How to Repair & Nourish Your Hair with Argan Oil

Applying Argan Oil as a Hair Mask

Apply 6 to 8 drops of oil to saturate your hair from roots to ends. Using argan oil as a deep-conditioning treatment helps hydrate and protect your hair from heat and styling damage. Place the oil in your hands and run it through your hair from roots to ends until it’s fully saturated. Depending on your hair type, you may need less or more oil to fully saturate your hair. Start with 6 to 8 drops, then add more if needed. For instance, if you have a short, pixie style, you may only need 2 to 4 drops of oil. If you have long, thick hair, you may need 10 or more drops. If your ends are split or dull, apply more oil to the tips of your hair. Try combing through your hair with a wide-tooth comb to distribute the oil evenly.

Cover your head with a shower cap to trap in heat. Once your hair is completely covered in oil, stretch a shower cap over your hair to keep it covered. The shower cap retains heat, which helps activate the oil’s moisturizing and healing properties so it seeps into your hair more easily. As a bonus, using a shower cap prevents oil from getting on your clothing or furniture as your hair sets. Don’t have a shower cap? No worries! Use a hair bonnet, paper bag, t-shirt, or hair scarf instead.

Let the mask sit for 30 minutes to 8 hours. The longer you leave the oil on, the better the results. For a thorough, deep condition, sleep with the shower cap, and rinse out the oil in the morning. At a minimum, leave the hair mask on for 30 minutes.

Wash your hair with shampoo and apply conditioner. When you’re ready to rinse out the oil, hop in the shower and scrub your hair with shampoo thoroughly from your roots to your ends to remove excess oil. Rinse out the shampoo, and apply conditioner as normal. Then, rinse all the product from your hair until no suds or oil are left. To moisturize your hair even more, leave the conditioner on for 3 to 5 minutes while in the shower. For fine hair, you may want to skip conditioning after shampooing out the mask, as too much moisture could weigh your hair down.

Repeat this process once a week or as needed. Do an argan oil hair mask to replenish and revitalize your hair. Apply the mask 2 to 4 times a month for the best results to keep your hair happy and healthy. Over time, argan oil can strengthen and soften your hair while promoting hair growth and hair elasticity. Argan oil can help heal styling or coloring damage, so add an argan oil mask to your monthly routine if you have colored or dyed hair. Consider investing in an argan oil mask specifically formulated to coat, moisturize, and repair your hair with other active ingredients, like keratin and almond oil.

Using Argan Oil as a Leave-In Treatment & Styling Product

Rub 2 to 5 drops of oil in your hands to warm it up. When working with argan oil, always remember that a little goes a long way. Start with 2 drops, and then work your way up. Rub the oil between your palms to warm it, as warm oil is easier to distribute through your hair. Argan oil smooths your hair and fights frizz, all while adding a natural layer of heat protection. Using too much argan oil can weigh down your hair, making it look greasy and wet. Have colored hair? No worries! Argan oil won’t fade your color, but it can help repair any damage and protect it from the sun.

Run your hands through damp, freshly-washed hair to add shine. Applying argan oil to clean, damp hair replaces natural oils to help your hair look shiny and smooth. Comb your fingers through your hair to distribute the product. Start at the ends and work up towards the roots. Styling your hair with argan oil right after a shower is an excellent way to tame frizz and flyaways. Argan oil can also be applied to dry hair to smooth flyaways and hydrate split ends, but it may make your hair look greasier (especially if you have an oily hair type). Believe it or not, argan oil is a natural detangler, so you may notice your hair is easier to work with as you comb in the product.

Apply argan oil 2 to 3 times a week for silky and smooth hair. Argan oil can keep your hair shiny for at least 2 to 3 days. For the best results, comb the oil through the length of your hair 2 to 3 times a week after you wash it. This will keep your hair soft and frizz-free. If your hair is brittle or damaged, your hair may need more oil. In this case, it’s okay to apply the argan oil every day—use your best discretion and do what’s best for your hair. For instance, if you have split ends, use more oil on your ends. If you have naturally oily hair, focus more of the oil on the length of your hair rather than the roots to prevent greasy hair.

Massage the oil into your scalp every other week to eliminate dry skin. If you deal with dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, or an itchy scalp, argan oil may help. Place the oil in your palms or squeeze it from its dropper directly onto your scalp. Rub your fingers in circular motions across your scalp after you apply the argan oil. It may take several weeks or months to notice results, so keep at it! Avoid applying argan oil to your scalp daily, as overusing it could promote dandruff.