Understanding Argan Oil And It’s Benefits
- Argan oil is a vitamin E- and fatty acid-loaded oil derived from trees native to Morocco, and it poses a bunch of benefits for hair and skin.
- When applied to your face, argan oil may help protect against sun damage, hydrate skin, reduce signs of aging, and even help control oily skin.
- One study suggests that argan oil may prevent and treat stretch marks in their early stages.
- Argan oil may also have benefits for hair. Historically, Moroccans used it to treat hair loss. More recent research suggests it can help repair damaged hair.
If you heard of a golden elixir that promised better skin and hair and literally grew on trees, the too-good-to-be-true sirens would probably start going off in your head. However, if the cure-all in question is argan oil, you can quiet your inner alarm bells. Turns out, argan oil packs some pretty amazing science-backed benefits for your skin, hair, and body.
What Is Argan Oil?
Argan oil comes from the argan tree, which grows almost exclusively in southwest Morocco. Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of the argan fruit, which resembles a large olive.
Traditionally, Moroccans applied argan oil topically to treat everything from eczema and psoriasis to wrinkles and hair loss.
You’ll find argan oil primarily in two forms: edible, food-grade argan oil, which comes from roasted argan kernels and can be ingested, and cosmetic argan oil, which is extracted from unroasted kernels, and is intended to be applied directly to the skin or hair.
Nutritionally speaking, argan seeds punch above their weight. They’re chock-full of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, and contain more vitamin E than olive oil. All of this helps give argan oil its skin- and hair-boosting benefits.
Argan Oil Benefits
Hydrates skin and boosts elasticity
Argan oil has become a staple for the many benefits it has for skin. Perhaps the most obvious of these is argan oil’s ability to make skin feel soft and supple. Argan oil’s composition of fatty acids and vitamin E give it moisturizing properties and the potential to improve skin’s hydration.
Prevents and treats stretch marks
Argan oil is just as useful below your neckline. Applying an argan-oil-containing cream can prevent and treat the early signs of stretch marks
Reverses and prevents sun spots
In addition to improving your skin’s texture, argan oil could improve the look of your skin. An itchy, stingy, red sunburn isn’t the only havoc UV rays can wreak on your skin. Sun exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation (aka dark spots or age spots). But argan oil has the potential to help reverse and prevent skin discoloration. Researchers believe this ability comes from argan oil’s high concentration of antioxidants — and particularly its vitamin E content — which helps neutralize the free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to pigment cells.
Controls oily skin and reduces breakouts
Though counter-intuitive, argan oil may also be a saving grace for those with oily skin. A small study that examined argan oil’s anti-sebum powers (sebum is the oil secreted by our skin) found that using a topical argan oil cream twice a day for four weeks was linked to reduced sebum levels and a less shiny complexion, according to a research review published in Alternative Medicine Review. This could make argan oil an effective way to treat acne.
Ultimately it is up to you on how you would like to use it. But consider trying a little ‘liquid gold’ on your hair or skin.
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