Short Answer
Argan oil is an ingredient: oil pressed from the kernels of the argan tree, which grows in Morocco. “Moroccan oil” is how many people search for it, and it is also the name of a specific commercial brand. When a product is described as “Moroccan oil,” it usually means an argan-oil-based product, but the label is not a guarantee of how much argan oil is inside.
Why the Names Get Mixed Up
Argan is native to southwestern Morocco, so “Moroccan oil” became shorthand for it. Over time the phrase was also adopted by brands, which is why shoppers sometimes expect a single standard product. There is no single standard: formulas vary widely between brands and between product types.
| Term | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Argan oil | The plant oil itself, from Argania spinosa kernels |
| Moroccan oil | A search term for argan-based hair products, and the name of one brand |
| Argan oil hair cream | A cream or styling product that includes argan oil among other ingredients |
How to Read a Label
- Look for Argania spinosa kernel oil in the ingredient list, and note how high up it appears. Ingredients are listed in descending order of concentration.
- Check whether the oil is cold-pressed or refined. Cold-pressed oil keeps a mild nutty scent.
- Look at the product type. An oil conditions; a cream or clay also gives hold and texture.
Where Arganiss Fits
Arganiss is a styling cream, not a pure oil. It combines cold-pressed Moroccan argan oil with aged royal oud and clay for hold and a quiet woody scent. Read more about argan oil's benefits or compare the two finishes: Shine and Matte.
Argan oil, styled
Explore Arganiss, the Moroccan oil hair cream with aged oud.
Moroccan oil hair cream
