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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.
Pores are itsy-bitsy openings in the skin—and there are millions covering every millimeter of skin. There are two types of pores with different functions: sweat pores and oil pores. The sweat pore allows moisture, produced by sweat glands, to exude out to the surface of the skin, where it helps to cool the body in response to heat, exertion or fever. Sweat pores are so tiny, they are mostly invisible to the human eye.
The oil pore, on the other hand, is a bit larger. Oil pores are also known as hair follicles because these pores produce oil from the sebaceous glands, but they are also the openings from which hair emerges. The oils help to keep our skin and hair healthy. It is the oil pores that can get clogged with sweat, debris and other gunk, causing acne, blackheads and whiteheads. Sweat pores rarely get clogged, as they are so tiny.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil and rosehip oil are also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for keeping pores unclogged as well.
argan oil may be effective for clogged pores, 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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