14 Beauty Benefits of Argan Oil for Skin, Hair & Nails

An exquisite oil known for its amazing beauty uses, argan oil is a light oil got from argan nuts. Below, discover 14 beauty benefits of argan oil for skin, hair and nails!

Argan oil is a precious plant oil got from the argan nuts of Argan trees. These trees are only found in Morocco, North Africa. Argan oil has been extracted since ancient times by traditional Moroccan people who used it as a skin and hair moisturizer.

It has amazing skin saving properties and is well known for promoting beautiful shiny hair. You can find argan oil in so many hair products in the form of shampoos, hair serums, hair oils and hair creams.

In this article, you’ll discover 14 beauty benefits of argan oil for skin, hair and nails and how to use them! Before we look at the beauty benefits, check out the ingredient profile of argan oil:

Ingredient Profile

♥ Scientific Name:

Argania spinosa L.

♥ Other Names:

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Argania Spinosa, Argania Spinosa

♥ Origin:

Argan oil is a beauty secret of Moroccan women, who use it as a skin and hair moisturizer.

♥ Color and Smell:

Argan oil has a golden color. Its scent is light and slightly nutty.

♥ Texture:

Argan oil has a silky and smooth texture on skin. It is absorbs fairly well into skin and leaves just a slight oily feeling.

♥ Shelf Life:

2 years

♥ Comedogenic Rating:

♥ Precaution & Tips:

Pregnant/nursing women should consult a doctor before using argan oil.
Before using it, do a patch test by applying a drop of argan oil on your inner arm. If there’s irritation within 1-2 hours, do not use the oil.

Composition of Argan Oil

Argan oil is nutrient-dense. It’s filled with powerful antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Argan oil is said to contain 3 times as much Vitamin E than any other oil! Some of its nutrients include:

Carotenes
Linoleic acid
Linolenic acid
Oleic acid
Palmitic acid
Stearic acid
Vitamin E
and more!

beauty benefits of argan oil for skin, hair and nails

1. Moisturizes Skin

Argan oil has a light consistency that easily penetrates deep into the skin. It seals moisture into skin keeping it healthy and well moisturized.

► Quick Moisturizer: Place a drop or two of argan oil on the palm of your hand and rub both palms together. Then deeply massage your face. Use a larger amount for your whole body after showering.

2. Great for Acne Prone Skin

One of the best oils for acne is argan oil! Its secret lies in its comedogenic rating, which is a scale from 0 – 5 showing the pore clogging ability of a skin care product. The comedogenic rating of argan oil is ZERO! This means it doesn’t clog pores whatsoever!

► Acne Serum: Make an acne serum by combining 2.5 tbsp argan oil, 7 drops tea tree, 7 drops geranium and 7 drops lavender oils. Store in a 4 oz glass dropper bottle. Use a drop or two on your face at night time.

3. Conditions Hair

Argan oil is popularly known for its amazing hair benefits. It has a thin texture that the hair strands easily absorb, which conditions hair and keeps it silky and soft. Below is a way to use argan oil to make your own hair conditioner.

► Silky Hair Conditioner: In a large bowl, drop in ¼ cup of coconut oil, 1 tbsp of argan oil and 2 tsp of aloe vera gel. Now using a hand mixer, beat the ingredients for about 7-10 minutes until you achieve a fluffy white texture. Now add in your choice of essential oils for scent. I love 10 drops of jasmine or geranium oil. Beat again until well mixed then transfer into a clean container. Slather an appropriate amount on your locks, wait for 5 minutes then rinse off for silky hair!

4. Delays Aging

Super rich in vitamin E, argan oil has powerful anti-aging properties. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that wards off free radicals which are unstable molecules that steal oxygen from healthy skin cells to get stable again. In so doing, they degenerate the skin cells which accelerates fine lines, wrinkles and saggy skin.

► Anti-Aging Night Cream: Place ¼ cup of shea butter in a large bowl, add 1 tbsp fo argan oil, 7 drops geranium, 7 drops lavender and 5 drops frankincense. Mix up the ingredients to a fluffy cream with a hand mixer. Voila! Your ant-aging cream is ready! Store in a clean container and use a pea-sized amount every night.

5. Helps Dry Skin

Want a lubricating moisturizer that doesn’t feel heavy on your skin? Try argan oil! It’s got excellent emollient properties to keep dry and dehydrated skin moisturized and supple.

6. Soothes Inflammation

Skin inflammation can be caused by acne, dry skin and inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Argan oil can soothe inflammation with its powerful antioxidant properties. Use just a little on your skin to reduce inflammation and redness.

7. Heals Chapped Lips

Got chapped lips? Smear on some argan oil! It has a smooth consistency that’s easy to apply on the lips. Unlike Vaseline, it doesn’t feel heavy on the lips so you might want to try it! Or better yet, making a healing roller bottle lip salve:

► Healing Liquid Lip Salve: Using a dropper, add 3 drops of organic vanilla extract to a roller bottle then top with argan oil. Roll on lips whenever needed.

8. Healthy Cuticles & Nails

If you’re nails are ever dry and cuticles peel all the time, start using argan oil as a nail and cuticle oil. All you need to do is store it in a 10 ml roller bottle. Roll it on your cuticles and nails whenever you find them dry.

9. Promotes Glossy Hair

One of the most popular beauty benefits of argan oil is that it makes hair look naturally glossy and lustrous. A simple trick to using argan oil for shiny glossy hair is to smooth about 3 drops along the length of your hair before brushing or combing it!

10. Good for Stretchmarks

Argan oil can be combined with cocoa butter, a chocolate-smelling nut butter that’s great for stretchmarks to make a stretchmark cream. You can follow the recipe below:

► Stretchmark Cream: Place ½ cup of cocoa butter and ¼ cup of argan oil in a high speed blender. Blend away until you form a creamy mix. Store the mix in a clean container. Apply a liberal amount on your growing belly to prevent stretchmarks and fade away existing ones.

11. Heals Damaged Skin

Argan oil is good for repairing damaged skin such as cracked heels, sunburns, irritated patches and even burned skin. It feeds the skin with nourishing nutrients such as fatty acids and vitamin E. You can mix it with another soothing ingredient such as shea butter and use it as a healing cream.

12. Solves Dry Scalp issues

A dry flaky scalp can be solved by using a hot oil treatment with argan oil. You should do it at least twice a week for a healthy and hydrated scalp:

► Hot Oil Treatment: Place 2 tbsp of argan oil in a double boiler and heat it over a low flame. Once it’s warm enough to touch without hurting yourself, remove from heat. Use a spoon to pour the oil all over your scalp and massage it in with your fingers. Throw on a shower cap and let the oil penetrate for an hour then wash your hair as usual.

13. Eyelash Grower

Did you know that argan oil can help grow thicker, longer and luscious eyelashes! Yes, it’s true! What’s more is that it not only boosts eyelash growth but also moisturizes and nourishes them.

► Luscious Eyelash Serum: Fill an empty and clear mascara tube with an equal amount of argan oil and almond oil. Apply one coat every night before bed.

14. Softens Rough Skin

Rough knees or elbows can be softened and smoothed using argan oil. Simply rub 2-3 drops between your palms and apply deeply on the areas after a shower.