Argan oil has been popular in skincare for a while now. But this extraordinary ingredient has been doing good way before QVC and Josie Maran. Find out how best to get amazing argan oil benefits into your life.

You can hardly talk natural skincare without argan oil coming up. It may have become sort of mainstream these past several years, but this nut oil has a long history.

Spied on ingredient listings as argania spinose, argan oil is obtained from the nuts of the argan tree. Grown only in the southwestern region Morocco, women of the area have been using the oil for centuries for its healing properties.

Argan oil holds many beauty benefits and women love the stuff for good reason. It’s a powerful anti-ager, acne fighter, skin rejuvenator, and more. But buyer beware. Not all argan oil products are created equally. And equally here means without toxic ingredients.

You can hop into almost any beauty counter, drugstore, or online beauty shop and pick up a product made with argan oil. To get the most skincare bang for your buck, it is important to purchase high quality, nontoxic products.

Find out which argan oil products are best and how to use them. You’ll be glad you added this beauty to your regimen.

7 Amazing Argan Oil Benefits for Healthy Skin and Hair

1. Anti-aging Hero: More than just another anti-aging ingredient, argan oil is thought of by many organic beauty producers as a super ingredient. Rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E, this hero anti-ager is excellent at restoring a youthful appearance to skin. Kahina Giving Beauty 100% Organic Argan Oil is of the highest quality. Use on skin to soften lines, plump, clear, and calm. Try Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Cream to soothe crow’s feet.

2. Non-greasy Moisturizer: Seems most anti-aging products come in oil form. That’s great for dry skin, but what about those with oilier skin looking to treat signs of aging? Argan oil is the answer. This oil works well on all skin types but women with oily skin love it because it does not leave skin greasy or cause breakouts. Highly emollient but absorbs quickly into skin. Suti Honour Coconut & Rose Face Cream offers light hydration and softens skin.

3. Acne Fighter: Argan has natural antibacterial properties, making it an excellent choice for those prone to breakouts. The oil also helps to tone down irritation and inflammation. B Leaf Botanics Banish Blemish Treatment is a potent mix of zit zapping ingredients, but gentle on skin.

4. Lightener and Brightener: This nut oil contains phytosterols which help to brighten the skin and add a natural glow. Studies on the use of argan oil as a treatment for hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin also show promise, and may be beneficial in lightening sun damage and skin discoloration. MUN No. 1 Aknari Brightening Youth Serum combines argan with other healthy natural oils for a bright, supple complexion.

5. Scar Diminisher: That’s right, not only is the oil great for treating lines and wrinkles, many have found it lessens the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Lina Hanson Global Body Serum softens marks and tones skin.

6. Cuticle Repair: We know vitamin E is great for wrangling dry, snaggly cuticles. Add argan oil to your manicure for healthy nails. Kahina Giving Beauty FEZ Hand and Body Balm is perfect on hands, and smells so great you’ll want to use it on the rest of you, too.

7. Hot Oil for Hair: So we know argan has long been used to heal, rejuvenate and support skin. But guess what? This nut oil is a super effective hair treatment too. Warm a small amount of oil in palms and distribute from scalp through ends of hair. Wrap in warm towel and leave for 15 minutes. Shampoo as usual. Hair is soft, shiny, and bouncy.

Didn’t know about all of these useful argan oil benefits? Get in on the goodness of this beauty miracle from nature.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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You shed the winter pounds, started shaving your legs again, and hit the gym twice as often to prepare that bikini body. Wondering how to get rid of cellulite and stretch marks, like, fast?

What is your cutoff date? You know, that time of the year where you stop eating so much junk and ramp up the workout routine in order to get a bikini body by summer?

Usually somewhere around late February to early March we begin our beach body regimen. We may be able to exercise and diet our way to a flatter tummy and toned arms. But there are certain things that aren’t as easy to fix, particularly the dreaded cellulite and stretch marks. Most women spend at least a little time fretting over these skin situations, even though almost all women have at least one of the two. While we may need to get okay with the idea of dimply skin and marks sticking around, the good news is we can lessen their appearance.

Many women experience stretch marks on their stomach or thighs post pregnancy, others may discover them around their breasts after puberty. Stretch marks usually fade a bit over time, but most often do not disappear completely.

Then there is the ubiquitous cellulite. Did you know that approximately 90 percent of women ( and 10 percent of men) have cellulite? Hail damage, cottage cheese skin, orange peel…whatever you want to call it, cellulite is really just fatty deposits and fluid retained in the skin’s connective tissues. Women are more susceptible to dimply skin, possibly because our connective tissue is less elastic than men’s or maybe we can blame this, too, on hormones. Being overweight can contribute to cellulite, but thin women get it too.

While we may not be able to banish cellulite or stretch marks entirely, there are steps we can take to lessen their appearance, making the whole bathing suit dilemma a lot more comfy. Bikini body here you come!

How to Get Rid of Cellulite and Stretch Marks (Or at Least Look That Way)

Amping up circulation and ridding the body of excess fluid helps to banish cellulite. Dry brushing is a great way to do this. Make it a part of your regular morning routine for best results.

Certain ingredients are also helpful in easing the appearance of dimples. Caffeine has a tightening effect on skin, reduces puffiness, and increases blood flow. It’s also chock full o’ antioxidants to protect against premature aging and skin cancer. Try Qet Botanicals Matcha Green Tea Body Polish.

Another circulation booster is chili pepper. The capsaicin in the peppers increases blood flow which helps to smooth the skin. Bottega Organica Body Contour Formula -Peppermint and Chili Pepper is designed for these trouble spots.

Tone skin and diminish discoloration with Tata Harper Forifying Body Lotion. Rose extracts help to hydrate and renew the skin, leaving it soft and lightly scented. Perfect for summer.

Now for those stretch marks. Ingredients that support the skin are best for warding off stretch marks before they begin. Antioxidant and skin-supportive plant oils, like olive and apricot, are ideal. And Bottega Organica Stretch Mark Prevention Oil – Pure contains both.

Soapwalla Shea Butter, Tangerine & Clay Soap Bar is said to “erase” stretch marks, blemishes, and scars. The clay exfoliates and absorbs toxins, which definitely improves skin’s appearance. Shea butter is a super moisturizer and hydrated skin always looks better.

A richly hydrating dream cream for stressed skin is Zoe Organics Belly Butter. Apply this moisturizer to stimulate skin, relieve dryness, and improve elasticity. Rosehip oil is also a natural anti-ager.

When in doubt, cover it up. No, not with your towel. A self tanner gives instant confidence and makes imperfections disappear. Pick a healthy self tanner and use the day prior to going out in the sun.

Now get that bikini body to the beach, pronto!

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Stretch marks. Friend and new mom Erin Fox speaks of them in hushed, angry tones, calling them, “Something so evil they must be destroyed. Evilly.” Yes, Erin, stretch marks are bad. What’s more, they are complicated. No, I’m not talking complicated like understanding the appeal of putting crazy people on reality television. Stretch marks are complicated because a vigorous debate exists as to whether they can actually be prevented.

And the debate over stretch marks is fierce. It pits doctors against mothers against physical trainers against beauty technicians. And sure, there are those who argue that stretch marks are natural, we must embrace our bodies, and these marks just accentuate perfection. All good and true points – click here, my positive-thinking friends!

For the rest of us still reading, let’s talk options.

The cosmetics industry has produced tons of creams, oils, and salves that they swear will decimate stretch marks like a nuclear bomb takes care of tree. Meanwhile, other skin experts shake their heads, check their offices for hidden microphones, and admit that nothing can be done to prevent them. They are, in fact, a result of the genetic makeup of your skin.

And it does seem that stretch marks are unavoidable for some people. I have friends who cocoa buttered themselves ceaselessly during pregnancy – only to end up with stretch marks best described as Freddy Kruger-esque. Then I know others who sailed through pregnancy without a mark to be had. And nary a cream or oil did they touch.

So what’s the deal? Firstly, stretch marks aren’t just due to pregnancy. They come from weight loss or weight gain – basically, from anything that will stretch the skin. Men and women get them all over their bodies. They arise in the elastic middle layer of skin called the dermis. Experts point out that when the dermis is constantly stretched, it can break down. Voila, stretch marks. They start off red or purple and can end up silvery white on the skin.

So what can you do to fight them naturally? Yes, I know that some say they are unavoidable. But experts suggest keeping the skin as hydrated as possible – and that sure can’t hurt the situation. Use Vitamin E lotions and oils on the skin, and get as much Vitamin E as you can in your diet. Nuts, spinach and tomatoes all contain a lot of it.

Finally, Narine Nikogosian of Return to Beauty details a natural recipe for stretch mark care in her book. She suggests combing 3 Vitamin E capsules with 2 tablespoons of cocoa butter, covering your affected areas every night before bed. She also offers up a similar recipe combining 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil, and ½ teaspoon of honey. You can purchase Narine’s book here.

Have any of your own homemade recipes or tips to fight stretch marks that you’d like to share? Let us know!

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