Argan Oil: What It's Used For and How to Use It

ARGAN OIL

Vitamin E, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids, including phytosterols, squalene, polyphenols, and omega-6: it would be impossible to create a cream or compound with such a rich and complete formula in the laboratory. Argan oil is anti-wrinkle, emollient, has a good cell renewal power and excellent features also in the kitchen. From a nutritional point of view it helps fight excess cholesterol and toxins.

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WHAT IS ARGAN OIL?

Also known as Moroccan oil due to its origin, argan oil is an oil with countless benefits that is extracted from the seeds of the argan plant. Argania spinosa, a shrub typical of North Africa, particularly of the southern area of ​​Morocco, more specifically in the Souss plain.

UNESCO has declared the main area where argan seeds are harvested a biosphere reserve. The so-called "argan forest" extends over 800.000 hectares, and women's cooperatives work there to harvest the fruit, ensuring the protection of the land and its preservation. reforestation.

A highly prized vegetable oil, grown sustainably, just like the harvesting of the fruit from which it is extracted. Forget intensive cultivation that exploits trees: the fruit is harvested from the ground when it is dry and falls from the tree. It takes a woman three days of labor to produce one liter of oil.

WHAT IS ARGAN OIL USED FOR?

Moroccan oil is full of cosmetic and other properties, and its benefits for the body are countless. Just like its uses.

THEoil Argan oil can have many benefits, especially for the beauty and softness of skin and hair. It can be used as a moisturizer in bath water to give the skin radiance and softness, or added to our anti-wrinkle creams thanks to its anti-aging and antioxidant properties. Many beauty professionals also point out how argan oil can be used to combat stretch marks during pregnancy in combination with sweet almond oil, or as a soothing treatment for skin irritation after hair removal. Perfect as a massage oil, it's also a panacea for hair: after shampooing, massaging a few drops into the scalp helps make it soft and silky and combat dandruff. Naturally.

Finally, argan oil also has numerous uses in the food sector.

BENEFITS OF ARGAN OIL

With its emollient and hydrating properties, argan oil is perfect for those who want to pamper their hair in a natural way: it makes it soft and shiny, helps fight the frizz effect and hydrates it after washing, making it bright hair and healthy.

Rich in vitamin E, it's a boon for hair stressed and damaged by pollution, dyes, hair dryers, chemicals, straighteners, or curling irons. Particularly suitable for dry and brittle hair, it helps hydrate and strengthen it, as well as adding shine and a healthy appearance to all hair types. Those with curly hair will immediately notice a reduction in frizz with just a few drops of argan oil: it keeps hair soft, hydrated, and volumized.

To protect your hair from the excessive heat of straighteners and blow dryers, just a few drops after washing. It contains Omega 3s, which form a special protective barrier on the hair. Combing can stress our hair, so remember to apply a few drops of argan oil and massage it into the scalp and ends to nourish, protect, and make it easier to brush.
Finally, argan oil has strengthening and anti-hair loss properties, so regular, daily use makes hair stronger and less prone to hair loss, split ends, and fraying.

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ARGAN OIL FOR THE FACE

Also known as “desert gold”, argan oil has countless beneficial properties for our face and skin: nourishing, soothing, anti-inflammatory and repairing. If used consistently it can improve acne and other skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.

Perfect as a moisturizer, it can be applied with a cotton pad or fingers in place of cream, but it can also be added to our skincare products. If we love wearing makeup to achieve a healthy and radiant look, it's advisable to add a few drops of argan oil to our usual foundation to make it nourishing and hydrating throughout the day. Due to its anti-aging properties, the presence of vitamin E, a powerful natural antioxidant, and unsaturated fatty acids, it can be applied in place of wrinkle cream during the day or before going to sleep.

The secret? A beauty mask made with plain yogurt, honey, and a few drops of argan oil. Prepare it immediately to prevent oxidation; it's incredibly easy to make and excellent for deeply hydrating and nourishing the skin.

HOW TO USE ARGAN OIL

As we've seen, argan oil has many uses, but the idea is always to rub a few drops of argan oil into your skin or hair, often while it's damp. Applying it in place of cream, you can: massage it onto the still damp skin after washing: its sebum-regulating, hydrating and antibacterial properties leave the skin smooth, clean and soft.

If we apply it to damp hair, it is important to do so from roots to ends, wrapping a towel around the head for as long as possible. The ideal is to let it act deeply in the hair all night before rinsing and washing with normal shampoo.

If we use it instead of the balm, apply it to damp ends and leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse: a few drops are enough, don't overdo it to avoid a greasy effect. If we use it as a body moisturizer, simply rub a little after the shower, on slightly damp skin, focusing on areas where the skin is particularly dry or on the parts where breakouts tend to appear. stretch marksFinally, massaging a few drops of argan oil into your nails helps keep them strong and healthy without flaking.

ARGAN OIL AS FOOD

Argan oil is used primarily as a food condiment in Morocco, although the formulation and production process vary depending on the intended use. It is used, however, in a similar way to extra virgin olive oil, primarily to season cereal products, such as bread or couscous, but also as an ingredient in traditional Berber desserts.

Used in cooking, it can almost serve as an alternative to olive oil, containing various molecules beneficial to the body's well-being. It is rich in antioxidants, especially tocopherol, and is a healthy fat, harmless to the heart and blood vessels due to its high content of unsaturated fats. Used as a condiment, it can help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce its symptoms, especially in cases of high cholesterol and diabetes.

According to a 2009 study published in the journal Metabolism, regular consumption of argan oil can reverse the damage caused by a high-sugar diet by reducing insulin resistance.

Argan oil, finally, has great power antioxidant and helps fight oxidative stress, preventing the onset of cancer.

WHERE TO FIND ARGAN OIL

In its purest, 100% form, argan oil isn't easy to find. It's much easier to find, in minimal quantities and with many additives, in some cosmetic products like creams, shampoos, or conditioners. As mentioned, not all argan oil on the market is pure; to purchase it, you'll need to visit pharmacies or specialized herbalists, but it can often be found at ethnic shops specializing in North African products, many of which are found in large cities.

If you prefer to shop online, choose reliable sites with many positive reviews. Also, consider the selling price: if it seems too low, you might want to think twice; it might not be pure. Another recommendation is to ask for certification as pure and organic argan oil.

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HOW TO CHOOSE ARGAN OIL

Argan oil is a wonderful product, but it can be quite expensive, given its rarity and the procedures required to harvest the argan seeds and press them to extract the oil. For this reason, it's best to use it in small quantities: just a few drops are enough for its highly concentrated active ingredients to work. When purchasing, check that the bottle lists argan oil, listed on the label as argania spinosa oil, as the only ingredient. To have truly pure argan oil at home, there should be no other ingredients, such as preservatives, fragrances, or other fillers. A tip? Smell it. Pure argan oil has a faint hazelnut aroma, so pour a drop on your skin and "smell" it. With pure argan oil, the scent will disappear after a few minutes of contact with the skin.

NANOIL ARGAN OIL

A product of argan oil, one hundred percent organic, unrefined and obtained through cold pressing, is the one proposed by the line NanoilIt contains as many as one hundred substances (80 percent of which are fatty acids) that make it unique and highly suitable for various functions. First and foremost, it is a precious oil for the skin: it slows the aging process and improves elasticity and firmness. These properties are particularly important for dry, sensitive, mature, acne-prone, and damaged skin.

Secondly, this type of argan oil, rich in vitamin E, is very beneficial for hair: it accelerates growth and preserves its natural shine. Finally, Nanoil argan oil, certified by Ecocert, is a highly effective serum for the face and eyes.

When it comes to hair, the product has heat-protective properties, making it an excellent choice for styling. The oil can be used alone or combined with other Nanoil oils to create a unique blend that meets all individual needs. The oil comes in a glass bottle with a convenient pipette for easy dosing. It's one of the most versatile oils: it absorbs immediately after application and begins working from the inside, yet it doesn't leave skin or hair greasy.

BEAUTY AND HEALTH WITH NATURAL PRODUCTS:

• Beauty bath: the benefits of a natural remedy that softens the skin and restores vitality to the body. It's also useful for microcirculation.
• DIY Beauty: The Best Natural Alternatives to Make with Common Ingredients
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