Argan oil is a powerhouse, but you already know that. Extracted from the nuts of argan tree fruit in southwestern Morocco, traditionally, argan oil was used in cooking and treating skin infections but today, it’s found in heaps of beauty products claiming to help every other skin ailment including banishing blemishes and smoothing out wrinkles. How true is this?
Health and skin benefits
Argan oil contains high levels of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects skin against free radicals; according to a study published in the journal Pharmacological Research, it was found that consuming argan oil orally could help prevent heart disease and protect against cancer.
The oil is also high in unsaturated fatty linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that your body cannot produce on its own. The two most common essential fatty acids are Omega 3 and Omega 6, and these essential fatty acids are necessary for good health. When they’re in your body, they have X-Men capabilities (we kid, but not really), mutating into other molecules that have anti-inflammatory benefits like reducing pain caused by inflammation. This anti-inflammatory benefit means that this ingredient may be helpful for those with dry, eczema-prone skin.
Argan oil can also help mature skin stay hydrated thanks to its ability to retain water. With oral consumption and topical application, studies have shown improvement on skin hydration levels through the oil’s ability to restore the skin’s barrier function and maintain its water-holding capacity. Pretty neat, huh?
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