A few drops of argan oil or a good hair serum is the classic finishing touch for frizzy hair — instant shine and smoothness. The catch is choosing the right one and using a tiny amount. Here's the guide.
Argan oil vs hair serum
- Pure argan oil — a natural, single-ingredient oil rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. Smooths, nourishes and adds shine; a "cleaner" choice.
- Hair serum — usually silicone-based, giving faster, glossier smoothing and stronger humidity resistance. More high-performance, but it sits on the hair rather than nourishing it.
Many people keep both: a serum for sleek, humidity-proof days and pure oil for nourishing shine.
How to choose
For argan oil:
- Cold-pressed, 100% pure argan (look for "Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil" as the main ingredient).
- Ideally no fillers if you want a clean oil.
- Dark glass bottle (protects the oil from light).
For a serum:
- Look for dimethicone/cyclomethicone for smoothing + humidity resistance.
- Lightweight if your hair is fine; richer if coarse.
- Bonus: heat/UV protection.
Our specialist picks
- Salon icon — Moroccanoil Treatment: the original argan-oil finishing oil; a little adds instant shine and smoothness.
- Also salon-grade — Wella Oil Reflections: lightweight luminous shine oil.
- Budget pure oil — OGX Argan Oil of Morocco: great value penetrating oil for everyday frizz and shine.
How to use it (the key is "less")
- Dispense 1–3 drops and warm between your palms.
- Smooth over mid-length to ends — never the roots.
- Add to damp hair before drying for smoothing, or to dry hair to finish and tame flyaways.
- Build up only if needed — too much looks greasy, especially on fine hair.
Argan oil and serums are the finishing step of a good anti-frizz routine — pair with a leave-in conditioner, a sulfate-free shampoo and heat protection. For frizz handled at the source, explore our smoothing treatments.
