What Is Argan Oil and Is It Worth Buying in Morocco?
Quick answer
Argan oil is a prized oil pressed from the nuts of the argan tree, which grows almost only in southwest Morocco. It comes in cosmetic (cold-pressed, for skin and hair) and culinary (toasted, nutty) forms. It’s well worth buying — just check it’s pure and ideally from a women’s cooperative.
Argan oil is one of Morocco’s signature buys, and a genuinely good one — but the souks are also full of cheap, diluted imitations. Knowing what it is and how to judge quality means you bring home the real thing.
Here’s the lowdown on “Moroccan liquid gold.”
What it is
Argan oil is pressed from the kernels of the fruit of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), which grows almost exclusively in the Souss region of southwest Morocco around Agadir, Essaouira and Taroudant — you may even see goats climbing the trees to eat the fruit. Traditional production is labour-intensive and largely done by hand by women’s cooperatives.
There are two types: cosmetic argan oil (cold-pressed, pale, mild-smelling) used on skin, hair and nails, and culinary argan oil (made from lightly roasted kernels, darker and nutty) used in food like amlou, a moreish almond-argan-honey spread.
Is it worth buying — and spotting the real thing
Yes — pure argan oil is excellent value in Morocco compared with abroad, and makes a great gift. But quality varies hugely. Pure cosmetic oil has only a faint nutty scent (strong perfume suggests additives), feels smooth and absorbs without greasiness, and is usually sold in dark glass. Culinary oil should smell distinctly toasted and nutty.
Be wary of very cheap “argan oil” that’s cut with cheaper oils, and of high-pressure roadside stops. Buying from a recognised women’s cooperative (many line the Marrakech–Essaouira and Agadir roads) gives you purity, fair prices and supports local women directly.
Where and how to buy
Women’s argan cooperatives and reputable shops are the safest sources; many let you see the production and offer fixed, fair prices (so no haggling needed). In souks, haggle and check purity. Indicative prices are far below Western retail, but pure oil is never dirt cheap — extremely low prices are a red flag.
For travel, dark glass bottles protect the oil; check airline liquid limits for carry-on. Culinary oil and amlou make excellent edible souvenirs.
Key takeaways
- Argan oil is pressed from the argan tree, native to SW Morocco.
- Two types: cosmetic (skin/hair) and culinary (toasted, nutty).
- Worth buying — far cheaper than abroad, a great gift.
- Buy from women’s cooperatives; very cheap oil is usually diluted.
Frequently asked questions
Is argan oil cheaper in Morocco?
Yes, considerably cheaper than Western retail, and a great buy — but check purity. Cooperatives offer fair fixed prices; suspiciously cheap oil is often diluted.
How can you tell if argan oil is pure?
Pure cosmetic oil has only a faint nutty smell (not strong perfume), absorbs without greasiness and comes in dark glass. Culinary oil smells distinctly toasted and nutty.
What is the difference between cosmetic and culinary argan oil?
Cosmetic oil is cold-pressed, pale and mild, used on skin and hair. Culinary oil is made from roasted kernels, darker and nutty, used in food like amlou spread.
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