second-degree Burn Wound Healing in Rats.Ostomy Wound Manage.2016;62(3):26-34.

Bellahcen S, Hakkou Z, Ziyyat A, et al.Antidiabetic and antihypertensive effect of virgin argan oil in model of neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic and l-nitroarginine methylester (l-NAME) hypertensive rats.J Complement Integr Med.2013;6:10. doi:10.1515/jcim-2013-0008.

Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Aguenaou H, et al.The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity.Clin Interv Aging.2015;10:339-349. doi:10.2147/CIA.S71684.

Faria PM, Camargo lN, Haddad Carvalho RS, et al.Hair protective effect of argan oil (argania spinosa kernel oil) and cupuassu butter (theobroma grandiflorum seed butter) post treatment with hair dye.J Cosm Dermatol Sci Appl. 2013;3:40-44. doi:10.4236/jcdsa.2013.33A1006.

Sour S, Belarbi M, Sari N, et al.Argan oil reduces, in rats, the high fat diet-Induced metabolic effects of obesity.Nutr Metabol Cardiovasc Dis. 2015;25(4):382-387. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2015.01.001.

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