What is argan oil in skincare?
Argan oil is pressed from the kernels of the argan tree, which grows almost exclusively in southwestern Morocco. Cosmetic-grade oil comes from unroasted kernels, which is why it has a far milder scent than the culinary version.
It is roughly 80% unsaturated fatty acids – mainly oleic and linoleic – with a high content of vitamin E and polyphenols. Reviews of its medical and cosmetic uses cover antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and emollient activity.
What skin concerns does argan oil treat?
It is primarily a moisturiser and barrier support for dry, dehydrated or mature skin, and its linoleic acid content helps calm inflammation in eczema-prone and reactive skin.
A controlled study in postmenopausal women found daily topical argan oil significantly improved skin elasticity over twelve weeks, with dietary intake adding further benefit. It is also widely used on hair, nails and stretch marks.
What ingredients are best paired with argan oil?
Apply it over a humectant – hyaluronic acid or glycerin – so it seals moisture in rather than sitting on dry skin. It complements ceramides, squalane and shea butter for barrier repair.
Its vitamin E content makes it a natural partner for vitamin C serums, and it buffers retinoid dryness well. It sits at the moderate end of comedogenicity, so oily and very acne-prone skin may prefer jojoba or squalane instead. Take our Skin Quiz.
What are wrinkles?
Wrinkles are permanent folds and creases in the skin. They begin as dynamic lines that appear only with expression, then set into static lines visible at rest once the underlying support structure can no longer push them back out.
They form first where skin is thin and movement is constant: crow’s feet, forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, and nasolabial folds. Deeper folds also reflect loss of fat and bone volume, not just skin change.
What causes wrinkles?
Internally, collagen and elastin production declines steadily from the mid-twenties and the dermal matrix thins, so skin loses the scaffolding that keeps it smooth.
Externally, ultraviolet radiation does most of the damage – it activates enzymes that break down collagen and degrades elastic fibres. Smoking, pollution, sugar-driven glycation, poor sleep, sleeping position and repeated facial movement all accelerate the process.
What ingredients are best for wrinkles?
Retinoids have the deepest evidence base for stimulating collagen and measurably reducing wrinkle depth over six to twelve months. Vitamin C supports synthesis while neutralising the free radicals that break it down, and peptides signal repair.
Round it out with hyaluronic acid and ceramides for hydration and barrier strength, niacinamide for elasticity and tone, and AHAs for surface renewal. Daily broad-spectrum SPF is the most effective anti-wrinkle product there is. Take our Skin Quiz.
