Note: This is a guest post

For those who are into beauty and skincare, you may already know that there are many types of oils, each with its own benefits. One of the best oils out there is argan oil. You’ll notice this oil is often listed as one of the key ingredients in skincare, haircare, body care, and beauty products. That’s because it contains elements that are good for the body.

 Argan oil is a superfood ingredient and a powerhouse oil known for its nourishing properties. Before we get into its many benefits for your skin, let’s first talk about argan oil.

What is argan oil?

all about argan oil

Argan oil is produced from kernels that grow on argan trees native to Morocco. This oil carries high levels of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals and other molecules that can damage the cells in the body. A study even found that consuming argan oil could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Moreover, argan oil falls in the middle spectrum when it comes to formulation, weight, and absorption. This makes it suitable for all skin types. It also contains omega fatty acids and linoleic acids, which moisturizes the skin and helps in reducing acne.

Argan oil is now used across the globe for a variety of purposes in culinary, cosmetic, and medicine. Below, we’re going to discuss further its most prominent uses and benefits for the skin.

Let’s begin.

It’s anti-inflammatory

As mentioned above, argan oil contains vitamin E and tocopherol, a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a potent antioxidant to minimize skin damage. These, along with the other compounds in argan oil, serve as an anti-inflammatory for red and reactive skin, making it friendly for oily skin types. It helps balance sebum production, reducing breakouts and irritation caused by acne.  

Minimizes skin’s oiliness

Those with oily skin types often steer
clear of facial oils, for they think it will make their skin oilier and clog
their pores. However, unlike other oils, argan oil does not have pore-clogging properties.

Thanks to its sebum-reducing compounds, it instead helps reduce the oiliness of the skin. A study showed that applying a cream containing argan oil twice a day significantly decreased sebum activity and oiliness in a matter of four weeks.

Keeps skin hydrated

This oil is often used as a moisturizer. For those with oily and acne-prone skin, keeping the skin hydrated is vital for acne prevention.

Since it’s lightweight and quick-absorbing compared to other facial oils, it makes for an excellent hydration product. The regular application of argan oil results in a moisturized and bouncier skin, for it helps in restoring the barrier function and keeping the water-retaining capacity of the skin.

Produces anti-aging effects

 Argan oil is known to have anti-aging effects. Many people and industries have been using it for anti-aging treatment. In fact, a recent study with postmenopausal participants shows that dietary and cosmetic argan oil contributed to a significant boost on skin elasticity, proving the effectivity of the oil as a remedy to aging skin.

An excellent remedy for skin infections

Argan oil is traditionally used to remedy skin infections by applying it directly over the affected skin. While there’s limited evidence to back up its ability to treat specific skin conditions, many people still use it for this purpose. 

Research shows that argan oil has shown effectiveness in improving
second-degree burns in mice. Since the oil has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, this could be why it seems to alleviate inflammation caused by injuries or infections. While this may seem encouraging, keep in mind that more research is still needed.

Protects skin from sun damage

Women in Morocco have long been using argan oil to keep their skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays. A study shows that the
antioxidant properties of argan oil help shield the skin against free radical
damage from the sun. Additionally, it prevents burns and hyperpigmentation as a result. For these benefits, you can ingest argan oil supplements or apply the oil directly onto your skin.

Prevents and reduces stretch marks

A lot of people, specifically women, get stretch marks. It’s also common to develop these during and after pregnancy. A research found that a water-in-oil cream that carries argan oil helped improve skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of stretch marks early on.

You can apply the argan oil over the affected area at least twice a day. You can see the best results if you do this as soon as you see the stretch marks forming in your body. 

Summing it up

Argan oil is generally considered as a safe ingredient people can use orally or topically. But, for extra safety, always patch test products first to see how your skin reacts to avoid irritation. You can look for a pure version of argan oil to make sure that it has no irritating additives and to maximize its skin benefits.