Top 15 Argan Oil Benefits That Will Make You a Believer
Top 15 Argan Oil Benefits That Will Make You a Believer
Beauty is one of the top obsessions of people nowadays, so it is no wonder there is a constant unveiling of new beauty products to meet the demands of people who are willing to spend their money to improve their looks.
Apart from conventional beauty products, natural beauty solutions are on the rise, too. Argan oil, for example, is receiving most of the hype today. People say argan oil benefits can remedy your beauty problems from head to toe. Is argan oil all that it’s cracked up to be, or is it just pure hype?
What is Argan Oil and Why Should You Care?
argan fruitArgan oil is an oil extracted from the kernels of the argan fruit, from a tree that is almost native to Morocco. It comes in two varieties; culinary argan oil and cosmetic argan oil.
The argan fruit is small and round with a thick skin covering the fleshy pulp. The pulp engulfs a hard-shelled nut that contains up to three kernels that are rich in oil. Argan oil is more costly than most plant oils due to the delicate and laborious method used in collecting the oil.
Here is how the Berber women manually extract argan oil from the kernels:
First, they dry the argan fruit in the open
Once dried, they will remove the fleshy part.
The next step involves cracking the nut by pounding to collect the kernels, which the women will roast, grind and press to extract the oil.
Lastly, they will decant the unfiltered oil into containers.
Argan oil argan oil used in cosmetics does not require the process of roasting the kernels to avoid the distinct nutty scent present in culinary argan oil. For people allergic to nuts, do not worry, because argan fruit is not a nut.
Argan oil for culinary purposes is less expensive than the cosmetic argan oil, mainly because roasted kernels produce more oil than unroasted ones. Some argan oil may contain residue, but this does not affect the quality of the oil. Manufacturers may also filter it further, depending on the required clarity.
Many people refer to argan oil as “liquid gold,” because pure, organic, virgin argan oil for cosmetic purposes is beautifully gold in color. Its rarity and its amazing benefits make it as precious as gold.
What Makes Argan Oil So Special?
Argan oil’s historical use is mainly as food in some regions in Northern Africa before it became a traditional beauty remedy for many Moroccan women. Now, men and women all over the world are using it, too. In fact, many cosmetic companies use argan oil in varying beauty products.
But, what is with argan oil that makes it so special?
Argan oil is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and phytochemicals that can do wonders for your skin and hair. Its nutrient profile surpasses even some of the already popular natural oils like olive oil, coconut oil and jojoba oil.
Here are 15 argan oil uses that will benefit you:
1. Argan Oil Benefits for Hair Loss
hair loss nothing is more frustrating than seeing more than a few strands of hair in the bathroom drain or your hairbrush day by day. Not knowing the cause can make you feel even more helpless. Worry no more because argan oil is coming to your rescue. The use of argan oil can prevent further hair loss, as it promotes hair regrowth.
People with dandruff often suffer from hair loss because the scalp cannot properly absorb nutrients. The constant scratching can also cause damage to the hair follicles that can lead to hair loss. Argan oil can help minimize dandruff by moisturizing your scalp. It also helps to heal damaged skin caused by scratching.
styling
Photo by Bangin / CC BY
Excessive exposure to the sun, constant styling, and the use of harsh styling products can cause damage to the scalp and can make your hair weak and prone to breakage. Argan oil helps nourish your scalp and promotes blood circulation to make it healthier. A healthier scalp is more likely to grow healthy and stronger hair. Additionally, some studies on argan oil suggest that it can speed up hair growth.
To use argan oil in treating hair loss, follow these steps:
Start by exfoliating your scalp with a quality scalp exfoliant. This method opens up the blockage in hair follicles to ensure optimum absorption of the oil.
After exfoliating, massage a few drops of argan oil on your scalp with your fingertips starting at the front then to the sides and back for at least 15 minutes.
Do this three times in a week.
2. How to Use Argan Oil as a Leave-On Conditioner
frizzy
Photo by thepeachpeddler / CC BY-SA
Argan oil benefits for hair not only cover the hair loss and hair regrowth. It can also make your hair beautiful and more manageable. Argan oil is a good moisturizer that keeps your hair from being dry and frizzy. It keeps your hair free from split ends, too. Some studies on argan oil benefits for black hair show that it can make hair retain its natural blackness with a glossy shine.
Argan oil is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects cells from damage caused by sun exposure, heat, pollution, and harsh chemicals that can make your hair dull and damaged.
What’s great about argan oil is that it does not give you a greasy look when applied to your hair. You can use it as a leave-in conditioner to make sure you hair stays protected throughout the day. Put a few drops of argan oil on your palm and massage it into your damp hair from roots to tips.
3. Argan Oil as an Overnight Hair Mask Treatment
head with a towel
Photo by the Italian voice / CC BY
A few drops of argan oil go a long way during the day but letting it stay on your hair overnight maximizes its effect on your hair. To use argan oil for hair treatment, do the following:
Put a generous amount of argan oil on your palm and rub your palms together to warm the oil.
Massage the oil into your scalp, making sure you are not missing a spot then rub the remaining oil on your hand hair from roots to tips.
Wrap your head with a towel and let the treatment stay on your head overnight.
After washing and drying your hair the next morning, you will notice voluminous and sleeker hair.
4. Tame Your Locks: Using Argan Oil for Hair Styling
It seems argan oil uses on the hair never run out.
straightening you use hair wax and hairspray to make sure your hairstyle will last for the day. These products may contain chemicals damaging to the hair. Plus, straightening and curling your hair with iron can add to the damage. Try using argan oil before styling your hair. It can help you your hairstyle in place as it protects your hair from damage.
Moisturizing the skin not only makes it look healthy and glowing. It can increase your skin’s elasticity, making your skin less prone to developing major signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Your Fountain of Youth: Argan Oil as an Anti-Aging Skin Moisturizer
moisturizing effect one of the most remarkable argan oil skin benefits is its moisturizing ability. Experts say it can increase your skin’s moisture up to 1,000 times when regularly used for months.
How do you ask?
Argan oil is made up of 80 percent fatty acids, which are mainly responsible for the oil’s superb moisturizing effect. Fatty acids make up the protective membrane of your skin cells. The thicker your cell membrane is, the more moisture your cells can retain and the less toxic substances can come in.
To get you a better idea of how amazing argan oil as a moisturizer is, visit one of the argan oil reviews here.
6. Kind to Your Skin: Argan Oil as a Mild Makeup Remover
Argan oil benefits for the face include being a mild makeup remover. One of the main culprits of skin problems is not removing your makeup and letting it stay on your skin overnight. Makeup contains chemicals that may irritate the skin. Unremoved makeup can block hair follicles and may cause pimples or acne.
Argan oil makes a mild yet effective makeup remover. You can even use it to remove eye makeup because it won’t hurt your eyes. Put a few drops of argan oil on a cotton ball and wipe your makeup off.
7. Pamper Yourself with the Benefits of Argan Oil for Dry Skin
Dry Skin
Photo by Skoch3 / CC BY-SA
When choosing a skincare product, one thing you have to take into consideration is your skin type. Whether you have sensitive skin or dry skin, you do not have to worry about using argan oil because it can improve your skin’s condition regardless of your skin type.
Choosing the right skincare product for dry skin can be quite tricky because some products may contain other substances that can even make it drier and irritated. Argan oil can keep your skin moisturized to get rid of flaking and itching without worrying about side effects.
8. All-Natural Argan Oil Benefits for Sensitive and Oily Skin
Sensitive skin is prone to common skin disorders such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. You have to carefully choose skincare products that won’t aggravate symptoms. Since argan oil is all-natural, it is less likely to trigger skin reactions. Though, it is still advisable to perform an allergy test on a small patch of skin.
acnePeople with sensitive skin can benefit from argan oil. If you suffer from these skin problems, argan oil can keep your skin moisturized and can help to reduce inflammation.
Oily skin is prone to acne. Too often, sebum production increases when there is not enough moisture on your skin. Using argan oil on your skin can help balance oil production by keeping it moisturized without the greasy look.
When buying argan oil, read labels and make sure it is 100-percent pure argan oil. After the initial use, carefully observe for any negative skin reaction and stop use if there is.
9. Make Your Own Skin Scrub: Argan Oil as a DIY Exfoliant
exfoliantExfoliation is a process where your skin normally sheds out dead skin cells to reveal new healthy ones. Exfoliation slows down with age, and this is why our skin becomes dull and darkened. Luckily, you can aid exfoliation with various products and DIY remedies. However, some DIY exfoliant can make your skin dry because of the strong components in them.
Prevent dryness by adding argan oil to your natural exfoliant. You can also make the following DIY exfoliant recipe with argan oil in it:
Simply add a tablespoon of brown sugar to about five drops of argan oil.
Mix well.
Gently scrub onto your skin in a circular motion.
Rinse and dry your skin.
You can use this scrub anywhere in your body, especially in areas with dry skin, such as the elbows and knees to reveal a fresh and young-looking skin.
10. Create a No Zit Zone: Argan Oil Benefits for Acne
People with oily skin are prone to suffering from acne breakouts. Finding a skincare product that eradicates the zits without risking irritation and more breakouts can be difficult. Using argan oil for acne can help improve your oily skin, prevent breakouts and diminish acne.
linoleic acidArgan oil helps to balance oil production on your skin. It works by keeping your skin moisturized, so your oil glands do not have to compensate for the lack of moisture. Less oil production from your sebaceous glands means a grease-free look and less possibility of an acne breakout. The fatty acids in argan oil, particularly linoleic acid, helps to lessen inflammation caused by acne as it helps revive damaged skin cells.
To use argan oil in reducing acne breakouts, just apply a few drops of the oil and gently massage all over your face.
11. Love the Skin You’re In Argan Oil for Preventing Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are among the most stubborn skin woes a person can have. Getting rid of these unsightly colored streaks is almost impossible. The best thing you can do about stretch marks is to prevent them from appearing.
Stretch marks result from the overstretching and tearing of the inner elastic tissues of the skin due to pregnancy, rapid growth during puberty and rapid weight gain. Reinforce your skin with argan oil to make it less likely to develop stretch marks.
Stretch marksArgan oil moisturizes the skin to increase its elasticity. The fatty acids in argan oil make the cell membrane stronger to increase cell integrity. The higher the cell integrity, the more elastic your skin becomes. If you already have stretch marks, argan oil may help improve their appearance.
To use argan oil as prevention for stretch marks, simply pour two to three drops of argan oil on your palms, and warm it by rubbing your palms together. Massage on your belly, thighs, upper arms, breasts, and other stretch mark-prone areas.
12. Healing the Damage: Soothe Your Skin with Argan Oil for Razor Bumps and Burns
Getting rid of unwanted body hair through shaving can cause unseen damage to your skin and can lead to the appearance of bumps, chicken skin as people call it, and ingrown hair. Argan oil can help you get rid of the unwanted results of shaving because of its healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
After shaving, apply argan oil to the shaved area. Warm a couple of drops of argan oil with your hands then gently massage onto your skin.
13. Beautify Your Smile: Applying Argan Oil as Lip Moisturizer
lipsArgan oil is so safe that you can even use it for moisturizing and exfoliating your lips. Just like any other part of your skin, your lips are prone to dryness that can lead to chapping and cracking.
Exfoliate your lips to get rid of dead skin cells by using the DIY scrub mentioned above, but you have to be gentler in applying it, because your lips are sensitive.
You can also do it like a chapstick. Gently dab a drop or two and leave it on.
14. Pamper Yourself: Enlisting Argan Oil for Healthy Nails
If you love coloring your nails, applying argan oil can help to prevent damage caused by the harsh chemicals of nail polish and nail polish remover. After removing the old nail polish on your nails, put a drop of argan oil on each nail and rub thoroughly onto the nails and cuticle. Wash, rinse well, and dry before applying nail polish.
15. Wear Flip Flops Again: Using Argan Oil for Dry Feet
flip flops you are not rocking flip flops this summer because of your dry feet and cracked heels, argan oil may be the solution to your problem. The amount of argan oil you need may depend on how dry your skin is in these areas. After washing your feet, massage with argan oil and cover them with socks. You can let it stay covered for at least 20 minutes or overnight.
To reap these argan oil benefits, there is no need to buy a product of every kind with argan oil in it. You can use argan oil as it is. It is a bit expensive, but a drop or two is enough, so a bottle will surely last you for a long time.
Indeed, argan oil, the liquid gold, lives up to the hype. These 15 benefits will make you believe it is as precious as gold.