Argan oil hair colours are popular with readers who want a gentler-feeling way to colour their hair. This round-up explains what these products are, what the brands claim for them, and what you can realistically expect — without hype or promises no product can keep.
Table of Contents
How to Use It Safely
The NHS explains how to spot and handle a reaction. See argan oil hair colour chart, One N Only argan oil colour and best hair dyes for home use.
What “Argan Oil” Hair Colour Really Is
argan oil is a conditioning oil; adding it to a dye can leave hair softer, but the colour itself still works like any other permanent or demi-permanent dye. DermNet explains that PPD and related dyes are a common cause of allergic reactions.
What the brands claim
Brands market argan oil hair colour products as gentler, ammonia-free-style colour options, and present the argan oil in the formula as helping hair feel softer and look shinier after colouring. These are the brands’ own marketing claims. They describe how a product is intended to feel and perform — they are not a guarantee of any individual result.
What results actually depend on
Results vary with your hair type, its current condition, its natural colour, and the shade you choose. The same product can look different on fine hair and on coarse hair, and on hair that has been coloured or bleached before. Grey coverage also varies between products and shades. No hair colour can guarantee a result, and reviews that promise one should not be trusted.
How to choose and use one sensibly
Read the product’s own label and ingredient list before you buy, and choose the type of colour — permanent, demi-permanent or temporary — that matches how long you want the result to last. Always do a patch test for allergy and a strand test for colour before a full application, in the way the product’s own instructions describe, and follow those instructions for mixing, timing and rinsing rather than any advice from other sources.
If you have a sensitive scalp, damaged hair, or a previous reaction to hair dye, take extra care and consider asking a professional colourist for advice before colouring at home. Stop and rinse if you feel burning or strong irritation during use, and do not use any colour product on broken or irritated skin.
Getting Salon-Like Results at Home
Argan oil in hair dye helps the hair feel softer after colouring, but the final shade still depends on your starting colour, how porous your hair is and how much grey you have. Choose a shade no more than two levels lighter or darker than your natural colour for the most predictable result, and use a colour-safe, sulfate-free shampoo to slow fading.
Compare shades in our guides to the Ion demi-permanent colour chart, 6N vs 6NN and choosing hair colour for your skin tone.
Permanent vs Demi-Permanent Argan Oil Colour
- Permanent: uses developer to lift and deposit colour, covers grey fully, grows out with a visible root line.
- Demi-permanent: deposits colour without much lift, blends grey, fades gradually over 4 to 6 weeks.
- Semi-permanent: no developer, sits on the surface, washes out in several shampoos.
If you are covering more than half grey, a permanent shade with a neutral (N) base usually gives the most reliable coverage. For blending a few greys or refreshing faded colour, demi-permanent is gentler.
Aftercare to Keep Colour Rich
- Wait 48 to 72 hours before the first wash.
- Use a sulfate-free, colour-safe shampoo and wash in cool water.
- Use a heat protectant before blow-drying or straightening.
- Protect hair from strong sun with a hat or UV spray.
- Book a gloss or toner every 6 to 8 weeks to refresh tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does argan oil hair colour damage hair less?
The oil can make hair feel softer, but permanent dye still uses developer, which affects the hair structure. Good aftercare matters more than the added oil.
Can I use it on bleached hair?
Yes, but bleached hair is porous and may grab colour darker or patchier, so always strand test first.
The bottom line
Argan oil hair colours can be a reasonable option for readers who prefer products marketed as gentler, provided expectations are realistic: the shade, coverage and condition you end up with depend on your own hair, and a patch and strand test come first, every time.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personal advice.
