Argan Oil for Acne

If you’re looking for a natural topical treatment for acne, argan oil is one of the best you can find. It’s extracted from the nuts of the argan tree which grows only in Morocco. The oil is rich in antioxidants, oleic acids, linoleic acids, and polyphenols.

How Does Argan Oil Treat Acne?

To understand how Argan oil treats acne, you must know how acne develops. Your skin is protected by an oily substance called sebum, which is produced by your sebaceous glands. However, sometimes, the skin produces too much sebum. When sebum mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, it clogs your pores which results in acne breakouts. Your acne worsens when your skin doesn’t exfoliate properly.

Argan oil helps fight acne because it blends with water unlike most oils. It effectively cleanses your pores from thousands of bacteria, excess sebum and dead skin cells. The linoleic acid in argan oil also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It relieves the swelling that usually occurs with acne.

This highly beneficial oil also has polyphenols which promotes the exfoliation of dead skin cells and the growth of healthy new ones. Unlike chemical exfoliants, argan oil doesn’t worsen acne flare-ups because it is gentle on the skin. The vitamin E in argan oil, as well as the other oxidants, fights free radicals and makes you look younger. Since it rejuvenates skin cells, it also helps heal scars.

How to Use Argan Oil for Acne Treatment

Before you use argan oil, make sure you’re not allergic to it. Apply a small amount to a patch of skin. If you don’t have any reaction, you’re ready to use it.

To make sure that you get the full benefit of argan oil for acne treatment, follow these steps:

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure that your hands are clean.
• Put two drops onto one of your palms. Spread it well and massage the oil into your face with a gentle, circular motion. You can also apply argan oil in the same manner on any affected part of your body.
• Use twice daily—once in the morning and in the evening. Repeat until your acne has cleared up.

Remember, it may take up to two months before you see any improvement. It could be sooner, but don’t expect instant results.

Argan Oil Treatment for Acne Scars

Acne often leaves dark-coloured scars that last long after your acne has cleared. Scars form as a result of the accumulation of collagen (or sometimes the deterioration) in the affected area. Argan oil has been found to be effective in treating acne scars and prevent the formation of new ones. The vitamin E and essential fatty acids in argan oil helps make scars disappear.

Acne Purging

When you use argan oil to treat acne, your breakouts may worsen for quite some time, usually two weeks or less. This doesn’t mean that the treatment doesn’t work. In fact, this occurrence is often known as a “purging period.” The argan oil simply brings impurities to the surface of your skin. However, if the acne flare-up progressively worsens after two weeks, discontinue using argan oil and visit a dermatologist.

Other Benefits of Argan Oil

Argan oil isn’t just good for treating acne. It also offers other benefits as well. Here’s a short list of the benefits of argan oil:

• It’s a good skin moisturizer. The sterolins in argan oil helps keep your skin moisturized. It also promotes healthy metabolism in skin cells. The fatty acids soften the skin and make it more supple.
• It can be a safe makeup remover. You can use it to remove mascara and eyeliner without worry because it’s gentle to the eyes.
• It delays the aging process of your skin. Argan oil has anti-oxidants that protect the skin from free radicals and UV radiation. The vitamin E and fatty acids improve your skin’s elasticity and strengthens the membranes of your skin cells.
• It has anti-inflammatory properties and may be used to treat other skin problems such as dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
• It’s also a good conditioner. It makes your hair softer and shinier. You can use it to treat split ends and tame frizz. You can also use it to style your hair.
• It prevents stretch marks by making your skin more elastic. You can use it on your breasts, buttocks, thighs, and tummy. This is especially useful when you’re pregnant.
• It helps keep your nails strong and healthy. You can rub a few drops of argan oil into your cuticle before you go to bed at night.
• You can use it as a lip balm. It protects your lips from dryness and chapping.

How to Tell Whether You’re Buying Pure Argan Oil or Not

Before you use it as treatment for acne, you must make sure that it’s genuine and pure. There are unscrupulous sellers who sell fake or impure argan oil which could end up damaging your skin. Here are some characteristics to look for in pure argan oil:

• Colour – Real argan oil is golden yellow. If the oil has lighter colour, it maybe impure or fake.
• Smell – Real argan oil has a distinct smell. You will be familiar with the scent once you’ve bought a bottle of pure, genuine argan oil. If the oil smells like perfume, lotion or shampoo, it’s likely to be fake because the manufacturer would want to hide the real scent.
• Viscosity – Real argan oil is thick. Fake argan oil is thin or looks watered-down.
• Non-Greasiness – Real argan oil is easily absorbed. If the leaves a greasy residue, it could be fake.
• Packaging – Real argan oil is stored in amber-coloured glass bottles to protect it from the UV rays which neutralize its effectiveness. It shouldn’t be packaged any other way.

Argan oil can only come from Morocco. Look for USDA and ECOCERT certifications. To make sure that you’re getting 100% pure organic argan oil, buy from reputable sellers.

Also, it’s important that you buy cold-pressed argan oil because refined type of argan oil doesn’t have as much nutrients as it does.