Argan Oil for Skin

Argan oil or argane oil is obtained from the kernels of argan fruits. The argan tree is actually native to Morocco. For this reason, the advantages of using pure argan oil for the purpose of skin care were well-known to Moroccan women since several centuries ago. Today, research studies have also found that it is really good for the skin. For this reason, it is now popularly used by people all over the world. This natural oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids particularly linoleic acid which protects the skin from harmful free radicals. It also contains a good amount of vitamins A and E, both of which play a crucial role in improving the skin condition.

Benefits of Argan Oil for Skin

Some people apply argan oil regularly to improve their overall skin condition while others use it occasionally to utilize its therapeutic values. The best part is that it is suitable for both dry skin as well as oily skin. A few of the key benefits of using argan oil on skin have been listed below:

• The polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E present in the oil have excellent antioxidant qualities. These substances promote oxygenation within the cells and neutralize the adverse effects of free radicals. This way the oil provides protection to the skin and restores the vital nutrients inside the skin cells.
• Argan oil moisturizes the skin. In fact, it is far more effective as compared to any other natural skin moisturizer like olive oil or shea butter. This is because it does not contain any cholesterol. Moreover, its fatty acids improve the skin tone further.
• People with oily skin are extremely bothered by the excessive oiliness caused by overproduction of sebum. Argan oil can reduce this greasy feeling of the oily skin. It has the ability to control the action of sebum, the oily substance released by the oil glands present under the skin.
• This oil has amazing antimicrobial properties which enable it to fight off skin infections like acne. It also brings down skin inflammation and irritation to a great extent. For all these qualities, it is popularly used for treating various skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, etc.
• Argan oil helps to maintain the pH balance of the skin. Thus it protects the skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure, pollution, mental stress, smoking, etc.
• It can reduce the appearance of the ugly marks left behind by acne, chickenpox and even the scars of skin injuries caused by burns.
• You can use it for wrinkle treatment. With aging, our skin tends to lose its natural elastic properties and visible signs of wrinkles appear on skin surface. Regular application of argan oil rehydrates the skin, restores its natural elasticity and thus tightens up the skin. This way the anti-aging properties of the oil nourish the aging skin and control wrinkles.
• During pregnancy, stretch marks appear on the abdomen as the skin is overstretched. Pregnant women can safely use argan oil products on their abdomen to improve the skin condition and prevent stretch marks on it.
• Those women who mostly use mineral makeup tend to get dry skin after some time. Such a problem can be avoided with the regular use of argan oil. All you have to do is to apply one or two drops of argan oil on the facial skin 5 minutes before application of the makeup. This will keep the skin hydrated and prevent drying of the skin.
• Argan oil can also be used for hair care and nail care. When applied on scalp skin, it eliminates dandruff and prevents hair loss. You can get rid of the problems of brittle nails with the help of this oil as it has a strengthening effect on the nails.

Today, as the beneficial effects of argan oil for skin nourishment is widely known, more and more cosmetic companies are using it as an ingredient for manufacturing various anti wrinkle skin care products and other skin creams and lotions. Since it is rarely available and is very expensive, it is used only in trace amounts in certain products. So, you must read the label to check the argan oil content before purchasing any such products.