EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ARGAN OIL

Argan oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the fruits of the argan tree, which grows in the arid regions of the Atlas Mountains in southern Morocco. This oil is used both in cosmetics and in cooking, and its renowned quality is intimately linked to Berber culture.

HOW IS IT PRODUCED?

Pure argan oil is obtained from the fruits of the argan tree, which are cold-pressed to preserve all their benefits. For cosmetic use, the oil is extracted from non-roasted kernels, while for culinary purposes, it is made from roasted kernels.

Argan oil is often referred to as “liquid gold” because it takes approximately 30 kilograms of raw fruits to produce just one liter of this valuable vegetable oil.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ARGAN OIL?

Argan oil has the unique characteristic of being unsaponifiable and having a very low, if not nonexistent, comedogenic rating. Non-comedogenic oils are preferred in cosmetics as they do not clog the pores.

Additionally, argan oil is highly stable against oxidation, meaning you can use it in oil blends without worrying about it degrading.

THE MAIN PROPERTIES OF ARGAN OIL IN COSMETICS

Argan oil is rich in natural antioxidants like squalene, tocopherols (including vitamin E), and carotenoids, making it an ideal antioxidant to fight skin aging. It is also emollient, meaning it easily penetrates the skin and provides moisturizing and nourishing effects. Rich in omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids and schottenol, a sterol that softens the skin, argan oil is an ideal nourishing treatment for dry and brittle hair.

Moreover, argan oil has healing properties due to its linoleic acid content, which optimizes skin firmness and tone, making it an ally against wrinkles and premature skin aging.

WHO IS ARGAN OIL FOR?

Argan oil is recommended for dry and dehydrated skin, as well as mature skin lacking tone and prone to sagging. It can also be used to treat chapped skin, mild burns, and acne and chickenpox scars.

Since it is non-comedogenic, you can apply argan oil to the face and body, and even mix it with your creams to enhance its effects on the skin.

You can also use it on dry and brittle hair to repair it, and especially mix it with other oils to create a nourishing oil bath.

DIY BEAUTY CARE RECIPES USING ARGAN OIL

You can create numerous beauty and hair care treatments with argan oil and products readily available in stores or organic markets.

For example, mixing a teaspoon of argan oil with 2 tablespoons of white clay and a few drops of rose water creates an effective facial mask against acne scars and wrinkles.

If you have damaged hair, you can create a repairing hair mask with neutral henna and argan oil, diluted with a little warm water. Be sure to let it sit for an hour under a shower cap so that the treatment penetrates deeply into the hair.