Argan Oil, 1 L

An argan oil sold under the Sorage name. Argan oil is pressed from the kernels inside the fruit of the argan tree. The label names it argan oil in Arabic and English and repeats the name in Italian, German and Russian; it says, in Arabic and English, that it is for external use only, and gives the size, 1 litre. It lists no ingredients and does not say how the oil was pressed or whether it is argan oil alone or a blend. It comes in a clear plastic bottle with a white label showing the Sorage name and drawings of argan fruits and leaves; the cap is sealed under a band printed with the brand's Arabic name.

What it is for: the label lists no uses, so these are the usual ways argan oil is used on hair and skin. It adds shine and softness to dry ends; it is an oil to smooth through dry hair before washing; it is a body and massage oil for dry skin, the face included; it softens dry hands, elbows and heels; and it softens dry cuticles and the skin around the nails. It is a cosmetic: it works on how hair and skin look and feel.

Use a little at a time. For dry ends, one or two drops on dry hair are enough. Before washing, warm a few drops between your palms and smooth them through dry hair from the middle to the ends; cover your hair with an old towel, leave the oil for half an hour, then shampoo as usual. After a shower or for a massage, warm a few drops between your palms and smooth them over dry skin on the arms, legs or shoulders until they sink in. For the face, warm one or two drops between your fingertips in the evening and press them gently onto dry areas of clean skin, away from the eyes. For dry hands, elbows and heels, rub in one or two drops in the evening. For the nails, rub one drop into the cuticles of each hand. From a bottle this size, it is easiest to pour a little into a small bottle for everyday use.

The difference from an unlabelled bottle in a bazaar is what you can see for yourself: a brand name and a printed label with the name and size on the front. It reaches you unopened, at the price on this page, with nothing to haggle over.

It is for external use only: do not swallow it. Try a drop on the inner arm first and wait a day before using it more widely, and do not put it on broken or irritated skin. Argan oil is pressed from kernels and the label lists no ingredients, so if you have a nut allergy or any other allergy, ask a doctor before you use it. It is not a sunscreen and has no SPF: it does not protect the skin from the sun, so do not use it for sunbathing. Keep it out of the eyes and away from small children.

Close the cap after each use and keep the bottle out of direct sun and heat. It can turn cloudy or thicken in the cold; it clears again at room temperature. Oil can mark fabric and towels and makes floors slippery, so wipe your hands before you touch clothes. At 1 litre it is over the 100 ml cabin limit, so it cannot fly in hand luggage: pack it in checked baggage, with the cap screwed down tight and the bottle sealed in a zip bag, standing upright and wrapped in clothes. A full litre bottle weighs about a kilo, so allow for it in your baggage allowance.

Who it suits: anyone with dry hair, dry ends or dry skin who wants one simple oil for them, in a large bottle that lasts. Skip it if you dislike the feel of oil on your skin or travel with hand luggage only.