What Is Argan Oil & 4 Benefits You Need to Know

What Is Argan Oil?

As you’d expect, argan oil is an oil, but there’s a little more to it. According to Dr. Eyde, part of the appeal that argan oil has—making it stand out from other oils you can choose to slick your skin with—is that it’s packed with antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and vitamins A and E. It’s also known for absorbing quickly and not leaving behind a greasy residue—avoiding two of the pitfalls that have a tendency to turn people off from using oils in the first place.

What Are the Benefits of Using Argan Oil?

If you’re wondering what argan oil can do for your skin, we’re happy to report that there’s no shortage of reasons to hop on the argan oil bandwagon. The multi-tasking oil offers an array of benefits—including the following four—that make it a no-brainer addition to your routine.  

Argan Oil Can Moisturize Your Skin

The reason most people initially reach for an oil is for moisturizing benefits. And if that’s what has you interested in argan oil, it can deliver. A study from the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) confirms, revealing that regular application of argan oil improves skin hydration by restoring barrier function.

Argan Oil Can Be Applied Beyond Just Your Face

Once you purchase argan oil, you aren’t limited to using it in just one way. “Argan oil can be used by men and women all over the world who seek a whole body moisturizer for skin, hair, lips, nails, cuticles and feet,” Dr. Eyde says. When your hair is damp, you can use a few drops of argan oil as a protective and nourishing styling product or leave-in conditioner. 

Argan Oil Can Improve Skin Elasticity  

According to the NCBI, argan oil can be used topically to help improve skin elasticity. Additionally, Dr. Eyde says that continued use can help minimize the appearance of wrinkles by plumping the skin with moisture.

Argan Oil Can Balance Oily Skin  

Putting argan oil on oily skin may sound like a recipe for disaster (or at the very least a really shiny complexion), but it actually has a surprising effect. Instead of increasing oiliness, applying an oil to your skin can help balance oil production. As Dr. Eyde states, argan oil may help to reduce sebum on the skin’s surface, meaning there’s no reason oily skin types have to avoid it.   

How Can You Add Argan Oil to Your Routine?

Not sure how to fit argan oil into your skin care routine? Not a problem, Dr. Eyde filled us in on that too. Before coating your skin in oil, Dr. Eyde recommends applying a moisturizing product formulated with glycerin and hyaluronic acid onto the skin, since they can help draw water into the skin. Once that’s handled, argan oil can be used after to provide “an occlusive barrier to the skin,” says Dr. Eyde. She recommends repeating this moisturizer and oil combination twice a day.