Argan oil is a sealing oil. Its fatty acid profile, dominated by oleic acid (about 47%) and linoleic acid (about 33%), allows it to form a lipid barrier on hair and skin that locks in moisture rather than deeply penetrating and moisturizing on its own. This makes it one of the more popular sealing oils alongside jojoba and grapeseed oil.
What Makes an Oil “Sealing”
Oils used in hair and skin care generally fall into two camps: moisturizing oils that penetrate and add hydration, and sealing oils that sit closer to the surface and trap existing moisture in. The distinction comes down to molecular weight and fatty acid composition. Oils high in oleic acid tend to be better at coating and creating a protective layer, while oils high in lighter fatty acids like lauric acid penetrate more easily.
Argan oil is roughly 47% oleic acid and 33% linoleic acid, with about 13% palmitic acid. That heavy oleic acid content gives it strong barrier-forming properties. On skin, it feels richer and more cushiony than a lightweight penetrating oil. On hair, it coats the strand and helps prevent moisture from escaping, which is exactly what a sealing oil is supposed to do.
How Argan Oil Performs on Skin
A clinical study on postmenopausal women tested argan oil’s effect on transepidermal water loss, which is the rate at which moisture evaporates through the skin. Both topical application and oral consumption of argan oil significantly reduced water loss over 60 days. The topical group saw measurable improvements in skin hydration compared to baseline. Interestingly, the researchers noted that argan oil’s benefit wasn’t simply from sitting on top of the skin like an occlusive barrier. Because measurements were taken well after the last application (not immediately after), the improvements appeared to reflect actual strengthening of the skin’s lipid barrier over time.
This is worth understanding: argan oil seals moisture in, but it also reinforces the skin’s own ability to retain water. Both oleic acid and linoleic acid support the skin barrier’s structure, so regular use has a cumulative effect beyond just the immediate coating you feel after application.
Argan Oil vs. Jojoba Oil for Sealing
Jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax, not a true oil, and it seals in hydration through its wax-like composition. It absorbs quickly and feels lightweight, almost silky. Argan oil seals moisture in a similar way but delivers a richer, more emollient experience because of its fatty acid content. It leaves a softer, more nourishing layer on the skin or hair.
If your skin or hair runs oily, jojoba’s lighter texture may work better as a sealant. If your skin feels tight after cleansing or your hair is coarse and prone to dryness, argan oil’s heavier feel provides more noticeable protection. Neither one deeply moisturizes on its own, so both work best when layered over a water-based product.
Using Argan Oil as a Sealant for Hair
In the LOC (Liquid-Oil-Cream) and LCO (Liquid-Cream-Oil) methods popular in natural hair care, argan oil fits into the oil step. The idea is simple: you start with a water-based leave-in product to hydrate the hair, then apply argan oil to seal that moisture in before it evaporates. In the LCO method, it goes on last, acting as the final protective layer.
For best results, apply argan oil to damp hair after you’ve towel-dried it. Damp hair still has water trapped in the strand, and the oil creates a barrier that keeps it there. You don’t need much. A few drops warmed between your palms and smoothed over the hair is enough to seal without weighing it down or leaving a greasy residue. On dry hair, a small amount can also work as a finishing touch for shine and frizz control, though the sealing effect is strongest when there’s moisture underneath to lock in.
Using Argan Oil as a Sealant for Skin
The same layering principle applies to skin. Apply argan oil over damp skin or on top of a hydrating serum or moisturizer. On its own, argan oil won’t add much hydration because its job is to trap moisture, not deliver it. But paired with a water-based product, it creates a soft, protective finish that keeps skin feeling supple for hours.
Argan oil works particularly well for dry, combination, sensitive, or mature skin types. It absorbs well enough that it doesn’t feel greasy once it settles, but it’s rich enough to provide real protection against moisture loss. If your skin is already oily, a lighter sealing oil like jojoba or squalane may feel more comfortable.
What Argan Oil Won’t Do
Because argan oil is a sealing oil rather than a deeply penetrating one, it won’t repair damage to the inner structure of your hair or deliver deep hydration to dehydrated skin on its own. It’s a protector, not a treatment. Think of it as the lid on a container: it keeps what’s inside from getting out, but you still need to put something inside first. If you apply argan oil to completely dry hair or dehydrated skin without any water-based product underneath, you’ll get shine and smoothness but not real hydration. The seal works best when there’s moisture to seal.