The argan oil has health properties for the human body. It helps improve the well-being of the skin, hair, can be used for the face or body, and comes in different concentrations. Buying it pure is very simple, though you can also dilute it by mixing it with other cosmetics.
Properties of argan oil
The ceramides in argan oil act on the skin, providing quality and greater health. People with skin problems, dry skin, and those in need of a moisturizer can use argan oil on the face as it works as a cream.
Also, if you notice dry or frizzy hair, it’s great for that. It has a great ability to eliminate frizz from dry or unruly hair.
It improves nail strength. It helps in the process of making them harder so they don’t break easily.
The properties are:
- Moisturizing
- Provides vitamins
- Antioxidant
- Reduces stretch marks
- Healing effect
Contents
For the face
Just like coconut oil, which is very beneficial for health and most oils applied topically, argan oil is a powerful moisturizer for the skin of the face. It is composed of different active ingredients that nourish the dermal tissues. The vitamins and antioxidants strengthen the structure of the skin cells.
The unsaturated fatty acids it contains prevent water evaporation from the skin, improving the organic cellular ecosystem.
As it contains tocopherol, the well-known vitamin E, and also vitamin C, it is a potent antioxidant. These substances are well-known in cosmetics for their effect in preventing free radicals that cause cell death.
So, besides the described benefits, you can use it as an anti-aging balm since it really acts as a regenerator, improving the appearance of wrinkles. It helps repair deeper ones and can disguise the superficial ones if used together with other anti-aging treatments.
Argan oil works so well because it easily penetrates the skin layers. It does not clog pores, which is an advantage for keeping the skin clean.
Moreover, many dermatologists and estheticians recommend it. The former for small acne pimples, improving the symptoms of psoriasis, and dermatitis. The professionals in personal care and health recommend it because it truly beautifies the face.
For the body
If it’s good for the skin, why wouldn’t it be good for the body? You can use it as a body oil since it improves the feeling of dryness and tightness in cracked skin. It also has the property of improving stretch marks. Unlike what happens with evening primrose oil properties, which are very good when ingested, argan oil for the skin should be applied with the hands. Though both have benefits for acne, the latter is better for eliminating stretch marks. If used regularly, it can improve their appearance and enhance tissue regeneration in the dermis.
As you may know, many oils are used in massage therapy and rehabilitation clinics. Well, a large number of them are made from argan. This is because it allows smooth gliding with the hands, keeps the skin hydrated all over the body, face, hands, and wherever you use it, and also nourishes and leaves the body looking great.
Stretch marks and scars
Specialists recommend it for treating burn symptoms and small wounds once they begin to heal. When the skin starts to cover the injuries, its healing effect helps regenerate it without leaving marks.
Moreover, if you’re pregnant or planning to be soon, it might be a good idea to buy a small bottle of argan oil to prevent stretch marks. Using it on your belly as pregnancy starts to show will improve the health of your skin and prevent many of the stretch marks that occur during these months.
For hair
Hairdressers and personal image professionals have known this for a long time. Hair oil is one of the best substances you can use to nourish and improve dry and unruly hair. It prevents frizz, and professional opinions, as well as those from people who use it, say it adds shine and improves the scalp’s resistance to hair diseases. On one hand, it hydrates the keratin fibers, and on the other hand, it improves the quality of collagen in the skin of the head, which largely makes up the scalp.
Where argan comes from
Argan is a tree called Argania Spinosa that grows in dry climates. Morocco is the natural habitat of the Sapotaceae plants, the family to which these trees belong. It is robust and large, reaching more than 8 meters in height, and produces many fruits called “argan” or “erguén.”
In its region of origin, it has been well-known for centuries, and even UNESCO declared the argan tree a world heritage site in 1998. So, you can imagine how valuable it is for people.
It is very appreciated not only for the properties of its fruits but also because in dry climates it improves the soil with its roots. Its giant root system (root ball) creates a perfect structure to compact the soil and retain moisture during the driest months of semiarid climates. It helps keep the ground’s water. It’s a curious coincidence that it has similar properties when it comes to skin moisture. When the cold extraction process is done on the active ingredients from the fruit, it serves the same purpose.
If liquid gold in Spain is olive oil, in Morocco, it is argan oil. This fact, along with all the others mentioned so far, says a lot about the esteem Moroccans have for it.
Pure argan oil
It is the most used for skin care. It has a golden appearance, liquid but not watery like high-quality oils. Its scent is very light, and many people can’t even notice it. Oils with scent are those that have gone through a roasting process for use in slimming diets. Pure argan oil must be cold-pressed to maintain all its properties, so to distinguish higher-quality ones, you can smell them. The lighter and less intense the fragrance, the purer it is.
However, the easiest way is by the label. If you buy a reliable brand, the label must indicate the origin of all its oils and ingredients. It is common for it to mention Argania Spinosa, and if there are other substances, it means it’s less pure and has additives. If it says it’s refined or something similar, it isn’t pure either.
A good recommendation is to check reviews of that specific brand and avoid those that don’t indicate the origin or components on the label. The best quality is always indicated, and cosmetics with Liquid Gold or 100% argan know they must highlight it because it’s a highly sought-after feature.
What is its price
You can buy a product for the whole body or focus on those specifically for hair. In general, regardless of the prices, if the argan oil is pure, you should be able to use it for anything, but as we mentioned before, it might contain some type of vitamin to complement and give it a broader range of effects. So it’s important to pay attention to the intended use.
Bottles of pure argan oil range in price from €5 to €10. Here you can find pure organic ones and those that include other active ingredients. You can get them in small 50ml containers or go up to 1-liter ones. However, the larger size is obviously more expensive.
Argan oil for hair is also relatively cheap, ranging from €4 to up to €50. Keep in mind that these are hair treatments and often include more than one bottle, such as conditioner, mask, and of course, the oil itself, so you can perform a complete hair care routine.
The recommendation is to pay attention to the use the brand gives it, and it’s best to check the components to make sure it’s really worth the price.
Where to buy argan oil
Fortunately, there are some very good brands with great quality. If you purchase one of the pure oils, they should have very similar properties. There may be some differences, but in general, they will serve your purposes perfectly. These include hydration and improvement of skin and hair as described in this article.
You can find it in traditional cosmetic stores, supermarkets, but the best place to buy argan oil is online. Here you’ll discover good prices, great deals, and also, if you buy another product, most of the time you’ll get a discount. So, besides being super convenient since you don’t have to leave home and you’ll have it in two days to try and feel the sensations when applying it, the price is one of the best.