Shopping | ES Best Home | Beauty | Hair
Best argan oil for hair that’s soft, smooth and frizz-free
The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
It's hard to keep things succinct when talking about the benefits of argan oil.
It moisturises and conditions your hair, making it softer, smoother and shinier. It improves your scalp health, reducing inflammation, irritation and dandruff. It protects your locks from damage caused by heat styling, colouring and sun exposure. And, if that isn't enough, it may also prevent or reduce hair loss by strengthening the follicles and improving blood circulation.
So it's no surprise that more and more hair products are incorporating argan oil, which means a bigger selection than ever to choose from.
Argan oil is a natural oil extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, which is native to Morocco. It's rich in fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin E, all of which your tresses will soak up when applied regularly.
Argan oil can be used for different hair types and needs and isn't restricted to one specific type of product. You'll find standalone bottles of oil, designed to be applied on damp or dry manes, focusing on the ends and avoiding the roots.
You can also mix your argan oil with other ingredients, like honey, coconut oil or egg yolk and coat it on your hair as a deep conditioning treatment. Or, add a few drops of pure argan oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner to help cleanse, moisturise and strengthen your strands.
The last thing to note? The best argan oil products should come in dark glass bottles that protect the oil from light and heat and you'll want to store these products away from direct sunlight, too.
We've rounded up all of the best argan oil products for healthy, glossy hair.
Moroccanoil Treatment Original
Argan oil hails from Morocco which means if you’re looking for the real deal you might as well go direct to the source. Moroccanoil’s Treatment Original is an award-winning, multi-purpose formula that can be used on damp or dry hair for salon-worthy results.
Infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil and radiance-enhancing vitamins, the luxurious Moroccanoil Treatment nourishes and conditions the locks, whilst restoring silky smooth, glossy strands from root to tip.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Anti-Frizz Hair Oil
As well as nourishing and hydrating your locks, the best hair oils work their magic to wave goodbye to frizzy locks and unruly manes. And Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Anti-Frizz Hair Oil is one of the best options around if you’re looking to achieve all of the above in one easy application.
Infused with a powerful blend of Brazilian oils (patauá, buriti and pequi), this versatile styling product adds lustre, fights frizz for up to 72 hours, repairs damage, provides heat protection up to 450 degrees, and deeply moisturises thirsty strands.
Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Huile Original Hair Oil
Kérastase is a top choice for bringing damaged strands back to life and the brand’s Elixir Ultime L’Huile Original Hair Oil ticks all the boxes when it comes to nourishing your locks. This all-star leave-in hair oil provides beautifying care for dull tresses with heat protection for up to 230°C. The formula also helps to seal the appearance of split ends and smoothes the hair fibre for long-lasting frizz control.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
You don’t have to spend a fortune on hair or beauty products to see great results, as proven by practically everything The Ordinary offers. The brand’s 100% Organic Cold Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil is one of the best budget-friendly options on the market, giving you a bank balance-friendly formula that doesn’t sacrifice on efficacity.
It is made up of pure argan seed oil from Morocco that has been extracted through a cold pressing method that preserves the integrity of the oil’s fatty acids, vitamins, phenols (including caffeic acid) and carotenes. Expect a gorgeously soft sheen each time you use it.
Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil
Redken’s All Soft Argan-6 Oil ticks all the boxes: it nourishes the strands, prevents frizz and smells amazing at the same time. Providing concentrated softness, deep conditioning and lasting suppleness, this intense argan-oil-based formula magically restores our tresses to their finest without weighing them down. And, despite being an oil-based formula, it somehow avoids feeling greasy on the hair and skin.
OGX Renewing+ Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Penetrating Oil
Another ideal option for great hair without a crazy price tag, OGX’s Renewing Argan Oil is rich and sumptuous, adding just the right amount of depth and glow to your locks. This powerful, potent hair serum comes infused with argan oil and acts as the perfect antidote for damaged, coarse strands. Use as on damp tresses to help nutrients seep into the hair shaft, and seal in shine.
Argan Oil Hair Treatment
A popular choice that’s especially welcomed by those with curly or frizzy manes, the Argan Oil Hair Treatment comes enriched with Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that helps to restore hair once and for all. It nourishes dry damaged hair, repairs and rejuvenates, smoothes and eliminates frizz, while also providing protection against external aggressors and leaving a healthy shine all at the same time.
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Hair Treatment Mask
SheaMoisture’s Raw Shea Butter Deep Hair Treatment Mask deeply penetrates the strands to provide intensive moisture and repair chemically processed, dry and damaged hair. It also gives natural curls a healthy shine you can see and feel. Its combo of argan oil, sea kelp and Fairtrade shea butter combine to restore natural lipids, support hair’s elasticity and smooth the hair cuticle leaving hair healthy and shiny.
Fushi Organic Virgin Argan Oil
If you prefer to take a natural approach to your haircare, Fushi Organic Virgin Argan Oil is one of the finest options around for doing all of the good stuff without incorporating any of the bad.
It harnesses the power of pure, organic Moroccan argan oil that has been cold-pressed from the argan nut kernel that grows in southwestern Morocco. It is here where all-women cooperatives specialise in high-quality argan oil extraction. The formula is free from any preservatives and comes in an earth-friendly glass bottle with a recyclable aluminium cap.
Neal's Yard Organic Argan Oil 50ml
Neal’s Yard’s best-selling Moroccan argan oil is not to be slept on. The enriching product is set to nourish the skin and lock in moisture for healthy and strong hair and nails. It’s saturated with goodness, from antioxidants to Vitamin E and suits all skin and hair types. Generously lather this multi-purpose oil into your tresses and watch the glowing results unfold.
Verdict
Morocco is the home of argan oil and Moroccanoil's Treatment Original never disappoints. Use it on towel-dried hair for smooth, tamed locks like never before.