Noelle needs to know: I read your post regarding coconut oil penetrating hair. How about argan oil? It seems to be the new cosmetic hype, with several brands launching their “miraculous” argan oil-based hair treatment for 45 dollars or more.. (Ahem) Is there any kind of research providing evidence that argan oil can restore health and shine to the hair? They say that argan oil has been used for centuries by Moroccan women to restore skin, hair and nails. Does this Moroccan oil really work?
The Right Brain’s oily answer:
Could argan oil be the new coconut oil? Let’s take a look.
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is produced from the kernels of argan tree fruit. These trees only grow in a few regions, like Morocco, so this oil is one of the rarest in the world due the small supply and the limited growing area – hence the high price and the hype.
Traditionally the oil is produced by hand. First the soft pulp is stripped from the nuts which are then laid out in the sun to dry. Stones are used to crack open the dried nuts so the seeds can be removed. Next, they’re gently roasted to give the oil a rich, nutty flavor. A little water is added to the roasted seeds and they are ground into a thick paste which is squeezed by hand to extract the oil.
Legend has it that there’s another way to produce this precious oil: Breaking open the nut shells is really hard work and the Moroccans have found that it’s easier wait for their goats to eat the fruit (yes, goats are big fans of argan fruit. They’ll even try to climb trees in search of this succulent treat!) The seeds pass through the goat’s digestive track and emerge on the other end a bit softer since they’re partially digested. So, all the Moroccans have to do is follow the goats around and wait for the seeds to… uh, reappear. The good news is that the post-goat seeds are much easier to break open. The bad news is that they are tainted with the distinctive odor of goat intestines which is less than ideal by most standards.
Is this legend true? Probably not, according to several of the comments we’ve received on this topic. But we never pass up the opportunity to make a goat poop reference.
What is argan oil used for?
Regardless of how it’s made, chemically speaking argan oil consists of a blend of fatty acids (over 70% oleic and linoleic acids.) It is also rich in vitamin E, phenols, and carotenes. Historically argan oil has been used in cooking for dipping bread, on couscous, or on salads. But since it’s so rich in essential fatty acids, there’s no reason it couldn’t be used in skin or hair treatments. In fact, there has some research that indicates that argan oil may be an treatment for psoriasis. And Pubmed references at least one study that shows argan oil reduces sebum production. (We couldn’t find any specific research on argan oil in hair care.)
The only downside to using argan oil in cosmetics, besides the potential lack of supply and high cost, is the fact that it contains a lot of oleic acid which is highly comedogenic. So while it may be good for oily skin and psoriasis, it could clog pores and cause inflammatory acne. You might have to arm yourself with an anti-acne device like Thermaclear.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
If you don’t mind using a cosmetic oil that’s seen the inside of a goat intestine (just kidding!), then argan oil may be for you!
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Forgot to say Jebel Argan Oil is hand-pressed no machine used. This means none of its nutrients are lost like in a machine cold pressed technique.
This is the best you could find in the market.
TRY IT OUT!!!!
oh i just saw a show “jeff corwins extreme cuisine” and he followed the process from poop to shelling (took him ten minutes to shell one) to paste (he made a cute and creepy human figure out of it) to oil. hopefully that’s not how must oil is made though
I have been using it for 3 weeks and the results are amazing. No breakouts, in fact I think it may emulsify facial oil because I had a lot of whiteheads on my nose and it is so smooth now. I also had an area that was very dry and flaky in the area of the nose close to te eyes and that is completely gone now. I use Josie Maran (with bronzing color) argan oil, and purchased it at Sephora
I have the oilest and most acne prone skin with hyperpigmentation that takes ages to fade. A friend suggested I wean myself off chemical products and start working with pure organic oils. I started experimenting with olive oil, hemp oil, avocado oil and then after much research started upgrading the quality. My skin has improved a great deal. I tried a high grade argan oil that did wonders for the suppleness of my skin. My favorite right now is moringa oil. It smells like you are out in nature and it has it is a gentle exfoliant. I noticed when I washed my face when I woke up, my skin was brighter.
OH my I just started using this liquid gold on my hair… It is wonderful my hair is shiny and its bringing out the natural reds in it. I have shared it with many of my friends, they also love it. I am gonna start using it on my skin, I did not know you could use it on your face.
Earth provides so much natural health yet human kind manages to mess up with its body. Argan oil, grape seed oil, flax seed oil, sesame seed oil, olive oil… They all are excellent, no one oil is better than the others. The key is in a balanced diet consisting of healthy food diversity.
We’re proud to be carrying 2 of the best oils and will strive to bring more diversity, always…
I agree with Noah. I’ve tried a few different kinds of argan oil in the market, and the one I bought from Jebel was the best. You get what you pay for; my skin could feel the difference right away. The bad quality stuff out there can’t compare. Now I know what I’m going to buy my friends this holiday season.
I would have to say, I think Argan oil must be great. I just discovered a newer lotion that has Argan oil in it, it’s fabulous! the best I have ever tried! It’s all natural and is packed with other super ingredients. It is what I will be getting all my friends for the Holidays!!! I can’t remember the company name but I always find it by the name of the lotion, In Love with your skin.. actually I just remembered the company name, IN Love with bodycare. haha anyway, I highly recomend it!
Argan oil does not clog pores. With a little research, you would know the so-called legend about how argan oil is produced is fact.
Is Jebel Argan Oil free trade and Ecocert?
To Laren,
I contacted Jebel not too long ago about those same questions.
Jebel is in the process of getting ecocertified, i was told it took a while to have it done in morocco.
About free trade, did you mean Fare trade? Jebel owns its own lands of argan trees, so they do not purchase the oil from any Co-ops. They consider themselves fare trade because they pay their employees wages that are higher then the national minimum wage and they also donates to local communities and schools where the employees are from.
In morocco the term faire trade is very mis-used, many Co-ops that produce Argan Oil say that they are but in reallity they just use the term to do more business. They abuse their employees and pay them the lowest possible, knowing that those ladies will take any paycheck given to them considering the economic situation in the country.
All i can say is i’m a fan of this product and all my close friends are becoming too. Jebel Corp. is a socially conscious company and they try to do good things with their business.
Really give it a try, you willl drastically improve your skin and hair condition and you will directly help berber villages with your purchase.
Tell people about Jebel, they will love it.
hope i answered your question Laren.
You know you can contact them if you have any questions, the email is on the website http://www.jebelcorp.com
Pure argan oil is the best. Many products that seem to be pure argan oil are not pure argan oil, but is mostly chemicals. Rose Marie carries 100% pure organic argan oil as well as argan oil with essential oils. The blended oils are 96% to 99% pure organic argan oil. Rose Marie also carries All natural lotions with argan oil, organic scrubs with argan oil, and something called argan butter, which is all natural like the lotions, but has a buttery consistancy for deep moisturizing. The website is http://www.rosemarieshop.com and is a great place for 100% pure organic argan oil and is unique in selling all natural products that contain organic argan oil.
Yes. I meant fair trade.
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