What is argan oil and where does it come from?
Did you know argan oil has been a culinary staple in Morocco for centuries? It’s a naturally occurring plant oil derived from the kernels of the fruit of the argan tree¹ and has been popularized for its delicious nutty flavor as well as an array of health benefits. This powerful oil has found international success in the 21st century, with more and more skin care and cosmetic products using it in their formulas. Sometimes referred to as liquid gold, argan oil has become so popular in cosmetics that the Moroccan government has stepped up efforts to increase the cultivation of argan tree groves.
Like other superfoods, it’s rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants which have amazing benefits for skin, hair, and nails.
While hand-pressed argan oil will have some differentiators when it comes to smell, pure argan oil will almost always have a nutty scent. Argan oil should always have an aroma—if it doesn’t, it could indicate it’s been deodorized and stripped of its natural ingredients.
What’s in argan oil that makes it good for skin?
More than a quarter of the fatty acid content of argan oil comes from linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid which is found naturally on the skin². This acid is valuable for acne sufferers, who often have a deficiency, which argan oil can help reverse. It also has been proven to treat hyperpigmentation, which makes it a key ingredient in our Natural Argan Face Cream.
The linoleic acid thats naturally present in argan oil gets to work zapping the redness from your blemishes, and treating the irritation where it’s started, deep within the cells. By killing bacteria on skin before it gets into the dermal cells, argan oil can also help prevent breakouts from popping up in the future.
Some studies have shown that even ingesting or cooking with argan oil can help slow the ageing process by reducing inflammation within the body. However the quickest way to see anti-ageing results from argan oil is to apply it directly to the skin. That’s why it’s even used as an anti-inflammatory agent in topical treatments for injuries and infections.
What are the skin benefits of Argan oil?
In its pure form, argan oil can be found as an ingredient in face and hair oils – both are a great added step to treat yourself to if you’re looking to add a natural shine to your face and hair.
That shine is thanks to argan oil’s natural moisturizing benefits. Those benefits come from an abundance of Vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble antioxidant that can help improve water retention in the skin³.
Argan oil is known to bring out a natural glow in skin, which is the goal of our Natural Argan Face Cream. Make sure to give it a try if you’re looking to treat dry skin and wrinkles as well. Between argan oil, safflower seed oil, macadamia nut oil & shea butter, this moisturiser is guaranteed to hydrate dry skin and give you that fresh, glowy complexion we’re all looking for. It’s also naturally fragranced with the beautiful, nutty scent of argan, so you’ll enjoy each application both morning and night.
Can argan oil be used on all skin types?
Lucky for you, yes! Not all oils are created equally (that’s why we cook with some and apply others to our face and hair). But argan oil is certainly one you want to incorporate into your skincare routine – here’s why.
Every oil has a different formulation, weight, and absorption rate, making some better suited for certain skin types and concerns than others. Castor oil and grape-seed oil, for example, decrease excess oil on acne-prone skin, while coconut oil and avocado oil act as incredibly rich moisturizers for dry skin⁴. Argan oil falls right in the middle – not too heavy, not too light—making it perfect to use on all skin types. Even naturally oily skin can see acne-preventing benefits from argan oil due to its high level of linoleic acid, a compound known to prevent breakouts.
If you have dry skin, make sure to pair argan oil with a moisturizing element (like shea butter) as well – oils can fortify the skin but they don’t replace the need for a moisturizing boost.
What are the best skincare products formulated with argan oil?
If you’re not sure where to start for natural skincare, Hello Beauty Club has a trial offer for our Natural Argan Face Cream that will take the guesswork out of establishing a vegan skincare routine. You can grab your free trial of the Natural Argan Face Cream Mini Version, and pay only shipping and handling.
The Argan Face Cream from Hello Beauty Club is nourishing and hydrating without a greasy feel and is packed with vitamins that your skin will love. Formulated with argan oil, essential omega fatty acids, Vitamin E, and linoleic acid, this cream will get to work treating wrinkles and signs of ageing as soon as you apply it.
Argan Oil hair benefits
Argan oil is a versatile and powerful ingredient when it comes to beauty products – it also has wonderful benefits for hair as well. Argan oil is thought to improve hair quality by preventing damage to the exterior cuticle of the hair shaft while preserving the natural pigments that provide hair its color⁵. The makeup of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E in argan oil naturally help to increase hair’s elasticity and restore shine to hair.
This is a great ingredient to look for in shampoos and conditioners if you color or chemically treat your hair, as it’s a natural restorative for damaged or dull hair.
Argan oil side effects
Because it’s a mild oil, argan oil has limited reported side effects, making it safe for even the most sensitive skin. If you have food allergies, always check with your physician before trying a new product to ensure your natural skincare is safe to use.
1) “12 Benefits and Uses of Argan Oil – Healthline.” 10 Dec. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/argan-oil. Accessed 5 Dec. 2020.
2) “Top 4 Skin Benefits of Safflower Oil – Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare.” 5 Aug. 2019, https://www.drwangskincare.com/blogs/news/top-4-skin-benefits-of-safflower-oil. Accessed 30 Nov. 2020.
3) “Argan Oil for Skin: Benefits and Uses for All Skin Types.” https://www.healthline.com/health/argan-oil-for-skin. Accessed 25 Nov. 2020.
4) “How to Use Argan Oil on Your Face – Marie Claire.” 1 Jun. 2020, https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a17569/argan-oil-for-face/. Accessed 15 Dec. 2020.
5) “Argan Oil: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions.” https://www.verywellhealth.com/argan-oil-what-should-i-know-about-it-89938. Accessed 5 Dec. 2020.