Natural oils are either classified as essential oils or carrier oils. Beyond this classification, major concerns are on whether they can be used on the skin, especially the face. One such natural oil that have questions about its safety on the face is argan oil.
Argan oil is a natural, non-comedogenic carrier oil. This means that it is least likely to clog your pores and cause skin breakouts like acne.
Now that you are sure argan oil will not be a source of concern for acne, you can get answers to your questions about its usefulness.
And there are no exceptions on which skin type can and cannot use argan oil. However, if you have a nut allergy, you should not be considering argan oil.
What Is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is plant-based oil extracted from the seeds of the Moroccan Argan tree. This oil is popularly known to treat all skin conditions on all skin types.
Just like some plant-based oils, argan oil is fortified with vitamins A & E; and essential fatty acids like omega-6, oleic and linoleic acids.
These nutrients function to protect and heal your skin from many skin menaces like premature aging, dryness, and skin discoloration.
Argan oil offers moisturizing, hydrating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits that are necessary for the look and texture of the skin. It is usually extracted naturally to give you an unrefined oil which is the best type of oil you can treat your face to.
This carrier oil is widely known as an effective face moisturizer and its demand spurred skincare manufacturers to incorporate it in some products.
Is Organic Argan Oil Good for Your Face?
Organic argan oil is the best form to use argan oil for your face. It is unrefined and does not contain any additives that may interfere with its line of action.
Cold-pressed argan oil still retains its vitamins and essential fatty acids that make it improve the overall texture and tone of your facial skin.
The topical application of argan oil makes your face glow naturally and feel hydrated. Moreover, this oil is not a picky one; any skin type can comfortably use argan oil as part of a skincare routine. Facial skin is the most exposed skin on your body, and it is also very thin.
Consequently, to manage this skin and all the issues that can affect it, you need moisturizing, hydrating, healing, and protective skincare oils. And argan oil perfectly fits into these criteria of an ideal facial oil.
Is Argan Oil Good for Face Wrinkles?
Among the many things argan oil can do for your face is to reverse signs of premature aging. Also, as you age naturally, sebum production levels reduce and it is insufficient to moisturize your skin.
As a result, it has less moisture and fine lines, and wrinkles begin to form. Argan oil can be trusted to reduce their appearance and restore youthfulness.
“It fills in fine lines and wrinkles almost immediately, it’s packed with antioxidants, and it is an excellent way to seal in moisture,” says David A. Colbert, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.
Argan oil seals in moisture and hydrates your skin from within, making it look plump. It contains vitamin A, in the form of retinol, which has a reputation with anti-aging skincare routines.
Retinol works with vitamin E to fight off the free radicals that cause the development of wrinkles. Furthermore, it improves the elasticity of your skin and prevents the future development of facial wrinkles. Also, it hydrates your skin and gives you glowing, youthful skin.
Is Argan Oil Good for Face Acne?
This may sound counterintuitive but argan oil is good for face acne. Against everything you have been told about putting oil on your face, argan oil is least likely to clog your pores and cause acne.
Besides preventing acne breakouts, argan oil helps to treat acne and fade its scars. Vitamins A & E synergize with linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, and heal facial skin damage caused by acne.
In addition, argan oil is an occlusive that seals in moisture and mimics sebum, your natural oil. This mimicry protects your natural barrier and regulates oil production. If your skin does not get too dry or too oily, you can be sure that acne is in check.
Also, argan oil has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce your chances of getting skin inflammation which can lead to acne. Hence, it is a great option for oily and acne-prone skin.
Does Argan Oil Darken Your Face?
One of the many reasons why women turn to argan oil for facial oil is because of its skin-lightening benefit. This natural oil improves the complexion of your skin without breaking the layers.
Argan oil works to reduce the production of melanin pigment in your skin, hence, cutting down on the appearance of dark spots. Antioxidants like vitamins E and A are team players with essential fatty acids. They stimulate cell turnover and improve your skin tone.
Hormonal changes, hyperpigmentation, exposure to sun rays, and many other factors distort your complexion and even leave small dark spots. Incorporating argan oil into your weekly face scrub will help even your skin tone.
How to Use Argan Oil for Face
1. Face toner
Argan oil is great for skin toning. It is an effective skin cleanser with anti-inflammatory properties to reduce skin inflammation. Also, it treats dark spots that are a result of sun exposure and acne, giving you an even skin tone.
Materials for use: 4 drops argan oil, 1 green tea bag, 2 drops lemon or tea tree oil, 1 cup of hot water
How to use:
- Put the green tea bag in the cup of hot water
- Allow it to steep for up to 10 minutes
- Afterward, remove the tea bag and allow it to cool
- Then, add the argan oil and either lemon oil or tea tree oil, and mix well
- Pour the mix into a clean bottle
- During your skincare routine, after cleansing, dampen a clean cotton ball with the argan oil toner
- Gently wipe it across your face. Focus on your eyelids, forehead, chin, and cheeks
- Also, wipe your neck with the toner. Use these steps to tone your face during your morning and evening routine
- Allow it to absorb into your skin before you moisturize
2. Face mask
Generally, face masks help to exfoliate your skin, remove skin blemishes, and hydrate your skin. Argan oil face mask helps to smoothen fine lines and wrinkles and give you a youthful glow.
Materials for use: argan oil, honey, lemon juice, ripe avocado, water
How to use:
- Mix equal parts of argan oil, lemon juice, and honey in a clean bowl
- Mash the avocado in another bowl and pour it into the bowl of liquid
- Add water in bits until you get the right consistency
- Then, apply a face mask all over your face. Make sure you cover every part of your face except your eyes
- Leave it for about 10-15 minutes
- Thereafter, rinse your face with warm water and pat dry
3. Eye serum
Argan oil has great skin rejuvenating properties. You can use it as an eye serum to treat eye puffiness, dark circles, and eye wrinkles.
Materials to use: 1 tablespoon of argan oil, 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil, 5-6 drops of carrot oil, a vitamin E capsule, a dark glass bottle, and a dropper
How to use:
- Mix all your oils in the dark glass bottle
- Then, pour the content of the vitamin E into the bottle and close it
- Shake the bottle to mix the content
- Use this mixture as an eye serum during your AM and PM facial care routine
Side Effects of Using Argan Oil
“It is generally well tolerated, though some can experience some mild sensitivity,” says Marisa Garshick. Topical use of argan oil may cause rash or acne in people who have a nut allergy.
So, before you go ahead to use argan oil as part of your facial care, do a patch test on your inner wrist and watch it for some minutes. If you develop skin irritations, discontinue use.
FAQs
Which argan oil is best for you?
The best argan oil for you is not about what brand manufactures the oil. It is a naturally occurring oil. When you go shopping for your bottle of argan oil, buy an organic, cold-pressed argan oil. Do not buy argan oil that contains fragrance.
In addition, if you are buying a product that includes argan oil with additives, make sure the oil is listed as one of the highly concentrated ingredients. This is the way to get the best of all the nutrients in argan oil.
Can you use argan oil for your undereye?
Yes, you can. Argan oil helps to brighten puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles around your undereye that may be a result of aging, stress, lack of sleep, or ailments. Moreover, the antioxidants and vitamins in the oil help to keep the skin around there healthy and glowing.
However, you need to be careful around the eye area. The skin there is the thinnest and you should be cautious, so the oil does not get into your eyes.
Can you leave argan oil on your face overnight?
Yes, you can. Argan oil is a lightweight oil that absorbs into your skin in no time without leaving your face greasy. So, there is no need to wash it off after application.
Besides, while you sleep, your skin enters self-repair. Therefore, argan oil can effectively function to hydrate your face and you wake up the next day with a moisturized face.
Is argan oil good for your lips?
Yes, it is. Argan oil can serve as a lip balm against and treat chapped lips during harsh weather conditions. It heals the cuts and restores softness to your lips. Also, you can use argan oil as a lip scrub for a soft pout.
Conclusion
Argan oil has a reputation as an allrounder for all skin concerns and every skin type. Although you may have heard so much about why oil and your face should be two parallel lines.
However, the myths about oil on the face have since been debunked and so many people are seeking to add at least one oil to their facial care routine. Plant-based oils like argan oil are non-comedogenic and this is the number one reason why it is embraced in the beauty world.
Furthermore, you can topically use argan oil directly as a face toner, for face massage, or infuse it into your face scrubs and masks to hydrate your skin and fade scars.
If you are looking to include face oil into your skincare routine, this all-rounder oil is just what you need. One more thing to note is, if you have a nut allergy, you should stay away from this oil because it is extracted from the nuts of argan trees.
Thanks for reading.
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