Key Takeaways

• The benefits of argan oil for skin go back centuries. Moroccan women have used it to moisturize and care for their skin long before it became a hair care ingredient.

• Argan oil contains natural fats and vitamin E that help the skin stay soft and hold onto moisture. Both are well-documented in published research on how plant oils interact with the skin and its protective layer.

• Free from synthetic fragrances or preservatives, pure argan oil is a straightforward moisturizer for sensitive skin.

• Argan oil doesn't clog pores, making it a wonderful ingredient to use on the face and body for anyone with dry, sensitive, or reactive skin.

• e'lioe uses argan oil as the second step in its 2-step routine. It is applied after Aleppo soap specifically because cleansing removes some of the skin's natural surface oils, and argan oil helps replenish them.

Introduction

Have you ever spotted argan oil on a shampoo bottle or a smoothing serum and wondered what else it can do? While it is widely associated with hair care, its benefits extend far beyond your strands. 

For generations, traditional practices among Berber communities in Morocco have documented its use on dry skin and face. Argan oil’s benefits for skin are nothing new. In fact, a separate study confirms that moisturizing the skin with argan oil has been an established tradition among Moroccan women for centuries.

Embracing that same straightforward approach, e'lioe's philosophy is built on this history. Relying on the power of nature provides a gentler and more effective path for skin care, and argan oil is one of the clearest examples. That is why it is the moisturizing step in the e'lioe two-step solution.

What Is Argan Oil?

Argan oil is a plant-based oil pressed from the kernels of the Argan tree, native to Morocco. It is produced through a cold-pressed process, which extracts the oil without heat and keeps its natural properties intact. e'lioe's Argan Oil is sourced from organic fields, and its only ingredient is Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil. Nothing extra added.

The oil contains natural fats similar to those found in the skin's own surface, plus vitamin E, a natural antioxidant. Both are what the cold-pressed process is designed to preserve. Cold pressing avoids heat, which can degrade some of the oil's natural properties. The result is an oil that reaches the skin with its natural composition intact.

What Makes Argan Oil Work on the Skin?

The reason argan oil suits the skin comes down to what it's made of. The natural fats in argan oil are the same types the skin already produces to keep itself protected and comfortable. When the skin's outer layer is healthy, it holds onto moisture and keeps out things that irritate it. When the natural oils are depleted from cleansing, weather, or dehydration, the skin tends to feel dry, tight, or reactive. Applying an oil with the same natural fats as the skin's own surface helps bridge that gap.

A review of plant oils and skin barrier repair found that oils like argan oil support the skin's protective layer. Applied after cleansing, they help replace the natural oils that washing removes. For dry skin in particular, this is why the moisturizing step matters as much as the cleanser.

Argan oil's composition covers three areas that matter for skin health:

Natural fats that support the skin's moisture layer. 

Argan oil contains natural fats the skin uses to keep moisture in and irritants out. When these fats are in short supply, the skin tends to feel dry and rough.

Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant. 

Argan oil is naturally rich in vitamin E. According to research on argan oil's antioxidant properties, this may help the skin cope with daily exposure to environmental stressors like pollution and sun exposure. This area of research is still developing, but vitamin E's role in supporting the skin's resilience is well-established.

One ingredient, nothing diluted.

e'lioe's Argan Oil is as natural as it gets, featuring a single ingredient: pure Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil. With nothing added and nothing diluted, the natural benefits go straight onto your skin.

Argan Oil as a Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

For sensitive skin, what a product doesn't contain often matters as much as what it does. According to a study, fragrances and preservatives are known to be common triggers of skin conditions, especially for those individuals who frequently use cosmetic products. 

e’lioe’s Argan Oil formulation contains none of the harmful elements mentioned above. As a cold-pressed, single-ingredient formula with no additives, stabilisers, or artificial scents, it minimizes potential triggers for reactive skin.

e'lioe offers argan oil in 5 distinct variants (Purity, Rose, Vanilla, Jasmine, and Orange Blossom) to cater to different skin types and preferences. If you have highly sensitive skin, we recommend starting with the Purity variant and progressing to the scented options once you have confirmed that your skin is able to tolerate the base oil.

As a best practice, always patch test on a small area of skin before applying more widely. If you have a known skin condition, consult a dermatologist before changing your routine. This applies whether you are switching to a new moisturizer or adding one for the first time.

Argan Oil as a Moisturizer for Dry Skin

The main cause of dry skin is the skin's outer protective layer failing to hold on to moisture as well as it should. The natural fats in argan oil are similar to the ones found in the skin’s protective layer, meaning that applying them directly helps the skin lock in hydration more smoothly.

For the best results, apply argan oil whilst the skin is still slightly damp after washing. Doing this allows the oil to spread more evenly and increases absorption, preventing a greasy feel.

Ready for a complete dry skin care routine? Check out e'lioe's dry skin care guide to learn how to build the two steps into your daily habits naturally.

Is Argan Oil Right for Your Daily Routine?

The main benefit that argan oil offers is its natural composition, having natural fats that are similar to the skin. When exploring argan oil benefits for skin, this property makes it a great moisturising agent to help replenish lost oils during cleansing. Just a few drops daily can support your skin in regaining a more radiant and supple feel.

e'lioe's 2-step approach makes skincare simple! Cleanse with Aleppo soap and moisturise with Argan Oil after. No multi-step procedures, no extra products needed!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use argan oil on my face every day?

Yes. Argan oil on the face daily works well as a straightforward moisturizing step. A few drops on your slightly damp skin are enough, and it absorbs without leaving a greasy feel. A study on argan oil and skin hydration found associations between regular use and improved hydration, though the study had a specific scope and results vary. Always patch test before first use.

2. Is argan oil a suitable moisturizer for sensitive skin?

Pure argan oil in its unscented form contains no synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or stabilisers. For sensitive skin, removing these variables from the moisturizing step reduces what the skin has to react to. Research on cosmetic contact reactions identifies fragrances and preservatives as common triggers. Individual responses vary, so patch test before use.

3. Why does e'lioe use argan oil as the second step after cleansing?

Washing removes some of the skin's natural surface oils. Argan oil applied afterward helps replace them. The plant oils review e'lioe references documents how plant oils with this fat profile support the skin after cleansing. The two-step sequence, cleanse first, then moisturize, is built around this. Not following up with a moisturizing step leaves the skin with less surface oil than before washing. Argan oil closes that gap. Being fragrance-free and preservative-free means it adds nothing that could cause a reaction.

4. What does research say about argan oil and dry skin?

A review of plant oils and their effects on the skin found that the natural fats in oils like argan oil support the skin's moisture-holding layer. A separate study on argan oil and hydration found associations with improved skin softness and moisture levels with regular use. Traditional use for dry skin is also documented across generations in Morocco. Results vary between individuals, and clinical evidence specific to argan oil remains limited.

5. Does argan oil block pores?

No. Argan oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it is not known to clog pores. This makes it practical for the face and body. It is suitable for dry, sensitive, and reactive skin types. For combination skin, a light oil on damp skin absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy feel.

Conclusion

Argan oil's history as a skin care ingredient predates its reputation as a hair care one. The research confirms what generations of traditional use on sensitive and dry skin already showed. Its natural fat and vitamin E content are the same components the skin uses to stay comfortable and protected. This research is what e'lioe points to when explaining why argan oil is the second step in its routine. For dry, sensitive, or reactive skin, one ingredient means fewer things to encounter daily.

“Argan oil has been used on skin for centuries. e'lioe's 2-step routine is built on exactly this: a gentle cleanse, then argan oil on slightly damp skin. Two products, nothing extra.”

At e'lioe, argan oil is paired with Aleppo Soap in a 2-step cleanse and moisturize routine for dry, sensitive, and reactive skin. Both products use short ingredient lists with no synthetic additives, making them straightforward to use together every day. Explore e'lioe's Argan Oil and the full range in e'lioe's collection. Free shipping across West Malaysia on all orders above RM130.