Ingredient decoder

Argan oil: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil

Acne verdict Fine

Not a known pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Nourishing oil that softens skin and helps hold in moisture.

  • Moisturizer
  • Emollient
  • Skin conditioning

Argan oil in plain English

Argan oil is pressed from the kernels of the Moroccan argan tree and works as a softening emollient. It has a fairly even mix of oleic and linoleic acid plus vitamin E. It is usually well tolerated, but as with any oil, watch how your skin responds if you break out easily.

Is argan oil bad for acne?

Not based on the evidence we have. Argan oil is not a known pore-clogger. Our checker rates it as fine for acne-prone skin, so judge by how your own skin reacts.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil
  • Argania spinosa kernel oil
  • Argan kernel oil

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Frequently asked questions

Is argan oil comedogenic?

There is no published comedogenic rating for argan oil in Fulton's 1989 table, and it is not known as a pore-clogger.

What does argan oil do in skincare?

In short: nourishing oil that softens skin and helps hold in moisture. In formulas it is used for emollient and skin conditioning.

What else is argan oil called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, argan oil can also appear as Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Argania spinosa kernel oil or Argan kernel oil.

Sources