Argan oil has been known as the “liquid gold” for its color and powerful benefits, that it has been a staple in the Moroccan skincare regimen for centuries. It’s made from kernels that come from argan trees typically found in Morocco. People across the globe see it as a miracle ingredient that can be used on its own or mixed with other products like lotions, shampoos, cosmetics and skincare products.
Skin Benefits of Argan Oil
Argan oil is rich in vitamins and minerals. Aside from vitamin E, it has other antioxidant compounds like ferulic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, vanillic acid and resorcinol. All of them promote healthier and younger-looking skin.
Here are other skin benefits of argan oil.
- Moisturizes Skin
Argan oil is a widely used moisturizer thanks to its rich vitamin E content. It contains both oleic and linoleic fatty acids that make it a light oil or a dry oil that can be applied even to oily skin. If your regimen includes putting layers of product on your face then argan oil will help your skin absorb these products better.
Give your skin an extra boost by applying one drop (or two) of argan oil after your skincare routine.
- Protects Skin from the Sun
The antioxidant activity that argan oil has helped protect your skin from sun damage that can include hyperpigmentation, sunburns, and skin aging. Prolonged use may even aid in skin cancer prevention.
It’s best practice to apply argan oil before your favorite sunscreen to ensure optimum sun protection.
- Treats Acne
Not only does argan oil have antioxidant properties, but it also has antiseptic, fungicidal, and anti-inflammatory properties that are good for preventing and treating acne.
If you don’t have acne, then a few drops of pure argan oil can be applied to the face 3 times a week. However, if you’re already experiencing acne, use face creams that contain argan oil once a day. For pure argan oil, try the spot-treatment first. Apply the concentrated oil only to the acne spots. Do this once a day and then wait for a month to see the results. If you gave extreme or severe acne, then consult with your physician first before doing spot treatments.
- Anti-Wrinkle and Anti-Aging Effects
You may notice that many products are now adding argan oil to their list of ingredients. Some even take argan oil supplements as the antioxidants present in them may help slow aging by slowing or reducing oxidative stress.
When applied directly to the skin, it aids in repairing the damage and helps maintain that healthy glow.
- Prevents Dandruff
Argan oil is a haircare hero. The oil’s moisturizing properties not only aids the body and the face, but also the scalp and hair. It hydrates the hair and lubricates it from root to tip.
But argan does more than moisturize. It deeply penetrates the stands, making it a restorative conditioner. The liquid gold reverses the damage done by chemical treatments and heat. Arganfills the gaps in the strands of the hair and provides protection for the hair fibers promoting strong and healthy hair.
Using a natural shampoo for dandruff with argan oil will not only help remove the fungi that cause dandruff, but it also aids in fighting bacteria with its antibacterial properties.
A Word of Caution
Although argan oil is generally safe to use for hair care and skincare, you still need to test any skin reaction before using it on your face. Some people may experience allergic reactions as it is made from nuts. To avoid any surprises, do a patch test to make sure that you’re not allergic to it. Also, if you’ve particularly complex skin conditions or that you’re getting, for example, fungal acne treatment, ask your dermatologist first about using the oil.
Similarly, consult with your doctor before ingesting any supplements.
Try It Yourself
There are many wonderful benefits of Argan oil. The ones listed above are just some of its skin benefits, but it also has health benefits that have helped people for centuries. In fact, it’s been used for medical, cosmetic, and culinary purposes over the years.
Although researchers are still studying how effective it is in preventing chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart disease, argan oil has provided beneficial results for skin conditions.
So it’s worth a try.
