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Argan oil

The liquid gold, the Berber treasure

Argan oil is a rare oil extracted from the almonds of the argan tree, a very rare tree found in Morocco. This oil is used for cooking or for therapeutic and cosmetic properties.

Rich in fatty acids such as linoleic acid, which helps acne-prone skin, reduces inflammation, and increases skin hydration levels, and oleic acid, which improves skin permeability and helps other ingredients to penetrate the skin more easily, making this oil indispensable in natural cosmetics.

There are two types of oil: the first type is used in food preparation, has a dark brown color, has a pronounced taste, and acts to reduce blood cholesterol, protect against heart disease, and also protect against cancer.

The second type is golden yellow, used for cosmetic purposes for the skin, face, and hair.

Common name of the vegetable oil: Argan or Argane

Producing tree: Argan tree

Botanical name: Argania spinosa

Botanical family: Sapotaceae

Origin (country where the vegetable oil is cultivated): Southwest of Morocco

Part of the plant extracted: Argan nuts (kernels)

Composition

Argan oil contains essential nutrients and is mainly composed of fatty acids and a variety of phenolic compounds (organic compounds). About 29 to 36% of the fatty acid content of argan oil comes from linoleic acid, or omega-6, making it a good source of these essential nutrients. Oleic acid (important for heart health) constitutes 43 to 49% of the fatty acid composition. It is also rich in vitamin E, essential for the skin, hair, and eyes, which also has powerful antioxidant properties.

45 to 48% oleic (Omega9)

31 to 35% linoleic (Omega6), traces of alpha-linolenic (omega 3)

13 to 17% palmitic, 2 to 6% stearic

Vitamins: E and A

Hair

Argan oil is an ancient beauty secret, and it helps to revitalize and soften your hair. Thanks to its high content of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E, the benefits of argan oil help to naturally increase the elasticity and hydration of the hair, and to restore their shine by providing an oil layer to your hair. It also improves scalp health, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which are excellent for the skin. This can help prevent or improve skin conditions, including those that can affect the scalp, and which can lead to hair loss, such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Some scientific research has indicated the antifungal properties of argan oil, which help to treat dandruff, especially since dandruff can occur due to fungi on the scalp.

Protective oil: thanks to its richness in linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid, it forms a protective layer on the hair, improving resistance to combing and protecting the hair from breakage during styling. Argan oil treatment reduces the formation of split ends and contributes to thicker, healthier hair.

Skin

Argan oil is used to improve the health of the skin, hair, and nails, and it contains a number of beneficial properties and various vitamins, which form a powerful formula to promote healthy skin. The most important benefits:

Protects from sun damage
Moroccan women have long used argan oil to protect their skin from sun damage, according to a 2013 study that found the antioxidant activity of argan oil helps protect the skin from sun damage, such as burns.
Moisturizes the skin
Argan oil can be used as a moisturizer. That's why it is often found in lotions, soaps, and hair conditioners. It can be applied directly to the skin pure or mixed with other oils, for a moisturizing effect thanks to the presence of vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble antioxidant and contributes to improving water retention in the skin.
It treats a number of skin diseases
Argan oil has healing properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the symptoms of a number of inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and rosacea.
Treats acne
Hormonal acne is often the result of excess sebum caused by hormones. Argan oil effectively fights excess sebum on the skin and can help treat several types of acne. Apply argan oil - or face creams containing argan oil - directly to your skin at least twice a day. You will see results after four weeks.

Anti-aging

One of the traditional uses of argan oil is to treat skin infections thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

"But the uniqueness of argan oil lies in the unsaponifiables it contains. These molecules have special properties, thanks to the antioxidant vitamin E (tocopherols), and especially thanks to sterols (lipids), which have unmatched anti-aging activity in the plant world" Bernard Fabre

They indeed stimulate cell metabolism, neutralize aggressive free radicals, and protect connective tissue. Argan oil thus acts against the loss of skin elasticity thanks to a certain firming effect and helps to prevent the appearance of wrinkles.

Eyelashes

Argan oil is naturally rich in vitamins (A and E) and fatty acids, it acts as a powerful conditioner for eyelashes. All the essential vitamins necessary for hair growth are found in argan oil, and its daily use on your eyelashes can promote their growth. You can use your fingers or a cotton swab to apply the oil to the eyelashes, to completely cover your eyelashes and let it act overnight.

Make sure not to put too much oil on your eyelashes, as it could sting your eyes. It is noteworthy that most people who regularly used argan oil on their eyelashes, saw visible results in four weeks. Everything depends on the way of use, and the speed at which your hair will grow.