Moroccan Argan Oil – What is it?

Argan oil is an oil made from the kernels of the Argan tree, and it it used today for its regenerative, nutritional, and medicinal properties. Native to southwest Morocco, the Argan tree is extremely adapted to drought and other harsh conditions. The tree’s deep roots allow it to get water in the most dry environments. First discovered by explorer Leo Africanus in the year 1510, the Argan tree did not immediately become popular for its medicinal uses. Par of this fact might be because of the nature of the areas in which the Argan tree grows. Since the Argan tree grows in harsh conditions, it is quite rare. Actually, some biologists estimate there are just 6,000 Argan trees in the entire world, almost all of which grow in an area known as the Argan forest. This scarcity of Argan trees obviously makes Argan oil rare as well.A form of Argan oil was processed prior to modern times and the official documentation of the Argan tree by Leo Africanus. The Berbers, a group of people indigenous to North Africa, collected the Argan tree’s pits from the waste of animals that lived in the area. The Berbers ground up the pits, noticing the nutty oil created could be used in cooking and cosmetics. This form of Argan oil is different from that made today, but it was likely the first time anyone noticed the oil’s healthy benefits.Nowadays, Argan oil is made via press extraction. The Argan tree produces a nutty fruit, and it is from this fruit that the oil comes. Using mechanical presses, the seeds of the fruit are pressed. In local areas around the Argan forest, the seeds are actually cold pressed. The result is a far more concentrated version of the oil that can last up to 18 months. Still, the Argan tree is rare and blooms just twice a year, so Argan oil is hard to come by.The oil from the fruits of Argan trees contains Vitamin E, phenols, carotenes, fatty acids, squalene, and phenolic acid, all of which have been shown to have positive effects on the body. In Morocco and some other areas of the world, the benefits of these vitamins and minerals is acquired by eating the oil. Locals dip bread into the oil or use it on salads.

When unroasted, Argan oil is used for a wide variety of purposes. The oil has been shown to have positive effects on many skin diseases, including dry skin, acne, psoriasis, and eczema, and as such it is a staple in cosmetics for many women. For the women of Morocco, the oil has moisturising properties that keep their skin healthy and radiant, even in such a dry climate. In addition to being used as a cosmetic and in cooking, Argan oil is also utilised as a topical ointment.

Argan oil is known as “liquid gold” to many around the world, and its primary use outside of Morocco is as an anti-aging substance. Many people believe Argan oil can reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.

All Argan oil that is produced today comes from a women’s cooperative. The local Moroccan women harvest the seeds from the Argan tree and cold press them to create Argan oil, and all the money they make from the process goes to providing education and health care to the community. All told, the process of producing Argan oil creates 20 million workdays per year for Moroccan women.

Due to the laborious process of creating Argan oil, it is not as cheap as some other oils. Still, it doesn’t cost any more than high-end moisturisers, and the results are said to be superior. Remember, Argan oil has an abundance of natural vitamins and minerals that simply aren’t found in other cosmetics. All Argan trees are grown in pesticide-free areas without fertiliser, and as a result, the oils produced are completely natural.