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Extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, argan oil can be used in cooking, and it can also be applied topically to treat various skin ailments. It is packed full of nutrients, and can be used on all skin types, as it’s neither too heavy nor too light. This makes it a great alternative to marula oil – especially for people with oily skin. To use, apply it directly to skin. You don’t have to dilute it as you would with essential oils.
You can use argan oil to treat acne, psoriasis and rosacea, and to protect your skin from sun damage. It also moisturizes skin, heals wounds and infections, reduces oiliness, stretch marks and dark spots, and turns back the clock on signs of aging. Studies have also found that argan oil helps soothe dermatitis, due to its high vitamin E content.
Argan oil can cause allergies, especially if the oil is mixed with other substances. You may also find that if it is mixed with other ingredients, you don’t get all the benefits of argan oil, so try to use pure argan oil. Now, while pure argan oil can be consumed orally, it can have side-effects such as digestive or skin problems.
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands in the pores are producing more oil, or sebum, than necessary. Sebum is natural in all skin as it keeps the skin moist and healthy. Over production of sebum can be caused by hormones, genetics or could even be a result of dry skin over-compensating by producing extra oil, in order to retain some measure of moisture.
Oily skin can also be caused by using the wrong products for your skin type. For example, if you are using overly drying soaps and astringents for your skin type, your skin may respond by over producing oil to compensate, as mentioned above. This can create an unfortunate cycle of using harsh soaps to eliminate oils, but instead exacerbating the problem.
On the other hand, overly oily makeup and products can also cause oily skin.
Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells to keep pores unclogged and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for treating acne as well. Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep oily pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil is also good for fighting bacteria trapped in oily skin and maintaining a moisture barrier to prevent over-production of sebum.
argan oil may be effective for oily skin, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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