What are the benefits of Argan Oil?
The Afro-Asiatic Berber women did not wait for the scientific studies and cosmetic companies to tell them before slathering themselves with Argan oil to protect them against the biting wind, sun and sand – They have been entrusting their beauty to this humble oil for over a thousand years. Why not us?
There is no oil without without the tree:
This extraordinary tree grows in the southwest of Morocco, covering some 800,000 hectares. It grows at the whim of nature, and demonstrates exceptional vitality, which enables it to ensure its sustainability in a region renowned for its high temperatures (over 50°C in Taroudant) and low rainfall. A “heaven-sent” for the Berbers, it is the last bulwark against the threat of desertification and soil erosion. Since 1988, much of the argan tree sphere (about 20 million trees) has been under conservation by UNESCO, and the country must now reconcile nature conservation and human development.
A woman’s affair:
It is the women who traditionally work with the argan, and oil extraction happens using a mechanical process, in the absence of any chemicals. The fruit of the argan tree is first collected using a pole, then dried in the sun before being pulped. It is a type of large olive whose core is crushed to extract the amandon, which is then ground. A long and laborious process, it takes, on average, four pounds of amandon (retrieved from sixty kilos of fruit) for just one litre of oil, which explains its high price. In stores, pay attention – it is necessary to distinguish the edible oils from the ones meant for cosmetic preparation. The first is produced from kernels lightly roasted before being pressed. The kernels used for the second are not roasted, which allows the virtues of the oil not to diminish in the heat. It can be distinguished by its light honey colour.
Health and beauty:
Argan oil has a very similar composition to olive oil. Rich in unsaturated fatty acids (80%), which include the omega-3 and 6, it is praised by the medical profession for its ability to reduce cholesterol levels and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In the Moroccan pharmacopoeia, it is also recommended as treatment for acne, chapped skin, burns or even hair loss. During pregnancy, it prevents stretch marks.
For its cosmetic properties, argan oil is adored by women of southern Morocco who use it for both body and hair care. Its high concentration of vitamin E – an antioxidant which protects tissues by neutralizing free radicals – makes it a powerful natural anti-wrinkle treatment, as well as a good ally for dull or fragile skin. When massaged onto the skin, it is also very effective against dry skin and smoothens the body. A good tip – use it preferably on moist skin to prevent an overload of clogging oils. When it comes to hair, it nourishes the scalp whilst adding shine and suppleness. Finally, argan oil is unrivalled when it comes to strengthening and protecting the nails.
6 traditional recipes:
To moisturize the skin:
Dissolve two tablespoons of Rasul (Moroccan clay) in two tablespoons of orange blossom water. Add a tablespoon of argan oil soup and leave on the face for fifteen minutes.
To make your tan last:
Mix argan oil with a bit of carrot oil and jojoba oil and massage onto the skin after exposure to the sun – though never in the day, as argan oil is photosensitive!
To burn the cellulite:
Add argan oil to paraffin oil and citronella essential oil, heat the mixture between your hands and massage the affected area in a clockwise direction, pinching the skin between the thumb and forefinger.
To relax in style:
Mix a bit of argan oil with two or three drops of lavender essential oil in the palm of the hand, massage your body and then slip into a hot bath.
To make your hair shine:
Apply argan oil thirty minutes before shampooing, or even better, combine an egg yolk with a tablespoon of argan oil, two teaspoons of wheat germ oil, a teaspoon of jojoba oil and a teaspoon of apple vinegar. Massage the scalp and hair with this 100% natural cocktail, leave fifteen minutes then wash and rinse thoroughly.
To strengthen the nails:
Dip your tips into a solution, half lemon juice and half argan oil or coat it on your fingernails three times a week. Put on cotton gloves and leave overnight.
Alix Etournaud
