A no-frills, bioactive-rich argan oil that delivers genuine cold-pressed quality at a price point that makes luxury oil brands look absurd. It won't wow you with fragrance or texture elegance, but it will quietly strengthen your moisture barrier, soften stubborn dry patches, and remind you that skincare doesn't need to be complicated to be effective.
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
A no-frills, bioactive-rich argan oil that delivers genuine cold-pressed quality at a price point that makes luxury oil brands look absurd. It won't wow you with fragrance or texture elegance, but it will quietly strengthen your moisture barrier, soften stubborn dry patches, and remind you that skincare doesn't need to be complicated to be effective.
Score Breakdown
A pure, single-ingredient oil that delivers excellent value and very low irritation risk. The ingredient quality reflects the simplicity — it's high-quality argan oil but lacks the formulation sophistication of multi-active products. Suitability is narrower since oily and fungal-acne-prone skin types should avoid it.
Data Confidence: high
This product has been on market since 2016, with 800+ user reviews across major retailers. Argan oil is one of the most extensively studied plant oils in dermatological literature.
0/100
Overall Score
Ingredient Quality 0
Value for Money 0
Suitability Breadth 0
Irritation Risk (↑ = safer) 0
Assessment
Pros
- Exceptional value at $7.80 for certified organic cold-pressed argan oil
- Single-ingredient formula eliminates risk of sensitizers or unnecessary additives
- Cold-pressing preserves full spectrum of tocopherols, polyphenols, and squalene
- Balanced oleic-to-linoleic acid ratio supports barrier without clogging pores
- Versatile use across face, body, hair, nails, and cuticles
- Cruelty-free and vegan with Leaping Bunny and PETA certification
- Amber glass dropper bottle protects oil from light degradation
- No adjustment period — softening and hydration benefits from first application
Cons
- Earthy, nutty natural scent may be off-putting for those expecting fragrance-free neutrality
- Thicker viscosity than refined argan oils requires warming between palms before application
- Too heavy for oily skin types, particularly in humid climates
- Oleic acid content feeds Malassezia yeast — unsuitable for fungal acne
- Lacks the multi-active formulation complexity to target specific skin concerns
Full Review
When DECIEM launched The Ordinary in August 2016, the beauty industry collectively raised an eyebrow. A clinical skincare line where nothing cost more than $15? The initial lineup included just a handful of products, and among them were three pure oils — rosehip, marula, and this cold-pressed Moroccan argan oil. Nearly a decade later, the brand has exploded into hundreds of SKUs, but this argan oil remains exactly what it was on day one: a single ingredient in a glass bottle for under eight dollars.
There's something almost confrontationally simple about a product with one line on its INCI list. Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil. That's it. No emulsifiers, no preservatives, no fragrance, no clever delivery systems. Just oil pressed from argan kernels in Morocco, bottled in Toronto, and sold for less than a fancy coffee. The simplicity is the point — and also the product's greatest limitation, depending on what you're looking for.
What sets this apart from the refined argan oils that populate drugstore shelves is the cold-pressing. When argan kernels are mechanically pressed without heat, the resulting oil retains its full complement of bioactive compounds: tocopherols (predominantly gamma-tocopherol, which is a more potent antioxidant than the alpha form found in most supplements), polyphenols including caffeic acid, and the naturally occurring squalene that helps this oil feel more compatible with human skin than you'd expect from a plant-derived fat. Refining strips most of these compounds away in exchange for a neutral scent and lighter texture. This oil keeps them and asks you to accept the trade-off.
And there is a trade-off. The natural scent of unrefined argan oil is earthy, nutty, and distinctly present. It's not unpleasant, exactly, but if you're coming from fragranced facial oils that smell like a spa retreat, this will feel more like opening a jar in a Moroccan souk. The texture is also thicker than refined versions — slightly syrupy, with a viscosity that takes a moment to warm between your palms before it spreads evenly. These are features, not bugs, but they're worth knowing about before you commit.
The fatty acid profile is where this oil earns its keep. At approximately 43-49% oleic acid and 29-37% linoleic acid, argan oil sits in an interesting middle ground. The oleic acid provides deep, penetrating moisturization that softens and conditions from within the lipid barrier. The linoleic acid — often deficient in acne-prone skin — supports ceramide synthesis and has been shown in research to actually reduce comedone formation. This balance is why argan oil has a comedogenic rating of zero and why it's tolerated by a wider range of skin types than you might expect from a pure oil.
Clinical research on argan oil, while not as voluminous as studies on retinoids or niacinamide, is genuinely encouraging. A 2015 study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging found that topical argan oil application significantly improved skin elasticity parameters in postmenopausal women over 60 days. A companion study in Menopause Review demonstrated decreased transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content — essentially confirming that argan oil doesn't just sit on the surface but actively improves barrier function. A 2017 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences further documented anti-inflammatory and barrier repair properties.
In daily use, the experience is straightforward. Two to three drops warmed between the fingertips, pressed into skin as the last step of your routine. It absorbs within a few minutes, leaving a dewy but not greasy finish. Dry patches respond almost immediately — that tight, flaky feeling softens within hours of the first application. Over weeks, the cumulative effect is skin that looks healthier and feels more resilient, particularly during harsh winter months when barrier function takes a beating.
The versatility is a genuine bonus. This works on cuticles, dry elbows, split ends, and frizzy hair just as well as it works on facial skin. At $7.80, using it liberally across multiple applications doesn't trigger the same wince as dripping a $50 oil onto your hair.
Where does it fall short? It's an oil. A good one, a well-sourced one, a fairly priced one — but still just an oil. It doesn't contain the sophisticated multi-active formulations that can target specific concerns like hyperpigmentation, acne, or advanced aging. It won't replace a well-formulated serum or treatment product. For oily skin types, especially in humid climates, it can feel too heavy even in small amounts. And those prone to fungal acne should steer clear entirely — the oleic acid content, while great for barrier support, can feed Malassezia yeast.
The value proposition is almost comically strong. Comparable organic cold-pressed argan oils from luxury brands routinely cost $30-50 for the same volume. The Ordinary's version isn't diluted, extended, or adulterated — it's the same single ingredient, sourced from the same region, processed the same way, and sold at a fraction of the price because the brand's entire model is built on stripping away the markup that skincare has traditionally demanded.
This isn't a transformative product. It won't rewrite your skin's story the way a well-chosen retinoid or vitamin C serum might. But as a supporting player — a reliable, affordable, genuinely well-sourced oil that softens, protects, and nourishes — it's been quietly doing its job since the day The Ordinary first opened its doors. Sometimes the simplest answer really is the best one.
Formula
Ingredients
The hero actives that drive this product's performance.
| Ingredient | Function | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argan Oil) (100%) | The sole ingredient in this formula, this cold-pressed argan oil delivers a balanced fatty acid profile of approximately 43-49% oleic acid and 29-37% linoleic acid. The cold-pressing preserves heat-sensitive bioactives — tocopherols, polyphenols, and squalene — that would be destroyed in refined versions, making this a self-contained emollient, antioxidant, and barrier-support treatment in a single oil. | well-established |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) (~29-37%) | Naturally present at high levels in this argan oil, linoleic acid strengthens the skin's ceramide layer and has been shown to reduce comedone formation. The relatively high linoleic-to-oleic ratio makes this argan oil better tolerated by combination skin than oils dominated by oleic acid alone. | well-established |
| Vitamin E (Tocopherols) | This cold-pressed oil retains approximately 620 mg/kg of naturally occurring tocopherols — predominantly gamma-tocopherol rather than the alpha form found in supplements. These work synergistically with the polyphenols also preserved through cold-pressing to create an antioxidant network that protects both the oil from rancidity and the skin from oxidative stress. | well-established |
| Oleic Acid (Omega-9) (~43-49%) | The dominant fatty acid in this argan oil, oleic acid acts as the primary emollient by penetrating the skin's lipid matrix to deliver deep, sustained moisturization. In this unrefined cold-pressed format, it retains full bioavailability without the stripping that occurs during industrial refining. | well-established |
Full INCI List
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Product Flags
✓ Fragrance Free✓ Alcohol Free✗ Oil Free✓ Silicone Free✓ Paraben Free✓ Sulfate Free✓ Cruelty Free✓ Vegan✗ Fungal Acne Safe
Common Allergens
tree nuts (rare cross-reactivity with argan fruit)
Compatibility
Skin Match
Best For
Works For
Not Ideal For
Addresses These Conditions
dryness dehydration aging compromised skin barrier dullness winter skin
Use With Caution
Routine Step
treatment
Time of Day
AM & PM
Pregnancy Safe
Yes ✓
Layering Tips
Apply 2-3 drops as the last step in your routine to seal in hydration. Can be mixed into moisturizer for a lighter application. In the AM, apply before sunscreen and allow a minute to absorb.
Results Timeline
Immediate softening and reduction of dry patches on first use. Improved skin texture and reduced flakiness within 1-2 weeks of consistent use. Noticeable improvement in skin elasticity and a calmer, more resilient complexion after 4-8 weeks.
Pairs Well With
Hyaluronic acid serumsRetinol or retinoid treatmentsVitamin C serumsCeramide-based moisturizersNiacinamide
Sample AM Routine
- Gentle cleanser
- Hyaluronic acid serum
- THIS PRODUCT (2-3 drops)
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Sample PM Routine
- Oil cleanser or micellar water
- Gentle cleanser
- Retinol or treatment serum
- THIS PRODUCT (3-4 drops)
- Moisturizer (optional)
Evidence
Science
The Science
Argan oil has attracted meaningful scientific attention, particularly for its barrier-repair and anti-aging potential. A 2015 randomized controlled study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging by Boucetta et al. found that topical application of argan oil significantly improved gross elasticity (R2), net elasticity (R5), and biological elasticity (R7) in postmenopausal women over a 60-day intervention period. The same research group published a companion study in Menopause Review (2014) demonstrating that argan oil application significantly decreased transepidermal water loss while increasing water content of the epidermis — direct evidence of barrier function improvement.
The mechanism behind these effects centers on argan oil's unique lipid composition. The fatty acid profile — approximately 43-49% oleic acid and 29-37% linoleic acid — closely mirrors the skin's own lipid composition, facilitating integration into the stratum corneum. Linoleic acid is a precursor to ceramide 1 linoleate, a key structural lipid in the skin barrier, and its topical application has been shown to support ceramide synthesis.
Critically, the cold-pressing method used for this product preserves the non-lipid bioactives that distinguish virgin argan oil from its refined counterpart. A comprehensive characterization published in Frontiers in Nutrition (2021) documented approximately 620 mg/kg of total tocopherols — predominantly gamma-tocopherol, which demonstrates superior antioxidant activity compared to alpha-tocopherol in preventing lipid peroxidation. The preserved polyphenols, including caffeic acid, provide additional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. A 2017 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences confirmed that these combined bioactives contribute to argan oil's anti-inflammatory properties and its capacity to support wound healing and barrier restoration.
References
- The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity — Clinical Interventions in Aging (2015)
- Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use — Przeglad Menopauzalny (Menopause Review) (2014)
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils — International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2017)
- Argan Oil: Chemical Composition, Extraction Process, and Quality Control — Frontiers in Nutrition (2021)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists frequently recommend argan oil as a well-tolerated emollient for patients with dry or compromised skin barriers. Board-certified dermatologists note that its comedogenic rating of zero and balanced fatty acid profile make it one of the safer plant oils for facial use across most skin types. The high linoleic acid content is particularly valued in dermatological practice, as linoleic acid deficiency in sebum has been linked to comedone formation in acne-prone skin. Dermatologists commonly suggest argan oil as a supplementary moisturizing step for patients on drying treatments like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, where it can buffer irritation without interfering with the active ingredient's efficacy. However, dermatologists caution that patients with Malassezia-related conditions should avoid argan oil due to its oleic acid content.
Guidance
Usage Guide
How to Use
Apply 2-3 drops to clean skin as the last step of your skincare routine, after water-based serums and moisturizers. Warm the oil between fingertips before gently pressing into skin — avoid rubbing, which can cause unnecessary friction. In the PM, it works beautifully as a final occlusive layer over retinol or hydrating serums. In the AM, apply sparingly and allow 1-2 minutes to absorb before sunscreen. Can also be applied directly to dry cuticles, rough patches, or hair ends. Store in a cool, dark place to preserve the cold-pressed bioactives.
Value Assessment
At $7.80 for 30 mL, this is one of the most aggressively priced organic cold-pressed argan oils available from any reputable skincare brand. Comparable products from luxury and prestige brands routinely cost $30-50 for the same volume and the same single ingredient. The Ordinary's version is not diluted or extended — it's pure Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, certified organic, and cold-pressed to preserve bioactives. Only one size is available, so there's no bulk-buy discount, but at this price point, the per-milliliter cost is already lower than most competitors' largest formats. The value here isn't just good — it's the kind that makes you wonder what you were paying for with other brands.
Who Should Buy
Anyone with dry, normal, or combination skin looking for a simple, affordable facial oil that genuinely delivers. Particularly valuable for those on drying treatments like retinoids who need an emollient buffer, and for anyone who appreciates single-ingredient transparency over complex formulations.
Who Should Skip
Those with oily skin who find facial oils consistently too heavy, anyone prone to fungal acne or Malassezia-related conditions, and users who are sensitive to natural unrefined scents. If you want a face oil that targets specific concerns like hyperpigmentation or acne, a multi-active formulation will serve you better.
Ready to try The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil?
Details
Details
Texture
Medium-weight oil with a slightly syrupy viscosity that's thicker than refined argan oils. Spreads easily and absorbs within a few minutes, leaving skin feeling conditioned rather than greasy.
Scent
Natural earthy, nutty scent characteristic of unrefined cold-pressed argan oil. The Ordinary notes this is not an indicator of rancidity but rather a sign the oil has not been deodorized or stripped.
Packaging
30 mL amber glass bottle with integrated dropper. The dark glass protects light-sensitive tocopherols and fatty acids from UV degradation.
Finish
dewynon-greasynatural
What to Expect on First Use
Immediate softening on first application — dry patches and flakiness visibly improve within hours. The natural scent may surprise users accustomed to refined or fragranced oils. No adjustment period or purging expected; benefits are felt from the first use.
How Long It Lasts
2-3 months with daily facial use (2-3 drops per application)
Period After Opening
12 months
Best Season
All Year
Certifications
OrganicCruelty-free (Leaping Bunny)Vegan (PETA)
Background
The Why
One of The Ordinary's original launch products from August 2016, this argan oil was part of the initial trio of pure oils (alongside rosehip and marula) that helped establish the brand's philosophy of single-ingredient, no-markup transparency. Morocco has produced argan oil for centuries, but The Ordinary made the cold-pressed organic version accessible at a price that undercut luxury brands by 80-90%.
About The Ordinary Established Brand (5–20 years)
The Ordinary launched in 2016 under DECIEM and rapidly became one of the most recognized clinical skincare brands globally. Its ingredient-first, transparency-driven approach is backed by formulation science, though the brand does not conduct proprietary clinical trials on most products.
Brand founded: 2016 · Product launched: 2016
Myth vs. Reality
Myths
Myth
Argan oil clogs pores and causes breakouts.
Reality
Argan oil has a comedogenic rating of 0 and contains a relatively high proportion of linoleic acid (29-37%), which has actually been shown to reduce comedone formation. However, its oleic acid content means it can feed Malassezia yeast, so those with fungal acne should avoid it.
Myth
The nutty smell means the oil has gone rancid.
Reality
The earthy, nutty scent is characteristic of unrefined, cold-pressed argan oil. Refined argan oils are deodorized but lose bioactive compounds in the process. Rancid oil has a distinctly sharp, unpleasant odor quite different from the natural nuttiness.
FAQ
FAQ
Is The Ordinary Argan Oil good for acne-prone skin?
Despite being a pure oil, this argan oil has a comedogenic rating of zero and contains 29-37% linoleic acid, which has been shown to reduce comedone formation. However, its oleic acid content makes it unsuitable for fungal acne (Malassezia). For non-fungal acne-prone skin, it can be used sparingly as a PM moisturizing step.
What's the difference between cold-pressed and regular argan oil?
This cold-pressed version preserves heat-sensitive bioactives — tocopherols, polyphenols, and squalene — that are destroyed during the refining process used for most commercial argan oils. The trade-off is a stronger natural scent and thicker texture compared to refined versions, but significantly higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Can I use The Ordinary Argan Oil with retinol?
Yes — this is one of the best pairings for this oil. Applied after retinol or retinoid treatments, the argan oil's emollient properties help buffer dryness and irritation without interfering with retinoid activity. The naturally occurring vitamin E in the cold-pressed oil provides additional antioxidant support.
Why does The Ordinary Argan Oil smell nutty?
The earthy, nutty scent is a hallmark of unrefined cold-pressed argan oil. The Ordinary does not deodorize this oil because the refining process that removes the scent also destroys beneficial tocopherols and polyphenols. The natural smell is not an indicator of rancidity — rancid oil has a distinctly sharp, unpleasant odor.
Can I use The Ordinary Argan Oil on my hair?
Yes. This pure argan oil works well on hair ends to tame frizz and add shine, on dry cuticles, and on rough body patches. At $7.80 for 30 mL, it's affordable enough for multi-use application across face, body, and hair.
Is The Ordinary Argan Oil safe during pregnancy?
Yes. This is a single-ingredient product containing only pure argan oil with no retinoids, chemical sunscreen filters, salicylic acid, or any other ingredients flagged during pregnancy. It's one of the safest moisturizing options available for expectant mothers.
How long does a bottle of The Ordinary Argan Oil last?
With typical facial use of 2-3 drops per application, a 30 mL bottle lasts approximately 2-3 months. If using it across face, body, and hair, expect it to last 4-6 weeks. The period after opening is 12 months.
Community
Community
Common Praise
"Unbeatable value for organic cold-pressed argan oil"
"Leaves skin soft and deeply hydrated without heavy residue"
"Versatile — works for face, hair, nails, and cuticles"
"Simple single-ingredient formula with no fillers or additives"
"Helps calm dry, flaky winter skin quickly"
"Glass dropper bottle preserves oil quality"
Common Complaints
"Natural unrefined scent is earthy and nutty — can be off-putting"
"Thicker, more viscous consistency than expected for a facial oil"
"Can feel too heavy for oily skin or in humid weather"
"Dropper can dispense too much product at once"
"Some users question whether it differs from cheaper argan oils"
Appears In
best oil for dry skin best oil for sensitive skin best budget face oil best argan oil for face best face oil for winter
Related Conditions
dryness dehydration aging compromised skin barrier dullness winter skin
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