Does research support its use for skin and heart health?
Here’s what you should probably know about argan oil’s potential uses, benefits, and precautions.
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No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Argan oil is marketed for many different cosmetic and therapeutic purposes.
It’s also apolyunsaturatedoil, popular for cooking and consideredheart-healthy.
There needs to be more science to support most of argan oil’s purported benefits.
However, some evidence exists for its use in skin care, high cholesterol, and knee osteoarthritis.
According to one study, argan oil taken by mouth or applied to the skin improvedskin hydrationin 60postmenopausalpeople.
Randomized controlled trials, the gold standard in scientific research, are needed to determine argan oil’s effectiveness.
Supplementation with the oil also increasedhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL, or “good” cholesterol) levels.
The people who supplemented with argan oil also increased their walking distance.
Again, more research is needed before argan oil can be routinely recommended.
More data is needed before argan oil can be recommended for any of them.
Much of argan oil research is from animal models that may or may not translate into benefits for humans.
What Are the Side Effects of Argan Oil?
Your healthcare provider may recommend you use argan oil for skin health or for another reason.
However, using a natural oil like this one may have potential side effects.
These side effects may be common or severe.
Common Side Effects
Argan oil may causecontact dermatitis, a rash at the app site.
However, taking it by mouth or applying it topically is generally considered safe.
In studies of people assigned female at birth who were postmenopausal, no side effects were noted.
However, in general, severe side effects with argan oil are not expected.
Dosage: How Much Argan Oil Should I Use?
There are no guidelines for the appropriate use of argan oil.
There is no data on argan oil toxicity.
Interactions
Argan oil containstocopherols, a form of vitamin E, which may slow blood clotting.
Discard after one year or according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Just because products are natural does not mean they’re safe for everyone or effective.
Argan oil products can be found online and in many grocery stores, drugstores, and specialty beauty shops.
The quality of any argan oil can be affected by extreme heat and sunlight.
Probably not, though anecdotal reports abound.
However, more research is needed.
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