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12 Little Known Ways To Use Argan Oil For Hair, Skin, And Nails
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Argan oil, that glorious oil from the nuts of the Moroccan Argan tree, was mainly used by the Berber women of Morocco but is now one of the most popular oils around, especially for the hair.
This cold pressed oil also has many uses and benefits for the skin and nails as well as beautiful hair. Argan oil is loaded with healthy levels of vitamin A and vitamin E, along with linoleic acid and antioxidants that give both men and women beautiful hair and skin.
However, many beauty products that contain Argan oil also come with a hefty price tag, even though they might only have a few drops of this precious oil!
Save yourself money in the long run by buying a bottle of pure Argan oil (cosmetic grade is just fine for external use) and then use it as you need it. It might be a bit expensive, but a little bit goes a long way and it will actually be less expensive in the long run.
Want to know the best kept secrets of how to use Argan oil in your beauty routine? Keep reading, we will tell you Moroccan women’s best kept beauty secrets!
1. Fabulous Foot Repair
For dry feet and painful cracked heels, Argan oil is a terrific healer. Argan oil is super hydrating so it not only softens the tough skin on the feet but it can also nourish them to keep them soft and supple. Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and exfoliate them using a pumice stone. Remove your feet from the water and pat them dry, and then rub some Argan oil all over your feet, paying special attention to your heels. Massage the oil in well for three to five minutes, then put on a clean pair of cotton socks and leave on overnight. If you can’t leave the socks on that long (some of us cannot sleep with socks on!) then leave them on as long as possible. Repeat every other day until your cracked heels have healed. After that, once a week should do the trick.
2. Truly Nourishes Dry Skin
One of the best uses for Argan oil is to truly nourish dry skin. The fatty acids in Argan oil penetrate deep into the skin layer to provide true moisture that will keep the skin well-hydrated. Unlike other oils, Argan oil is non-greasy and non-irritating so even if you have sensitive skin, this oil will work for you. Argan oil has anti-inflammatory compounds that can even help those with skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Try Argan oil after your bath or shower. You can also use it at night as an all over body moisturizer. For a super hydrating face mask, add a few drops of Argan oil into 1 tablespoon of raw, organic honey and 3 teaspoons of unsweetened, plain yogurt. Apply this to your clean face and allow it to work for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Using this mask once each week will give you a glowing complexion you can be proud of!
3. Strengthen Your Nails
If you want stronger, healthier looking nails, you want Argan oil! The high amount of vitamin E in this oil encourages stronger nails while its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds help to fight off nail infections and fungus that are linked to weak, brittle nails. Simply rub a drop of pure Argan oil into your nails each night for stronger nails in two to three weeks.
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4. Helps Those with Oily Skin
It might sound strange that oil can help those with oily skin but it is true! Most people with an accumulation of excess oil on the outer layer of the skin suffer from pimples, whiteheads, and unsightly blackheads. Argan oil is unique in that its chemical make-up is similar to the natural sebum our own skin produces. This can trick your skin into thinking that it already has enough oil so it lowers production. The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published a study in 2007 which found that subjects who used a cream containing Argan oil reduced overall greasiness of the skin as well as improved the appearance of the complexion. After washing with your favorite product, rub just a few drops of Argan oil into your face to reduce oiliness and shrink enlarged pores.
5. Super Hair Conditioner
For softer, shinier, silkier hair, nothing beats Argan oil. This is why you will find so many hair care products containing Argan oil! The oleic and linoleic acids in this oil support healthy hair cuticles which will make your hair much more manageable, with less frizz. Argan oil can help to protect your hair from UV damage from the sun and swimming pool chemicals. Warm a bit of Argan oil and massage it in to your scalp for 2 to 5 minutes. Put on a shower cap or towel and allow the oil to soak into your hair for 20 to 30 minutes, and then wash your hair as you normally would. You can also add four drops of Argan oil to every 8 ounces of your favorite conditioner for beautifully manageable hair you will love.
6. Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks
Argan oil contains high levels of vitamin E, which protect the collagen fibers in your skin from the damage that free radicals cause. Regular use of this oil will not only keep the skin hydrated, but it improves the elasticity of your skin, which can prevent stretch marks before they start. Use this oil at least three times each week to lessen the appearance of stretch marks and every other day to prevent stretch marks that often occur during pregnancy.
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7. Fight Acne and Acne Scars
If you suffer from acne, or if you have scars from a teenage bout with acne, Argan oil can help. The high linoleic acid in this oil reduces the redness of acne and its scars. The antioxidants in this oil also help to reduce inflammation. If you have acne currently, the best way to help get rid of it is to mix three or four drops of tea tree oil into one teaspoon of Argan oil. Rub this mixture on your clean face each day using a cotton ball. Allow it to work for 10 minutes, then simply rinse (don’t wash) with lukewarm water. Repeat this twice each day for best results.
8. No More Hangnails!
Hangnails are dry cuticles that split off from the regular cuticle. If you pull one of these or get it caught on something you know how painful these little pieces of skin can be! Stop hangnails by using Argan oil as a natural cuticle moisturizer. The vitamin E in this oil is super nourishing for the nails and cuticles. It helps to prevent fungal infections and moisturizes the cuticles so they don’t develop hangnails. Simply rub a drop of Argan oil into your cuticles once or twice each day and say bye-bye to hangnails forever!
SEE ALSO: 12 Ways To Banish Brittle Nails Forever (We Love #7!)
9. Reduce Premature Aging
Everyone wants to keep a fresh, youthful appearance as long as possible and with Argan oil, you can slow down the hands of time just a bit longer! This nut oil contains fatty acids that fight the damage the free radicals cause, which are the worst offenders when it comes to premature aging of the skin. Argan oil will also improve elasticity by supporting the collagen fibers beneath the skin. This nourishing oil even prevents oxidative damage caused by the sun’s rays. Massage a few drops of Argan oil into your face and neck for a few minutes each night before bedtime for the best results.
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10. Super Soft Lips
No one likes dry, chapped, uncomfortable lips. (Not to mention how unsightly they are!) If you tend to get dry lips during the summer or winter months, you can prevent this by rubbing just one or two drops of Argan oil into your lips each day before you head outside. The antioxidants in Argan oil will protect your lips from damage and keep them super hydrated.
11. Stimulates Hair Growth
To stop or slow down hair loss while stimulating the growth of new hair, there is nothing like Argan oil. This oil is full of healthy fats and vitamin E which will nourish the hair follicles and liven up dull, lifeless hair. For best results, dampen your hair and then add a few drops of warm Argan oil. Massage it into the hair and scalp for a few minutes, and then cover with a shower cap. If you can, leave it on overnight, otherwise, leave it on for as long as you can. Shampoo as you normally would. Repeat twice a week for hair that will be the envy of everyone.
12. Prevent and Repair Split Ends
Argan oil will prevent dryness and environmental damage, including sun damage, by coating the hair shaft. This will seal in moisture and prevent split ends. Argan oil will make your hair more manageable and less prone to breakage from styling and brushing. If you use henna or amla products, Argan oil will help to seal in the color so you can increase the time between colorings. For nourishing your hair and keeping it in the best possible condition, you cannot go wrong with Argan oil.
Keep in mind that you might find some cheaper Argan oil “cocktails” or beauty products that say they contain Argan oil but chances are that they only contain a drop or two of the real thing. 100 percent pure Argan oil might be a bit more expensive, but it is a true miracle oil that can bring you beautiful hair, skin and nails that you can’t get from any other cheap imitation.
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