Argan oil earned its "liquid gold" nickname the honest way: centuries of use in Morocco, and a nutrient profile hair genuinely responds to, roughly 80% fatty acids that seal in moisture, plus vitamin E and antioxidant phenols that protect against everyday damage. Pressed from the kernels of the Moroccan argan tree, it is one of the few beauty-cupboard staples that does what the label promises: softer, shinier, more resilient hair. Here is what argan oil actually does, whether it helps growth, and the four ways to use it.

The three big argan oil benefits

1. Frizz-free shine

Frizz is what hair does when its cuticle is dry and lifted. Argan oil's vitamin E and fatty acids smooth the cuticle flat and stop moisture escaping, which reads in the mirror as shine and calm. It is the classic finishing ingredient for a reason.

2. Deep moisture and conditioning

The fatty acids (mainly oleic and linoleic) do the sustained work: infusing strands and scalp with lipids that hold hydration in place between washes. Dry, brittle hair becomes flexible hair, and flexible hair does not snap.

3. Protection from heat and environment

Styling heat, UV and pollution all generate the oxidative stress that ages hair. Argan's antioxidants act as a buffer, one layer of a sensible protection routine alongside a dedicated heat protection spray on styling days.

Does argan oil help hair growth?

Honestly: argan oil is not a growth stimulant, but it earns its place in a growth routine anyway. Its phenols and anti-inflammatory properties support a comfortable scalp, the environment hair grows from, and its conditioning slashes breakage, which is where most people actually lose length (the retention principle from our guide to growing hair faster). Hair that stops snapping gets visibly longer on the same growth rate.

Four ways to use argan oil

1. As a weekly hair mask, the deepest treatment, ideal for dry or damaged hair.
2. As a scalp treatment, massaged in to support comfort and circulation.
3. As a leave-in conditioner, a few drops through damp lengths after washing.
4. As a finishing oil, a tiny amount smoothed over dry hair for shine and frizz control.

Watermans products with argan oil built in

Masque Me, 8-in-1 Hair Mask

An argan-oil-rich deep treatment that restores and rehydrates dry, damaged hair while taming frizz, the mask route to argan's benefits in one weekly ritual.

Shop Masque Me

Grow Me Shampoo & Condition Me Set

Argan oil alongside biotin, caffeine, rosemary and lupin protein, every wash conditions the scalp environment and revitalises dry, lifeless strands.

Shop the set

Watermans is a UK family business that has sold over 5 million bottles since 2012. The range is vegan and cruelty-free.

Frequently asked questions

Is argan oil good for all hair types?

Yes, adjusted for dose: a few drops on ends for fine hair, more generous application for thick, curly or afro textures.

Can I use argan oil every day?

A light daily application on ends is fine; deep treatments work best weekly. Watch for build-up and clarify occasionally if hair starts feeling coated.

Does argan oil make hair grow faster?

Not directly, growth speed is biological, but by cutting breakage and supporting the scalp, it helps you keep the length you grow, which looks the same in the mirror.

Should I apply argan oil to wet or dry hair?

Both work for different jobs: damp hair for leave-in conditioning, dry hair for shine and frizz finishing. Scalp treatments go on before washing.

Is argan oil better than coconut oil for hair?

They complement: coconut penetrates the strand's interior, argan excels at sealing, smoothing and antioxidant protection. Argan is also lighter and less pore-clogging at the scalp.

Liquid gold is, for once, fair marketing: moisture sealed in, damage buffered, shine returned. Use it in whichever of the four formats fits your routine, and pair it with the fundamentals in our dry hair rescue guide for the full transformation.