15 surprising benefits of argan oil for your skin
Aren’t we always on the lookout for the latest product that claims to give us glowing, healthy skin? A miraculous ingredient that addresses our numerous skin woes, and which actually lives up to its claims? Well, argan oil is that natural remedy you didn’t know you were missing out on, the very ingredient that can help you achieve your major skin goals! Used by Moroccan women for centuries, and famously dubbed ‘nature’s liquid gold’, there are numerous benefits of argan oil for skin and hair. Let’s explore this worldwide phenomenon in skincare by delving into 15 surprising benefits of argan oil for your skin.
Before we do that, let’s first try to understand what argan oil is and why it’s so effective for skin health.
Argan oil: What is it?
One of the rarest oils in the world, argan oil is extracted from the kernels that grow on argan trees. The argan trees are native to Morocco, where people have appreciated the health properties of this versatile oil for centuries.
Commonly sold as a pure oil and also available in the form of capsules, argan oil can be used both orally and topically to boost skin, nail, and hair health. It contains a rich concoction of active ingredients and powerful vitamins that enhance overall skin health and also help address a variety of skin concerns such as eczema and acne.
Argan oil skin benefits can be attributed to antioxidant compounds such as carotenes, vanillic acid, fatty acids, vitamin E, catechins and other polyphenolic compounds the oil is brimming with. All these play a part in strengthening the body’s immune system and maintaining healthy skin. It’s no wonder that a lot of cosmetic products like moisturisers, serums, creams, shampoos, and conditioners have argan oil as one of their star ingredients.
At Poko, we too recognise the immense benefits of argan oil skincare and have it as a prominent ingredient in our award-winning Correcting Eye Cream. Let’s now take a look at the amazing benefits of argan oil for skin and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine.
15 argan oil skin benefits
Our skin is the largest organ of our body, and argan oil usage in the form of nighttime oil, moisturiser, eye cream, or face scrub can go a long way towards enriching its health. The most noteworthy benefits of argan oil for skin comprises the following:
1. Moisturises and hydrates skin
Argan oil is popularly used as a moisturiser, due to the abundance of vitamin E that it contains. Vitamin E, being a fat-soluble antioxidant, is known to hydrate the skin by enhancing water retention and preventing it from getting dry and flaky. Argan oil is thus particularly beneficial for people suffering from extremely dry skin. Not only that, other nutrients and active ingredients in argan oil also effectively penetrate the skin to help you achieve healthy, clear, even-toned skin. Additionally, regular use of argan oil also helps to improve skin elasticity.
2. Protects against harmful UV rays and sun damage
While we all love to be out in the sunshine, the harmful UV rays of the sun can have a number of detrimental effects on your skin, such as sunspots and hyperpigmentation. However, you might be surprised to learn that argan oil contains beneficial compounds which act as a filter against these harmful effects that considerably speed up the ageing process.
Argan oil contains vitamin E, which is renowned for its skin repairing qualities and helping fade unsightly sunspots, resulting in nourished, glowing skin. It’s no wonder that Moroccan women have been following this practice for a long time, and even a recent 2013 study suggests the benefits of argan oil for protection from sun damage. The study found that antioxidant compounds in argan oil successfully helped protect the skin from sun damage and prevent burns and hyperpigmentation.
3. Acts as a skin toner and lightener
You may be surprised to learn about argan oil skin lightening qualities. Argan oil is full of beneficial fatty acids and tocopherols that may help lighten skin tone. If you’re looking to lighten any existing acne or chickenpox scars, argan oil may just be what you need. Moroccan women have been using it for centuries to lighten their complexion.
4. Provides relief from multiple skin conditions
Argan oil is rich in active ingredients that have many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it particularly useful for inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea or psoriasis. For optimal results, you can dab pure argan oil directly on any inflamed areas of the skin, such as patches of rosacea, to speed the healing process.
5. Soothes symptoms of atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema, and is categorised by red, itchy irritated skin. Recent research suggests that topical application of argan oil to affected areas can help treat the bothersome symptoms. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of various compounds found in the oil, as well as vitamin E, which helps provide a soothing effect. A study found that dermatitis patients treated with oral vitamin E saw a significant reduction in their symptoms compared to the placebo group.
6. Controls skin’s oiliness
Many of us struggle with oily skin and are always on the lookout for products that can help mattify the skin and get rid of the oily sheen. Argan oil can greatly help in this regard, as it is known to regulate sebum production. Your skin will stay hydrated and won’t overproduce sebum, which will help reduce the overall oiliness of the skin. A recent study found that the application of a cream containing argan oil twice a day significantly reduced sebum production and skin oiliness in only four weeks.
7. Helps treat acne
As you now know, argan oil can help regulate sebum production, which can also lessen the possibility of breakouts and acne that is often the result of excess sebum. Not only that, topical application of argan oil helps reduce inflammation that accompanies acne breakouts. It also has exfoliating qualities that help your pores to breathe. Less clogged pores will ultimately result in fewer chances of breakouts.
Another amazing benefit of argan oil for the face and skin is that it can promote cell regeneration and reduce the appearance of existing acne scarring. This is all thanks to the abundance of vitamin E it contains. For everyone struggling with pesky breakouts, argan oil may just be the best solution for your skin woes.
8. Has anti-ageing effects
Argan oil is packed with antioxidants that boost the body’s defence against harmful free radicals that cause wrinkles, age spots, blemishes, and premature ageing. The evidence is not just anecdotal; a recent study backed up the claim that argan oil has anti-ageing effects. Researchers working with postmenopausal patients saw that a combination of oral and cosmetic argan oil significantly enhanced skin elasticity.
You too, can prevent wrinkles and slow down bothersome signs of ageing. It can be done by applying argan oil topically on your skin, taking argan oil supplements or doing both.
9. Prevents and reduces existing stretch marks
This golden oil, rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, has gained immense popularity for effectively healing existing stretch marks and preventing any future ones. These beneficial compounds in argan oil enhance collagen production and skin elasticity. You can safely rub a few drops of argan oil onto your belly and other areas during pregnancy. This is a time when the appearance of stretch marks is particularly common.
A recent study discovered that an emollient water-in-oil cream containing argan oil enhanced skin elasticity, potentially helping the prevention or early treatment of stretch marks.
You too, can apply argan oil to any affected areas if you suspect the appearance of stretch marks. However, it is advisable to check with your doctor before using it during pregnancy.
10. Helps product absorbency
Another surprising benefit of argan oil for skin is that it helps other products to be easily absorbed. Since it is super hydrating and boosts exfoliation, other skincare products can penetrate more easily and deeply into the skin. Thus, increasing their overall efficacy.
11. Treats skin infections
Argan oil has been traditionally used to treat a variety of skin infections. After all, the skin is constantly under attack from different bacteria. Owing to its powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties, regular topical use of argan oil has the potential to treat and timely prevent such skin infections.
12. Aids wound healing
Argan oil contains a potent combination of powerful antioxidants and vitamin E. These aid in the faster healing of cuts and wounds. Not only can you apply it topically to the affected areas, but you can also take supplements to reap argan oil skin benefits.
13. Acts as an effective lip conditioner
As it is rich in vitamins A and E, argan oil acts as the perfect natural moisturiser and conditioner for dry, flaky, chapped lips. It can be applied directly onto the lips to soften and hydrate them and restore much-needed moisture.
14. Helps treat razor bumps and burns
We all hate unsightly razor bumps and burns and the itchiness they cause. Argan oil is a great help in this case too, as it contains beneficial polyphenols. These help alleviate itchiness, inflammation, rashes, and other skin irritations.
Not only that, using argan oil may prevent razor bumps in the first place! Since it forms a natural and effective exfoliator when mixed with oatmeal or brown sugar, you can use it as a body scrub to remove dead skin cells. It is the best chemical-free way to keep your skin moisturised and glowing.
15. Excellent eye treatment
The under-eye skin is quite delicate, as it is comparatively thinner than the rest of our skin. It thus needs extra care to prevent dark circles and puffiness. Luckily, argan oil can effectively help to reduce under-eye inflammation and puffiness. You can apply a few drops on the upper and lower eyelids and lightly tap in circular motions. This can work wonders for nourishing skin around the eyes.
Our favourite product containing argan oil
Now that you understand all the amazing benefits of argan oil for skin, you may be itching to try it out for yourself. Luckily for you, we have the perfect product to get you started. Poko’s Correcting Eye Cream, which has recently won the Beauty Bible Silver Award for Best Eye Treatment Cream 2021, is all the rage nowadays.
This light cream is formulated with argan oil and other beneficial natural ingredients. It thus helps you reap all the benefits of this remarkable oil. It nourishes the delicate under-eye area, brightens dark circles and helps reduce puffiness. No wonder it’s getting rave reviews from all who try it!
Key takeaways
There are many benefits of argan oil for skin and general health, whether applied topically or ingested orally. Argan oil contains a variety of powerful antioxidants and vitamins, which can help alleviate symptoms of various skin conditions. These include eczema, acne, psoriasis and rosacea. It can also help reduce signs of ageing like wrinkles, minimise scarring, and deeply hydrate the skin. Argan oil also helps prevent and treat stretch marks. Not only that, but it can be a great remedy to treat razor bumps and burns. It also makes for an effective under eye treatment.
Argan oil is generally safe to use. However, you should err on the side of caution and do a small patch test. This is just to ensure the oil won’t cause any skin irritation.