Product Overview: 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil (Item # N7736)
NOW® Solutions Organic Argan Oil is a 100% pure, unrefined, expeller-pressed oil harvested directly from the kernels of Moroccan argan trees (Argania spinosa). Widely celebrated as the "Liquid Gold of Morocco," this fast-absorbing botanical oil serves as a multi-functional daily moisturizer for dry skin, damaged hair shafts, thirsty scalps, and brittle nail cuticles.
Quick Purchase Takeaways:
✓Zero Clogged Pores: Rated 0 on the comedogenic scale, making it safe for acne-prone, sensitive, and combination skin types.
✓Lab-Verified Purity: Cold expeller-pressed and completely hexane-free, leaving essential fatty acids and natural vitamin E intact.
✓Multi-Purpose Utility: Smooths unruly hair frizz, protects strands from heat styling, reinforces the skin moisture barrier, and hydrates cuticles.
✓Risk-Free Shopping: Backed by the VitaNet® unconditional 100% money-back guarantee, including paid return shipping[cite: 1].
The Science of Moroccan Argan Oil: How It Nourishes Skin and Hair
Unlike synthetic cosmetic serums that sit on top of the skin with petroleum byproducts and silicones, pure argan oil mirrors the biological lipids found naturally in human sebum. When applied topically, its microscopic lipid profile absorbs easily into the stratum corneum (the skin's outermost barrier) without a greasy residue.
Oleic Acid (Omega-9: ~43% to 49%)
A monounsaturated fatty acid that acts as a deep conditioner. It penetrates deep into dried tissue, carries active nutrients past surface dryness, and creates a breathable protective seal that prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Linoleic Acid (Omega-6: ~29% to 36%)
An essential polyunsaturated fatty acid that the human body cannot produce on its own. Linoleic acid soothes surface redness, thins out thick sebum plugs, and helps preserve the natural skin barrier.
Natural Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Packed with alpha- and gamma-tocopherols. These fat-soluble antioxidants neutralize free radicals generated by UV rays, urban air pollution, and environmental stress before they can damage cell membranes.
Squalene & Phytosterols
Naturally occurring plant sterols that soothe irritated, flaking skin, increase membrane flexibility, and restore healthy lipid balance to both weathered facial skin and sun-stressed scalp tissues.
Clinical Evidence on Skin Elasticity & Anti-Aging
In a 60-day randomized clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Clinical Interventions in Aging (Boucetta et al., 2015), researchers investigated the impact of topical cosmetic argan oil application on postmenopausal women. The study confirmed a statistically significant improvement across all primary mechanical skin parameters: gross elasticity (R2, P<0.001), net elasticity (R5, P<0.001), and biological elasticity (R7, P<0.001). The clinical team concluded that daily topical use of pure cosmetic argan oil yields a measurable anti-aging effect by restoring dermal elasticity and hydration.
Many commercial argan oils sold online are adulterated, cut with inexpensive mineral oils, or extracted using harsh chemical solvents. NOW® Foods operates one of the most advanced, privately held analytical testing facilities in North America, testing every batch to verify authenticity, purity, and safety before release.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited Laboratories: NOW's in-house scientific laboratories perform tens of thousands of individual analytical tests each month using validated, internationally recognized testing methodologies.
Strict Heavy Metal Limits (ICP-MS): Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), NOW screens raw ingredients for heavy metal contamination down to parts per billion (ppb). Specifications for lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic are enforced to ensure compliance with strict internal limits and California Proposition 65 requirements.
Gas Chromatography Purity Profiling (GC-MS): To guarantee the oil has not been diluted or blended with cheap seed oils, chemists utilize Gas Chromatography to verify the exact fatty acid fingerprint unique to pure Moroccan Argania spinosa.
100% Hexane-Free Expeller Pressing: The kernels are pressed mechanically without chemical extraction solvents like hexane or petroleum ethers, preventing chemical residue in the final product.
Microbiological & Pesticide Screening: Ingredients are screened for agricultural pesticide residues, total aerobic bacteria, yeast, and molds to confirm clean, food-grade purity.
Certified Organic Assurance: Certified Organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI, Code: US-ORG-050) under USDA National Organic Program standards, guaranteeing zero synthetic fertilizers, chemical insecticides, or genetically modified organisms.
Practical Usage Guide: How to Get Real Results for Hair, Face, Scalp, and Nails
While standard cosmetic labels often state "apply liberally," getting great results from pure argan oil comes down to proper dosage and application technique. Because it is highly concentrated, a few drops go a long way.
For Hair Frizz & Split Ends
Practical Technique: Rub 2 to 3 drops between your palms and smooth through towel-damp hair from mid-lengths down to the tips before blow-drying. This seals the hair cuticle, cuts blow-dry time, and guards against heat tools. On dry hair, use half a drop to tame flyaways without looking greasy.
For Facial Skin Moisture
Practical Technique: Always apply facial oils onto damp skin. After washing your face or applying a water-based toner or hyaluronic acid serum, press 2 to 4 drops gently into your cheeks, forehead, and neck. The oil locks in the water underneath, preventing moisture loss throughout the night.
For Dry, Flaking Scalp
Practical Technique: Part hair into 3 or 4 sections. Dispense 5 to 8 drops onto your fingertips and massage in circular motions directly against the scalp. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes before shampooing to loosen dry flakes and rebalance the scalp's moisture barrier.
For Brittle Nails & Cuticles
Practical Technique: Warm 1 drop between your thumb and index finger and massage directly into each nail bed and surrounding cuticle nightly before bed. This restores keratin flexibility and helps stop painful cuticle splitting in dry winter weather.
Safety Considerations, Real Constraints & Edge Cases
An important part of responsible wellness is knowing who should exercise caution before using a concentrated botanical oil. Below are the key constraints to consider:
Tree Nut Sensitivity Notice
Argan oil is harvested from the kernel nut of the Moroccan argan tree (Argania spinosa). While severe topical allergic reactions to argan oil are clinically uncommon compared to peanut or walnut allergies, individuals with diagnosed tree nut allergies should perform an allergy patch test or check with their allergist before full application.
How to Perform a Proper Patch Test: Place 2 drops of oil on the clean skin of your inner forearm. Leave it uncovered and unwashed for 24 hours. If any redness, itching, burning, or swelling develops, discontinue use immediately.
Fungal Acne (Malassezia Folliculitis) Caution: While pure argan oil is rated 0 for pore clogging in conventional acne, the yeast responsible for fungal acne feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11 and 24. If you have an active fungal acne flare-up on your forehead or back, avoid plant oils until the condition clears.
Sunscreen Layering Order: Argan oil is not a replacement for broad-spectrum sunscreen. If using it in your morning routine, apply argan oil first, let it absorb for 3 to 5 minutes, and finish with your daily SPF 30+ mineral or chemical sunscreen.
When you order your health and personal care products from VitaNet®, LLC, you are buying from an independent, family-owned discount retailer with over 31 years of direct experience in the natural health field[cite: 1]. We maintain rigorous standards for product freshness and customer service:
Online Experience Since 1995: Serving customers online since 1995 from our retail brick-and-mortar storefront and distribution hub in Hartville, Ohio[cite: 1].
Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: We offer a 12-month return policy on any order and pay the return shipping back to us for a full refund of your purchase price, whether the product is opened or unopened[cite: 1].
BBB A+ Accredited Business: We adhere to the highest consumer protection, billing, and fulfillment standards[cite: 1].
Factory-Fresh Storage: Unlike marketplace sellers with uncontrolled warehouse temperatures, our entire catalog of 16,000+ name-brand items is maintained in clean, climate-controlled conditions to protect delicate plant oils from heat oxidation[cite: 1].
Direct Phone Support: Speak with a knowledgeable member of our staff by calling Toll-Free at 1-800-877-8702 or locally at (330) 877-8786 during store business hours[cite: 1].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What makes NOW Foods Organic Argan Oil different from salon or drugstore brands?
Many commercial haircare and skincare oils contain less than 5% actual argan oil, blending it with dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, artificial perfumes, and synthetic dyes. NOW Foods Organic Argan Oil contains one single ingredient: 100% pure Moroccan argan kernel oil. It is certified organic, cold-pressed without chemical solvents, and free of additives, giving you pure nourishing fatty acids and natural vitamin E.
2. Will NOW Organic Argan Oil clog pores or cause acne breakouts?
No. Argan oil holds a rating of 0 on the comedogenic scale (which ranks oils from 0 to 5 based on how likely they are to plug pores). Its balanced ratio of oleic and linoleic fatty acids allows it to sink into the skin quickly, helping to calm inflammation and regulate excess oil production rather than congesting your pores.
3. How does NOW Foods verify that its argan oil is free of heavy metals and chemical residues?
NOW tests its oils in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical laboratories. Raw materials are tested on Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) instruments to confirm lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury meet strict safety standards. They also use Gas Chromatography (GC-MS) to confirm the exact botanical fatty acid fingerprint and ensure it is 100% hexane-free and unadulterated.
4. How should I use argan oil on fine hair without weighing it down?
If you have fine or thin hair, use just 1 to 2 drops. Rub the drops thoroughly between your hands until warm, then run your palms only through the bottom two inches of towel-damp hair. Avoid applying the oil directly to hair roots or your scalp if your hair gets limp easily.
5. Does topical argan oil help with skin aging and fine lines?
Yes. Clinical research in postmenopausal women published in Clinical Interventions in Aging showed that daily cosmetic application of argan oil significantly improved skin elasticity parameters (R2, R5, and R7) over a 60-day trial period. Its high concentration of natural vitamin E and plant sterols reinforces the dermal moisture barrier to soften the look of fine lines.
6. What should pure organic argan oil smell and feel like?
Unrefined, authentic argan oil has a mild, earthy, slightly nutty aroma that naturally dissipates within minutes of skin application. The texture is smooth and silky, absorbing within 3 to 5 minutes without leaving a sticky or greasy residue. If an argan oil has a strong perfume smell, it has added artificial fragrance; if it has zero scent and feels watery, it may have been over-processed or diluted.
7. What is VitaNet's return policy if I am not satisfied with this oil?
VitaNet® offers an unconditional 100% money-back guarantee with a 12-month return window from your purchase date[cite: 1]. If you are not satisfied, we will even pay the return shipping for a 100% refund of the purchase price on the returned product, whether the bottle is opened or unopened[cite: 1].
