Activstar - Activ Argan oil 50 ml

When it comes to beauty and skin care products, you're likely to come across countless different brands—many of which offer the exact same ingredients, such as aloe vera, coconut oil, and rosehip oil.

Another one you might recognize? Argan Oil: A relatively affordable oil that looks, smells and feels luxurious on the skin and hair thanks to its golden hue, nutty scent and pleasantly light texture.

Because argan oil is so rich in beneficial nutrients—such as vitamin E, fatty acids, squalene, and antioxidants—it has tremendous benefits for hair and skin. Here, experts explain what argan oil is, how to maximize its benefits for hair and skin in your beauty routine, and what to look for when you're shopping.

What exactly is argan oil?
Argan oil is made from the seeds of the argan tree, which comes from an area in southwestern Morocco. "A long-standing practice involves removing the thick skin and pulp from the argan fruit and then cracking open the nut by hand to extract the oil-rich kernels inside," says Hadley King, MD, a dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the clinic. Weill Medical College Cornell University. "The kernels are then ground and pressed to obtain pure, unfiltered argan oil, and then decanted and filtered to obtain an even purer oil."

The end result is an extremely nourishing oil that easily penetrates the skin, increases moisture, and activates the production of natural lipids (aka fats) to protect the skin barrier, explains Erum Ilyas, M.D., a dermatologist at Montgomery Dermatology in Pennsylvania.

Since argan oil is relatively light, it can be used on most skin types and in general when it comes to hair texture.

Active ingredients: tocopherols (vitamin E), phytosterols, polyphenols, squalene, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (including oleic and linoleic acids), melatonin, coenzyme Q102
Alternative Names: Argan Nut Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sideroxylon Argan Oil, Lyciodes Candolleanum Oil, Lyciodes Spinosum Oil, Sideroxylon Argan Oil3
Legal Status: Over-the-counter supplement in the US
Recommended dose: 25 milliliters by mouth or ten drops applied to the skin once a day for eight weeks.4
Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Aguenaou H, Derouiche A, Bensouda Y. Effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity. Clin Interv Aging. 2015;10:339-349. doi:10.2147/CIA.S71684

Safety considerations: Generally well tolerated.

Soothe itchy scalp
"For those who suffer from dandruff and flaking, argan oil provides anti-inflammatory benefits and doesn't clog pores, which can lead to hair follicle damage," says Gina Rivera, hair stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. To use argan oil as an additional treatment, she suggests taking a few drops and gently massaging into the scalp to stimulate circulation. Ideally, leave it on overnight and then rinse off in the morning.

Avoid heat damage
The vitamin E and fatty acids in argan oil actually protect the hair and scalp from heat damage caused by styling tools. To protect hair when blow-drying, straightening or curling, Rivera recommends applying a few drops of regular argan oil to wet or dry hair before and after styling.

Increase the shine
Unlike other hair oil bases like coconut and olive oil, argan oil absorbs easily into the hair shaft, so it doesn't leave a greasy residue as long as you don't overdo it, Rivera explains. "Because it's rich in fatty acids, it helps restore shine and luster to hair without weighing it down and causing build-up," she says. “To use, apply a few drops to wet hair before styling. Apply a small amount to dry hair, focusing on the ends."

Reduce frizz
Rivera likes to use a few drops of argan oil on wet strands before styling to hydrate and prep hair. "If there's still a bit of frizz, put a drop and rub well into your hands, then work into dry hair, starting and focusing on the ends," she adds. As an added bonus, using a little oil on the ends of your hair can help reduce split ends (your cue for a trim!).

Add sun protection
Argan oil acts as a high-quality scalp sunscreen for your hair, neutralizing free radicals (unstable molecules that tend to wreak havoc in your body) reinforced by the natural environment and the sun. "The antioxidants found in argan oil are especially beneficial for color-treated hair to prevent pigment loss and extend the life of your color," says Ross. "An easy way to introduce argan oil as a sun protectant is to add one to two drops and lightly run your fingers through your hair after conditioning or just add to the ends."

Promote hair growth
"Due to the phenols found in argan oil, which are very stimoil the scalp, it can help promote new hair growth," says Rivera. "The best way to reap these benefits is in tandem with a hair loss treatment." She recommends massaging the oil into the scalp for a few minutes a day to stimulate blood flow and open up with pores.

Benefits of argan oil for the skin
Add moisture
Argan oil gives skin a big hydration boost thanks to its high vitamin E content. "Vitamin E also helps strengthen the skin's barrier so it's able to retain more moisture," says the celebrity esthetician and founder of SkinLab in West Hollywood. Joshua Ross. To seal in hydration, she recommends adding a few drops of 100 percent pure argan oil to your daily moisturizer, an easy step to include in your daily skincare routine.

Reduce wrinkles
Because argan oil is so nourishing, it can also help your skin look younger. “When we talk about thinning skin as we age, we lose both collagen (the building blocks of the skin) and elasticity (the skin's ability to spring back after being stretched), leading to tissue paper-like wrinkles. skin," explains Dr. Ilyas. "When used topically, argan oil has been found to improve skin elasticity in postmenopausal women."

Wound healing
The same properties that make argan oil useful for keeping skin looking youthful can also aid in wound healing. Argan oil is full of antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation. Animal studies have shown that burns heal faster when argan oil is applied regularly, but human trials are still needed before argan oil can be officially prescribed for this purpose.

Brighten the skin and fade dark spots
If you suffer from hyperpigmentation or brown spots on your skin caused by hormones, aging or years of sun exposure, argan oil can help improve and brighten your skin tone. "Argan oil contains tocopherols (vitamin E compounds) that can inhibit the production of excess pigment from melasma or scars," says Dr. Ilyas.

Cleanse the skin
If you're struggling with oily, acne-prone skin, adding even more oil probably isn't your first plan of action. But it can help more than you think. "A small study showed that topical application of argan oil twice daily for four weeks was associated with reduced sebum (aka oil) and less shiny skin," says Dr. King. "That means it could potentially help reduce clogged pores and acne."