Argan oil is made with the nuts of argan trees found in the hills above Essaouira, a rural town 2 ½ hours away from Marrakesh. When prepared for the edible variety, argan nuts are roasted like chestnuts, in a steel drum over an open flame. For oil used in cosmetics, the nut oil extracted is raw.
It’s incredibly rare.
Besides the fact that they only grow in a small desert region in Morocco, argan trees don’t produce fruit for 30 to 50 years and the trees’ life spans are only between 150 and 200 years. Native Berber women hand-process just one liter of argan oil every few days in a painstaking manner.
It’s handcrafted with care.
The women who make argan oil work in government-funded cooperatives that provide reasonable pay, safe and clean conditions with flexible schedules that allow them to care for their families, according to NY Times travel writer Amy LaRocca. Check out her illustrative article about “liquid gold” and how you can get it right at the source, or at home.
Hey Doctor: Is it healthy or hoopla?
Dr. Joshua Zeichner , Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City says argan oil is a helpful treatment for hair and skin, but like most any health and beauty product, some people will like it more than others.
Is argan oil good for my hair?
If you’ve got parched tresses that are brittle or have split ends, Zeichner says argan oil is for you. It will improve the strength and condition of your strands as the oil’s healing blend of Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids penetrate your hair’s cuticle. If your hair is fine, look for a product with a blend of argan oil, such as Josie Maran Bohemian Waves Argan Hair Mist, which offers hydration without the heaviness.
Why is argan oil good for my skin?
Argan oil’s rich combination of antioxidants, essential fatty acids and Vitamin E can prevent free radical damage to the skin and promote healthy cell turnover. It not only preserves existing collagen and but stimulates new collagen growth. The fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and keep skin cells healthy and well-hydrated.
When should I apply argan oil products to my skin?
Zeichner says he tells his patients apply antioxidant products in the a.m. as a barrier to prevent environmental damage we all experience throughout the day.
Can I use argan oil skincare products if I have oily skin?
According to Zeichner, people with oily skin should proceed with caution when using oil-based products. Besides leaving a heavy feeling on the skin they may even stimulate acne if you are
predisposed to breakouts.
predisposed to breakouts.
How should I use 100% argan oil?
The concentrated formula of 100% argan oil is dense, so apply it in small amounts – you can always add more. For the hair, emulsify a drop or two in your palms and apply to the tips and shaft of your hair as needed. On the skin, apply a drop or two and then rub gently until evenly absorbed.
Where else can I use argan oil besides my hair and skin?
Zeichner says argan oil can be used to remedy dry, itchy scalp. If you have rough cuticles or brittle nails, massage some “liquid gold” into your digits during your next manicure to quench them quickly.
- Hair: Argan oil is a great product to calm frizzy ends, add moisture to dry hair as well as add a little shine. Apply to your hair while it is still damp for an all over treatment or apply just to your dry ends after your hair is dry.
- Scalp: If you're dealing with dry scalp, apply some argan oil to a cotton ball and dab your scalp with the oil. If you do this before bed, you'll give the oil plenty of time to moisturize your scalp before you wash your hair in the morning.
- Face: It might seem scary to apply a pure oil to your face, especially if you have finicky skin, but we have been doing just that and our skin is completely turning around. It's smooth, clear and radiant, all thanks to using argan oil as our daily morning moisturizer.
- Body: You can use argan oil for a full body moisturizer, applying just as you would a body lotion or cream. Apply the oil right after you get out of your shower for best moisturizing results.
- Hands: Argan oil is a great oil to use on your hands, especially on your cuticles and on your nails if they are prone to cracking and peeling.
Argan Oil Product Picks
Because of argan oil's increasing popularity, many skin care companies are jumping on the argan oil bandwagon. It is definitely a mid-range beauty product, but the concentration and small amount needed help with the cost. Plus, with the skin benefits we've seen, we're almost at the point of ditching everything but the sunscreen and sticking with argan oil head-to-toe.
We recommend finding a product line that has 100% pure Moroccan Argan Oil for best benefits. Here are a few product lines that get good reviews, but any 100% pure argan oil is a good purchase.
Endorsement:
Celebrities such as Eva Mendes, Taylor Swift and Salma Hayek swear by Argan Oil to provide their hair and skin with an immediate moisture infusion and superior hydration.
Eva Mendes - http://www.zeel.com/g/celebrity-secret-weapon-eva-mendes-adores-argan-oil/2011/03/16
Taylor Swift - http://www.arganoilreviews.co.uk/argan-oil-review-the-new-liquid-gold/
Josie Maran and her range of Argan Oil products.
very informative and detailed article about argan oil of morocco, i like the way you describe thanks
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