Credits: Johnny Greig | wsj.com

Argan Oil is also known as Moroccan oil because it is only available after extraction from the nuts of the argan tree that grows only in this country. Nutrients including essential fatty acids and vitamin E are found in argan oil and, when applied accordingly, are beneficial to all body parts with no known adverse side effects. Argan oil is often used as an ingredient in hair and skin care products.

What Does Argan Oil Do For Your Hair?

Immediate benefits are visible in the hair of those who regularly use argan oil because it tames frizz, provides shine, softens hair, detangle it, and make it more manageable. Hair can become easily damaged regardless of whether the cause is chemical substances in hair products, heat styling, sun exposure or humidity. Damaged hair appears dull, feels dry, and has a frizzy quality to it. There are plenty of scientific studies that backs up the oil’s effectiveness for various skin and hair conditions.

Nursing back your locks to life is not difficult if you choose the right kind of hair products and treatments. You can start by choosing a duo of shampoo and conditioner which both contain sufficient amounts of argan oil to infuse nutrients and moisture as into both hair and scalp each time you wash them. Some go for additional treatments such as a deep conditioner or a mask.

This kind of treatment, done twice or thrice a month, helps hair to become hydrated and strong to prevent damage recurrence. Additionally, using argan oil-based protective serum on your hair before you style it will protect your hair from further or new damage from the heat of hair styling tools. The serum will seal your cuticles and lock in moisture against harmful elements.

Ensure that the hair product you use does not contain substances which may be potential hair health hazards such as sulfates, in the case of shampoos. Sulfates are typically added to shampoos to make lather. On the microscopic level, however, sulfates can actually make frizz and split ends more noticeable.

Hair that is healthy not only has less split ends but is less dry, factors that help you avoid having your hair trimmed frequently. When this is the situation, your hair gains resistance against the wear and tear it gets from the elements mentioned earlier, accelerating hair growth that is stronger and more attractive. Below are several ways on how to use Moroccan oil effectively.

How to Use Argan Oil on Your Hair

Because argan oil has the capability to restore shine, strength, and softness to hair, it is often used as a major ingredient in shampoo and conditioner formulations. If you have brittle, damaged or dry hair as a result of coloring, rebonding chemicals or hair relaxers, look for argan oil on the label first of the shampoo and conditioner you intend to buy.

Shampoo

As a shampoo ingredient, you can just apply the shampoo itself on your hair and wash it like you usually do without worrying about how much or how little you should use the oil in its pure form. Using an argan oil-based shampoo is the surest way you can be guaranteed of obtaining its benefits like having nourished and stronger hair on a daily basis.

Conditioner

Another way you can use it is as your regular leave-in conditioner and intensify and prolong the oil’s benefits on your hair. It also has most, if not all, of the qualities of an excellent conditioning agent to give hair that extra shine, make it soft and sleek, and improve protection for it. Unlike similarly-purposed conditioners, argan oil is not greasy and will not make hair clumpy or stringy.

Put a few drops of it on your hands and rub them together; make sure it also gets rubbed in between fingers since you will use them when you massage your scalp to make it healthier. Make sure that your hair is dry before you massage your scalp and the tips and ends of your hair to ensure that hair growth is faster.

If you need quick hair styling in a jiffy, you can use it to tame any frizz and eliminate any hair static. Unlike other styling products, it does not contain any chemicals, as mentioned, and will not be the cause of long-term hair damage. In fact, argan oil repairs hair damage. You can use it as hair mask, with a little amount going a long way.

Overnight Hair Treatments

Overnight treatments are an excellent way to maximize its effects on your hair since nutrients in large quantities are absorbed by your hair while you sleep. Using this oil treatment a night before some special occasion will result in extra smooth, voluminous, and sleek-looking hair the next day. And you don’t have to go to a professional salon and spend a lot of cash to do it.

You can do an argan oil treatment right in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Massage a generous amount into your scalp and hair tips. Wrap your hair with a large towel to prevent staining pillows. Leave it on overnight or, if you plan to do it during the day, one to two hours. Wash it out in the morning, if you are doing it overnight, and shampoo your hair.

Use a shampoo with argan oil as a major ingredient for best results. Dry your hair and style it in your preference. Your hair will look gorgeous like you have just come out of a professional salon. With an argan oil mask, you not only saved money but avoided exposure to harsh chemicals in numerous conditioning masks.

The amount of oil needed really varies from one individual’s need to another. It also depends on the individual’s hair type, length, and existing condition. It may take several applications before you find the amount ideal for your hair so it’s best to experiment several days prior to an event you will be going to. Apply one to two drops initially and then gradually increase the amount as needed.

There are other uses for argan oil namely as a:

• Styling product
• Heat protector
• Hair thickener
• Hot oil alternative
• Leave-in conditioner
• Hair re-grower
• Scalp conditioner

Benefits of Argan Oil for Hair

Argan oil has different benefits for different hair types but regardless of hair type, it has general benefits which you may want to consider in case you have issues associated with certain hair conditions or you want to:

• Hydrate your hair that’s brittle, straight, frizzy, dry, thick, coarse, curly, unmanageable, thin or wavy.
• Enhance naturally wavy or curly hair by having it shiny, straight or de-frizzed.
• Have natural, flexible, and long-lasting hair that holds in place without stickiness or stiffness.
• Get rid of contact friction in your hair.
• Add volume to your hair.
• Protect your hair before using a blow or hair dryer on it.
• Nourish your hair so that it remains strong and healthy.
• Have your hair look naturally bouncy all the time.
• Protect for your hair against environmental pollutants.
• Get rid of harmful chemicals in your hair care products, such as sulphates.

Which is Better for Hair Coconut Oil or Argan Oil?

Is argan oil the best of the best when it comes to potency and efficacy? That’s a question which has people in a quandary because there’s coconut oil that is also a good kind of all-around oil; it is also more readily accessible and more economical than argan oil because it is less expensive. Comparison is always a good way to determine which is the better, or the best, product.

Let’s see the “pros” of argan oil first:

• Pure argan oil will de-frizz hair to make it more manageable.
• This Moroccan liquid gold may be considered an all-purpose product because aside from repairing damaged hair it is also a heat protector.
• It seals in hair cuticle’s moisture to keep it hydrated.
• Helps make hair smooth and makes it more manageable.
• The vitamin E in the oil makes it an excellent source of antioxidants.
• Argan oil is renowned for helping hair regain elasticity.

Now let’s take a look at coconut oil’s “pros”:

• Coconut oil works for both dry and oily scalps.
• It protects hair internally and externally.
• Its molecular weight is low, meaning it can get into the hair shaft faster.
• Coconut oil is less expensive.
• It gives hair shine, softness, and silkiness.
• It has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Both oils have their own distinctive qualities, that’s why having to choose between them can be quite difficult. It really depends on certain factors of your hair type and condition as well as your budget that will determine which oil you should use. For argan oil products ensure that the words “argania spinosa kernel oil” or argan oil is listed as the main ingredient.

On the other hand, coconut oil has been proven to reduce protein loss when used regularly during pre- and post-wash both for damaged and undamaged hair. Because coconut oil has lauric acid – the triglyceride of a major fatty acid – it has natural affinity for proteins, including those found in hair. As mentioned, coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft because its chain is formed in a straight linear.

Although both oils give a glossy, healthy sheen to hair, those with a lot of frizz in their hair may be better off using argan oil while those who have straight hair may find coconut oil more suitable. But until and unless you try both oils, you can’t really find a final or conclusive answer to which one is better for you. Both are excellent for hair care, you just have to pick the one that will work for you.

Next Up: Argan Oil and Hair Growth: Everything you need to know