Argan oil is one of the most effective plant-based oils you can put on your skin. It hydrates without clogging pores, measurably improves skin elasticity, and strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier. With a comedogenic rating of 0 to 1 on a scale of 5, it’s suitable for nearly every skin type, including oily and acne-prone skin.
What Makes Argan Oil Work
The benefits come down to what’s actually in the oil. Argan oil is roughly 43 to 49 percent oleic acid and 29 to 36 percent linoleic acid, two fatty acids your skin uses as building blocks for its protective outer layer. It also contains between 60 and 90 milligrams of vitamin E per 100 grams, along with polyphenols that act as antioxidants. That combination gives argan oil a rare dual function: it delivers moisture while also protecting skin cells from oxidative damage.
Linoleic acid is especially important. Your skin needs it to produce the lipids that hold the outermost layer of cells together. When that lipid layer is intact, moisture stays in and irritants stay out. Many people with oily or acne-prone skin are actually deficient in linoleic acid, which is part of why argan oil can help balance sebum production rather than making oiliness worse.
Skin Elasticity and Hydration
A clinical trial published in Clinical Interventions in Aging tested argan oil on 60 postmenopausal women over 60 days. One group consumed argan oil daily, and both groups applied it topically to one forearm. Both methods of use produced significant improvements in skin elasticity across multiple measures, including gross elasticity, net elasticity, and biological elasticity.
A companion study by the same research team measured hydration directly. Women who consumed argan oil saw a significant decrease in water loss through the skin and a significant increase in water content in the outer skin layer. Women who applied it topically saw the same pattern. The mechanism appears straightforward: linoleic acid stimulates the skin’s own lipid production and activates the maturation process in skin cells, which restores the moisture barrier.
In practical terms, this means argan oil helps your skin hold onto its own water rather than just sitting on the surface as a temporary fix. That distinction matters if you deal with persistent dryness or tightness.
Acne and Oily Skin
The idea of putting oil on acne-prone skin sounds counterintuitive, but argan oil’s low comedogenic rating (0 to 1) means it’s unlikely to block pores. It helps balance moisture and oil production, reduces the appearance of scars, and has anti-inflammatory properties that calm irritated, breakout-prone skin. It has traditionally been recommended for acne and even used on chickenpox pustules in its region of origin.
If you have very oily skin and prefer a lighter feel, jojoba oil is another option worth considering. Jojoba has a more liquid consistency and absorbs faster, leaving less residue. Argan oil is thicker due to its phenol content, which some people prefer for dry patches or nighttime use. Both oils have low comedogenic ratings, so the choice often comes down to texture preference.
Wound Healing and Skin Repair
Argan oil also accelerates tissue repair. In a study on wound healing in rabbits, wounds treated with argan oil reached 98.7 percent closure by day 12, compared to 93.77 percent in untreated controls. The effect is linked to bioactive compounds in the oil, including quinic acid, coumarin, and hesperidin, which reduce inflammation and promote blood vessel formation in healing tissue.
This doesn’t mean you should use argan oil on open wounds without guidance, but it does support its traditional use for minor skin injuries, post-inflammatory marks, and areas where the skin barrier has been compromised by dryness or irritation.
How to Use It
You can apply pure argan oil directly to your skin twice a day. A few drops are enough for the full face. Warm the oil between your palms first, then press it into your skin rather than rubbing, which helps it absorb more evenly.
In a multi-step skincare routine, oil goes near the end. Apply it after water-based products like serums and before heavier creams or sunscreen. At night, argan oil works well as the final step, locking in everything underneath. If you’re using it for a specific concern like dry patches, scars, or irritated skin, apply it directly to those areas twice daily for consistent results.
Pure, cold-pressed argan oil is your best option. Look for a short ingredient list (ideally just “argania spinosa kernel oil”) and a dark glass bottle, since light degrades the vitamin E and antioxidants. Cosmetic-grade argan oil is different from the culinary version, which is roasted and has a nuttier scent. Either can benefit skin, but cosmetic-grade is refined for topical use and has a milder smell.
Argan Oil vs. Jojoba Oil
These two oils come up together constantly, and for good reason. Both are non-comedogenic, well-tolerated, and rich in fatty acids. The differences are more about feel and composition than quality. Argan oil is denser in vitamin E and antioxidants, making it a better choice for anti-aging concerns, dry skin, and barrier repair. Jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax that closely mimics your skin’s own sebum, so it absorbs faster and feels lighter. It’s often the better pick for people who dislike any oily residue.
You can also use both. Jojoba in the morning under makeup (it absorbs quickly and won’t interfere with other products) and argan oil at night for deeper nourishment is a combination that works well for many skin types.