Living with oily skin means carefully vetting every ingredient you add to your routine, wondering if it’ll help create a sense of calm or make matters worse.
This is why the idea of using Argan Oil for oily skin sounds like such a contradiction. You’d think putting more oil on skin that has too much of it will only flare up sensitivity and cause breakouts. But that’s not exactly the case.
So, why is Argan Oil good for oily skin? It has a fatty acid that oily skin types tend to be missing: linoleic acid. It’s a non-comedogenic source of hydration that can bring your skin back into balance, all while supporting a healthier inflammatory response to help minimize sensitivity.
Learn more about how to use Argan Oil for oily skin below, including where you can find Naturopathica’s best Argan skin care products paired with powerful Peptides, Retinol, and botanicals.
Key Takeaways
- Argan Oil has 29-36% Linoleic Acid. Oily, acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in this fatty acid.1
- One study found Argan Oil capable of reducing visible oiliness by 42% after four weeks of use.2
- Argan Oil appears to calm overactive sebum production while supporting a healthier inflammatory response.
- Our advice on how to use Argan Oil for oily skin is to go with a cream or serum texture rather than pure oil.
- Naturopathica’s Argan & Peptide Wrinkle Remedy Creams can help bring your skin back into balance.
Characteristics of Oily Skin
Oily skin is perhaps the trickiest to deal with. It makes too much sebum - the waxy substance your sebaceous glands release to keep skin hydrated. So you’d think the last thing your skin needs is more moisture. However, the sebaceous glands often make too much sebum because the skin barrier is compromised and unable to hold onto moisture.
You know you have oily skin if you see shine across the T-zone within hours of washing your face. Those with oily skin often deal with enlarged pores and breakouts, too.
What is Argan Oil?
This oil comes from Argania spinosa tree kernels. It’s native to southwestern Morocco and made up of around 80% unsaturated fatty acids (43-49% Oleic Acid + 29-36% Linoleic Acid). There’s also a lot of Vitamin E (specifically, gamma-Tocopherol) and plant sterols called Schottenol and Spinasterol.1
That Linoleic Acid ingredient is what we’re most interested in when it comes to Argan Oil for oily skin.3 Very few oils deliver this balance of fatty acids. Most tend to be dominated by Oleic Acid. So, why is Argan Oil good for oily skin?
Is Argan Oil Good For Oily Skin?
There are three specific reasons dermatologists recommend using Argan Oil for oily skin. So, what does Argan Oil do for your skin?
Non-Comedogenic Hydration
Oily skin still needs moisture - it just needs the right type. People who refuse to moisturize oily skin because they’re afraid of making matters worse ironically end up triggering more oil production. Sebaceous glands ramp up output to offset surface dryness.
Argan Oil is powerful because it hydrates without clogging pores. A 2013 study showed it could significantly reduce transepidermal water loss while increasing the skin's water content.4
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick herself says Argan Oil is “considered non-comedogenic and won't leave the skin feeling greasy.”5
Regulating Excess Oil Production
We’ve referred to the Linoleic Acid in Argan Oil a few times already. It matters because this fatty acid brings oily skin back into balance according to research.
Oily skin is consistently deficient in Linoleic Acid.3 One study showed applying Linoleic Acid topically minimized the size of microcomedones (microscopic clogged pores that eventually become blackheads) by 25% in just one month.6
A separate clinical trial found that Argan Oil helped bring sebum levels down by 20% while reducing oily spots by 42% after a month.2 So, is Argan Oil good for oily skin? We think these studies make it clear that it’s worth trying.
Supporting a Healthier Inflammatory Response
Oily skin and inflammation go hand-in-hand. Breakout-causing bacteria feed on excess sebum, and the damage is compounded by the inflammatory cascade that follows.
Argan Oil has Phytosterols (specifically Schottenol and Spinasterol). They’ve been found to lower pro-inflammatory markers while increasing anti-inflammatory markers.7 This is just another one of the many Argan Oil benefits for oily skin.
How to Use Argan Oil For Oily Skin
How you actually incorporate Argan Oil into your routine can make or break your results. We agree with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ryan Turner who says it’s better to use formulated products over a pure oil:
“It should be diluted in a serum or cream, so that the percentage being used is on the lower side.”8
The easiest way to start using Argan Oil on oily skin is with our Argan & Retinol Advanced Wrinkle Remedy Night Gel Cream. Argan Sprout Cell Extract and encapsulated Retinol work together beautifully for seamless absorption without residue. You can use it 2-3 nights a week as part of a skin cycling routine.
Is Argan Oil Safe to Use on Oily Skin?
Argan Oil is unlikely to trigger breakouts given its non-comedogenic profile. However, you may want to consider a patch test before applying any new product across your entire face. Oily skin is notoriously reactive.
Our formulas here at Naturopathica are non-irritating. However, the Retinol component may bring a bit of an adjustment phase. Start by applying just a few times a week and be sure to use sunscreen daily. We recommend our Calendula Essential Hydrating Lotion SPF 30.
Bring oily skin back into balance with Argan Oil skincare at Naturopathica.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put Argan Oil on my face daily?
Yes, as long as the product is formulated for daily use. We do not advocate for applying undiluted Argan Oil on the skin. Creams and serums are gentler.
Does Argan Oil clog pores?
No. It is non-comedogenic, so you get moisture without clogging pores.
Which is better for your face, Argan Oil or Castor Oil?
Castor Oil is heavier because of its higher concentration of Ricinoleic Acid, so it’s better suited for dry skin or hair. Our blog has a more in-depth comparison of Argan Oil vs Castor Oil, and you can learn about Jojoba vs Argan Oil for skin as well while you’re at it.
References
- Charrouf Z, Guillaume D. "Argan Oil: occurrence, composition and impact on human health." European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology. 2008;110(7):632-636. DOI
- Dobrev H. "Clinical and instrumental study of the efficacy of a new sebum control cream." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2007;6(2):113-118. PubMed
- Downing DT, Stewart ME, Wertz PW, Strauss JS. "Essential fatty acids and acne." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1986;14(2):221-225. DOI
- Boucetta KQ et al. "Does Argan Oil have a moisturizing effect on the skin of postmenopausal women?" Skin Research and Technology. 2013;19(3):356-357. PubMed
- Dr. Marisa Garshick, FAAD (MDCS Dermatology, Clinical Assistant Professor at Cornell). Quoted in Beautiful With Brains. Source
- Letawe C, Boone M, Pierard GE. "Digital image analysis of the effect of topically applied linoleic acid on acne microcomedones." Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 1998;23(2):56-58. PubMed
- Rabbaa S et al. "Argan Oil: A Natural Bioactive Lipid Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation." Antioxidants. 2025;14(5):515. PubMed
- Dr. Ryan Turner, MD (Board-certified dermatologist, Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine). Quoted in PureWow. Source
