Argan nuts and oil

Argan oil for skin

What is argan oil and is argan oil good for face? We’ve got information on why it’s all the rage in skin care and what makes it so effective.

What is Argan Oil?

Argan oil has been around for centuries and has been the source of skin care for many around the world. But where did it come from and how did it become such a popular commodity?
Argan Nuts

The history of argan oil

Argan oil is known all over the world to be sourced by the ever-popular argan tree that is spread across the entire region of northern Africa. Though it originates from a nut grown from these trees, it is the region’s tree-climbing goats we have to thank for finding this rich source of oil. That’s right, goats. According to history, when hungry, these tree-climbing goats would climb argan trees to eat their fruit and leaves. The nut, a vital part in making the oil, couldn’t be digested from the goats and would be left aside for locals to collect. After passing through a rigorous process of shell-cracking, grinding and pressing, we get the precious oil we know today.

Cultural significance

Argan oil was quickly appropriated into the Moroccan culture due to its rich and beneficial ingredients such as Vitamin E and powerful antioxidants like phenols. Even before becoming a major industry, argan oil was a valuable commodity served for medicinal, culinary and cosmetic purposes. This popular oil was often incorporated in traditional Moroccan cuisine, serving as a replacement for olive oil. It was served with bread as a dip and as a dressing for salads. Finally Moroccans, women in particular, were not oblivious to the cosmetic benefits of argan oil.

ARGAN OIL SKIN BENEFITS

IS ARGAN OIL GOOD FOR FACE?

Argan oil has become such a phenomenon in skin care and hair care because it contains so many beneficial qualities, it truly does provide a large array of benefits when used. There's a reason why it's been dubbed 'desert gold' and it's not just due to the colour of it in its purest form.
Woman applying Q10 Cream

ARGAN OIL SKIN BENEFITS:

  • Improves elasticity
  • Hydrates skin - applying the oil to the skin relieves dryness and flakes
  • Reduces the look of stretch marks - qualities of argan oil help to soothe dry skin and minimize the look of stretch marks
  • Visibly mattifies skin – for those prone to oily skin, argan oil helps to mattify the look of skin so that it appears less shiny
  • Helps purify the look of skin – considered as a non comedogenic oil, it doesn’t block pores, leaving your skin visibly clean and pure
  • Helps with exfoliation – this oil aids exfoliation of dead skin cells so that your skin appears smoother and visibly radiant
  • Visibly reduces wrinkles – because it’s a highly nourishing oil, it hydrates the skin so that it appears firmer, visibly reducing wrinkles and fine lines

References

Benkabbou, N. (2015, September 30). Argan Oil. Retrieved from http://www.mymoroccanfood.com/home/argan-oilBenlafquih, C. (2020, January 21).

Learn About Argan Oil, Morocco's Famous Culinary and Cosmetic Oil. Retrieved from https://www.thespruceeats.com/argan-oil-uses-2394765Britton, B. (2016, November 15).

Argan oil: Morocco's desert gold. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/15/africa/argan-oil-morocco/index.html Dardar, J. (2012, August 25).

The Argan Tree, Morocco's Secret. Retrieved from https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2012/08/53119/the-argan-tree-moroccos-secret/Gotter, A. (2017, December 14).

Argan Oil for Skin Health. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/argan-oil-for-skinSimpson, J. (2015, December 28).

From Goat Dung to Face Cream: The History of Morocco's Argan Oil. Retrieved from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/72258/goat-dung-face-cream-history-moroccos-argan-oil