How to Use Argan Oil on Your Face: A Simple Routine

Face oils have a reputation problem. Some people assume oil will make them break out; others think a face oil is an indulgence for people with twelve-step routines. In reality, a few drops of argan oil is one of the simplest things you can add to your skincare, and it fits easily around what you already use. Here is how to use it well, and what you can realistically expect.

What does argan oil do for your face?

Argan oil is made mostly of oleic and linoleic acids, with vitamin E compounds (tocopherols) and plant sterols¹. On the skin, it works mainly as an emollient and a light occlusive: it softens the surface and slows the evaporation of water from the skin.

The human evidence is modest but real. In 60 postmenopausal women, applying argan oil daily for 60 days reduced water loss through the skin and increased skin hydration compared with baseline². In the same kind of study, it improved several measures of skin elasticity³. These studies were small and done on the forearm, so they suggest rather than prove what happens on your face.

What argan oil doesn't do: it doesn't clear acne, reverse wrinkles or act as a sunscreen. Older articles (including the earlier version of this one) made those claims. They went further than the science, and we've corrected them here. For the wider picture, see is argan oil good for skin.

A note on oleic acid

Not all plant oils behave the same on the skin barrier. A review of topical plant oils notes that oleic acid on its own can disrupt the barrier with continued use, and that olive oil, which is high in oleic acid, increased water loss in studies, while linoleic acid helps maintain the barrier⁴. Argan oil sits in the middle, with a substantial share of linoleic acid alongside oleic¹, and the studies on argan oil itself showed improved barrier measurements². If your skin is very sensitive or you have eczema, introduce any oil slowly and check with your dermatologist.

How to use argan oil on your face, step by step

Evening routine

1. Cleanse gently. Use a mild, non-abrasive cleanser with lukewarm water and your fingertips, then pat dry with a soft towel⁵.
2. Apply any treatment first. Dermatologists recommend putting medicated or treatment products on right after cleansing⁶, so they make direct contact with the skin.
3. Apply moisturizer if you use one.
4. Finish with argan oil. Warm 2 to 3 drops between your fingertips and press them gently over your face and neck. Pressing rather than rubbing spreads the oil evenly with less tugging.

Morning routine

1. Cleanse or rinse, depending on your skin.
2. Apply any treatment serum, then moisturizer.
3. Use 1 to 2 drops of argan oil, or mix a drop into your moisturizer to save a step.
4. Finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher. Dermatologists recommend sunscreen every day to reduce premature skin aging⁷, and argan oil is not a substitute.

Give the oil a minute or two to settle before sunscreen and makeup. For more on order, see argan oil before or after moisturizer.

How many drops should you use?

If your face looks shiny or feels slick 20 minutes after applying, you used too much. Use less next time.

Other ways to use argan oil on your face

Mixed into moisturizer

Adding a drop to your usual moisturizer in your palm is the easiest way to start, especially if you're unsure about using a face oil. You get a richer finish without an extra step.

On damp skin

Applying oil to slightly damp skin after cleansing helps seal in water, a principle dermatologists also recommend for dry skin on the body.

With makeup

A small drop mixed into a liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer can give a dewier finish. Keep it to a very small amount so your base doesn't slide.

Can you use argan oil under your eyes?

Yes, carefully. The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, so use a tiny amount: half a drop, warmed between your ring fingers, patted lightly along the orbital bone rather than right up to the lash line. Keep oil out of your eyes, and if your eyes feel irritated, stop. Argan oil can make the under-eye area feel softer and look less crepey because it is moisturized, but it won't remove dark circles or puffiness. More in argan oil under eyes.

Will argan oil clog your pores or cause breakouts?

You'll often read that argan oil scores "zero" on a comedogenic scale. Those ratings are widely repeated, but they aren't based on reliable testing of pure argan oil on human facial skin, so we don't rely on them. The honest answer is that many people with normal and dry skin use argan oil with no problems, and some people with acne-prone skin find it fine in small amounts, while others don't.

If you are acne-prone, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends gentle products labeled non-comedogenic or "won't clog pores," and seeing a board-certified dermatologist if breakouts persist⁸. If you want to try argan oil, introduce it on its own, at night, one drop at a time, and give it a few weeks before you judge. Our article on whether argan oil clogs pores goes into more detail.

Using argan oil with retinol, acids and other actives

Argan oil generally plays well with other products because it's a simple oil with no active ingredients of its own. Apply your treatment product first, let it absorb, then use the oil. The AAD notes that using too many products, especially more than one anti-aging product, can irritate the skin⁶, so keep your routine simple. If you use a prescription retinoid, check with your dermatologist; see also can you use argan oil with retinol.

Patch test before you start

Any new product can cause a reaction, including natural oils. The AAD suggests applying a new product to a small area, such as the inside of your elbow, twice a day for 7 to 10 days. If there's no redness, itching or swelling, it's fine to use⁹.

What results to expect, and when

• Immediately: softer, smoother skin with a healthy sheen.
• Within a week or two: less tightness and flaking if your skin was dry.
• Over a couple of months: more comfortable, better-moisturized skin, which the AAD notes gives a more youthful appearance⁷. The elasticity study ran for 60 days³.

When you're putting something on your face twice a day, it's worth knowing exactly what's in the bottle. Our 100% organic argan oil is a single ingredient, cold-pressed in Morocco from unroasted kernels, with no fragrance, chemicals or dyes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use argan oil on my face every day?

Yes. Most people use 2 to 3 drops at night and, optionally, a drop or two in the morning before sunscreen.

Should I apply argan oil before or after moisturizer?

Usually after, as the last step before sunscreen in the morning or as the final step at night. You can also mix a drop into your moisturizer.

Can I leave argan oil on my face overnight?

Yes. Nighttime is the easiest time to use it, as the last step of your evening routine.

Does argan oil clog pores?

There is no reliable testing that settles it. Many people tolerate it well; if you're acne-prone, start with one drop at night and watch your skin for a few weeks.

Can argan oil replace my moisturizer?

For some people with normal skin, yes. Dry skin often does best with both, since oil slows water loss while a moisturizer also adds hydration.

Sources

1. Gharby S, Charrouf Z. Argan oil: chemical composition, extraction process, and quality control. Front Nutr. 2021;8:804587. Link
2. Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Derouiche A, Rahali Y, Bensouda Y. Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use. Prz Menopauzalny. 2014;13(5):280–288. Link
3. Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Aguenaou H, Derouiche A, Bensouda Y. The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity. Clin Interv Aging. 2015;10:339–349. Link
4. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. Link
5. American Academy of Dermatology. Face washing 101. Link
6. American Academy of Dermatology. Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order? Link
7. American Academy of Dermatology. 11 ways to reduce premature skin aging. Link
8. American Academy of Dermatology. Acne: tips for managing. Link
9. American Academy of Dermatology. How to test skin care products. Link