Argan Kernel Oil Application Order — Determining Formulation Steps from the Ingredient List

When determining skincare order, it's common to hear the rule 'go from lightest to heaviest,' but in practice, a more accurate standard is to look at which group of ingredients a product is composed of, based on the full ingredient list. Argan kernel oil is a plant-derived oil permitted for use under cosmetics regulations, and under the ingredient labeling system—which lists ingredients in order of concentration—it appears in the position typical of oil-based ingredients.

This article examines, based on the ingredient list ordering, why it makes sense for argan kernel oil to be placed as the final step in a skincare routine.

Why Argan Kernel Oil Is Classified as an Oil-Based Ingredient on the Ingredient List

Under cosmetics regulations, the full ingredient list is required to list ingredients in order of concentration, from highest to lowest. Argan kernel oil belongs to the same group of oil-based ingredients as squalane, shea butter, and olive oil. These ingredients don't mix well with water and are understood to form a thin film on the skin's surface that helps hold in moisture and prevent it from evaporating.

On the other hand, moisture-type ingredients such as purified water, glycerin, and butylene glycol tend to appear toward the front of the ingredient list, while moisturizing/soothing ingredients such as panthenol and allantoin are often placed in the middle section. This order relates only to the physical composition of the formulation and does not mean that any particular ingredient is superior.

Points to note when judging content level by listing order

The general rule for ingredient lists is that ingredients are listed from highest to lowest content, but there is an exception: once content falls below a certain level, the listed order may become mixed. In other words, the fact that argan kernel oil appears in the middle or latter part of the list does not necessarily mean it is present in a very small amount, and it should be read with the understanding that the order of low-content ingredients may vary.

Therefore, checking both whether argan kernel oil is included and which ingredient group (moisture-type, moisturizing-type, or oil-type) it is placed among is the way to avoid misreading the listing order.

The principle for determining application order — moisture-type → moisturizing-type → oil-type

A commonly referenced principle when dividing skincare steps is to supply moisture first, then cover it with oil so the moisture does not evaporate. Applying moisture-type and active-ingredient-focused formulations such as toners and essences first to let them absorb into the skin, and then finishing with an oil-containing cream such as one with argan kernel oil, fits this principle.

If a cream containing argan kernel oil is applied first, the moisture-type products applied afterward may not be sufficiently absorbed and may sit on top of the skin, blocked by a film. For this reason, formulations containing oil-type ingredients are often designed as the last step in a skincare routine, that is, as a finishing cream.

Adjusting placement according to season and skin condition

During seasonal transitions or when skin becomes dry and rough due to heating or cooling, it can help to increase the proportion of the oil-type finishing step. Conversely, during hot weather when oil secretion increases, it is common to maintain the same order while adjusting the amount used.

If elasticity or fine lines are also a concern, it may be worth checking the ingredient list to see whether the oil-type finishing product is designed with barrier lipids or functional approved ingredients included together.

Reorganizing the order based on the ingredient list

In summary, the order of use for products containing argan kernel oil is not a matter of simply assuming it must always go last, but rather the result of checking in the ingredient list what combination of ingredient groups the product is designed with. If a lineup places moisture-type and moisturizing-type ingredients toward the front and oil-type ingredients toward the back or in a separate cream step, a cream containing argan kernel oil will naturally fall at the end of the routine.

From this perspective, when choosing a cream for the final step, it is worth developing the habit of checking not only the oil-type ingredient itself but also which other ingredient groups it is combined with in the ingredient list.

The final step: which cream should you finish with?

Once you form the habit of checking where oil-based ingredients like argan kernel oil sit on the full ingredient list, you naturally start to notice whether elasticity- or wrinkle-related ingredients are also included within the same cream. ARZTIN Regenerative Seed Cream is a product that has been reviewed and certified as a functional cosmetic for wrinkle improvement; on its full ingredient list, adenosine and three types of peptides are listed right after the oil-based ingredients (argan kernel oil, squalane, shea butter), which can serve as a reference example for judging whether a formulation considers both a sense of oiliness and elasticity care in the finishing step. Actual perceived effects or changes may vary by individual, and if any abnormal reaction occurs during use, it is recommended to stop use and consult a dermatologist or other specialist.