Argan, Olive, or Rosehip? Which Oil Is Right For You?

Let’s face it. The choices in skin care out there are enormous. Do you go with organic skin care? Conventional? Use a tried and trusted brand or try something new? Or, use the latest finding in ingredients or maybe you don’t even worry about what’s in your product as long as your skin is soft, supple, and blemish-free.

Using oil on the face was out of favor when I was younger, as part of a skin care regimen, but new oils and new ways of using oils are making them more prominent these days. I’ve chosen three oils currently available to profile for you, to let you decide which might be best for you.

I’m all about organic, so I suggest you make sure what you apply to your skin is pesticide-free, as pure as possible. It’s easier than ever to find what you want, whether your skin needs anti-acne treatment or anti aging. Not all oils are created equal and some are to be avoided entirely, such as mineral oil. Mineral oil is what’s left as a byproduct when gasoline is distilled from crude oil. Not something I want to smear on my face. It clogs the pores and some sources say it can be downright harmful. In any case there are some more human-friendly oils that can enhance your skin.

1.) Argan- Argan is a tree that’s found primarily in Morocco. It produces nuts that are hand ground to express their oil, and you can search out both culinary and cosmetic grades. It’s new to most of us, but has been used for centuries by Mediterranean women to soften skin, and bring health and a great shine to both hair and nails. It’s packed with all sorts of nutrients that feed your skin: vitamin E, carotenes, squalene, omegas 6 and 9, essential fatty acids, and more. High in antioxidants.

It didn’t always make sense to me that oil applied on the skin doesn’t just increase the amount of oil on your face, producing a mess, but then I may have been thinking of the old days when I used products with mineral oil. Regular Argan Oil users report that dry skin is hydrated, making it soft, and that oily skin was reduced. As a matter of fact, Argan Oil seems to keep your skin from producing too much sebum, keeping your pores clear, and helping to eliminate acne. Argan Oil has a balancing effect on the complexion. Redness also decreased.

The drawback to Argan Oil is the aroma. It has a nutty scent, stronger than we who’ve been using delicately scented products are used to, and that may be off-putting to some. You can find products that blend Argan with other oils or ingredients so the scent is softer, or you can mix it with your own oils if you like.

2.) Olive Oil has been used for centuries as a beauty treatment in ancient Egypt and Greece. Most of us have cooked with Olive Oil and may not be so used to putting on the skin. But it protects the skin from environmental irritants, absorbs UV radiation from the sun, and helps repair skin cells. It helps make the skin more elastic, and gives the skin a healthy glow. You can buy organic Olive Oil at most stores, or you can buy ready made skincare products.

DHC makes a lovely skincare line using a fine grade of olive oil by a process that filters out anything that can clog your pores. If you buy a bottle as is, be sure to choose Extra Virgin Olive Oil. That will contain the most nutrient dense value.

You can also give your hair a hot oil treatment with Olive Oil, massaging the oil into your skin, covering it with a warm towel and leaving it for 30 minutes or so before washing it out. Want a great scrub for your face? Mix Olive Oil with a couple teaspoons of sea salt and gently, gently apply it to the face. No need for lots of scrubbing on this one. Wash it off and see how soft your skin is!

3.) Rosehip Oil is, yes, made from the rosehip part of a real rose. The fruits produced by roses. Check the source, and look for organic Rosehip Oil. Much of it is made from Rosa Mosqueta, and has built-in healing properties. We all want our skin to be rose petal soft, so here’s a chance to use the power of the rose itself. The oil contains a good dose of Essential Fatty Acids. Rosehip Oil is great skin hydrator. It absorbs quickly and can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and is particularly effective in soothing sunburn and reversing damage from the sun.

This is a great anti aging oil, not only because it smoothes wrinkles, but it’s also been found to fade brown spots that pop up as we age, because it stimulates cell membranes. It is a source of vitamin A in a natural, accessible form and it also helps even the skin tone. Do you have surgical scars, acne scars or scars from an accident? I’ve seen pictures showing how much scars fade with the regular use of Rosehip Oil. Try it with stretch marks, too!

Use it by simply massaging it into the skin where you want it — on your face, on a scar, on your sunburn, or whatever. For scar reduction use it twice a day for several months. Rosehip Oil can also soothe and relieve dry skin and conditions like eczema.

The drawback to it is that it increases sensitivity to the sun. Make sure you use sun block. It is also not recommended for acne.

There you have it. Three powerful oils that can help bring out your innate loveliness. This brief synopsis of the qualities of Argan Oil, Olive Oil, and Rosehip Oil can help you decide which to try first. All of them have healing properties, and can help you stay youthful looking longer, but if you’re like me, you’ll want to sample all of them and see for yourself which one you love the best and which ones love your skin!