Is Argan Oil Good for Acne
Argan Oil is the probably the best moisturiser for Acne prone skin.
This is because Argan Oil does not block pores a major cause of acne.
It fights oxidation of the serum being produced by Propionibacterium Acnes bacteria.
This helps prevent Acne Vulgaris symptoms such as blackheads, Hyperpigmentation and Scarring.
Is Argan Oil OK to Use if you have Acne?
Although some website claim otherwise, Argan Oil is not an Acne treatment.
However it does make an excellent choice of moisturiser for use on Acne-prone skin.
It is non-comedogenic, so should not aggravate the skin and cause spots.
It also has a collagen-boosting effect to help heal and scarring of the skin.
Argan Oil also has a gentle skin lightening effect which could help fade dark marks caused by acne spots.
The benefits of Pure Argan Oil for an acne prone skin type are:
- Anti-septic/anti-bacterial properties
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Supports healthy skin cell renewal and speeds up healing of scars
- Gently fades dark marks on skin
- Does not block up skin pores which can lead to spots and infection
With regular use, Argan Oil should really help prevent pimples and even out a blotchy complexion and calm inflamed skin.
Natural Anti Septics / Anti-Bacterials for Acne
Argan Oil contains Polyphenols – which have natural antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic properties.
Studies also show they have an effect on sebum production in the skin and may be of use for treating Acne Vulgaris[71]
Argan Oil is also rich in triterpenoids.
Since skin absorption of terpenes is several times higher when applied as pure oils they can be added to proteins to enhance their attachment to cell membranes. [61] Triterpenes in Argan Oil include lupine, ursane and oleane. They are interesting for the treatment of Acne because they have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal effects [41] [71]
Another active ingredient in Argan Oil that may be useful in treating Acne is Lupeol.
A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology looked at the benefits of Lupeol for Acne treatment. It concluded that it could be a useful treatment for effects on inflammatory lesions, papules, pustules, and nodules in acne. [91] [92]
Skin Inflammation
Reducing skin inflammation to keep Acne under control.
This is why natural products that are rich in Sterols are useful for the treatment of acne vulgaris [22]. Plant sterols found in products like green tea or Argan Oil applied topically support cell membrane health. They reduce and protect against further skin inflammation.
There are other anti-inflammatory components in Argan Oil which include Triterpenes, Saponins & Butyrospermol. All of these are well documented for their ability to reduce redness and inflammation of pores.[78]
Understanding the Comedogenic Rating of Argan Oil for Skincare
Moisturisers are an essential cosmetic product for maintaining healthy skin.
If you suffer from sensitive skin prone to spots then it is essential to use the right moisturiser. You should only use non-comedogenic oils, like Argan Oil. This is because they do not block pores.
Argan oil has garnered attention in the beauty world for its potential to nourish skin and hair.
However, if your skin is prone to acne or is sensitive, understanding its comedogenic rating is crucial.
The comedogenic rating of an oil refers to its likelihood of clogging pores and causing acne.
Argan oil, derived from the kernels of the argan tree, possesses a low comedogenic rating, typically ranging from 0 to 2 on a scale of 0 to 5, where 0 indicates non-comedogenic and 5 denotes highly comedogenic.
Due to its lightweight nature and high content of beneficial fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acid, argan oil is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Its moisturizing properties help to hydrate without leaving a greasy residue, making it suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.
Moreover, argan oil contains antioxidants like vitamin E, which can help soothe inflammation and promote skin repair, further benefiting those with acne-prone skin.
When incorporating argan oil into your skincare routine, it’s essential to ensure it is pure and of high quality to reap its full benefits.
In conclusion, argan oil is a great skincare ingredient with its low comedogenic rating and nourishing properties.
What is the Cause of Acne?
The definition of Acne is, a skin disease caused by the clogging of hair follicles and the action of bacteria on dead skin cells and skin oils.
The primary cause of Acne is high levels of Androgens – Hormones that cause sebaceous glands to make too much sebum. Although Acne is most common at puberty “adult acne” can also occur at various stages of life for many reasons.
For example, spots and break-out are common in adult females due to the menstrual cycle. In this case, taking 500mg to 1000mg supplements of Evening Primrose Oil or Borage Oil for 7 days before a period is expected can have amazing results on spots and other symptoms such as breast pain.
But in most cases, the treatment of Acne is more complicated.
Bacteria that cause Acne to act on the oil from glands and this lead to skin eruptions. The symptoms of Acne may include whiteheads, blackheads and redness from inflammation. If not addressed this can lead to more serious conditions such as cystic acne, papules, pustules and boils.
Inflammation and bacteria are both a symptom and the cause Acne. Fortunately, natural oils like Argan Oil have both antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. With the right choice of oils, it is possible for many Acne sufferers to reduce flare-ups and stop it from becoming a more serious problem.
Not having a good skin-hygiene regimen is a major cause of Acne or at least how serious it becomes. Regular cleansing and exfoliation of skin and use of skin healing nutrients is so important. In fact, the real cause of so many skin-eruptions comes from the clogging-up of pores.
Finally, lifestyle, bad diet and choice of cosmetic products are major causes of Acne or just spotty, blotchy skin.
What to Do About Acne Prone Skin?
This depends on how serious the condition has become.
There are many ways to treat Acne Vulgaris. It might be enough to simply improve your skin hygiene, regimen use antibacterial products and change your diet. However, when Acne has become more serious you may need to take a more aggressive approach.
If you have pock-marks, scars or dark marks won’t clear-up overnight. However, with regular use natural oils can be very useful for healing scars and fading dark marks. In addition, there are many plant-based treatments, such as Comfrey, that have beneficial and well-documented healing effects on the skin.
Diet plays a big part in controlling Acne and is too big a topic to cover here. Just to say that most importantly you should make sure you do not have an acidic diet and get plenty of Alkalising drinks and foods.
Blends of essential with Argan Oil bare an inexpensive and gentle method for promoting skin health.
Even though it is not specifically an Acne treatment Argan can be be blended with other essential oils to produce improve it’s Anti Acne action.
Later in this article we discuss how to make a serum that targets many of the causes and problems created by Acne using pure Argan Oil as a carrier oil.
Best of all you can customise the serum to match your own specific skin type/condition.
The Effects of Acne
Acne has both physical and psychological effects.
The combination of skin inflammation and infection causes spots. This can lead to hard to get rid of blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules and worse!
The effects on appearance often cause psychological stress which in turn can make Acne get even worse.
Over the long-term Acne can cause Hyper-pigmentation and Scarring.
Does Argan Oil Cause Acne or Breakouts?
Everyone’s skin problem is different.
What may work for one person may not work for another. Although it is almost never reported, there is always the chance that any natural oils may not work or even cause a “break-out” reaction.
This is why you should ALWAYS make a patch test when trying any new product (natural or not) you plan to use on your skin.
You do need to make sure that your Argan Oil is as fresh as possible.
This is because Argan is very high in beneficial Omega fatty acids. But over time these oxidise and might even contribute to skin breakouts and Acne. This is kept in check by the very high vitamin E levels in Argan Oil which have a natural preservative effect.
These Polyunsaturated fats are susceptible to “lipid peroxidation.” This is a process where lipids degenerate by oxidation. [17] Lipids cover the surface of the skin. Sebaceous lipid is a mix of ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol. When oxidised the lipids in cell membranes become damaged.
Now, the oxidation of a pure, scent-free Argan Oil starts after about 10 to 12 months. A single filtered Argan with the natural smell within 9 to 11 months.
As you may have read I was born in Morocco and my family produced Olive and Argan Oils for generations. In the past we made Argan Oil not by cold-pressing but by a long and complex process of producing a bread-like dough then squeezing the oil from this. It would take a week to make a small quantity which we would use immediately.
Now we have cold-pressed oils and finer a more advanced filtration process we are able to remove more of the water content and vegetable sediment. This makes a scent-free Argan Oil which has a longer shelf life.
Even so, we only press and process Argan Oil in small quantities every 3 months or so to make sure that it is in best condition when sent to customers. This gives 7 to 9 months in which it will be in perfect condition.
Unfortunately, most Argan Oil you will see is almost certainly purchased in bulk, packaged and will have sat on shop shelves or in the warehouses of Amazon for who knows how long? So try to check pressing dates where possible.
But because it is a non-comedogenic oil Argan Oil won’t block skin pores or give you Acne?
Healthy Skin Cell Renewal and Healing Scars
Argan Oil supports cell renewal and can help accelerate the healing of acne scars.
Phenols found in Argan Oil are of interest for Acne and scars or pock-marks.
Recent studies found that they are reducing the healing time for damaged skin. [58]
Argan oil’s effectiveness in tackling acne scars lies in its composition of vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. Vitamin E is renowned for its ability to promote skin healing and regeneration, crucial for fading scars and evening out skin tone. Antioxidants found in argan oil, such as polyphenols, help protect the skin from oxidative stress and free radicals, which can contribute to scar formation. Additionally, the omega fatty acids in argan oil nourish the skin and support its natural barrier function, aiding in the repair of damaged tissue.
Gently massage a few drops of argan oil into the affected areas after cleansing and toning your skin.By incorporating argan oil into their skincare routine, many people see a reduction in acne scars and achieve smoother skin.
Regular application, ideally twice daily, can gradually improve the appearance of acne scars over time. Reduction or healing of scars is never guaranteed and patience is key. Results will take some weeks to become noticeable.
Healing Acne Scars with Argan & Natural Oils ??
Lightening Dark Marks Caused by Acne
Damage to the skin can result in dark marks. Melanin is responsible for dark colouration and this is produced in reaction to skin damage.
This can be spots, cuts, burns, inflammation or even hormonal inflammation – also known as Melasma.
Vitamin E levels in Argan Oil give it a natural lightening effect to gently fade dark marks.
Other oils have even stronger lightening effects but must be used in small amounts with a carrier oil.
Fade Dark Marks & Spots with Argan & Natural Oils ?
Pure Argan Oil 60 ml
Pure double filtered Organic Argan Oil with almost no Argan nut smell.
- 100% Pure Oil
- Certified Organic
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Essential Oils: Anti-Bacterial Acne Serum
60ml Carrier Oil – Pure Organic Argan Oil +
- 2ml / 40 Drops Tea Tree Oil
- 1ml / 20 Drops Clary Sage
- 1ml / 20 Drops Thyme Oil
- 1ml / 20 Drops Cinnamon Oil
Diluting Essential Oils:
Pure essential oils are very concentrated and can cause a reaction and skin irritation.
Just about all essential oils should be diluted before applying to skin.
Recommended Dilutions:
The recommended dilutions for essential oils vary for each oil.
Typically essential oils can be added to a carrier oil in a dilution between 1% to 5%.
A standard dropper dispenses around 0.05 ml per drop. This means there are 20 drops in 1 milliliter.
For a 60ml of Argan carrier oil this would mean using:
- 1% dilution : 12 drops : 0.6ml
- 2% dilution : 24 drops : 1.2ml [ most common dilution level ]
- 4% dilution : 48 drops : 2.4ml
Notes About Using Essential Oils on Skin
1 Photo-Sensitivity:
Be aware that some essential oils are photosensitive or “phototoxic”.
This means they may cause your skin to react when exposed to the UV light in sun.
This includes some very useful essential oils, such as Lemon Oil, which have many benefits for skin.
To avoid any problems with photo-sensitivity simply use them as an overnight treatment.
These are the most common Essential Oil that can Cause Skin Photo-sensitivity with maximum suggested dilutions per 60ml of carrier oil.
- Bergamot – 0.1ml
- Grapefruit – 2ml
- Cold-Pressed Lime* – 1ml
- Cold-Pressed Lemon* – 2ml
*note: a steam distilled versions of these oils are not considered to be so phytotoxic
2 Patch Test:
Before using any new cosmetic product, especially on visible areas like the face, always try to make a small patch test.
There are 3 important reasons for doing a patch test:
- Allergic reaction
- Irritation – Does it cause itchiness or rashes
- Skin Compatibility – Does it cause excess drying or spots
That said, essential oils are widely used and have been used across the world for thousands of years.
If any of them were especially unsuitable for skin we would probably know by now.
So, unless you already have known allergies, you will most likely only need to make a simple patch test.
How to Do a Basic Patch Test
- Choose an area close to that where you plan to use the oils. The side of the neck or inner forearm.
- Apply a little of the oil serum.
- Leave for at least a few hours, ideally 24 hours, to see if there is any reaction.
Remember that you will be testing the final diluted essential oil serum you plan to use NOT a pure essential oil
If you have an uncomfortable reaction that you want to calm try applying a cold plain yoghurt to the affected area.
3 Using Essential Oil Whilst Pregnant
This is a list of oils to avoid using during pregnancy.
The Best Carrier Oil
We sell 2 types of genuine, organic and pure cosmetic Argan Oil.
The first is our “Naturally Scented”. This is made from an extra-virgin cold-pressing and a single filtration process.
This grade of cosmetic Argan oil has a natural Argan nut scent and is recommended for blotchy, acne-prone or inflamed skin.
Our “Unscented” Argan Oil is the same extra-virgin oil which is filtered a second time. This type of cosmetic Argan Oil has less sediment, less water content and no smell. It is the best choice for face, general skin care and hair treatments.
Buy both types of certified, organic Argan Oil for skin and hair from our on-line store.
You can also buy directly from some of our web pages. Click on the “add to cart” buttons to purchase directly through Pay Pal checkout.
Prices include fast and Free Delivery Worldwide.