What Is Argan Oil? Grades, Uses, and How Organic Argan Oil Is Made

Argan oil comes from the kernels of the argan tree, Argania spinosa, which grows wild in southwestern Morocco. Producers make two main grades from the same kernels: a roasted culinary oil and an unroasted cosmetic oil.

Where Argan Oil Comes From

UNESCO named the Arganeraie in southwestern Morocco a Biosphere Reserve in 1998. In 2014 it added the practices and know-how around the argan tree to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Women’s cooperatives in the region carry much of that know-how today.

Each argan fruit holds one hard nut, and each nut holds one to three kernels. Workers crack most nuts by hand to free the kernels. That labor explains why pure argan oil costs more than common seed oils.

Culinary vs. Cosmetic Grade

For culinary oil, producers roast the kernels before pressing. Roasting darkens the oil and gives it a toasted, nutty taste. Moroccan cooks use it raw: drizzled over couscous and salads, or blended with almonds and honey into amlou.

For cosmetic oil, producers press unroasted kernels. You get a pale gold oil with a light seed scent, and some producers deodorize it further for fragrance-sensitive formulas. Brands use it in face oils, serums, hair oils, and body butters.

What Argan Oil Contains

  • Oleic acid, typically 43 to 49% of the fatty acids.
  • Linoleic acid, typically 29 to 36%.
  • Tocopherols (vitamin E), with gamma-tocopherol as the main form.
  • Sterols such as schottenol and spinasterol, which labs use as markers of authentic argan oil.

On cosmetic labels, you’ll see the INCI name Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil.

What “Organic Argan Oil” Means

An organic claim means a certification body, such as ECOCERT, audited the collection and processing against an organic standard. Cosmetic brands often want COSMOS certification on top. Ask your supplier for the certificate number and check it with the certifier. Our ECOCERT vs. COSMOS guide covers the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is argan oil made from?

Producers press argan oil from the kernels inside the nut of the argan tree fruit (Argania spinosa). The tree grows wild in southwestern Morocco. Its INCI name on cosmetic labels is Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil.

What is the difference between culinary and cosmetic argan oil?

Producers roast the kernels before pressing culinary argan oil, which gives it a darker color and a toasted, nutty flavor. Cosmetic argan oil comes from unroasted kernels, so it has a paler color and a milder scent.

What does organic argan oil mean?

Organic argan oil comes from collection and processing that a certification body, such as ECOCERT, has audited against an organic standard. Ask the supplier for the certificate number and confirm it with the certifying body before you rely on the claim.

Is “Moroccan oil” the same as argan oil?

Not always. Some hair products sold as “Moroccan oil” blend a small amount of argan oil with silicones and other ingredients. Pure argan oil lists one ingredient: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil.

Sourcing Argan Oil in Volume?

AZBANE.COM supplies culinary and ECOCERT-certified cosmetic argan oil to brands and distributors, with a COA and GC-MS analysis for each batch. Tell us your grade and volume and we reply with pricing within 1 business day.

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