Desi Grains’ Cold Pressed Argan Oil is extracted from the kernels of the Argania Spinosa tree, a species native almost exclusively to the semi-arid regions of southwestern Morocco. For centuries, Berber women have hand-pressed these kernels to produce an oil prized for nourishing skin, strengthening hair, and restoring shine, earning it the nickname “liquid gold.” We source ours through a mechanical cold-press process, meaning no heat and no chemical solvents ever touch the oil, so it reaches you exactly as nature intended.
What’s Inside: The Nutrients That Make Argan Oil Work
Argan oil’s reputation isn’t marketing, it’s chemistry. The oil is naturally rich in Vitamin E (tocopherols), one of the most effective fat-soluble antioxidants for protecting skin cells against everyday environmental stressors such as sun exposure and pollution. Alongside this, it contains oleic acid and linoleic acid, two essential fatty acids that reinforce the skin’s natural moisture barrier and help prevent water loss. It also carries squalene, a lipid that closely resembles the sebum your own skin produces, which is a large part of why argan oil absorbs so quickly without leaving a greasy film behind. This combination of antioxidants and fatty acids is what separates a genuinely effective facial oil from one that simply sits on the surface of the skin.
Benefits for Skin
Cold pressed argan oil works as a lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizer that suits most skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, since it’s non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores. With consistent use, many people notice the appearance of fine lines and rough texture soften, largely due to the oil’s antioxidant content supporting skin elasticity over time. It’s also commonly used on dry patches, cracked cuticles, and rough areas like elbows, knees, and heels, where its fatty acid profile helps restore softness. Because it’s gentle enough for daily use, it works equally well layered under makeup in the morning or as the final step in a nighttime routine.
Benefits for Hair
As a hair oil, argan oil coats and smooths the outer hair cuticle, which is what actually reduces frizz and split ends while giving strands a natural, healthy-looking shine rather than an artificial gloss. It’s particularly effective on dry, damaged, or chemically treated hair (colored, keratin-treated, or heat-styled), where the cuticle is already rougher and more prone to catching moisture loss. It works well in several ways: as a pre-wash scalp treatment left on for 30-60 minutes before shampooing, as a leave-in smoother applied to damp hair after washing, or as a finishing oil rubbed between the palms and worked through dry ends to tame flyaways before styling.
How to Use
For skin: Apply 2-3 drops to clean, slightly damp skin and massage gently in upward circular motions until fully absorbed. It works well as a standalone night moisturizer, or mixed into your existing serum or cream for an added hydration boost. For under-eye and fine-line areas, use a very light amount and pat rather than rub.
For hair: Warm a few drops between your palms and work through mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots if you have naturally oily hair. For a deeper treatment, massage a slightly larger amount into the scalp and leave on for 30 minutes to an hour before washing out. A little goes a long way; start with 2-3 drops and increase only if your hair or skin feels like it needs more.
Who Is This For?
This oil is a good fit if you deal with frizzy or dry hair, dull or dehydrated skin, rough patches on elbows and heels, or if you’re simply looking to replace multiple synthetic products with one multi-purpose, single-ingredient oil. Because it’s non-comedogenic, it’s also a reasonable option for oily and acne-prone skin types that are often told to avoid oils altogether, though as with any new product, introducing it gradually is the safer approach.
Purity & Extraction
Our argan oil is cold-pressed, not heat-extracted or chemically refined, which means it retains its full nutrient profile straight from the kernel. Unlike refined oils that go through bleaching, deodorising, and solvent-based extraction using chemicals like hexane, this process keeps the oil’s natural aroma, faint golden colour, and nutritional value intact. This is the same standard we apply across our entire cold pressed oil range, no shortcuts, no additives, just the oil as nature intended. If you’re comparing extraction methods before you buy, our guide on cold pressed oil vs refined oil breaks down exactly why the distinction matters.
Storage Tips
Store your argan oil in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve its antioxidant content for longer. The bottle doesn’t need refrigeration, but keeping the cap tightly closed after each use helps prevent oxidation, which is what eventually causes any natural oil to lose potency and go rancid.
Looking for a Lighter Facial Oil Instead?
If you specifically want something even lighter for daytime use under makeup, our Cold Pressed Jojoba Oil is worth considering, since its molecular structure closely mimics natural skin sebum. Many customers keep both in rotation: argan for deeper nighttime hydration and hair care, jojoba for a lighter daytime layer.
