How to Check if Argan Oil is Pure: Proven Techniques You Need to Know

Imagine this: You’ve just bought what you believe is a premium bottle of argan oil, and you're ready to reap all of its well-known benefits—shiny hair, glowing skin, and so much more. But there’s a nagging thought at the back of your mind: is this really pure argan oil? The harsh reality is that not all argan oil is as pure as it claims to be. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. The tricks and tips I’m about to share are so reliable that by the end of this article, you’ll be able to confidently verify whether your argan oil is the real deal or a cleverly disguised fake.

The Price Factor

Let’s start with the price. This is one of the easiest tells, and yet so many people ignore it. Pure argan oil is costly because the extraction process is labor-intensive and time-consuming. To produce just one liter of oil, it takes around 30 kilograms of argan nuts. Think about that for a moment. If you see a bottle of “argan oil” being sold at a suspiciously low price, that’s your first red flag.

Type of Argan Oil	Price per 100 ml (Average)
Pure Argan Oil	$30 - $50
Diluted or Mixed	$10 - $25

But here’s where it gets tricky: even higher-priced oils can sometimes be impure or diluted. Price alone won’t guarantee quality, but if your oil is too cheap, you're almost certainly holding something that’s been cut or altered in some way. However, this is just the start of your purity investigation.

The Bottle and Packaging Tell a Story

Next, let’s move on to the bottle. Real, pure argan oil comes in dark glass bottles, often brown or amber, to protect the oil from light exposure, which can cause it to degrade. If the bottle you’re holding is clear or plastic, that’s another red flag. Argan oil is highly sensitive to light, and packaging in a clear bottle would expose the oil to oxidation, reducing its efficacy.

But there’s more. Check the label on the bottle. It should clearly state that it’s 100% pure argan oil. Watch out for words like "blend," "mixed with," or "infused with"—those are dead giveaways that your oil has been mixed with something else, making it impure.

The Scent and Color Test

Here’s where things get really interesting. Your nose and eyes are some of your best tools in this investigation. Pure argan oil has a unique scent—some people describe it as nutty, while others detect a slightly earthy aroma. It’s subtle, but it’s definitely there. If your oil smells overly fragrant or like nothing at all, that’s a bad sign. An overpowering scent often means that perfumes or other additives have been introduced.

As for the color, pure argan oil is a golden yellow. If the oil in your bottle is too light or too dark, that’s a signal that something might be off. Impure oils tend to be pale because they’ve been diluted with cheaper oils, while overly dark oil can indicate that it’s been overheated during processing.

Test	What to Look for
Smell	Nutty, earthy, but subtle scent
Color	Golden yellow; not too light or too dark
Texture	Smooth, non-greasy, easily absorbed

The Ingredients List is Crucial

One of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects is checking the ingredients list. It should be short—very short. In fact, it should only contain one ingredient: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, which is the scientific name for argan oil. If you see any other ingredients on the label, such as preservatives or fragrances, your oil is not pure.

Ingredient List	Interpretation
Argania Spinosa Oil	100% Pure Argan Oil
Additional Oils	Diluted or Mixed
Fragrances/Additives	Synthetic or Impure

The Texture Tells the Truth

A huge giveaway of pure versus fake argan oil is the texture. Pure argan oil is smooth and non-greasy. It absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a heavy or sticky residue. If your oil feels too greasy or sticky, you’ve likely got an impure product. Pay attention to how your skin reacts as well—pure argan oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, which will leave your skin feeling hydrated but not oily.

DIY Purity Test

Let’s take things up a notch. Here’s a DIY test you can perform at home to check the purity of your argan oil. All you need is a refrigerator. Place your argan oil in the fridge for a couple of hours. Pure argan oil will thicken slightly in cooler temperatures, but it won’t solidify. If your oil becomes solid or separates, that’s a clear sign that it has been mixed with other oils.

Another at-home test involves blotting paper. Apply a small amount of oil to a sheet of blotting paper. Wait for about an hour. Pure argan oil will not leave a greasy stain, whereas impure oils will. This test allows you to see just how much filler or cheaper oil is in the product.

The Source Matters

Where did your argan oil come from? Pure argan oil is produced exclusively in Morocco. Some brands will go as far as to certify their oil as organic or fair trade, which is a good sign that the product is authentic. Be wary of argan oil that doesn’t clearly indicate its origin or has been processed outside of Morocco. The best argan oils will often come with certifications, such as ECOCERT, which ensures that the oil meets rigorous organic standards.

Certification	What it Ensures
ECOCERT	Organic, sustainable sourcing
USDA Organic	No pesticides or chemicals used
Fair Trade	Ethical production, fair wages

The Consistency of Reviews

Before you make a purchase, always check the reviews. What do other buyers say? If there’s a consistent pattern of people mentioning that the oil was greasy, had a strange smell, or didn’t seem to work as expected, you might want to look elsewhere. Fake or impure oils tend to have a pattern of mixed reviews, whereas pure argan oil will consistently garner positive feedback. However, take note of overly glowing reviews as well—they could be fake or incentivized.

Conclusion: Can You Be Sure It’s Pure?

By now, you should have a pretty solid idea of how to check whether your argan oil is pure. Between the price, bottle, scent, color, texture, and even ingredient list, you can do a lot to determine its authenticity. Throw in a few DIY tests and a bit of research on the brand, and you’ll feel like a seasoned detective in the world of argan oil.

The next time you’re shopping for this liquid gold, remember these steps and never settle for anything less than 100% pure argan oil.