Argan Oil Benefits

Argan tree is an endemic tree found in Morocco. This tree also grows sparingly in certain regions of Algeria and Israel. The green nuts produced by this tree makes it so special and sought after. These green nuts are used to extract argan oil. This oil is one of the rare types of oil. The production of this oil is limited to just a few regions where these trees grow. Thus, leading to high demand of product with limited supply options. Argan oil, therefore comes under the list of one of the highly priced oils in the world. This makes one wonder about the argan oil benefits that makes it one of the most desired oil commercially. It is known to have properties that cures many cosmetic as well as medical ailments. Before we go into the details of benefits of argan oil, let us have a look at the extraction process of this oil.

How is Argan Oil Produced?

The oil is traditionally produced using hands, by stripping the nuts off their soft pulp and then drying them under the sun. These dried nuts are then cracked open using stones to remove the seeds that are roasted to give a rich, nutty flavor to the oil. These roasted seeds are added to little water and ground into a thick paste. This paste is squeezed by hand resulting in extraction of the oil. It is also said that the people of Morocco would collect the undigested pits of argan seeds from the goat pellets or droppings. They would ground the pits and extract the oil. It is said to take over 10 hours a day to extract just around a liter of this precious oil. Today, modern methods for harvesting using machines are put into action for large-scale production. This oil has a shelf life of about just 3 to 6 months. These complex extraction methods and short shelf life makes the oil expensive and rare.

What is Argan Oil?

Argan oil comes loaded with essential fatty acids like linoleic acid, which is the precursor for vitamin E. This makes it well-known for its anti-aging, moisturizing and antioxidant properties. It has been scientifically proved that argan oil is able to correct the age related deficiencies in skin that causes dehydration and loss of skin elasticity. It is found to contain 700 mg per kilogram of tocopherols that is twice the amount found in olive oil. This oil is a natural antioxidant and can stimulate intracellular oxygenation. This helps neutralize the free radicals and protects the soft tissue. The nutrient content of the skin is restored with the help of argan oil tropical application. Argan oil also has vitamin A, omega 6 and 9 unsaturated fatty acids. These components further add to the antioxidant factor. There are many argan oil benefits that help cure a number of skin, hair and other medical ailments. Let us have a look at them in the following paragraphs.

Benefits of Argan Oil

There are many benefits of argan oil in the cosmetic industry as an anti-aging, anti-wrinkle cream and make up ingredient. Some of these benefits are covered below:

Benefits for Skin
There are many argan oil benefits for skin that make this oil a very popular skincare product among women. Argan oil helps in reducing the wrinkles and softening the skin. It has also shown to increase the elasticity and tightening of the skin. Benefits of argan oil for skin also include regeneration of the skin by revitalizing the cell functions that prevent early skin aging due to sun, pollution, stress, smoking, etc. Argan oil has skin moisturizing properties stronger than olive oil as well as shea butter. This oil has no cholesterol, thus making it more effective.

Argan oil has a sebum regulating action that reduces the oiliness of the skin. Argan oil health benefits for the skin also include reduction of skin irritation and inflammation. If you are suffering from acne or chickenpox scars, application of argan oil will help reduce these blemishes. It also has antimicrobial as well as pH balancing properties that helps in reducing acne. Pregnant women can apply argan oil to prevent the onset of stretch marks. Argan oil is also known to hydrate the skin, neutralize free radicals, treat acne, eczema and psoriasis.

People with brittle nails can make their nails stronger by application of argan oil. Crinkly under-eyes can be reduced by applying argan oil on the eye with or without application of a regular skin cream. Those who apply mineral make up will find their skin tends to get drier. This can be avoided by application of 1 - 2 drops of argan oil for 5 minutes, before application of the mineral make-up.

Benefits for Hair
Argan oil is known to make hair stronger and healthy looking. You can say good-bye to fizzy hair forever after application of argan oil to hair. Split ends can be avoided using argan oil and damaged hair can be restored. Argan oil health benefits for hair also include imparting a remarkable shine to dull hair. It has the ability to hydrate the hair roots making them less rough to touch and reduce the curly texture. It not only prevents hair damage due to styling and outdoor activities, but also improves elasticity and reduces hair loss due to breakage.

Unmanageable, wild hair can be brought under control by application of argan oil. The high content of vitamin E is very useful in restoring life to limp hair. The unsaturated fatty acids in argan oil helps in strengthening brittle hair by bonding the protein structures that make up a hair strand. As this oil is non-greasy, its application won't make hair look sticky and oily. If you have highly damaged hair, you can try using argan oil to restore its lost, natural luster and health.

Benefits for Body
Benefits of argan oil are not only limited to skin, hair and nails, but also to the internal body health. It is also known to soothe and give relief from pain due to rheumatism and arthritis. Argan oil has a positive effect against cholesterol and atherosclerosis. It helps protect the cardiovascular system as it contains no harmful cholesterol. It is also beneficial in case of burn injuries, due to its skin healing properties. This oil enhances prostaglandins synthesis that helps in 10 different functions in the body. Argan oil also helps in increasing body's immunity against diseases and infections. It also helps prevent various types of cancers.

Benefits Related to Diabetes
The oil is also known to help in reducing insulin resistance of the body. Thus, helping in treating diabetes to some extent. Studies were conducted and it was found that argan oil helped enhancing the cellular response to low doses of insulin. This is a process that is affected in diabetes. Another study conducted in 2009, showed that argan oil helped reduce the onset of diabetes by reversing the metabolic changes that occurred after consumption of a high-sugar diet. It also improves resistance to diabetes by overcoming the effects of a high carbohydrate diet to some extent. Thus, argan oil benefits for diabetics are very impressive.

Argan oil benefits are innumerable and scientifically proved thus, making it one of the most sort after oil. The drawbacks of the oil include high price, short shelf life and limited supply. It is good for oily skin and helps treat eczema and psoriasis. But, it tends to clog the skin pores making it prone to acne. Moroccan women have used argan oil for centuries as a great cosmetic remedy. You too may safely try argan oil and reap benefits for yourself.