With the plethora of oils in the skincare market, it can get overwhelming to choose the correct one for your skin type. When it comes to maracuja oil and argan oil, they both provide astounding benefits for the skin. However, there are benefits that stand out for both oils that can help you to make a better decision about which one to choose.
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Is Maracuja Oil Good For Skin?
Maracuja oil is also known as passion fruit oil. This is derived from the seeds of the passion fruit. It can be processed by refining the oil (the oil is subjected to high heat – often reduces its beneficial effects) or cold pressed (no heat).
This oil has a multitude of benefits for the skin. For one, it has high antioxidant activity. This means that it scavenges free radicals and protects the skin from harmful reactive oxygen species.
Secondly, since it’s lipid content is high, it can help create a barrier on the skin. This protects the skin from external contaminants and pollution.
Specifically, maracuja oil is high in linoleic acid. It contains over 70% of linoleic acid, providing a high source of essential fatty acids to the skin.
This is a type of acid that is actually found to be low in those suffering from acne.
Applying maracuja oil topically to the skin can improve acne and redness.
Along these same lines, this oil is anti-inflammatory. Therefore, it is suitable for acne-prone skin that is also prone to inflammation.
Maracuja oil is also high in phenols. Phenols are compounds present in many plants that possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
What Skin Type is Argan Oil Best For?
Argan oil is used across the board for many different things. It can be applied topically on the skin, and taken orally as well.
Studies have shown that oral consumption of argan oil has led to increased elasticity of the skin.
Since one of the many signs of aging is related to loss of skin elasticity, argan oil may hold the key to anti-aging. Due to its rich content of fatty acids, polyphenols and squalane, it protects the skin from environmental stressors.
Fatty acids in particular are part of the epidermal barrier of the skin. This helps to keep in moisture by balancing the water content of the skin. Application of argan oil increases hydration.
Since it is rich in tocopherol (vitamin E), it has many antioxidant properties as well.
Topical application of argan oil has also been shown to increase the speed of wound healing. It also repairs the skin, and is therefore best suited for dry skin types.
It is important to note that argan oil does have a high amount of oleic acid content. Acne sufferers tend to have high oleic acid content in their skin, and are usually low in linoleic acid content.
Therefore, those with acne-prone skin may want to stay away from using argan oil to avoid exacerbation of acne and redness.
Does Maracuja Oil or Argan Oil Clog Pores?
While there is a never ending debate in regards to oils and acne – it is safe to say that maracuja oil is better suited for skin that is easily clogged rather than argan oil.
As mentioned briefly, argan oil has much higher oleic acid content than maracuja oil does.
In this case, oleic acid can mix with sebum produced by the skin and cause pores to clog. The reason for this is that oleic acid may actually harden skin sebum, causing larger blockages of the pore than usual.
On the other hand, linoleic acid helps to form a protective barrier that is non-clogging and decreases inflammation in the skin.
Linoleic Acid
As an essential fatty acid, linoleic acid plays an important role in keeping the skin barrier intact.
When deficient, it affects the formation of sphingolipids, which play a role in conditioning the skin. With low levels of linoleic acid and thus, low level of sphingolipids – The skin becomes prone to the formation of comedones.
This is why it is important for acne sufferers to incorporate linoleic acid-rich products into their routine. Deficiency in linoleic acid content has also been shown to decrease epidermal barrier function. This can lead to dehydrated skin and less defense against external pollutants. These can both cause acne and clogged pores.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264581/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4321565/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/