The Benefits of Argan Oil on Hair, Skin, and Nails

Silver Q loves doing research about anything she finds interesting. She hates talking in the third person.

I'm in love with natural oils! I have been using jojoba, coconut, and grapeseed oil for a while. I had been wanting to use argan oil for a long time, but it was so expensive that I didn't think I could afford it. However, one fortunate day, I went to Marshall's and found a 4 oz. bottle of 100% all-natural argan oil for half the price. There were two bottles left, so I snatched them both.

I'm beginning to see why this oil is so expensive. It really works wonders for your hair, skin, and even nails.

This article will cover the following topics:

• What argan oil is and what's in it
• Benefits
• How to use it on your hair, and nails
• How to use it when shaving

What Is Argan Oil?

Argan oil is also known as Moroccan oil. It comes from the Argania Spinosa trees found in Morocco.

It is made up of 80% essential fatty acids, which work wonders for your skin and overall health. It is also rich in Vitamin E, containing three times more vitamin E than olive oil. It is precisely because of this vitamin E and natural antioxidants content that argan oil lasts a lot longer than any other oil.

For the geeks out there like me, here's a chart that tells you exactly how much of what you can find in argan oil, also known as liquid gold.

Argan Oil Nutrient Content

Benefits of Using Argan Oil

Now that you know those facts (which seem completely useless unless you're writing a report on it), let's move on to how it can improve your hair, skin, and nails.

Enjoy this list:

• Argan oil moisturizes, smooths and revitalizes skin
• Great for all skin types. It's non-comedogenic (won't clog pores). It can even be used on baby skin to alleviate redness and irritation.
• Heals scars left behind by acne, chickenpox or anything like it.
• Prevents premature aging (wrinkles)
• Heals blemishes.
• Heals sunburn and the pain associated with it
• Heals cracked and scaly skin
• Protects against UVA rays
• Prevents stretch marks
• Great against dandruff and other fungi
• It's a great antiseptic to clean mild wounds
• Prevents hair loss by strengthening hair roots
• Accelerates hair growth
• Hydrates, moisturizes, and strengthens hair
• Controls frizzy hair
• Restores skin and hair elasticity
• Great against acne, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis
• Revitalizes and strengthens fragile nails

How to Use Argan Oil on Your Hair

Much like any other oil treatment, argan oil must be massaged into your scalp and used at least once a week. So let's go through it step by step:

1. Massage oil into scalp.
2. Comb hair to spread oil throughout the rest of your hair. If you have split ends, you may want to apply a little more argan oil to the ends of your hair.
3. Cover your hair to keep the heat and make the treatment more effective. You can use plastic food wrap or a regular shower cap.
4. Leave on for at least 30 minutes. The longer you leave the oil, the more effective the treatment.
5. Wash your hair with a neutral shampoo.

You can also apply argan oil to your hair before blow-drying to add shine and volume to your hair. Since it is so light, it won't weigh your hair down as most oils do. Quite the opposite, it adds body and shine to your hair.

You can mix a little argan oil with the serum that you use before blow-drying. I like to mix a little argan oil with a little jojoba oil (the ceramides in the jojoba oil protect your hair against heat) to my wet hair and then blow-dry. It works great and leaves my hair super soft and manageable!

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Also, you will start noticing new hair growth after just two months of using this treatment. Awesome!!

Argan Oil for Wrinkles

If you are targeting wrinkles with argan oil, don't forget to apply it around the eyes and on the expression lines (forehead, around your mouth, etc.)

How to Use Argan Oil for Your Skin

Argan oil smooths and nourishes the skin. And it prevents wrinkles! So you will really want to include it in your nightly routine. How?

• Massage a few drops of oil onto your face and neck. Your skin must be clean and dry for better results.

If you're too scared to apply the oil by itself, mix a few drops of argan oil with your moisturizer (either day or night moisturizer). You will see and feel the difference in a few days.

For Those With Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, don't overdo it. I have oily skin, and I began applying argan oil at night. Since I loved the results so much, I also began using it as a day moisturizer...and then two big pimples started growing on my chin and cheek. So, if your skin is oily, apply argan oil only once a day. If your skin is normal or dry, you may want to apply it twice a day and see how it goes.

How to Use Argan Oil on Your Nails

This treatment can be done as often as once per week.

1. Mix equal parts of argan oil and lemon juice.
2. Dip your nails for 15 minutes in this mixture
3. You're done!

This treatment will strengthen those flaky, peeling, annoying nails.

Argan Oil Before and After Shaving

Massage oil to the area that you're about to shave and proceed to shave as usual. Argan oil will provide a film or barrier to prevent cuts, scrapes, and irritation.

You can also use this oil after shaving, to keep your skin moisturized and itch-free.

Consuming Argan Oil

Argan oil has a mild taste that makes it great for cooking. Some studies have shown that taking 2 tsp. of argan oil a day provides excellent health benefits and can even reduce cholesterol after one month of use due to its high content of linoleic acid.

Argan oil seems to be the thing right now and a lot of products are including it into their moisturizers and cosmetics. However, keep in mind that the best way to obtain all the benefits that it has to offer is to use it in its purest form. Make sure that the oil you buy is virgin, pure and 100% natural. You can buy argan oil in some health stores, on-line, and even at Marshall's.

Keep experimenting with what nature has to offer and never cease to be amazed!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Silver Q (author) on December 30, 2013:

Hey Tirelesstraveler:

I know! Argan oil is VERY expensive and from what you say, it seems it has gone up in price. Wow! I'm a bit depressed now...:(

Judy Specht from California on December 30, 2013:

You are not kidding about the cost. $31 for a small bottle at our health food store.

Silver Q (author) on December 30, 2013:

Hey Toytasting:

I'm happy you found this information useful! Thank you for reading and commenting!

Toy Tasting from Mumbai on December 26, 2013:

Hey, it is great to know so many benefits of argan oil. The best thing, I liked is that it can be used in so many ways. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. :)

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi tirelesstraveler:

Olive oil is good, but I would strongly recommend that you get argan oil. Personally, I can't stand the olive oil smell on my hair, but argan oil does not smell like anything and can be left on your hair throughout the day.

But if you can't find it, olive oil is also a good choice.

Thank you for commenting and reading!

Judy Specht from California on December 20, 2013:

My hair is so dry I have been using olive oil. I will see if I can find some argan oil.

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi Angryelf:

Yes, I went through the same thing and chopped my hair off. Right now it's so short that I'm starting to miss my long hair. But I'm trying my best to keep it healthy this time around. Thank you for commenting!

angryelf from Tennessee on December 20, 2013:

Yes definitely! I bet what it is is that the oil isn't actually stimulating growth, but rather maintaining what's already there, and keeping it from breaking off while nourishing it! I chopped almost all of my hair off last year, because it stayed the same length for over 3 years (never trimmed it) now, 1.5 years later, it's back to the same length and still growing. I need another trim- but I think ending the breakage/split end cycle is what helped :) Nonetheless, our hair always needs pampering ;)

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi angryelf:

Yes, I believe nutrition should be the first way to change our hair, skin, nail and overall health. I hadn't heard about the protein shake, but I wouldn't doubt it. I have noticed that when I'm really careful about what I eat, my skin and hair start showing my healthy decisions. I think argan oil's properties are what help the hair stay healthy, especially the fatty acids. But definitely, our first choice to keep healthy hair should always be good eating habits.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

angryelf from Tennessee on December 20, 2013:

I always wondered about all of these miracle cures for hair and nails; but personally, I always wondered if complete protein shakes (with all 9 [i think it's 9] forms of protein and amino acids) were the best supplements for hair. If you think about it, hair is nothing but amino acid chains... I don't really know too awful much about hair health, but that was always in the back of my mind. Perhaps argan oil has lots of these in it- if so, that would definitely explain it! Great hub!

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi mylindaelliott:

I bought mine at Marshall's for $12, but usually you will find it for double that price for a 4 oz. bottle. If you buy it online you might find it slightly cheaper depending on where you buy it.

Thank you for reading and commenting!

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi torrilynn:

Yes, all those oils are awesome. I love them all for different reasons. Try them all out and choose your favorite!

Thank you for reading and commenting!

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi FullOfLoveSites:

Yes, I encourage you to buy it. If you've never tried it, get a small bottle first and try it out. Usually buying it online is cheaper than going to a health food store, but it also takes longer.

Thank you for reading and commenting!

mylindaelliott from Louisiana on December 20, 2013:

I didn't know Argan oil had so many benefits. I may try to get some. I wonder how expensive it would be in dollars.

torrilynn on December 20, 2013:

Argan Oil is one of many hair products that seem to help strengthen the hair and help to the hair grow. I've also heard that coconut oil and jojoba oil is beneficial as well. nice hub. voted up, shared, and pinned.

FullOfLoveSites from United States on December 20, 2013:

I have seen someone on my Instagram account selling this argan oil. Now I'm encouraged to buy it! It seems that argan oil is a miracle oil -- I discovered it's also good for the nails. Thanks for posting. :)