The Advantages of Argan Oil for Skin & Hair
In recent times, a lot of care has been taken in designing and creating new products and cosmetic formulations with relevant sensory characteristics, proper nutritional values, and body care. This is due to increasing interest and growing awareness of consumers regarding healthy diet and lifestyle.
We will talk about one such product in this article, which is: Argan oil. Argan oil consists of both oleic acid and linoleic acid, making it an excellent source of basic polyunsaturated fatty acids. Also, it exhibits significant antioxidant activity. It has a lot of advantages and is used in various industries ranging from food and pharmaceutical to the cosmetic industry. It also aids in the treatment of many diseases.
Keep reading to know everything in detail about Argan oil.
What is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is a natural oil extracted from the seeds of the Argan tree which is native to an area in south-western Morocco. Though it is native to Morocco, argan oil is now used across the world for a variety of purposes ranging from cosmetic, culinary to medicinal.
It is a fairly affordable oil that looks, smells, and feels luxurious on the skin and hair. Argan oil has an abundance of beneficial nutrients—such as vitamin E, fatty acids, squalene, and antioxidants which can be phenomenally amazing for your skin and hair.
The fatty acids and antioxidants in argan oil make it an excellent anti-aging product. Also, it has various medical benefits, including the treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes.
Being relatively light, there are not many restrictions for the usage of argan oil. It can be used on most skin types and hair types.
Benefits and Uses
- Contains Essential Nutrients
Argan oil is mainly composed of fatty acids and a variety of phenolic compounds. Most of the fat content of argan oil comes from oleic and linoleic acid.
About 36% of the fatty acid content of argan oil comes from linoleic acid, or omega-6, making it a good source of this essential nutrient.
Oleic acid makes up to 49% of the fatty acid composition of argan oil which is a very healthy fat. Also, argan oil is a rich source of vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant) which is required for healthy skin, hair, and eyes.
- Moisturizes skin
Argan oil is most commonly used as a moisturizer. It is why it's often found in lotions, soaps, and hair conditioners. You can apply it topically or ingest it orally. Due to the abundance of vitamin E in argan oil, water retention in the skin can be improved.
- Treats several skin infections
Argan oil can be used for treating skin conditions because of its healing properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It treats many different inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and rosacea.
- Has anti-aging effects
Another benefit of Argan oil is that it can be used as an anti-aging treatment. It has been found that a combination of oral and cosmetic argan oil leads to a remarkable increase in the elasticity of the skin. This provides an effective anti-aging treatment.
- Improves wound healing
Argan oil contains antioxidants and Vitamin E which are very powerful. The combination of antioxidants and vitamin E found in argan oil can be used to heal wounds and cuts at a faster rate.
- Brighten skin and fade dark spots
People often suffer from hyperpigmentation, or brown spots on the skin caused by hormones, aging, or years of sun exposure. Argan oil helps in treating those conditions. It improves and brightens the skin tone and fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Application and Dosage
- For Skin
Argan oil is generally used topically i.e., in its pure form. It may also be included in cosmetic products like lotions and skin creams.
Though you can apply argan oil directly to your skin, it will be best to start with a very small amount to make sure that you won't have any unfavorable reactions.
- For Hair
Argan oil can be applied directly to damp or dry hair to obtain benefits such as: reducing hair breakage, reducing frizz, and moisturizing the scalp.
Sometimes it is also found in shampoos or conditioners.
If you are using it for the first time, then you should start with a small amount to see how your hair responds.
Side Effects
In general, Argan oil is considered safe for consumption and topical use. But in some people, argan oil may cause a form of allergy known as contact dermatitis, characterized by the development of rash, redness, and itchiness at the site of application.
Argan oil also contains tocopherols, a form of vitamin E, which may slow blood clotting and interact with anticoagulants like Coumadin (warfarin). Whether the concentration of tocopherols in argan oil is enough to instigate an interaction is unknown.
The takeaway
Usually, argan oil is safe for most people to use, whether used topically or ingested orally. It has various benefits both for skin and hair.
Argan oil has been used for centuries for myriad purposes including culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal, and has yielded great results in diverse applications.
But if you've been using argan oil for several months and still don't see any improvement in the condition you are trying to treat, you can make an appointment to see a dermatologist so that they may help you find better treatment options.