Morocco is the land of the Argan oil tree. It is the signature species of the Arganeraie woodland ecosystem, home to various endemic plants. Argan trees, or Argania Spinosa, are native species to Morocco’s sub-Saharan region, which lies in the country’s southwest. They thrive in arid and semiarid environments. This three can withstand harsh environments with limited water supplies, erosion risk, and poor soils.
What is Argan Oil
The Argan tree has thorny branches that can reach up to 10 meters. Its foliage is loved by goats and camels (who do not hesitate to climb on its branches to feed themselves). What makes the Argan tree unique? Its fruit. A nut with two to three “almonds,” which are cold-pressed to produce an oil with countless cosmetic virtues.
The Argania Spinosa only grows in one area of Morocco—Essaouira and Agadir’s southwest region. People in this area have been using and processing its oil for decades, and they do it expertly!
The UN estimates that the Argan trees in Southwest Morocco offer three million people employment opportunities. The majority of harvesters are women.
The benefits of argan oil for skin are countless. It also helps the scalp, dry hair, and split or soft nails.
The skin’s hydrolipidic layer is restored after applying this oil, and the nutritional content of skin cells is increased. The oil treats burns, minor irritants, eczema, acne in conventional medicine, and much more properties that we will cover in detail in this article.
The Benefits of Argan Oil for Skin
Protects from sun damage
A 2013 study supported women’s use of argan oil of Morocco to protect their skin from damage caused by the sun.
According to a study, argan oil’s antioxidant properties helps in shielding the skin from sun damage. As a result, which prevents burns and hyperpigmentation from appearing.
This may potentially help in the prevention of skin cancer, including melanoma, from developing on the long term.
For these advantages, you can consume argan oil supplements or use the oil directly on your skin.
Moisturizes skin
The most known application of argan oil is as a moisturizer. That’s why it can often be found in hair conditioners, lotions, and soaps. It has a moisturizing effect when applied physically or orally in daily doses. This is because it contains a lot of vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that can improve water retention in the skin.
Treats several skin conditions
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are among the many therapeutic benefits of argan oil of Morocco—both aid in reducing the signs and symptoms of several inflammatory skin disorders, including rosacea and psoriasis.
Apply pure argan oil to psoriasis-affected skin for optimum results. Oral complements might be the most effective way to treat rosacea.
Treats acne
Excess sebum substance produced as a result of hormones often causes hormonal acne. 100 pure Argan oil has anti-sebum properties that can control the production level of this substance in the skin. This can encourage a clearer complexion and assist in treating a variety of acne forms.
Apply 100 pure argan oil or face creams that contain it directly to your skin at least twice a day.
Healing skin infections
Pure Argan Oil can be used to heal skin infections. With antibacterial and fungicidal properties. This enables it to aid in treating and preventing bacterial and fungal skin problems. Apply argan oil to the affected area twice per day and you’ll see miracles in the 2 weeks of usage.
Improves wound healing
Antioxidants are a potent influence. Argan oil’s powerful antioxidant and vitamin E combination can fasten the healing of cuts and wounds. You can regularly take argan oil as a supplement to experience this benefit throughout your body.
Anti-aging effects
Argan oil for face has been long used as an anti-aging remedy. This assertion was previously solely supported by anecdotal information but was recently endorsed by a study with postmenopausal volunteers. Researchers discovered that oral and cosmetic argan oil significantly increases the skin’s elasticity. Argan oil is served as an efficient anti-aging remedy.
These advantages can be obtained by applying it directly to the skin, taking oral supplements regularly, or both.
Reduces the skin’s oiliness
Some of us have oiler skin than others—those who frequently take extra measures to remove the potential greasy shine. Argan oil can reduce overall sebum and skin oiliness by reducing sebum.
According to the latest studies, applying argan oil for face or using a cream that contains it twice daily for just four weeks significantly reduced sebum activity and oiliness.
Prevents and reduces stretch marks
Stretch marks can occur to anyone, but they are more common during pregnancy. Studies show that Argan oil improves the elasticity of the skin. This helps in the early prevention and treatment of stretch marks.
At least twice daily, apply argan oil directly to the desired area and massage it. For better results, start doing this as soon as you feel you may be beginning to experience stretch marks.
Soothes atopic dermatitis
Itchiness and red skin are the common signs of Atopic Dermatitis skin disorder. According to research, argan oil’s inherent anti-inflammatory properties and vitamin E help calm these symptoms. Argan oil can be applied locally to the affected area to relieve symptoms.
What Makes Pure Argan Oil for Hair Good?
It nourishes hair inside and out.
According to certain studies, argan oil hydrates and soothes hair internally, protecting the scalp from oxidative damage, and, according to some studies, it may also provide UV protection.
Doctors state that argan oil has smaller molecules than other oils, making it easier to penetrate the hair cuticle.
It helps with dandruff.
Pure Argan oil for hair can be a fantastic treatment for itchy, inflamed scalps. Because it is rich in antioxidants, argan oil is excellent for scalp treatments, according to Vaccaro. The imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in the body, which causes oxidative stress and causes dandruff, can be relieved with argan oil.
It soothes other scalp conditions.
Suffering from psoriasis and eczema? Although argan oil won’t be a cure, it can help with itching and pain. According to Dr. Robinson, argan oil is helpful for conditions including dry scalp, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis because of its calming and anti-inflammatory characteristics. She suggests applying pure argan oil as a calming remedy. “Massage it directly onto your scalp if you have a dry, itchy, or prone to dandruff scalp. After that, put on a shower cap and wait 20 to 30 minutes before shampooing.
It makes your hair shinier.
Argan oil is renowned for giving damaged hair glossy shine . This is mainly thanks to the oil’s high concentration of vital fatty acids. Think about your hair type. “Higher argan oil concentrations will be most beneficial for thick, coarse hair types” (pure argan oil), can work better if you have fine, slippery strands. Dr. Robinson informs us that most people can tolerate and gain from a dime-sized quantity on their ends.
It prevents and repairs hair breakage.
According to Dr. Robinson, Argan oil is rich in nourishing fatty acids and antioxidants like vitamin E, which have moisturizing and healing properties. This is due to the vitamin E in argan oil which helps improve hair’s suppleness. How? Hydrating the actual hair shaft helps alleviate dryness by making strands stronger, more flexible, and less likely to break.
It protects from heat damage.
Have you been using heat to style your hair a lot? That also can be treated with argan oil. According to specialists, Argan oil can be used to protect your hair from hot instruments and blow dryers. Argan oil can be used as a to protect hair against heat damage, breakage, and split ends because it can withstand higher temperatures than other hair oils.
It detangles, seals split ends and smooths frizz.
Argan oil can penetrate the hair cuticle more effectively than most other hair oils because of its small molecules. The nutrients in the Argan oil are better absorbed when the hair is softer, which makes it less likely to tangle. Frayed or damaged hair shafts receive moisture and defense from vitamin E and the omega fatty acids in argan oil. While the latter calms frizz and ragged ends, the former strengthens hair.
Main Benefits of Argan Oil
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The phenolic chemicals that create this substance are responsible for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties contained in Argan Oil.
Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, is abundant in argan oil and performs as a powerful antioxidant to minimize the harmful effects of free radicals.
Tri-terpene alcohols and fatty acids, notably omega-3 fatty acids, are responsible for Argan oil’s anti-inflammatory effects. Due to their therapeutic qualities, these chemicals are utilized in dermatological protection and the battle against inflammation of irritated skin.
Softening
Argan oil quickly penetrates the skin for a moisturizing and nourishing effect because its chemical structure is similar to that of skin lipids. The benefits of omega-3, 6, and 9 also help in regaining healthy skin suppleness. You can use argan oil as a hair care product to deeply hydrate dry hair and get lustrous, silky hair. This vegetable oil contains schotténol, a sterol that softens the skin.
Nourishing, revitalizing
Argan oil’s linoleic acid helps the skin restore its lost firmness and tone. Making it a flagship in the fight against early aging and wrinkle development.
Contains Essential Nutrients
Fatty acids and several phenolic compounds comprise most of argan oil’s chemical composition.
Oleic and linoleic acid makes up the bulk of argan oil’s fat content.
Linoleic acid, also known as omega-6, makes up about 29–36% of the fatty acids in argan oil, making it a vital source of this nutrient.
Despite not being necessary, oleic acid makes up 43–49% of the fatty acids in argan oil and is also a very beneficial fat. Oleic acid, also present in olive oil, is well known for its beneficial effects on heart health.
Argan Oil Extraction
In Morocco, the argan tree is revered for more than only its beauty benefits. The locals consume the oil made from its lightly toasted almonds, which have a nice hazelnut flavor. It is still present in the kitchens of top chefs today. The abundance of omega 6 and 9 in argan oil offers its well-known dietetic properties.
Women are in charge of exploiting the fruit of the Argan tree, from the delicate and meticulous handwork of pulping to crushing the seeds to extract the precious oil.
Argan oil has long been produced exclusively by Amazigh women using a time-consuming, arduous extraction technique. Seven steps in the conventional extraction technique are passed down from mother to daughter.
First step:
Ripe fruits are taken from the argan forest between May and August. The fruits are carefully gathered and left to dry in the sun for a few weeks. The best period to dry fruits for producing high-quality argan oil is two weeks.
Second step
Fruit peeling: After the fruit has dried, the dried peel is physically peeled off to produce “argan nuts.”
Third step
Argan nuts are cracked open, with the kernels being picked out and gathered.
Fourth Step
Then, the kernels are gently toasted on ceramic plates for a few minutes. Each lady determines the appropriate amount of time based on the color and aroma of the seeds. Roasting 1 kg of kernels takes around 30 to 40 minutes. The final oil flavor is significantly impacted by roasting time. Overheating of the material causes a burning taste, which must be avoided. This step is necessary to get limpid oil having reproducible color and odor characteristics.
The fifth step
consists of crushing the kernels after they have been roasted; a millstone is used to grindle the seeds. Two stones are used in this traditional method: a bedstone and a revolving cone-shaped piece with a massive hole in the center through which the kernels are poured.
Sixth step
The resultant oily dough is hand-malaxed for a few minutes while little amounts of water are added. Argan oil is extracted from the released emulsion as the dough gradually solidifies.
Seventh and last step
Oil extraction: The classic oil extraction process is the last step. This procedure is quite time-consuming. It takes a single person 24 hours of labor to extract 50 kg of fruits into around 1 L of oil. After the maximum amount of oil has been collected, the solid residue left over may still contain up to 25% oil. Furthermore, traditional extraction typically occurs in unhygienic settings, especially concerning bacteriological safety, traceability, and oxidative stability. A change was made to enhance the quality and traceability of argan oil by upgrading its extraction method.
How to choose the best argan oil for your skin and hair
Choose 100% natural argan oil when making your purchase. According to specialists, it is best to be pure Argan oil to achieve its maximum performance because any added substance could reduce its efficacy.
Good argan oil absorbs quickly, applies smoothly (it shouldn’t feel gritty), and has a beautiful amber tint. The oil may be distinguished with a faint nutty fragrance Because specific methods of extracting the oil require roasting the argan kernels, as mentioned before.
Specialists also suggest choosing an argan oil for skin or hair that says it is for skin or hair, so read the label carefully. Cooking with argon oil will involve roasting or heating, which may destroy the fatty acids that help in hydration.
Side effects and risks
Using Argan Oil is considered to be safe for most people. However, some individuals may experience minor side effects due to its use.
The skin may become irritated when argan oil is applied. Rashes or acne may develop as a result of this. Those who are allergic to tree nuts might experience this reaction more frequently. Despite coming from stone fruit, argan oil can make these sensitivities worse. To prevent this, make sure argan oil won’t bother your skin by testing it on a little, discrete patch of skin.
Orally consumed argan oil may upset the stomach and result in nausea, flatulence, or diarrhea. Additionally, it may result in bloating or a decrease in appetite, and some individuals may have skin reactions like rashes or acne breakouts.
The oral supplement containing argan oil may occasionally cause people to develop more serious adverse effects. These include agitation, anxiety, melancholy, difficulties falling asleep, and general malaise. Stop taking argan oil right away if you notice any of these signs.
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Morocco?
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Moroccan Argan oil is widely available. So, if you want to buy or try some cuisine made of argan oil, our knowledgeable crew will be happy to help.
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