11 Argan Oil Shampoos to Use When Your Hair Looks (and Feels) Dry and Dull
Smooth, glossy strands are just a wash away!
While oily scalps and greasy hair love sebum-controlling ingredients like tea tree oil, drier hair types are a little more complex to deal with. You need to create an entire haircare routine — yes, including what you actually wash your hair with — that's focused on hydrating your dry, brittle strands without using ingredients that will weigh your hair down, especially if you have fine hair.
But that doesn’t mean finding that “just right” hydrator for your Goldilocks strands is impossible. It’s actually as simple as grabbing an argan oil shampoo to quench your strands while you wash away a day’s worth of grime. But before you invest in an Argan oil shampoo to transform your hair, there are a few things you need to know.
The Benefits of Argan Oil for Your Hair
Argan oil is an oil derived from the Moroccan argan tree that does wonders for hair and is perfect for hydrating straw-like strands. “Argan oil can moisturize your hair and scalp and protect your hair from everyday damage,” according to celebrity hairstylist Michelle Cleveland.
But how exactly does this botanical oil hydrate hair (and skin!) so well? Cory Aaron Scott, another celebrity hairstylist that's all about the Argan oil hype, says that this rich oil contains a lot of fatty acids, which are good when used on the hair or skin. "It can add moisture and shine to the hair and smooth out the cuticle when blow drying," he adds.
The Best Argan Oil Shampoos
- Best Overall: Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo
- Gentle, All-Natural Ingredients: Art Naturals Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
- Best Budget: Hask Argan Oil Shampoo
- Best Bar: Soapbox Argan Oil Control & Soften Solid Bar Shampoo
- Glossing + Softening: Kérastase Elixir Ultime Shampoo
- Best for Hair Loss: Pura D'Or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo
- Intensely Hydrating: Maple Holistics Argan Oil Shampoo
- Best Drugstore: Herbal Essences Bio:renew Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo
- Best Luxury: Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
- Lightweight Option: Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo
- Best for Frizz: Kiehl's Since 1851 Smoothing Oil-Infused Shampoo
What to Consider
Hair Type + Color
Although both Cleveland and Scott agree that argan oil is safe for all hair types to use, Scott says you should use a light amount when using it in order to avoid a greasy texture and look. “The finer the hair, the less you use,” he says.
Scott also advises blondes to make sure any argan oil product is clear in color before use. “If it has any yellow or amber hue to it, it can make your blonde hair turn yellow or muddy-looking,” he says.
Skin Type
What does your hair care have to do with your skin? Well, everything actually. If you're dealing with constant breakouts along your hairline, shoulders, chest, and back, it could be due to the heavy haircare products you're using that clog your pores.
With that being said, Cleveland gives argan oil the green light for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. “It is a natural anti-inflammatory and won’t clog your pores,” she says. “Even someone who has a naturally oily scalp could use argan oil, as it actually reduces oil/sebum production in oily skin.”
Other Ingredients
We said it before, and we'll say it again: Read the ingredient label! As you'll probably notice, most haircare products have a plethora of ingredients blended into one formula, so even if there is argan oil to quench your tresses, make sure there isn't anything else that could irritate your skin, dry your hair out, create an oily look on your hair and scalp.
Sensitive skin types should be wary of harsh ingredients like synthetic fragrances, essential oils, and sulfates, while oily and acne-prone skin types should steer clear of pore-clogging add-ins like coconut oil and cocoa butter.
Now, ready to give your parched strands a much-needed moisture surge? Then check out some of the best argan oil shampoos on the world wide web below.