11 Amazing Uses of Argan Oil for Health and Beauty

From skin to hair to lips, these argan oil benefits prove that the stuff is like liquid gold.

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Get mega moisture

Moroccan women have been using argan oil, which is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, to deeply hydrate and nourish their skin for years. Add a few drops of argan oil, like Art Naturals Pure 100% Organic Argan Oil, to your hands and gently rub them onto your face, neck, and other dry body parts. For glowing morning skin, Mary Delgado, beauty oil expert and executive manager of Art Naturals, recommends applying argan oil before bed. “You’ll wake up with a silky smooth complexion,” she says. (Interested in trying other oils? Check out similar benefits of sesame oil.)

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Prevent wrinkles

A major cause of fine lines and wrinkles is free radicals in the air. Argan oil is packed with antioxidants, which search and destroy those cell-damaging free radicals to protect your skin from premature aging. Here’s how to use argan oil for wrinkle prevention, according to dermatologist David Colbert, MD, for Allure, “In the morning, massage a few drops onto clean skin, wait two minutes, and apply sunscreen or foundation as usual.” Here’s what dermatologists wish you knew about preventing and treating wrinkles.

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Mend split ends

Just as argan oil moisturizes the skin, it can also help to curb and condition brittle, damaged hair. “For an all-natural, organic hair treatment, work a decent amount of argan oil into hair [use less if you have thin or fine hair] and leave on overnight to heal dry, frizzy tresses and split ends,” Delgado says. “Wash thoroughly in the morning.” Don’t miss these other home remedies for dry, damaged hair.

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Protect against heat

Yes, heat styling can cause damage to hair and you need to protect it, but you don’t need to buy dedicated heat protection products. Just work a few drops of argan oil through hair before blow drying, straightening, or curling, to protect against damage and ensure a smooth style. Follow these other essential tips if you use heat on your hair every day.

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Tame flyaways

Got frizzy or damaged hair? Argan oil will do the trick. Rub a couple drops in your hands and gently smooth down any flyaways. Consider your updo saved!

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Soothe razor burn

Ever used a super dull razor because you forgot to pick one up at the drug store or dry-shaved your legs in your bedroom before going out? Ouch! Use argan oil to beat that inevitable razor burn. Massage a few drops onto your legs immediately before and after shaving to soothe your skin. Check out the other ways you’re probably shaving wrong and how to get it right to nix nicks and razor burn.

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Get the glow

Forget lying in the sun, trying to master self tanner, or messing with complicated highlighters. The best way to give your skin a radiance boost is to blend a couple drops of argan oil into your foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer. You’ll get the oil’s moisturizing, protecting, and glow-enhancing benefits along with your regular coverage.

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Get kissable lips

Whether you’re recovering from winter’s super-chapped lips or combating summer sun damage to lips, it’s always a good time to make sure your lips are soft and kissable. Delgado suggests this DIY trick for a flake-free, moisturized pout: “Mix argan oil with sugar to form a paste. Lightly scrub onto lips to remove any dry or flaky skin. Rinse and pat dry.” Use lip balm post-treatment to make sure your lips stay hydrated. Here are other lip balm hacks you’ll want to try.

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Make a face mask

Homemade face masks can be just as effective—and much more natural—than store-bought brands. Try out MindBodyGreen’s DIY recipe using argan oil: “Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 3 teaspoons of Greek-style yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 3 drops of argan oil in a bowl. Apply on a clean, dry face, and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.” Here are more recipes for homemade face masks that work.

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Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate

You already know that exfoliating helps keep your skin looking fresh and glowing, as it sloughs off the topmost layer of dead skin cells that otherwise leaves your complexion dull. Create your own super-effective, natural, and delicious body exfoliator with argan oil. Delgado recommends adding the oil to brown sugar for a body and foot scrub. Just make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward. Here’s how exfoliating will keep your skin dewy and radiant year-round.

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Give a great massage

Next time you have a sore muscle, try massaging it with argan oil. Since argan oil is known as a dry oil, the body will absorb it quickly, making it perfect for a massage, because it won’t be too sticky or greasy—and it will provide all those extra argan oil benefits! Enlist your partner and treat each other to a massage session. Flying solo? Treat yourself with these simple self-massaging moves.