Moroccan Oil Argan Reviews

The argan tree is indigenous to Morocco, and the oil named after it is obtained from the kernels of its fruit. Argan oil is known for its nutritive, cosmetic and medicinal properties. Commercially available argan oil is very expensive as compared to olive oil; because a liter of argan oil takes around 12 - 20 hours of manual processing. It's a laborious job, but the local Berber women are experts in extracting oil from the argan seeds.

It is no wonder then, that argan oil is recognized as 'Moroccan Gold'. These days, the oil is processed with machines, in a cleaner manner. Choosing the Best Argan Oil Most argan oil reviews point towards its medicinal properties and how it helps improve the quality of hair and skin. It found favorable reviews almost everywhere. Taking into consideration argan oil benefits, numerous products containing this oil have been launched in world markets; which are recommended by experts for hair care, massage and skin care. 1. Eden Allure Pure Argan Oil Eden Allure Pure Argan Oil has vitamin F in it, a vital ingredient that helps cell regeneration. Considered as a top-of-the-line anti-aging product, it needs to be massaged onto the skin every night to allow its properties to take effect. A 2.2 oz. bottle comes at a cost of approximately $30. 2. Skinception Cold Pressed Cosmetic Argan Oil This product is not only fabulous for your skin and hair, but it also works well on your cuticles. Skinception argan oil promises healthy and supple skin, in addition, it also assures to get rid of acne, psoriasis and eczema. As far as hair care is concerned, this oil will nourish your scalp, and help in taming frizzy tresses. A month's supply will cost you $59.95. 3. Agadir Argan Oil Hair Treatment Agadir Argan Oil is 100% pure and natural. It is recommended for instant absorption. It can be used for conditioning, moisturizing and correcting frizz. It is alcohol-free and suitable for all types of hair. It is especially beneficial for dry, itchy scalp. A 4 oz. bottle will cost you $31.99. 4. Josie Maran Argan Oil Josie Maran Argan Oil is a great product that offers all the benefits that come with using argan oil. The only reason behind the consumer's reluctance to purchase it seems to be its cost. At $48 for a 50 ml bottle, this is definitely high-priced. Health Benefits of Argan Oil A regular massage with argan oil will leave your skin soft and healthy. The oil is a natural anti-aging product as it is packed with alpha-tocopherols (vitamin E), phenols and phenolic acid. It works great for hair loss and you can definitely get thick and soft hair with the help of this oil. It penetrates into the hair shaft and repairs the damaged hair follicles. Omega 3 and omega 9 unsaturated fatty acids from the oil help strengthen your hair. It is used for taming frizzy, dry or unmanageable hair. It is also considered a great product for getting rid of dandruff. The oil acts like a shield to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays and environmental pollution. It is a natural anti aging product and makes your skin soft and supple. It is a good skin moisturizer and it does not feel greasy on your face. The oil massage reduces inflammation and lowers joint pain and body ache. It works great to relax sore and stiff muscles. The oil helps preserve the pH balance of the skin, and has the power to reduce the unsightly appearance of the scars left behind by various skin problems like acne, chickenpox and even by skin injuries caused by burns. Regular use of the oil helps in clearing acne scars. Argan oil is recommended for internal use too. Since it is free of cholesterol, it can be included in any weight-watcher's diet. A number of argan oil products are now available worldwide. More and more cosmetic companies are adding this oil to various anti-wrinkle skin care products and other skin creams and lotions. Soaps containing this oil are gaining popularity. But you should check the labels carefully, as many products may contain only traces of the oil. Buying 100% pure organic argan oil is obviously more beneficial. Argan oil has been produced and consumed by Moroccan people for centuries. It can be used as a home remedy for health, hair and skin problems. According to some reviews, excessive use of the oil may clog the skin pores making the skin more susceptible to acne or blackheads. Since most reviews have confirmed about the benefits of the oil, it can be safely concluded that traditional oils like argan oil should be made available worldwide. More and more argan trees should be cultivated so that the oil would be available at low prices. By Leena Palande Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/argan-oil-reviews.html

How to use Moroccan Oil Argan in your daily life

1. Face Moisturizer - After cleansing morning and/or night, massage a few drops of argan oil directly onto your face and neck. Since argan is considered a dry oil, it absorbs quickly and is not greasy. If you want to use it as a serum, apply your night cream after the oil absorbs into the skin.

2. Hydrating Toner – Add a few drops of argan oil to your favorite facial toner to hydrate and tone simultaneously. You can make your own toner by adding a few drops of argan oil to Rose or Orange Blossom water.

3. Rejuvenating & Brightening Face Mask – Add a few drops of argan oil to your store-bought mask. Alternatively, 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. Exfoliating Lip Scrub and Moisturizer – To smooth and moisturize your 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.

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

6. Leave-on Conditioner – After the shower, 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 if your hair is dry from daily use of a blow dryer, straight-iron or curling iron.

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 and tame frizz. You only need a small amount. It lasts a long time.

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

9. Cuticle and Heel Softener – Massage a few drops of argan oil into your cuticles to soften, moisturize and encourage nail growth. Use as an overnight treatment to nourish cracked heels by working a good amount into your feet and toes. Cover with socks and wake up to supple feet.

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

Moroccan Oil Argan for Cosmetic and Health Properties

Moroccan oil or Pure Argan oil is produced from the kernel of the argan tree that grows in the semi desert soil that is predominant in huge areas in the North African country of Morocco.  Because this tree grows in very limited areas, the oil produced from it remains a very rare one.

Pure Argan oil is very rich in Vitamin E, phenols, carotenes, squalene and essential fatty acids. Traditionally it has been used by the Berber women who inhabit these areas in Morocco as a cosmetic agent to help them with their hair, skin and nails. Moroccan oil is not greasy and just a few drops are enough to moisturise the face and in particular the skin under the eyes that is very delicate. It protects the skin from being damaged by free radicals and can help to remove fine lines. Moroccan oil is also used to soothe muscles and has a pain reliving property that makes it ideal for use by those with rheumatic joints.

This oil has a rich and nutty flavour and is used in cooked food to add taste to it. In Morocco, Berber families use it as dip for breakfast with home-made bread and mixed with honey makes a spread that is very tasty. Because of its content of fatty acids, potassium and magnesium it can be very beneficial to the heart.

Argan trees yield fruit for more than 50 or 60 years and are able to withstand temperatures of over 50 degrees Centigrade and become completely dormant while waiting for the rains. The tree flowers in the spring and produces olive sized fruits that are yellow when ripe. They are gathered after they have dried in the later part of summer and have fallen to the ground. They cannot be gathered from the tree by hand because there are large spiny thorns that make such picking difficult. The trees generally grow on common land, though some families have been granted gathering rights that have come down to them from previous generations. For three months before the harvest animal grazing is not allowed in areas where argan trees are present.

It is only the seed that contains the Moroccan oil and these are within the fruit layer. The fruits have to be cracked open to extract the seed and this is essentially an activity carried out by hand. The fruit pulp is fed to goats, and the seeds are removed and roasted. This roasting is what imparts the nutty flavour to the pure argan oil. The seeds are then ground into a paste from which the oil is extracted. Once the oil is removed, even the paste has some use as it can be used as animal feed. Moroccan oil removed from the roasted seeds without the use of water is said to have a longer shelf life of almost a year. The extraction rate from the kernels is over 40 percent by weight, and these yields show an increase if the extraction is done using solvents. The quality of such solvent extracted oils is not as good as that obtained by conventional pressing methods.

Moroccan Oil Argan for a Healthy Hair

Argan oil is regarded as a natural miracle for restoring hair and keeping the cuticle moisturised. Unlike synthetic oils, Argan is extracted naturally from crushed Argan fruit kernels. Pure oils are the most effective in taming dry hair, and organic versions are the healthiest.
Before purchasing this product, you should learn how to identify quality Argan oil and have an action plan for its application once you get home.
Argan Oil Benefits

Argan oil is often referred to as a miracle product because of its extreme moisturising benefits for both hair and skin. Unlike other oils, argan extracts don’t just temporarily mask dryness. The kernels contain vitamin E to restore each strand of hair and keep it moisturized long after use. At the same time, argan oil helps to naturally restore the hair cuticle. This is made possible by the natural presence of antioxidants that directly reverse cellular damage.
Types of Products

Due to the increasing popularity of argan oil, many cosmetic companies are adding the kernel extracts into their products. Although such products might contain moisturising ingredients, many of them do not list the oil as the primary ingredient. This is disadvantageous to the users because they will not reap the full benefits of argan oil.

At the same time, many beauty products that contain argan oil also mix the extract with synthetic ingredients. Such features can actually strip the cuticle of its natural oils, leaving you with drier hair than when you started. Synthetic ingredients in shampoos and conditioners can also be harmful in the long-run because harmful chemicals like parabens, which have recently been linked to some types of cancer can seep into your pores and into the bloodstream. Plant-based hair cleansers and styling agents are better choices than synthetic versions, but they still use argan oil as a supplemental ingredient. However, you will still not gain the same effects as pure argan oil.

That’s why it’s best, if you are looking for the ultimate argan product, to moisturize your hair properly, look for pure extracts. These bottles are clearly labeled as containing 100% argan oil. For even better results, choose organic versions. The kernels are not harvested with any chemicals that can potentially harm your health or interfere with the extract’s natural moisturizing properties.
How to Use Argan Oil in Your Hair

Argan oil is applied either before or after washing the hair. Generally, if you want to keep moisture balance in your cuticle, then you can apply the oil one to two times per week before shampooing.

Applying argan oil before shampooing should follow this routine:

    Apply a generous amount of oil throughout hair from roots to tips, and massage it into the scalp.
    Put on a shower cap or cloth to allow the Argan oil to penetrate the cuticle. Set in place for at least five minutes.
    Remove cap and wash out with warm water.
    For the best results, follow up with an organic shampoo and conditioner.

The oil can also act as an extreme moisturizing agent for all-day use. This technique is especially useful for extremely damaged and dry strands. At the same time, it can help tame frizz and reduce the appearance of split ends.

Follow these steps for wearing argan oil throughout the day:

    Apply two to three drops of organic argan oil at your roots and massage the product into the scalp.
    Take a wide-tooth comb and spread the product evenly through hair.
    Add more product to the hair sparingly as needed.
    Do not add water or any other styling products on top of the argan oil.

If you have curly or wavy hair, you may also consider applying organic argan oil to the ends of your strands on a daily basis. This method helps to replenish the lack of moisture on the lower half of your hair that is often related to having natural curls and waves.
Bottom Line

Using argan oil as a part of your beauty regimen can help keep your hair moisturized on a consistent basis. There may also be times in which your hair becomes extra dry. Coloring sessions, a lack of humidity and too much sun can all zap the moisture out of your cuticle. Argan oil is an affordable solution to such problems.

It is also important to incorporate argan oil into other healthy hair techniques. Avoid excessive sun exposure, and limit the use of heated styling tools, such as blow dryers and flat irons. Use quality cleansers and conditioners in the shower to help keep your hair healthy. Although argan oil is truly a miracle product, it works best when you follow other healthy hair techniques, too.

Argan oil the story

The Argan (Argania spinosa) is a species of tree endemic to the calcareous semi-desert Sous valley of southwestern Morocco and to the Algerian region of Tindouf in the western Mediterranean region. It is the sole species in the genus Argania.

Argan grows to 8–10 metres high and live up to 150–200 years. They are thorny, with gnarled trunks. The leaves are small, 2–4 cm long, oval with a rounded apex. The flowers are small, with five pale yellow-green petals; flowering is in April. The fruit is 2–4 cm long and 1.5–3 cm broad, with a thick, bitter peel surrounding a sweet-smelling but unpleasantly flavoured layer of pulpy pericarp. This surrounds the very hard nut, which contains one (occasionally two or three) small, oil-rich seeds. The fruit takes over a year to mature, ripening in June to July of the following year.

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Argan oil is produced by several women's co-operatives in the southwestern parts of Morocco. The most labour-intensive part of oil-extraction is removal of the soft pulp (used to feed animals) and the cracking by hand, between two stones, of the hard nut. The seeds are then removed and gently roasted. This roasting accounts for part of the oil's distinctive, nutty flavour.

The traditional technique for oil extraction is to grind the roasted seeds to paste, with a little water, in a stone rotary quern. The paste is then squeezed by hand in order to extract the oil. The extracted paste is still oil-rich and is used as animal feed. Oil produced this way can be stored and used for 3–6 months, and will be produced as needed in a family, from a store of the kernels, which will keep for 20 years unopened. Dry-pressing is becoming increasingly important for oil produced for sale, as this method allows for faster extraction, and the oil produced can be used for 12–18 months after extraction.

The oil contains 80% unsaturated fatty acids, is rich in essential fatty acids and is more resistant to oxidation than olive oil. Argan oil is used for dipping bread, on couscous, salads and similar uses. A dip for bread known as amlou is made from argan oil, almonds and peanuts, sometimes sweetened by honey or sugar. The unroasted oil is traditionally used as a treatment for skin diseases, and has become favoured by European cosmetics manufacturers.
Foliage, flowers and immature fruit

Argan oil is sold in Morocco as a luxury item, and is difficult to find for sale outside the region of production. The product is of increasing interest to cosmetics companies in Europe. It used to be difficult to buy the oil outside Morocco, but since 2001-2002 it has become a fashionable product in Europe and North America. It is now widely available in specialist shops and occasionally in supermarkets. Its price (USD $40–50 for 500 ml) is notable compared to other oils.
Argan oil contains:

    44% Oleic acid
    30% Alpha-linolenic acid
    12% Palmitic acid
    6% Stearidonic acid
    5% Linoleic acid
    3% Myristic acid