It’s no secret that we love argan oil. We use it as an ingredient in a number of our formulas, and our 100% PURE™ bottled version is one of the cleanest, purest, most undiluted argan oils on the market. Argan oil is difficult to obtain and has a somewhat meticulous extraction and production process – but the benefits of argan oil far outweigh its laborious harvesting process!
We’ll give you the 411 on how argan oil is processed and dive into its multitasking beauty benefits for your skin and hair – and we’ll dive into some of the lesser-known uses of argan oil that will blow your mind. !
Who knew (well, we kind of knew) that the tiny argan nut could be powerful liquid gold due to all of its beautiful skin and hair magic? ! Read on to discover his sorcery!
Argan oil and… goats?!
The argania spinosa (argan tree) provides the essentials of daily life in his native Morocco. Applications for the tree (and its oil) range from food to shelter from the sun in the arid Moroccan landscape. Traditionally, pickers harvested the naturally processed nuts from goat feces, as a species of wild goat in Morocco feeds almost exclusively on argan nuts. More commonly, pickers collect argan nuts after they have fallen from the trees in late July.
Although the first method is more hygienic than it looks, the oil we use has not been pre-digested by a goat. But it’s undergone a slow cold-pressing process that effectively does the same thing: gently removes the outer flesh of the nut, then separates the inner core from the shell. It’s a very laborious process, and it means the oil can be a bit more expensive than other essential oils.
Because of the love and care that goes into making high-quality argan oil, the market is flooded with diluted alternatives and brands that cut corners with their formulas. Other methods of extracting oils are not as careful about maintaining nutrients and product integrity. This begs the question: How pure is your argan oil? Let us give you some helpful tips on what to look for!
Pure Argan Oil Buying Guide
Generally, you can use your nose to determine the quality of a given brand of argan oil. Those flower-scented argan oils from the store may smell divine, but that’s thanks to the synthetic fragrances and high dilution.
If the oil is pure and minimally processed, it should have a pungent, nutty smell. Simply put, the presence of that nutty smell means your argan oil is pure, undiluted, and nutrient rich. The best ones will be non-deodorized, since the deodorizing process removes essential fatty acids (like linoleic acid) and minerals.
PRO-TIP: When you apply pure argan oil to your skin or hair, the scent will only linger for a few minutes. So don’t worry about a nutty aroma following you when you leave the house! That said, if you’re really sensitive to scent, try diluting argan oil with pure essential oils which can do double duty, providing masking scent while adding additional benefits.
15 little-known uses of argan oil
Whether you choose to dilute it or not, argan oil is a very versatile ingredient and we’re big fans. This golden elixir has an impressive list of benefits, thanks to its unique composition, delivering high amounts of skin-loving acids, making it extremely rich and hydrating.
It’s your skin’s moisturizing powers that’s one of the main reasons argan oil is in so many products – and that’s exactly why we feature it in many of our formulas. Without further ado, we’ve rounded up our 15 personal favorites when it comes to the many uses of this unique “dry” oil.
Read on to find out how a small bottle of “liquid gold” organic argan oil could work wonders in your beauty routine!
#1: Makeup remover
If there’s one thing we love, it’s discovering new natural makeup removers! Argan oil is considered a dry oil, which makes it completely non-greasy after being rubbed into the skin. This makes it a great option for removing under-eye makeup stains, or even as a post-cleansing wipe to catch the last remnants of foundation or blush.
You can use anti-aging argan oil as a make-up remover because it adheres to make-up, does not leave the skin oily and moisturizes at the same time. For stubborn makeup, sunscreen, excess oil, environmental toxins and other impurities, follow with a micellar water.
#2: Luminous for the skin
Argan oil is a fantastic natural skin lightener, especially if you’re looking for something that doesn’t shimmer. Its non-greasy texture still has the ability to capture and reflect light once absorbed by the skin, for a totally natural glow that leaves your skin looking undeniably healthy and supple. This oil is perfect for illuminating the chest, shoulders, neck and legs in fall and winter, when traditional body highlighters can seem overdone.
#3: Healthier Scalp and Frizz Tamer
A healthier scalp means healthier hair. Argan oil promotes collagen production for fortified hair growth and fights breakage. Not to mention the deep moisturizing properties of argan oil for the luscious locks of your dreams.
This organic oil also tames frizz in the blink of an eye! Since argan oil is super light and non-greasy, it’s perfect for applying to dry or frizzy locks. It lightly smoothes and shines hair for healthier texture and bounce, while acting as an effective detangler (without the slippery, harsh silicones found in most hair serums).
#4: Stretch Mark Minimizer
While stretch marks are genetically unavoidable (boo!), you can always work to lighten their appearance once they’ve arrived. During pregnancy, weight loss or gain, or any rapid growth, the skin stretches and creates small tears in the upper layers of the skin. These “stretch marks” are dark in color at first, but fade into scars over time.
To make stretching your skin easier, you will need to keep it VERY well hydrated. Some say that keeping dry skin moisturized and softened can minimize the severity of stretch marks or “striae” because they form quickly on loose skin. As a natural source of vitamin E, argan oil can both hydrate the skin and help reduce hyperpigmentation and discoloration caused by scars associated with stretch marks.
#5: Powder to Cream Blush
You can use argan oil with powder blush to create a creamier blush formula. Simply choose your signature shade and start by cutting a small piece out of the blush mold. Gently separate it with the bottom of a makeup brush until it becomes a fine powder, then mix in a small dab of argan oil. Blend until you get a puddle of creamy, pigmented blush!
Using your fingers, apply to the cheeks and gently blend. Take a stippling brush or a small, rounded bristle brush and use the outer bristles to fully diffuse and blend the cream blush onto the cheeks for a natural, flushed-out glow.
#6: Carrier Oil
Are you obsessed with essential oils? You’re not alone! The essential oil market has seen a huge boom in popularity (and availability) thanks to social media, and some of these oils can have great benefits for the skin. To use essential oils on the skin, you will need to dilute them with a carrier oil that makes them safe to use on your precious dermis.
Argan oil is full of essential fatty acids and minerals, as well as carotenes and squalene, so it will help strengthen your skin’s defensive barrier while hydrating and revitalizing it. This golden multi-tasking oil is a go-to choice for its ability to reduce inflammation, fight free radicals, and revitalize skin.
No matter how much carrier oil you use, only 2% by volume should be essential oil. Our Organic Argan Oil contains 50ml which means you should add no more than 15 drops of your essential oil of choice.
#7: DIY Scrub Base
Argan oil is a proven multitasker for your DIY beauty arsenal. Since it’s good for all skin types, argan oil is the perfect choice for your DIY body scrub hydrating base. Every scrub needs an oil-to-exfoliator ratio, and we think argan oil is the perfect candidate for leaving skin soft and hydrated.
#8: Cuticle Treatment
Hard-working hands and nails need a lot of attention, and we think Argan Oil is the perfect non-greasy oil for the job. As for personal care, rubbing a few drops of argan oil on cuticles and hands is an easy way to restore dry skin. You won’t have the slippery aftereffects of lotion or heavier oils, which can keep you from going about your day.
Massage the oil into your cuticles for a few minutes until it is absorbed, to soften hard cuticles and the skin around the nail. Daily use of argan oil on the nail area can even prevent torn skin that forms around the nail – that means no more sore nails!
#9: Lip Softener
Apply a drop of argan oil to the lips for better hydration and soft, supple skin. Perfect as part of a post-lip scrub routine, or even pre-lipstick or lip gloss. Just be sure to blend gently with your fingers until it is absorbed by the lips. Don’t worry about it getting into your mouth. Argan oil is a staple in traditional Moroccan cuisine and, therefore, is safe to eatAlso, it has tons of antioxidant benefits! So, we consider this lip softening hack a win-win.
#10: Shaving Protector
Do you feel slight skin discomfort after a shave or notice a barely there layer of remaining hair? We have found that smoothing a conditioning layer of argan oil onto the skin before shaving can improve the hair removal process.
Argan oil nourishes the skin with fatty acids and vitamin E, which maintain the flexibility of our largest organ: our skin! Providing a smoother surface for our razor, it can also help reduce drag and therefore reduce your risk of razor burn. This miracle oil can also act as an after-shave moisturizer. After shaving, apply argan oil to the skin or mix it with your favorite body butter for a boost of hydration.
#11: Sunscreen Primer
When it comes to taking care of our skin, we believe comfort and protection are key. Our daily application of sunscreen should be smooth and easy, but some of the ingredients in these formulas can feel a little drying.
Make thick or chalky sunscreens easy to spread by priming skin with a few drops of Argan Oil Liquid Gold. As one of our main uses of argan oil, it will provide a smoother surface that is compatible with both your skin and sunscreen. Bonus advantage: it makes it easier to remove your sunscreen at the end of the day!
#12: Afternoon Hand Treatment
If you want to know how our fall (or our year in general) is going, just take a look at our cuticles. Our fingernails, knuckles and hands felt drier than usual with constant hand washing and sanitizing, not to mention the colder months.
Alas, we think we have found a miracle cure! In the evening, we will spend a few minutes paying extra attention to our hands, depositing our face scrub. Once or twice a week, using your acai pulp facial scrub can help condition and smooth hands.
We follow the exfoliation with a rich, buttery hand cream loaded with natural ingredients like cocoa butter and our not-so-secret crush, argan oil. Lock in your layer of hand cream with conditioning argan oil, to keep hands moist overnight. Add a pair of bamboo or cotton gloves to make sure nothing transfers onto the sheets!
#13: Soft Baby Bath
If there’s one pair we love above all else, it’s the divine dynamics of therapeutic bath salts and a glass of your favorite relaxing beverage. To achieve more than a superficial soak – i.e. more moisture – simply add argan oil. Add 1-2 tablespoons of argan oil to your morning or evening bath for deeper hydration and nourished skin. You’ll feel the difference the second you step out of the water!
PRO TIP: Speaking of slipping, an oil bath requires a bit more care when getting in and out – watch where you step!
#14: DIY Colored Eyeliner
Did you know you can turn any of your favorite eyeshadows into eyeliner with just a few drops of argan oil? Scrape some powder eyeshadow onto a clean blending surface next to a drop of argan oil. With an angled eyeliner brush, start blending the two together until you have a smooth, evenly pigmented paste. Use it to create stunning liner looks, faux freckles, or even an ombre effect on the lashes.
#15: Oil Pull
Last on our list of little-known uses for argan oil is an ability to pull bacteria out of your mouth, though oil pulling. Oil pulling involves putting a small amount of pure, edible oil (about 1 tablespoon) in your mouth and swishing the oil back and forth between your teeth for about 10-15 minutes before to spit it out.
Coconut oil is the star of this trendy form of mouth care, but argan oil works too. Oil pulling is suggested to improve bad breath, reduce harmful bacteria on the teeth and tongue, and condition the gums. We’ll call it another win for Golden Liquid Argan Oil!
Whatever your uses for argan oil, it can do beauty wonders for your skin and hair, and so much more! The key is to find a high quality, natural argan oil that can deliver results. We think our Argan Oil does the trick – and more!
With this foolproof collection of tips and benefits, your skin should be glowing, soft and supple in no time! Whether you’re dealing with dry skin or skin sensitivities, argan oil is your best ally for a glowing complexion. Your skin will thank you every day!
