What Is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is derived from the tender kernels inside the fruit of the slow-growing argan tree (Argania spinosa). When argan oil gained popularity, all-female collectives in southwest Morocco began producing it. These women gather to harvest the fruits, break the hard shells on stones, extract the tender kernels, and press them to retrieve the oil. The oil is then sold as is or turned into creams and other products.
Planting and caring for argan trees also benefits the environment by helping to reduce climate change and desertification, a process where land becomes unusable desert. The main argan forest in southwest Morocco is now an official biosphere reserve.
Unfortunately, the surge in argan oil’s popularity has led to aggressive harvesting techniques that harm the sensitive trees. Many larger companies have also displaced the cooperatives, which play a crucial role in empowering women. To support sustainably harvested, female-empowering products, look for Fair Trade Argan oil, especially those stamped with the UCFA (Union des Coopératives des Femmes de l’Arganeraie) seal to ensure women receive a fair price for their work.
Top 6 Benefits of Using Argan Oil
Argan oil is not just for beauty; modern scientific research has uncovered many other promising benefits. Argan’s natural oils can soothe inflammation, nourish skin and body, speed up wound healing, and provide a barrier against harmful organisms. In Northern Africa, roasted argan oil is popular for drizzling over bread and cooking. Rich in vitamins A and E, fatty acids, and antioxidants, this amazing oil offers benefits when taken internally or used topically. Nearly half of argan oil is oleic acid, a fatty acid also found in olive oil, known for its heart health benefits.
Dietary argan oil may contribute to the lower incidence of heart disease among people who follow a traditional Mediterranean diet, as Morocco lies along the Mediterranean Sea. Here are the top health benefits of argan oil:
Improves the Appearance of Acne & Scars
Argan oil’s omega-6 and omega-9 content helps reduce redness, swelling, and acne-prone skin. People with acne might think that applying oil could worsen their condition, but argan oil actually helps reduce acne. Unlike other oils, argan oil provides moisture and protects the skin with a barrier that deters harmful organisms contributing to acne breakouts. Its high omega-6 and omega-9 content also helps reduce redness and swelling. Those with acne-prone skin are often deficient in linoleic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid found in argan oil. Fatty acids can speed up the healing of acne-related scars and minimize signs of premature aging, such as crow’s feet and age spots. Argan oil’s comedogenic index of zero means it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
Promotes Elasticity & Skin Hydration
Argan oil’s high levels of vitamins A and E and fatty acids deeply nourish the skin. Applying argan oil improves your skin’s ability to retain water, enhancing hydration and elasticity, making your skin look more youthful and healthy. Argan oil can also provide a barrier against dirt, germs, and toxins, and may boost your skin cells’ ability to regenerate. Applied topically, it can reduce the greasy appearance of oily skin. Researchers have found that skin exposed to argan oil experiences changes at a cellular level, allowing it to act as a barrier to dirt, germs, and free radicals.
Boosts Heart Health
Some people use argan oil for its heart health benefits. Studies show that consuming food-grade argan oil works as well as extra virgin olive oil in promoting good cholesterol (HDL) levels, normalizing bad cholesterol (LDL), and balancing triglyceride levels in the blood. Consuming argan oil can boost antioxidant levels in the bloodstream, which makes sense given its high antioxidant content. Antioxidants fight against free radical damage in your cells, minimizing oxidative stress. This oil also promotes normal blood pressure. Cholesterol, high blood pressure, and triglycerides are major predictors of heart disease, and promoting normal levels of these indicators helps keep your heart healthy.
Supports Liver Health
Consuming argan oil supports liver health and may protect against harmful organisms and toxins. Research shows that argan oil helps liver genes stay active, allowing damaged livers to recover more quickly. The oil works at the cellular and genetic level, influencing which genes “express” or turn on, promoting better liver health. Argan oil also helps normalize insulin resistance, which plays a role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Promotes Normal Insulin & Blood Sugar Levels
Insulin resistance is a condition where your cells do not absorb this essential blood-regulating hormone well. Insulin helps regulate your blood sugar levels, so if your cells become insulin-resistant, blood sugar rises, causing various metabolic concerns. Studies suggest that taking argan oil internally helps maintain normal blood sugar levels and balance insulin resistance. These properties likely contribute to the local people in Morocco valuing the oil, according to researchers.
Protects Against Cell Proliferation
Thanks to its high antioxidant levels, argan oil helps protect skin from free radicals and UV radiation. Argan oil contains high levels of tocopherols, a form of vitamin E, and oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid. Taken internally, it helps the body at a cellular level, even decreasing the risk of excess cell proliferation that can lead to serious diseases. Various studies have shown that argan oil helps with skin, colon, bladder, and prostate conditions.
Popular Argan Oil Uses
When applied topically, argan oil offers significant cosmetic benefits for the skin and hair. It is a sought-after natural remedy with healing, anti-aging, and antibacterial properties.
Natural Skin Care
Here are some benefits your skin will reap from this healing oil, along with simple ways to use it:
Improve the Appearance of Stretch Marks
Thanks to its high vitamin A and E content, argan oil keeps your skin well-hydrated and improves its strength and elasticity, reducing the appearance of stretch marks. After showering and exfoliating your skin, gently rub a few drops onto areas like the hips, thighs, and stomach — the areas most prone to developing stretch marks. Massage the oil into your skin twice a day, including once before bedtime.
Moisturize & Improve Skin Elasticity
Whether you have oily, combination, or dry skin, you can use pure argan oil as an all-over face and body moisturizer. You can even apply 100 percent pure argan oil directly on your face, lips, and around your eyes. For best results, massage it onto your body right after showering or bathing, paying special attention to any dry patches. Add a few drops of argan oil to a carrier oil, like organic olive, coconut, or other seed oil — this helps a little go a long way. You can also soothe razor bumps and ingrown hairs after shaving by applying the oil directly over the affected area.
Reduce the Appearance of Acne
Argan oil is non-greasy and won’t clog pores, making it a great natural way to add moisture and balance to inflamed, acne-affected skin. Cleanse your skin and pat it dry. Put a few drops of pure oil into your palm and, using your fingers, lightly dab it directly onto concern areas. Repeat twice daily.
Protect & Soften Hair
This nourishing, non-greasy oil increases the shine and overall healthy appearance of hair while repairing split ends and smoothing flyaways. By coating the hair shaft, argan oil reduces drying and damage, making hair less prone to breakage. Argan oil can also help seal in hair dyes, increasing the length of time between colorings. It may even promote faster hair growth. Add five drops into your normal shampoo or conditioner, massage it into your hair, and rinse it out with warm water. For a deep conditioning boost, coat your hair with 10 drops from root to tip and leave it on overnight with a shower cap over it. This will allow deep penetration into your hair and alleviate frizziness or dryness. In the morning, rinse it out with warm water and style as usual.
Moisturize Nail Cuticles
Ward off painful hangnails and other issues associated with poor nail health by applying a few drops of argan oil on your fingernails and toenails. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities make it an excellent moisturizer and conditioner for both the nail bed and cuticles. To do a cuticle treatment, first, remove all nail polish and rinse your hands and feet thoroughly. Rub a drop of the oil onto each one of your nails and massage it into the cuticles in a circular motion. Leave it on to absorb.
