Argan oil for hair: properties and rules of use

In the advertising texts about the new miracle shampoo, the combination “argan oil” is constantly being used. We will figure out what this oil is, whether it really is almost a panacea for a number of hair problems, and whether it can be used at home in its pure form or as part of homemade masks.

Argan oil is extracted from the fruits of a plant of the same name, growing in northern Africa. Moroccan tree Argania produces fruits similar to olives, but larger and fleshy. Of these, argan oil is extracted by cold pressing.

The spinning process in this way is energy-intensive and requires a large amount of raw materials, which is why the finished product has a fairly high cost. But it is with this method of obtaining that it is possible to preserve all the healing properties of the fruits of Argania.

For hair care, you should choose oil for cosmetic procedures, external use. It is not subjected to heat treatment, which means that it retains more useful elements. There is also culinary argan oil, which can be used for hair care, but you should not expect a great effect from this. Its main purpose is cooking.

The cosmetic product contains many vitamins and useful fatty acids, which allows you to successfully use the product for cosmetic purposes - to improve the condition and treatment of skin and hair.So, the contained vitamin A has an antioxidant effect, promotes collagen production, increases the rate of tissue regeneration and regulates fat metabolism in cells.

Another Antioxidant in Argan Oil - Vitamin E, which is also responsible for the transport of oxygen to cells, improves regeneration and slows down the process of age-related changes in cells.

Vitamin F contributes to better absorption of the remaining ingredients of the composition, "monitors" the sufficient moisture content in the cells, provides the necessary hydration.

Among the antioxidants of the product, it is worth highlighting polyphenols, which also restore cells and retain pigment in them. The processes of self-rejuvenation, as well as the slowing down of the appearance of gray hair in the hair, are provided by a product substance called sterol of organic origin.

Over 80% argan oil consists of fatty acids - palmitic and oleic. They are necessary to maintain the desired composition of the cells, and also protect those from the negative effects of the environment. Finally, the composition contains the so-called plant antibiotics that help the scalp resist fungi, germs, dandruff.

With minor hair damage, the first results from the use of the product will be noticeable after a couple of weeks of its use. If there is serious damage, then 4-6 months of treatment will be required, the visible positive effect of the oil is felt after 2 months of regular application of the composition.

The richness and naturalness of the composition make it possible to talk about the wide integrated effect of oil on the skin and hair. So, fatty acids are useful for weakened, thin, split ends. Oil contributes to smoothing of hair scales, due to which hair becomes stronger, “fluffiness” disappears, smoothness and shine appear.

Acting on the scalp, argan oil softens it and normalizes lipid processes. This allows you to forget about the dryness and feeling of tightness of the scalp, eliminates excessive greasiness, dandruff (merit of vitamin F).

By exerting an antioxidant effect and slowing down the aging process, the oil helps strengthen and nourish the hair follicles, as a result of which the hair becomes stronger and thicker, less fall out. With frequent use of the product, it is possible to prevent the early appearance of gray hair.

The obvious benefit of the product for dry colored and bleached hair:

• firstly, it makes up for the deficit of moisture that invariably occurs in dyed hair;
• secondly, it helps to hold the pigment in the structure of the hair, which means a longer preservation of the shade and shine of colored hair.

Dyed and especially bleached hair often becomes light and fluffy. This is due to the fact that the dye lifts the scales of the hair in order to penetrate inside. As already mentioned, argan oil closes, smoothes the scales. Due to this, the hair does not fluff, is smoothed and retains the shade obtained as a result of dyeing longer.

Thus, the following main areas of use of hair oil can be distinguished:

• treatment of damaged split ends, including ends;
• treatment of scalp (dandruff, oily seborrhea, fungal infections);
• moisturizing and preserving the color of dyed hair, prevention of early gray hair.

Natural argan oil is considered a product that rarely causes allergies. However, being saturated with active components, the product can still cause a negative reaction of the body.

An allergic test will help prevent such a nuisance. In its pure form, a thin layer of oil is applied to the wrist and left for 4 hours.If during this time itching, swelling, redness, rashes appeared, then the use of oil (even as part of masks with other components) should be abandoned. If no adverse reaction has occurred, you can use the product.

The use of oil is not recommended for serious dermatological diseases of the scalp. In the presence of open wounds, burns, abrasions and scratches. In this case, you should wait for the healing of the skin.

Quality oil is sold in dark glass containers and is usually equipped with a dispensing lid. The country of origin should be Morocco, in extreme cases, the neighboring countries. The shelf life of a natural product without preservatives is not more than a year.

If the oil stored in the refrigerator (namely, it should be kept there) darkens and forms a precipitate, this indicates the presence of impurities in the composition. It is unlikely that the product can be considered 100% safe.

By the way, the smell also speaks about the presence of impurities. The natural product smells sweet, has a light aroma of popcorn. The absence of smell or floral amber is evidence that the oil underwent some procedures not foreseen by the cold-pressed technology.

The oil is suitable for application to both dry and wet hair. In the first case, a small amount is applied to the hair sheet and to the ends like a spray or conditioner. It is convenient to apply just a couple of drops of oil in the palm of your hand, rub it a little, and then smooth your hair, as it were, avoiding the composition getting to the roots. You do not need to rinse it off, you can immediately start laying.

To treat the scalp and strengthen the roots, oil should be applied correctly at the base of the hair. The product is rubbed into the scalp, while doing a light massage. Then the composition is distributed along the entire length of the hair. Like most oil masks, argan oil requires warming the head, so after applying it, it is advisable to put a plastic cap on your head and warm yourself with a towel. You need to keep the mask from an hour to several hours, you can even leave it for the night.

To achieve a greater effect from the use of oil helps its heating in a water bath to 37-38C. It heats up quickly, so before applying to the scalp you need to drip oil on your wrist. If the temperature seems comfortable, oil can be used. If while it seems hot, give the product a little time to cool.

The composition is washed off quite easily, in most cases one, rarely two soaping of the head with shampoo is enough. If you are afraid that after oil masks your hair will hang “icicles” and turn out to be greasy, you can add a teaspoon of hair balm to the oil or mask based on it. An egg yolk, which is rubbed into the scalp before using the Moroccan product, is also useful for these purposes.

Argan oil can be combined not only with other oils, but also with essential analogues. The latter also have many varieties and, accordingly, the purpose. Essential oils are added in a small amount to the argan product - no more than 2-3 drops.

Moroccan oil can be combined with essential oils of ylang-ylang, sandalwood, bay oil. Such tandems will relieve dryness and split ends.The combination of a Moroccan product with essential oil of grapefruit, lemon, lavender, rosemary, bergamot will save you from excessive fat. From loss - its own combination with esters of eucalyptus, neroli, cedar.

Argan oil has a wide range of uses. By adding one or another component to it, you can enhance a certain mask action. Consider the most popular proven recipes for masks with an argan product to solve various hair problems.

The medicinal composition according to this recipe will revive dry by nature hair, give them the necessary hydration. It is suitable for those who ruined the hair with frequent stains, using curling irons, hair dryers.

In addition to argan oil, almond and burdock oils will be required to prepare the mask. Oils are taken in equal amounts and applied to the hair. Hold for an hour.

The composition will relieve excessive greasiness of the scalp, so that the hair will stay fresh longer, it will be able to wash less often.

You can get a mask by mixing 1 teaspoon of argan oil, grapes and avocado. 2 drops of cedar oil should be added to this mixture (as a rule, it is sold in small bottles, like essential oils, so it will be convenient to drip). If the hair length is below the shoulder blades, double the number of components.

Mix the components of the mixture, apply to the roots, combining the process with a light massage, and then distribute it throughout the hair sheet. The exposure time is 30-40 minutes.

Argan oil nourishes the hair follicles, prevents cell aging. If you add an additional portion of vitamins A and E to it, then you can create a mask that promotes the accelerated growth of hair.

For this purpose, you should mix 1 teaspoon of argan oil and castor oil, introduce the same amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice and liquid honey. Lastly, inject 10 drops of vitamin A and 5 ampoules of tocopherol.

The mask is rubbed into the roots, and the rest is distributed among the strands. She will not be too oily. Then the hair is dried with a hairdryer and left in this form for 2 hours.

Due to the compositional features, this Moroccan oil mask moisturizes the strands, restores their structure, and also holds the pigment in the colored strands, eliminates their dryness. It is also useful to do it in the summer after a trip to the sea, where under the influence of the sun and sea water the hair actively loses moisture.

At the heart of such a mask are argan oil and olive oil, which are taken in 2 tablespoons. Then you need to introduce to the mixture 1 teaspoon of lavender and sage oils. Heat the mixture in a water bath, and after that, introduce the yolk of one egg. The duration of the treatment mixture is 20 minutes.

If the strands turn dull, fluffy and do not fit well, argan oil (2-3 tablespoons), where macadamia oil or shea butter (1-2 teaspoons) are added, will help. The mixture is applied over the entire length with a slight deviation from the roots (literally 1-1.5 cm) and left on the hair for 45 minutes.

Hair bleached and dyed in light tones often requires hydration. They lose a lot of moisture, and therefore, in the absence of proper care, they become brittle, dry, tangled. The situation is exacerbated by the regular use of tongs and a hair dryer. Argan oil will allow you to solve these problems and level the damage caused by paint and heat treatments.

The mask is prepared from a tablespoon of argan oil, which is mixed with the same amount of aloe juice. 10-15 minutes before this, soak rye bread in milk without additives. When it softens, squeeze the bread, mix the resulting slurry with the oil-vegetable mixture and distribute it through the hair. Insulate and keep for 50-60 minutes.

Argan oil when used in hair care in general receives many positive reviews. The girls themselves note that the visible effect is achieved with regular (at least 2 times a week) use of the product.

Unlike other oils (burdock, castor, olive), argan oil is washed off the first time and does not cause oily hair. In addition, it can be used without fear by blonde girls - the product does not lead to yellowness of blond strands.

The easiest way to use the oil is to apply literally 1-2 drops on the comb, spread over all the cloves and comb the hair without touching the scalp. This will instantly make them smoother, simplify styling.

Best about the healing properties of argan oil will tell the photo before and after its use.

For example, in this case, the girls' hair cannot be called severely damaged. It is evident that they lack moisture - dry tips, fluffy. After applying argan oil (as indicated in the recall, for 4 weeks), the hair became vibrant, shiny, they look healthy and well-groomed.

The following photos demonstrate a similar result. Here, oil was used only for tips. After a month of use, the split ends were sealed, acquired vitality, got rid of dryness. Please note that the hair has become shiny, which is especially noticeable due to the shade of the strands.

The following review from the owner of curly hair. Before applying argan oil, the hair was dry and lifeless, fluffy. After application, the strands were moistened, became smoother.

Video review on the use of argan oil for hair, see below.