You’re probably already aware that argan oil is a botanical oil used in a wide array of beauty products. What you may not know: It comes from a tree that grows only in a few small desert regions in Northern Africa and has been used in traditional and folk medicine for several hundred years.II It’s a seriously useful ingredient most commonly found in skincare and haircare products designed to target dry skin and nourish damaged strands. It’s also a common ingredient in anti-aging treatments and hair products for taming frizz. Ahead, learn what argan oil is, the best uses for this powerful plant ingredient, and its many (many) benefits for the appearance of skin and hair.
What Is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is a lightweight, non-greasy oil extracted from the Argan tree’s fruit, which grows only in a few arid regions in Morocco and southwestern Algeria. The oil is typically cold-pressed from the tree’s unroasted fruit, and it is a common addition to skincare and haircare products. Argan oil’s use as a traditional folk remedy for skincare issues like dryness, irritation, and acne goes back several centuries.
How Is Argan Oil Commonly Used?
Argan oil is used extensively in cooking throughout Morocco, similar to how Mediterranean regions rely heavily on olive oil. Of course, that isn’t our focus; this popular oil is commonly found in products for skin and hair as well. Argan oil is often used as a natural moisturizer to hydrate dry skin and hair. And that’s not all it can do: Research shows that argan oil can help improve the appearance of skin, including discoloration and uneven skin tone.IV It’s also been documented to help address isolated incidents of skin inflammation and irritation whether caused by burns, rashes, and even some minor wounds.*
Is Argan Oil Beneficial For Skin?
The benefits and uses of argan oil for skin are extensive, to say the least. The lightweight oil is rich in natural hydrators, including squalene (not to be confused with squalane) and tocopherols (more commonly known as vitamin E). It also has antioxidants and fatty acids, specifically linoleic acid—a common additive to skincare products.II These natural moisturizers make argan oil a particularly beneficial ingredient for helping hydrate the skin and maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier.*
We use argan oil in our Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion, a lightweight hydrating body cream that moisturizes and softens dry skin. This body cream formulated with argan oil helps improve the skin’s tone and texture while absorbing quickly for a lightweight, luxurious feel. It’s packed with skin-reinforcing ingredients to keep your skin feeling soft, smooth, and healthy-looking. Apply it from your neck down daily after showering for radiant, healthy-looking skin.
Keep reading to discover more of the skin benefits of argan oil, which have been discovered through research and scientific studies.
1. It can help improve the look of dark spots.
Using formulas with argan oil on the face and body can help reduce the appearance of dark spots, like those caused by sun spots or post-blemish marks. Research shows that applying argan oil topically may decrease melanin production (the pigment that gives skin its color).
2. It boosts elasticity.
Some studies show that using argan oil topically can improve skin elasticity and promote a more youthful, radiant complexion. The fats in argan oil, specifically linoleic acid, help keep the skin barrier healthy with hydration and make it easier for the skin to retain moisture, so it’s less likely to become dehydrated or damaged by environmental stressors like pollution.
3. It can help reduce breakouts.
Products infused with argan oil are often used to improve the appearance of oily or acne-prone skin. Though it seems counterintuitive to put more oil on oily skin, studies indicate that argan oil can help with excess sebum. Sebum is the natural oil produced by your skin, and overproduction can lead to clogged pores, blackheads, and more severe breakouts. This is also what gives some people an oily-looking complexion. With less sebum, skin appears more even and healthy-looking.
How Is Argan Oil Good For Hair?
It’s probably pretty clear by now that argan oil has plentiful beauty benefits, but just in case: Yes, argan oil is also excellent for your hair. This botanical oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants and can help protect, restore, and condition the hair and scalp. Learn more about argan oil’s benefits for hair below.
1. It hydrates dry strands.
Hydrating hair is one of the most well-known argan oil uses. It can help hair feel softer and appear smoother, shinier, and healthier-looking.
We recommend incorporating an argan oil-infused shampoo and conditioner into your haircare routine to reap the benefits of this incredible botanical oil without weighing down your strands. Our best-selling Smoothing Oil-Infused Shampoo and Smoothing Oil-Infused Conditioner are formulated with argan oil and babassu oil. The shampoo and conditioner work together to nourish and smooth dry tresses. This haircare routine is suitable for daily use and is particularly effective for smoothing the hair cuticle and minimizing frizz and flyaways. We recommend it for those with dry, damaged, or curly hair that needs extra hydration.
2. It reduces frizz.
Frizz is caused by a lack of moisture in your hair, which is why dry or damaged hair tends to get frizzier than hydrated, nourished strands. Because argan oil is such an effective hydrator, it helps to reduce frizz and make hair smoother and shinier.
For extra-dry or damaged hair, add Soothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate to your haircare routine. Comb a small amount through damp strands as a styling aid or apply a couple of drops to dry hair to add shine and smooth frizz. When used regularly with Smoothing Oil-Infused Shampoo and Conditioner, this lightweight treatment is shown to visibly improve the appearance and texture of the hair.
