Why Your Face Loves Argan Oil

If the millennia of tradition and history of argan oil rooted in ancient beauty practices is any indication of its efficacy, argan oil does wonders for your skin and hair. Perhaps that’s why this revered Moroccan oil has recently expanded in popularity across the globe. It has gone from folk medicine to a cultural phenomenon, and with good reason—in recent years, scientists have started paying more attention to argan oil and have made greater efforts to study it. What they’re finding is that there is some scientific support to back the many ways this long-hailed cosmetic is used.

If you’ve never heard of argan oil, you might have questions about this honey- or -amber-colored oil often referred to as “liquid gold”, because of the many benefits it offers.

Where does argan oil come from?

Argan oil’s history goes back as far as 1550 BCE, when it was first produced in Morocco, according to the written records. The oil comes from the seeds of the argan tree, which was known throughout Morocco as the Tree of Life.

These seeds are laboriously harvested and broken apart so the kernel can be removed and then pressed to extract oil from it. Argan oil, rich in both saturated and unsaturated fats, as well as polyphenols, was used for cooking, but people quickly discovered its cosmetic uses as well—namely, its ability to moisturize skin and hair, which proved beneficial in Morocco’s arid climate. People found that the oil could diminish the appearance of blemishes on the skin and even treat rheumatic symptoms.

From a contemporary perspective, there are good explanations behind why argan oil is so good for dry skin and hair. It’s rich in squalene, vitamin A, and vitamin E,  which helps your body retain moisture in skin and hair, and its fat content is made up of many different fatty acids—oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Each of these fatty acids fulfills a different purpose: Stearic acid is good for cleansing away elements on your skin, such as dirt, sweat, and oil, whereas oleic acid keeps your skin soft and supple. 

How does argan oil benefit your skin?

By now you’re probably wondering why argan oil is so often praised for the way it affects your skin. Like other oils, argan oil helps create a protective barrier against the elements—such as heat or dry air—which locks in moisture and keeps your skin conditioned. But unlike many other oils out there, argan oil is fairly light, so it won’t cause any sense of heaviness or greasiness, nor will it clog your pores.

Beyond simple moisturizing, argan oil can even offset the feelings of sensitivity or irritation caused by conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. It can also reduce the pain of burns and wounds and treat and reduce acne.

Some people who use argan oil find that it is beneficial for maintaining beautiful skin in the long term. Regular application of argan oil on the skin can help prevent hyperpigmentation and brown spots that your skin develops because of hormone changes. Argan oil can reduce or even reverse the effects of sun exposure, and because its moisturizing abilities improve your skin’s elasticity, it’s good for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

What should you consider when buying argan oil?

Now that you understand the beauty benefits of this time-tested oil, it’s simply a matter of making an informed purchase. After all, not all argan oils on the market are created equal. You’ll want to look for a product that has been cold pressed and is unrefined, as more aggressive means of processing can diminish the quality of the oil and cause it to go rancid.

Because argan oil is almost exclusively grown and produced in Morocco, sourcing oil that has been sourced through fair trade practices is important. Our argan oil is sourced from a women’s cooperative in Morocco. The argan is grown organically, hand-picked and shelled, cold-pressed, and non-deodorized for a truly superior product that helps to support this amazing group of women.  

It takes over two months to make one batch of our Sacred Eclipse argan oil. Each batch is infused with equally therapeutic and nourishing rose and saffron and then combined with carrot seed oil, geranium, and basil essential oils, creating an intoxicating and beneficial elixir that can be used day or night as a serum, moisturizer, oil cleanser, or gua sha lubricating oil for all skin types.

Intrigued? Argan oil is well-deserving of its title, Liquid Gold, and the prized base of our Sacred Eclipse Oil. Learn more and shop the collection here.