What is argan oil?

Argan oil is a substance that has numerous benefits for skin and hair. It is extracted from the fruits of a plant called Argania Spinosa, which is only found exclusively in southern Morocco. The entire process of extraction and production is done manually, so it has become a tradition passed from mother to daughter.

Currently, the vegetable oil has won the hearts of several people around the world who wish to have a more hydrated hair and renewed skin. As it is rich in nutrients and vitamins, the Moroccan oil can be used in various types of hair, whether frizzy, curly, wavy or straight.

In this text, you will learn about the benefits of argan oil, how to use it and also discover some interesting aspects of the product. To enjoy all the advantages that the oil offers, remember to assess the need of your hair or your skin.

Aspects of argan oil

Widely used in skin treatment and hair care, argan oil has interesting aspects about its origin and properties. Learn more about this oil in the topics below and check whether there are any contraindications to use it or not.

Origin of argan oil

Found only in the Moroccan region, argan oil is a substance extracted from the seeds of the Argania Spinosa plant. The oil extraction process is done manually.

First you need to place the seeds in the sun to dry and then press them in a kind of stone mill and then toast all the seeds until the oil is extracted.

Although it may seem easy at first, acquiring the oil is quite difficult because it is only produced by the Argania Spinosa plant, found exclusively in Morocco. In addition, a large quantity of seeds is needed to produce the substance, about 30 kg of seeds for 1 liter of oil.

Properties of argan oil

Among the various elements contained in argan oil, the main ones are: vitamins A, D and E, fatty acids, omega 6 and 9, phytosterols and polyphenols. In addition, studies show that, compared to other vegetable oils, argan oil has 3 times more vitamin E in its composition.

All these properties together make the oil present antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. That is, it helps prevent premature aging of cells and also helps in various skin treatments. For this reason, the oil of Moroccan origin is ideal to be used mainly in skin and hair.

Does it have contraindications?

Although it is a natural product, argan oil is a substance that one should be very careful when using. It is not recommended, for example, to apply the oil directly to the root of the hair because it can cause clogging of the follicles.

In addition, for very oily hair is indicated to use argan as a composition of some product and not in its pure form. For skin, the recommendation is similar: if it is very oily and acne-prone, do not apply on the skin.

The ideal is to seek the advice of a dermatologist for each case. Remember that argan oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that, if used in excess, can impair the functioning of the body.

Benefits of argan oil

Argan oil offers several benefits for both hair and skin. As it is not possible to present all of them here, we have separated below a list with the 15 main benefits of the oil for you. See!

Hydrates the skin

As argan oil is rich in vitamins, it is great for moisturizing the skin, both the face and the entire body. The ideal is to add a few drops of the product in a moisturizing cream of your choice and let it act after bathing. You can use it to moisturize your skin every two or three days.

Those who have very dry skin can already see the results in the very first weeks. In addition to leaving the skin brighter, luxuriant and healthy-looking, the oil also provides a velvety touch and soft skin all over the body.

Restores the natural pH

The pH is a value that indicates the level of acidity, neutrality or alkalinity of the body. For each part of the body there is a healthy and specific pH. When this value is high or far below the indicated for a particular region, it indicates the need for care.

Argan oil is a vegetable product that restores the natural pH of both hair and skin. Therefore, the other products that you use will be well absorbed by your body, because the pH will be balanced. You can use the oil in its pure form, with just a few drops. Thus, you will already see the result.

Controls oiliness

If you have dry skin or hair, you can count on argan oil. Due to the properties of the oil, it provides the exact amount of oiliness that skin and hair need. In addition, the product can control the level of oiliness by reducing it if you have too much.

However, it is important to note that increased oiliness of both skin and hair can have numerous causes, such as hormonal change or consumption of some medicine, for example. In these cases, it is indicated to seek to treat the root of the problem. Otherwise, if your skin and hair are naturally oily, you can use argan oil to control.

Fights acne

Acne is one of the major skin problems that usually bothers people who experience it. Depending on the severity, argan oil helps to combat these elements, because it balances the oiliness of the skin and closes the pores that are open, which are the main causes of acne.

However, if the skin is extremely acneic, it is recommended to see a dermatologist to treat the issue. In addition, if the skin is very oily, it is not recommended to use the product in its pure form, as it can further increase the oiliness of the skin. Otherwise, you can use a few drops of oil up to 3 days a week to enjoy the benefits.

Reduces wrinkles

Wrinkles can be caused by several factors, such as sun exposure without the use of sunscreen, smoking, hormonal changes, excessive alcohol consumption, among others. But sooner or later, wrinkles appear as a natural process of the skin caused by skin aging due to loss of tone and elasticity of the skin.

Argan oil acts in the skin as a powerful product to reduce wrinkles. As they are a natural phenomenon of the skin, it is not possible to eliminate them completely, but the vegetable oil is able to minimize wrinkles because it acts by restoring the hydrolipidic layer of the skin, leaving it more elastic and firm.

Renews the cells

Aiming to provide strength to hair, argan oil is one of the first natural products that comes to mind to be used for this purpose. However, the vegetable oil has many elements, such as fatty acids, phytosterols, omega 6 and vitamins that offer benefits beyond the hair.

One of the advantages that the oil provides is cell renewal, which, consequently, helps in the treatment of many skin problems, such as signs of aging, for example. Expression lines and wrinkles are minimized with the action of argan oil in the body.

Helps to absorb nutrients

Due to the moisturizing property of argan oil, it can more easily absorb nutrients and take them directly to the hair fibers. For this reason, it is very indicated in the processes of humectation, for example, which is a type of treatment aimed at applying nutrients to the hair strands.

In addition, when the oil is added to hair masks, it potentiates the action of the masks, making the hair much more hydrated. The same principle applies to the skin, which when applied along with other moisturizing products, helps them take more nutrients to the entire body.

Anti-inflammatory

One more of the many benefits of argan oil is its anti-inflammatory ability, which comes combined with its healing function. Therefore, the vegetable oil is usually used as a herbal remedy, that is, medicines that are taken from medicinal plants. For this, it needs to be applied to the skin in its pure form.

As it is a natural remedy, it can be used even in food, in the preparation of food. In Italy, for example, many citizens use argan oil as a substitute for olive oil and the famous cooking oil. Therefore, if you want to make use of argan oil in cooking, be sure to consume it in 100% pure form.

Cicatrizant

Argan oil has healing action, because it helps in the process of cell regeneration. Therefore, it is indicated for use on the skin when it is injured. Simple wounds and pan burns, for example, are usually solved with the application of a few drops of vegetable oil.

However, depending on the severity of the cut, it is recommended that you see a doctor. Keep in mind that, because it is a vegetable oil, the Moroccan product ends up working as a natural remedy. However, depending on the case, a deeper medicinal intervention is necessary. Therefore, use argan oil with awareness.

Protects hair from UV rays

UV rays usually damage the hair, causing extreme dryness. With the properties contained in argan oil, the hair strands gain a kind of protective layer that prevents the action of these rays on the fibers. Therefore, you can leave home without fear of being happy with your strands.

For good protection, it is important you make use of the oil in its pure form. Use only two or three drops on the tips mainly. With the rest left in the palm of your hands, spread over the length of the hair. In addition, you can use the oil as a finisher, that is, at the end of the whole process of washing and combing cream.

Stimulates hair growth

For those who want to accelerate the growth of the strands in a healthy and balanced way, you can count on argan oil. As it brings nutrition, restoration, repair and hydration, the hair is free of damage that hinder the growth of the strands, such as dryness, split ends and elasticity, for example.

Therefore, the hair has an easier time to grow much healthier. But it is important to keep in mind that hair growth time varies from person to person and it also depends on various other factors. So, respect your hair's time and continue with your argan oil care.

Decreases hair elasticity

Elastic hair is a clear indication of weak hair. Generally, this phenomenon is caused by a lack of nutrients. Therefore, a moisturizing combined with hydration must be done urgently. After all, hair elasticity is the starting point for hair breakage. In this scenario, argan oil arises to reduce the effect of elastic hair.

The vegetable oil extracted from the plant Argania Spinosa is rich in fatty acids and omega 3 and 6 that give greater restoration of the hair fiber, making the wire firmer and more resistant. Add the oil in hair masks in the stage of nutrition and hydration is essential to return the health of your hair.

Reduces split ends

Besides frizz, another big fear, especially among women, are the terrible split ends, which appear as a sign of hair weakness. By excessive chemical procedures or even exposure to natural events, such as sun and wind, the hair cuticles open, wearing down the fibers, causing the split end effect.

As argan oil is rich in vitamins and moisturizing properties, it replenishes the nutrients of the hair, repairing the damage caused by these external factors. As a result, the hair cuticles close, bringing the health and life of the hair again.

Thermal protector

Hair straighteners and hair dryers are procedures that damage the hair fiber. For this reason, it is important to protect the hair before, during and after these processes. That's where argan oil comes in, as it can provide a protective plate against the damage caused by the heat of these appliances.

You can use the oil before the hair dryer or flat iron, applying a few drops on the tips and lengths of the hair. This process will ensure the protection of the wire against breakage and dryness. If you prefer, you can also use vegetable oil after the procedures, because the product will repair the hair fibers, regenerating the cuticles.

Fights frizz

One of the great benefits of argan oil for hair is frizz control. Due to the properties of the oil, the product acts on the hair fiber, taking nutrients and taming those rebellious strands that get frizzy. Whether in curly, curly or straight hair, the product moisturizes the strands, leaving them stronger and more resistant.

The main cause of frizz is excess dryness. Hair that presents this phenomenon often has difficulty preserving the moisturizing elements in the strands.

As a result, there is a dilation of the cuticles of the wire, allowing the excessive entry of water, thus causing the dreaded frizz. The argan oil brings hydration by closing the cuticles.

How to use argan oil

For skin and hair, argan oil has similar use to other vegetable oils. However, it is important you know the correct form of use for each purpose in order to fully enjoy all the benefits that the oil offers.

Moisturizing with argan oil

Humectation is the capillary process that aims to provide more nutrients to the hair. The treatment is done with vegetable oils and basically consists in bathing all the strands with the oil and letting the product act for a few hours before moisturizing or overnight while you sleep.

Argan oil is ideal to moisturize the hair, because in addition to providing nutrients, which is the focus of treatment, it also moisturizes the wires, making them healthier. For very dry hair it is important to do the nightly moisturizing up to twice a week and remove the oil in the morning with shampoo and conditioner.

Argan oil in the hair mask

In the hair mask, argan oil can also be used, because it will enhance the effects of treatment. For this, just drip up to five drops of oil in the product and leave the mask time to act. As it is vegetable, it is compatible with any type of hair mask.

However, it is not indicated to use the oil in masks that contain argan oil in its composition, as this can generate substance overload and instead of moisturizing, will further dry out the hair. In addition, make this type of use with the oil and mask only once a week.

Argan oil as a tip repairer

For split ends, argan oil is excellent as an end repairer. You just need to pour a few drops of oil in the palm of your hand and apply well to the ends of the hair. With the leftover product in your hands, apply on the length of the hair until half of the hair, without reaching the root.

As it is a great thermal protector, argan oil can be applied to the tips after using straighteners and hair dryers. But be careful with the amount of product, control it as you go, because excessive use of the product has the potential to leave your hair greasy and heavy looking.

Argan oil on the skin

On the skin, argan oil needs certain care. If you are going to use it on the face, you need to check whether your skin is very oily and with many blackheads. If so, it is not recommended to use pure oil and it is necessary to seek a dermatologist to assess the acne situation and excess oiliness.

Otherwise, you can mix the oil together with other moisturizing products and apply it to your face or full body every two or three days after showering. This ritual will provide more hydration to your skin, leaving it smoother, softer and with that healthy look.

How often can I use argan oil?

The frequency of use of argan oil will vary according to the purpose. In its pure form, if you are going to use the oil in hair, you can drip three to five drops on the hair every two or three days, always starting at the tips and spreading throughout the length of the hair. If you use it on the skin, you can drip a few drops of oil every two or three days.

Despite being natural, do not use argan oil in excess in its 100% pure form, because it can do the opposite effect and bring harm to the body. But if the oil is part of the composition of some product, such as shampoos and body moisturizers, for example, you can make use according to the product recommendations.

Anyway, argan oil is an element of nature that provides various benefits for skin and hair. With proper use, you can enjoy all the advantages that the product offers without fear of being happy.