Argan oil often referred to as “liquid gold oil”, native to Morocco, but used globally, is plant oil produced from the kernels (the edible part of the nut or seed) of the argan tree. Argan oil is used for both culinary (like in Amlu a famous Moroccan spread served for breakfast with bread or pancakes) and cosmetic purposes.
There a lot of benefits associated with argan oil, read on to find them out:
1. Contains essential nutrients:
Argan oil contains high amount of fatty acids which is good for the body and can have a positive impact on health. It is a rich source of vitamin E (a fat soluble vitamin which can provide cell protection and help fight off infection. It is vital to immune system functioning), which is good for a healthy skin, your hair and eyes.
2. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in nature:
Rich in antioxidants (substances that can protect the cells from free radical damage), argan oil consists of vitamin E which can help reduce the damaging effect of free radicals (unstable molecule that develop in the body which can damage to the other healthy molecules, increasing the risk of diseases) in the body. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful for healing injuries or infections in the skin.
3. Can be beneficial against cancer:
Argan oil could be helpful in slowing down the growth and reproduction of certain cancer cells and could have potential cancer fighting effects.
4. For skin and anti-ageing:
- It can act as a non-greasy face moisturizer, without making your skin look oily.
- Can help people with acne as it can help balance the sebum (an oily, waxy substance produced by the sebaceous glands) production of the skin, in turn reducing acne breakouts. You can also use it for removal of stretch marks on your skin.
- Have anti-ageing effects as argan oil contains tocopherols (vitamin E) and healthy fatty acids which protects the skin from free radical damage and can improve the skin’s elasticity, keeping it youthful.
- It can also be used as a toner (an astringent liquid applied on the skin to reduce oiliness) and can improve the condition of the skin and give it a natural glow, giving it a fresh look.
- It can be added to your facial exfoliating scrub to make sure the skin stays hydrated through the exfoliation process.
- It can act as a natural lip balm and keep your lips moisturized.
- You can also use it as a makeup remover.
- For those who have sensitive skin, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve inflammation and reduce skin dryness. READ MORE – Black castor oil to stop hair fall and regrow thinning hair
5. Argan oil for hair:
- It can act as a natural hair moisturizer and hair conditioner as it contains fatty acids which can help lubricate the hair and keep it soft and hydrated, away from dryness.
- The vitamin E in argan oil can help reduce frizziness (you can use it for styling by rubbing a few drops of argan oil onto your palm and apply it on the frizzy portions of your hair) and boost the shine of the hair.
- It can be beneficial to scalp help because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent or improve skin conditions (like psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis) which cause hair loss.
- For those with styled or coloured hair, argan oil can help prevent the damage caused by styling or coloring the hair as it has fatty acids which have a protective effect. It can also be helpful in preventing split ends and hair breakage during heat styling.
- It protects the hair from sun damage and free radical damage using its antioxidant properties.
- It can be used as a hair mask (apply some oil on the scalp and hair as much as you need for your hair length and gently massage it in and wash off after an hour or so or else you can even leave it overnight and wash off the next day, with a mild shampoo), in your shampoo (pour some shampoo into your palm and add a few drops of argon oil and continue with your normal hair washing process) or even as a leave-in conditioner (after towel drying your hair, rub in a few drops of argan oil onto your palms and apply it on your hair). READ MORE – CAROM SEEDS WATER RECIPE for period cramps, weight loss and more..
6. For culinary uses:
You can use argan oil to drizzle it over your vegetables while cooking or even as salad dressings, but please ensure it is pure cooking argan oil and not mixed for cosmetic use.