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Pure Argan Oil vs Argan Hair Oil vs Culinary Argan: What's the Difference?
Three products with the same name: pure cosmetic argan oil, silicone-based "argan" hair serum and culinary argan oil, made from roasted kernels. What they are and which one to use.
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In short: "argan oil" can mean three very different products. Pure cosmetic argan oil has a single ingredient and is cold-pressed from unroasted kernels, for skin and hair. "Argan" hair oil is usually a silicone-based serum with a little argan: it adds shine for the moment, but doesn't nourish your skin. Culinary argan oil is made from roasted kernels, is darker in color, smells of roasted nuts and is used in the kitchen.
The differences, in short
| Pure argan oil (cosmetic) | "Argan" hair oil | Culinary argan oil | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Only Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil | Mostly silicones (Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone), fragrance, a little argan | Argan oil from roasted kernels |
| How it's made | Unroasted kernels, cold-pressed | A blend made in a lab | Roasted kernels, then pressed |
| Color and scent | Golden yellow, faint nutty scent | Clear, fragranced | Dark gold to brown, strong roasted-nut scent |
| On skin | Yes, on body and face | Not made for skin | Not recommended |
| On hair | On the ends or as a treatment before washing | Shine and easy combing, for the moment | No |
| In food | No | No | Yes: on salads, bread, couscous |
Pure cosmetic argan oil
This is the oil cold-pressed from the kernels of the argan fruit, without roasting them first. It has a single ingredient on the label, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, and keeps the vitamin E and fatty acids from the kernel.
You use it on still-damp skin after showering, on your face in the evening (2–3 drops) and on your hair. In the Moroccan hammam it's the last step, after exfoliating with the glove. You'll find all the ways to use it in our guide to argan oil for skin and hair.
"Argan" hair oil
Most products sold as "argan oil" for hair are actually serums. On the ingredient list, the first ones are almost always silicones: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol. Argan comes further down, often after fragrance.
Silicones aren't a bad thing. They coat the hair strand in a thin layer, so your hair looks shiny, doesn't tangle and is protected from blow-dryer heat. But the effect is on the surface and lasts until your next wash. You don't put it on your skin.
In short, if you like how your hair looks with a serum like this, you can keep using it. Just don't confuse it with argan oil.
Culinary argan oil
In Morocco, argan oil is eaten. The kernels are roasted before pressing, and the oil comes out darker in color, with a strong roasted-nut taste and smell. It goes on bread, salads, couscous and into amlou, a paste made with almonds and honey.
It's great in the kitchen, but it isn't the oil you want on your skin. The roasted smell stays on your skin, and roasting changes the oil's composition.
How to tell what you're buying
- Read the ingredient list. A single ingredient, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, means pure oil. Silicones listed first mean a hair serum.
- Look at the color. Golden yellow for cosmetic, darker for culinary.
- Smell it. Light nutty for cosmetic, strong roasted nut for culinary, fragrance for a serum.
- Check what it's made for. The label on culinary oil says it's for consumption.
All 7 checks, in detail, are in our article How to recognize pure argan oil.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between cosmetic and culinary argan oil?
Cosmetic oil is made from unroasted, cold-pressed kernels, has a golden yellow color and a faint scent. Culinary oil is made from roasted kernels, is darker and smells strongly of roasted nuts.
Can I use culinary argan oil on my skin?
It's not recommended. The roasted smell stays on your skin, and roasting changes the oil's composition. For skin and hair, use cold-pressed cosmetic argan oil.
Can I eat cosmetic argan oil?
No. Even though it's a pure plant oil, it's packaged and sold as a cosmetic product, not as food.
Are argan hair oils actually argan oil?
Usually not. They're silicone-based serums that contain a little argan. They add shine for the moment, but they aren't the same product as pure argan oil.
Are the silicones in hair serums harmful?
No. Silicones coat the hair strand and make it shiny and easy to comb. The effect is only on the surface and washes out.
Which argan oil is good for hair?
Pure, cold-pressed argan oil. 1–2 drops on the ends for shine, or a few drops on the scalp and lengths, left on for an hour before washing.
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