Argan oil has long been used for its beauty and health benefits, although there is still limited but promising research regarding its use for the skin. What we do know about pure argan oil is that it is an excellent source of many beneficial nutrients like vitamin E and omega fatty acids, making it a gentle, yet effective ingredient for many skin types, including sensitive skin and rosacea.
What Is Argan Oil?
Derived from the kernels of the Moroccan-native Argania spinosa tree, argan oil is believed to possess a number of qualities that make it a promising skin care ingredient. It is believed to help with acne, oily skin, dry skin, signs of aging, and wound healing.
Pure argan oil – dubbed “liquid gold” – has also historically been used as an ingestible ingredient as a treatment for heart disease, joint pain, and even infertility.
How Does Argan Oil Benefit Sensitive Skin?
Argan oil contains a variety of nutrients that are known to be beneficial to the skin, particularly when managing sensitive skin types like rosacea.
Omega fatty acids comprise the majority of this rare oil. Rich in both omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, argan oil possesses strong anti-inflammatory and moisturizing qualities – both of which are critical for managing rosacea. In particular, linoleic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid, helps to control inflammation. Omega-9 fatty acids like oleic acid are also known to help increase the permeability of other topical ingredients, making other skin treatments more effective.
Additionally, argan oil contains high concentrations of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E plays an important role in free radical protection, particularly those formed through sun damage. This powerful vitamin may also have anti-aging benefits, although other vitamin E formulations may not be well-tolerated by rosacea patients. Argan oil, on the other hand, is gentle on even sensitive skin types.
Where to Find Argan Oil
You can find argan oil both online or at your local drug store. Just make sure that it is 100% pure argan oil. You also need to make sure that it is packaged and stored properly, as argan oil is known to lose its effectiveness when stored at high temperatures.
Note that the Argania spinosa tree is very slow-growing and the process through which the oil is extracted from the kernels is very time-consuming. For these reasons, argan oil is still considered to be relatively rare, which makes it on the pricier side.
I personally like PAORR 100% Organic Moroccan Argan Oil, which you can buy online for under $30 through the STS store using a physician code.
Bottom Line
Preliminary research shows promising evidence that argan oil could be very beneficial for the skin and hair. Its high concentration of omega fatty acids and vitamin E could help to calm the skin and reduce redness caused by inflammation, as is the case with rosacea and other inflammatory skin problems like acne and eczema.
If you have specific questions about your skin care routine for managing rosacea, feel free to contact our team at Baumann Cosmetic online, or call our Miami office at 305-532-5552.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest rosacea research and treatment breakthroughs, plus sign up for our newsletter by emailing info@derm.net.
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