about argan oil

Public Magazine

Liquid Gold

Argan oil: Find out why celebrities love this liquid gold

It's been used by the Berber women of Morocco for centuries, but now it seems that argan oilhas found its place as liquid gold within Hollywood's beauty industry.

Applauded as being a celebrity's secret weapon for red carpet radiance from head to toe. Eva Mendes has even said that "Argan oil from Morocco is my total skin secret", adding with enthusiasm that "It’s spectacular!”.

A plant-based solution that relieves the effects of patchy skin and lackluster locks, it also is richer than olive oil in vitamin E and is packed full of fatty acids marking it as be one of nature's most effective moisturisers.

Used by some of the catwalk's hottest hairstylists including Orlando Pita who works behind the scenes at Carolina Herrera, the oil's nourishing properties are fantastic for pumping vitality and a healthy shine back into tired tresses.

But you needn't be an expert to use this product at home. Traces of the ingredient are now a popular addition in many high street hair brands including Kiehl's and Morrocanoil making it easy to select a protective haircare kit.

If you have the real deal, it's also easy to add the benefits of argan oil into your daily haircare routine. You can pour some of the concentrated product into your usual hair conditioner and leave in for half an hour, focusing on the ends of your hair for a deep treatment.

Left over night this oil can work wonders, and if you suffer from a dry scalp then you work theargan oil into the roots as well. Simply wash out the next day with a gentle shampoo and repeat once or twice a week for irresistibly silky smooth hair.

While many women are more than happy to embrace the trend of loading up their locks and limbs with natural oils, many of us are more suspicious about using its mineral-packed properties near our faces.

But, because argan oil is incredibly lightweight, it penetrates the skin easily giving you a youthful, dewy glow without any of grease.

It's gentle enough to use on all skin types and is even believed to help with skin conditions including acne and eczema. In fact, oils need less stabilisation than creams (which curdle easily), and so often contain less preservatives or additives which tend to irritate the skin's surface.

A favourite of Marian Cotillard's is La Sultane de Saba Argan Oil which contains 99 per cent of the essential oil alongside rose and vitamin E.

For a facial routine that will leave you looking radiant like Marion you can use an intense treatment oil such as this as an night solution to massage into parched skin.

Simply combine just a few drops with your usual moisturiser to awake with a hydrated and nourished glow in the morning.

Argan oil the Miracal oil from Morocco

Breakthroughs and miracle products have become a common occurrence in the beauty industry. Cosmetics and hair products popping up left right and center. All claiming to be the ultimate in beauty treatment and care.

whereas putting oil on your skin and hair, was once thought to be a big no no. Today the proliferation of oil extracts as an essential ingredient in hair and skin cosmetics. is becoming more and more popular. What seemed to be worst beauty tip, putting oil on your face and hair, is now an every day occurrence. Of course this is nothing new, For centuries it's been a well-kept secret known only to the Berber women of Morocco, who use it to nourish their skin, hair and nails.

The times have changed and now it’s time to learn why this miracle oil, has become every beauty expert’s favorite secret ingredient. Argan oil, now the most hyped beauty cosmetic in the industry today. Extracted from kernels of the fruit nut, of the Argan tree. The tree comes under many names, varying from The tree of life to A gift from God, the oil often referred to as Liquid gold. The tree itself is extremely well adapted to drought and other environmentally harsh conditions of southwestern Morocco. Where it now grows. The genus Argania once covered all of North Africa. But now endangered and under protection of UNESCO. The argan tree grows wild in semi-arid soil, its deep root system helping to protect against soil erosion and the northern advance of the Sahara. This is the reason why the Argan oil is said to be a very rare type, which brings its price higher than other oil products.

Before modern times, the Berber women of ancient Morocco would collect undigested argan pits from the waste of goats which climb the trees to eat their fruit. The pits were then ground and pressed to make the nutty oil used in cooking and cosmetics. However Todays oil used in cosmetic and culinary products is harvested directly from the tree and processed with machines. The production of Argan oil is just as tedious as it is precious. The nuts are stripped of the soft pulp wich surrounds them. Then cracked open, the kernals are then ground to a thick paste. This is then squeezed out until the extraction of Argan oil is completed.

The production of argan oil is having a noticeable environmental and social impact. Argan oil production means that the trees are now seen as a valuable resource. This has led to their preservation with a secondary impact on the environment. The labour-intensive nature of argan oil production, now frequently carried out by women’s co-operatives, has provided a steady income for many women and their families, improved the social status of some women and has encouraged producers of other agricultural products to examine the co-operative model.

During its meteoric climb, the benefits of argan oil have been subject to numerous research studies. And the benefits of this honey-colored substance ( liquid gold ) have been very impressive. Studies have indicated that Argan oil can prevent prostate cancer, lower cholesterol, and prevent or reverse various other diseases.

The benefits when Pure Argan oil is applied to the skin or taken internaly, prove to be both healing and anti-aging. The active natural ingredients in argan oil are impressive, and include…

• Tocopherols

• Squalene

• Carotenes

• Sterols

• Phenolic antioxidants

Dr. Philip Steig, Ph.D., M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief at New York Presbyterian Hospital, said “experts are hailing the benefits of Argan oil as the newest super food. As a rule of thumb, about 30% of your diet should come from fat, no more than ¼ from saturated fats such as meat and butter.” The rest should come from healthier, mono- and polyunsaturated fats. said Steig”

Established sources of these healthy fats include:

• Nuts

• Fish

• Sesame oil

• Sunflower oil

• Canola oil

• Olive oil

Argan oil out does every single one of these other food sources. Traditionally, Argan oil has been used topically to:

• Protect against and heal skin infections

• Clear up acne

• Ease eczema

• Hasten recovery from chicken pox

Beauty Editor's Top 10 Argan tips

1. Face Moisturizer - After washing morning or night, massage a few drops of argan oil directly onto your face and neck. Argan is not a greasy oil and absorbs quickly into the skin . You can use it as a serum by applying your night cream after the oil absorbs into the skin.

2. Lip Scrub and Moisturizer – For soft and smooth lips, add a few drops of argan oil and vanilla extract to fine brown sugar. Lightly massage into lips using circular motion and rinse off.

3. Rejuvenating Face Mask – Add a few drops of argan oil to your favorite face mask. Or make your own mask by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 3 teaspoons of Greek-style yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 drops of argan oil in a bowl. Apply on a clean, dry face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

4. Hydrating Toner – Add a few drops of argan oil to Rose or Orange Blossom water to make your own toner. Or add a few drops of argan oil to your favorite facial toner to hydrate and tone simultaneously.

5. Healthy Face Glow – Add a few drops of argan oil to your foundation, bronzer or tinted moisturizer for a dewy, luminous glow.

6. Leave-on Conditioner – While your hair is still wet, add a few drops of argan oil to your hair, ends and scalp to hydrate and moisturize. It’s especially nourishing for dry hair.

7. Hair Styling Shine – When your hair is dry, use as a styling product by adding a few drops of argan oil to the palms of your hand. Rub your hands together and run your fingers through your hair to create shine.

8. Overnight Hair Treatment – Massage a generous amount of argan oil into your hair, and scalp. Then wrap your hair and leave it on overnight. In the morning, wash your hair and you’ll have luminous, soft nourished locks.

9. Cuticle and Heel Softener – Massage a few drops of argan oil into your cuticles to soften, moisturize and encourage nail growth. To nourish cracked heels, work a good amount of argan oil into your feet and toes. Cover with socks and leave overnight.

10. Body and Bath Oil – Add a few drops of argan oil directly into the bath or body lotion. It’s safe to use on a baby and also helps to minimize stretch marks on a pregnant belly too.

Argan Dry Hair Care

Reviews

By far the best!

This Argan hair oil is nothing short of amazing. I'm a product junkie with thick/frizzy hair, and have never experienced a hair product like this before. I have tried this formula both ways: on wet and on dry hair. Using it on dry hair gives it a bit of a shine...and even a little body. In fact, up until yesterday the results I achieved by putting it on my dry hair weren't even worth me leaving a review. Yesterday, I tried something different. I tried Argan Dry Hair care from Malak Bio. I put a little bit (a dime size) in the palm of my hand both when I shampooed and conditioned my hair. I let the conditioner/argan oil set in my hair for about 10 minutes (also combed it through the ends). It instantly changed the texture...felt like silk as I rinsed it out. Combed it straight, sat under the dryer for 30 min. After that I put a dime size in before blow drying it (no other products) for about 8-10 minutues tops (the technique of blow drying isn't to dry it....but the blow dryer infuses the oil even more into the hair strands while straightening it a bit). Use a high speed hand-held blow dryer that'll protect the hair (I use a Pibbs...see my review).

Then I flat ironed it (with my FHI flat iron)...and oh my God, I achieved the same bouncy, shiny, soft, no frizzes, smell good hair effect I would have had if I'd visited my salon. I now know my hairdresser's secret...they put this stuff in their shampoo (not a lot) and it makes an incredible difference. I could tell my husband loved it as well. At work today, I've received a ton of compliments from co-workers. Now, I can do my own hair and look fabulous until my next salon visit.

-Carolina Solar

Amazing results...

I've used Organic Argan Oil for a couple of years. Oddly enough, Argan Oil doesn't feel oily, at all - it softens and atrengthens hair, and creates a shine that's superior to the "shine" products I used to use - and it smells amazing. I bought my last order from Shop Morocco, the service is great. The oil arrived in a padded mailer, in perfect condition, and I couldn't be happier - one of my favorite splurges, without leaving home, for half the money. Perfect.

-Ashley Brown

I couldn't be more pleased

This stuff works wonders! I have over processed hair, which is coarse as I'm Indian, and this stuff makes my hair shiny and soft. Just a drop will do you. would highly recommend.

-Julie Green

Absolutely beautiful

I use this product on my face as a part of my nightly skin care routine, I literally just wash my face and put this on and head to bed. Honestly why people keep saying that it only takes 1-2 drops to cover your face because it definitely isn't enough for me! I need more like 7-8 drops! The oil sitting on my face is kind of hard to get used to when trying to go to bed, the 7-8 drops does saturate my face so maybe the other reviewers only apply a very slim layer. When I wake up OMG! My skin is as soft and smooth as a babies bottom

-Emil Jones

100% pure Argan