3 Benefits and Uses of Argan Oil
What is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is derived from the nutlike fruit of the argan tree. Argan trees are native to Morocco, a small country in Northern Africa. For centuries, the Moroccan people have used argan oil to cook, as well as for beauty-related purposes.
Argan oil is produced by drying and roasting the kernels inside of the fruit of the argan tree. Once the kernels have been heated and dried, they release oil when pressed.
While it is not commonly used for cooking in the West, argan oil is a popular beauty treatment worldwide. The oil can be applied topically to reap its moisturizing, nourishing benefits.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the benefits of pure argan oil for your hair. However, this natural ingredient is incredibly versatile, and you can use it on your skin, nails, and lips as well.
1. Conditioning Your Hair
Argan oil’s high fatty acid and antioxidant content makes this natural ingredient an excellent conditioning and hydration agent. You can apply the oil to your hair and scalp to reap the benefits of the compounds it contains like linoleic acid and oleic acid. Argan oil can serve the same purpose as a leave-in conditioner in your hair care routine – it locks in moisture, helps to preserve your hair’s volume and texture, and provides valuable nutrients that your follicles need for optimal growth.
You can use argan oil on its own to nourish and moisturize your hair, but the natural oil can also be found as a primary ingredient in hair care products like shampoo and conditioner, especially paired with other nourishing ingredients like coconut oil. GroMD’s shampoo, conditioner, and follicle activator spray are all formulated with argan oil. We included argan oil in our signature formula of growth-boosting ingredients to maximize the benefits of our products for your hair, as well as to ward off any dry skin or irritation on the scalp that might be caused by topical hair loss prevention treatments like minoxidil.
In addition, argan oil is an ideal conditioner for all hair and skin types. The vitamin-rich oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. This means argan oil is suitable for oily or acne-prone skin. If your current conditioner is causing breakouts and inflammation around your hairline, some of its ingredients may be clogging your pores, stacking on top of already-clogging sebum produced naturally by your skin, and leading to irritating acne. To avoid hair care-related breakouts, switch to a non-comedogenic conditioner that uses argan oil to help nourish a dry scalp without making oily skin worse.
To provide your hair with long-term moisture and nourishment, use GroMD’s follicle activator spray daily. The spray can be used multiple times per day to give your hair a boost of beneficial ingredients like argan oil. It’s the perfect leave-in treatment for thinning hair, and it pairs perfectly with our DHT-blocking shampoo and conditioner combo. To pick up a bottle of follicle activator spray, click here.
2. Reducing Irritation Caused by Minoxidil
Minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is a popular hair loss prevention treatment. Originally designed to treat high blood pressure, Rogaine was later discovered to have growth-promoting effects on hair. It is speculated that minoxidil works by stimulating blood flow to the scalp, but the effects of the treatment on hair growth are still not fully understood.
Rogaine is available without a prescription, so you can get it online or at your local grocery store. The treatment is FDA-approved, and it tends to work well with no serious side effects. However, many users of minoxidil complain that their scalps become dry, flaky, and irritated during treatment. These side effects may be mild, but they are uncomfortable and the resulting dandruff can discourage you from using an otherwise effective hair loss prevention treatment.
If you are experiencing side effects while using minoxidil, argan oil can help. Thanks to its fatty acid content, argan oil is a powerful moisturizer. Daily application of the oil can help to minimize scalp irritation caused by minoxidil, allowing you to continue your use of the treatment without discomfort.
To get soothing relief from minoxidil’s side effects, we highly recommend including GroMD hair care products in your daily routine. Washing your hair with our shampoo and conditioner combo can add to the power of your hair loss prevention regimen, and the argan oil in our formula can help to relieve irritation caused by minoxidil. You can also use our follicle activator spray after applying minoxidil to keep your scalp soothed all day long.
If you are dealing with significant hair loss, consider talking to your doctor or dermatologist about minoxidil. A healthcare or skincare professional can provide guidance regarding whether the treatment is right for you. In some cases, your doctor or dermatologist may recommend a prescription treatment instead of Rogaine.
3. Increasing Softness
When your hair gets dry, it is far more likely to feel coarse and rough. Dryness can also make your hair look lifeless, and can take away from its natural volume.
Moisture is essential for maintaining healthy, great-looking hair. The natural oils secreted by your hair follicles serve the purpose of lubricating your hair and keeping it strong, healthy, and resistant to damage. Without these natural oils, your hair can be more prone to frizz, split ends, and other troublesome problems. Below are some of the most common causes of dry hair.
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Climate: Some parts of the world are more humid, and others are much more arid and dry. If you live in a place with less humidity, your hair is far more likely to get dried out.
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Hair Products: Many shampoos and other hair products contain sulfates, which can have a drying effect on your hair. Using sulfate-free hair products can be helpful if you are dealing with chronic dryness.
- Your Pillowcase: Choosing the wrong pillowcase can lead to drier, frizzier hair in some cases. If your hair tends to look dried out and lifeless, you may want to consider switching to a pillowcase made from bamboo or silk. These materials are non-abrasive and create minimal friction as you sleep. That means your hair won’t lose as much moisture or volume while you rest each night.
While switching your shampoo, getting a different pillowcase, and taking other steps can reduce dryness, you can also use ingredients like argan oil to maintain your hair’s moisture levels. Applying argan oil topically can keep your hair hydrated throughout the day, which can level up your hair’s overall texture and volume.
You Can Use Argan Oil on Your Skin, Too!
If you are looking for an all-natural way to moisturize and nourish your skin, argan oil is a great option. Since the oil is non-comedogenic, it’s ideal for dry patches even on sensitive or acne-prone skin. You can use just a few drops of argan oil on your skin multiple times daily as part of your skincare routine – that way, you’ll be able to lock in moisture and minimize dryness and irritation all day thanks to its rich vitamin E content.
You can apply 100% argan oil to your skin as a moisturizer, or combine it with your favorite lotion or cream to make it easier to spread. Make sure to apply heavier moisturizers towards the end of your skincare regimen and lighter ones earlier – this will prevent the heavier products from inhibiting your skin’s absorption of the lighter ones.
Visit The GroMD Blog To Learn More About Optimal Hair Care
If you want to take your hair care routine to the next level, make sure to visit our blog. There, you’ll find helpful information about hair loss prevention, taking great care of your hair, and the best ingredients to add to your daily routine.
Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5535876/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/fatty-acids