Argan Oil

Argan Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Blends

In March 2021, The United Nations General Assembly voted to make May 10th International Day of Argania each year, as a means of promoting Argan Oil benefits to empower and invest in the women from Moroccan Berber communities. 

For centuries,  people have marveled at how beautifully protected, soft, and supple Berber women’s skin and hair are despite the rigors of their blazing sun. 

Now, co-operatives have formed which means no less than 3 million women from one of the world’s poorest communities have business and investment-producing Argan Oil for people to enjoy all over the world. 

Argan Oil benefits derive from its composition of 80% essential fatty acids (omega 6 & 9) These are powerful antioxidants able to soften the skin even better than Shea Butter can.

It hydrates and nourishes the skin, and increases flexibility and plumpness in the complexion whilst removing fine lines and wrinkles. Historically it has been beloved for over 3500 years for its ability to protect the skin against UV rays, and it removes stretch marks and acne scars.

The history of this oil's production is fascinating. The tree is short, with an enormous spreading canopy. With its gnarly trunk and thorny branches, the tree has adapted to withstand the rigors of the worst droughts. Its roots penetrate deeply into the earth seeking hydration, and its small leaves are well adapted to guard against water loss. The plant knows much about how to keep hydrated in challenging conditions and it translates this across into its rich fruits that emerge from the trees' pretty yellow-green flowers. 

Argan trees grow to be incredibly ancient structures, not even producing fruit until their fiftieth year, and they can live to be as old as 200 years old. The branches become enormous, with canopies stretching to 230 ft across.  

Surrounding the seed, from which the oil is pressed, the fruit has a tough rind that has to be removed and a soft pulp that is used to make animal feeds. Since the branches hang down so low to the ground, goats are particularly known for clambering up into the trees to graze on the fruits. 

Historically, the oil was originally obtained by collecting up goat feces, complete with the undigested seeds and leaving them out to dry in the sun, then grinding the seeds up in stone mills to make a paste, which then oozed oil. 

Today’s process is more hygienic. The women collect mature fruits that have fallen from the trees but still peel and remove the stones by hand. Removing the pulp is slow laborious work, and then they bash the stone between two rocks to release the seed which is then roasted, to achieve its distinctive nutty fragrance and flavor and is then machine cold-pressed. 

The oil is well used for frying in Morocco and as a dressing for salads and couscous. 

Despite the lucrative investment going into Argan Oil, strangely the industry also faces ecological difficulties. The yield of oil is small, and the trees, which are important to sustaining the landscape, and guarding against soil erosion, have been extensively felled. There are now restrictions placed on deforestation since the number of Argan trees has fallen by 50% over the last 50 years. 

Argan Oil Benefits: For Hair, Face, Skin, and Beard

Argan is rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids and linoleic acid. Traditionally it is used to protect the skin and nourish the hair, although Berber medicine also uses it for inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as well as rheumatism and arthritis.

Argan Oil for Hair

Probably best known for its effects on hair, its rich supply of Vitamin E makes stronger, less brittle, and smoother hair. Incredibly it has twice the amount of Vitamin E than olive oil making it a powerful anti-oxidant.

Start using it on the ends of your hair after a haircut, and it will prevent breakages and split ends. Use on dry hair to protect it from heated rollers, curling tongs, and straighteners and to replenish natural oils in chemically treated hair.

Again, Argan makes a wonderful leave-in conditioner, and whilst you can coat the ends of the hair without worrying about a greasy residue (it absorbs right in) a deep treatment, left overnight, will leave your hair thickened, silkier and less fly away. 

Be aware that there are some cheaper alternatives out there, but “Argan Oil Treatments” and “Moroccan Argan Oil” contain minute quantities of Argan Oil, the rest is made up of silicon which does make your hair shiny for a while, but after a time coat your hair with a sticky residue. 

At VINEVIDA we sell 100% cold-pressed Argan Oil. The benefit of that, of course, is not only the reassurance of a pure product, but also you can afford to be a bit more sparing with the oil too. Use pure oil, use less oil. 

Argan Oil for Face

There are many Argan Oil uses for face treatments because it is so easily absorbed, is non-greasy, and is non-irritant.

If we were to make a spectrum and say Castor Oil and Grapeseed Oil are probably best suited to greasier skins and Rosehip and Avocado for dehydrated skins, Argan Oil sits in the middle - all skins love it. 

Argan Oil for Skin

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant guarding against damage made by free radicals. Interestingly often skin can break out in spots because the lip layer has become damaged, and the complexion oversecretes to try and compensate for the fluid loss. Argan repairs the lipid barrier allowing the sebaceous glands to calm down. 

Argan Oil benefits are anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, and restorative to the natural lipid barrier. 

Dry skin is nourished and looks smoother and plumper, however, Argan is suited to all types and can even balance sebum production in oily skin. 

It's a delicate product that is so nurturing to sensitive and inflamed skin and is very helpful for acne and rosacea.

Softening the skin alleviates razor bumps and burns. It is delicate enough to use on the bikini line and also reduces stinging after waxing.

In addition, this oil makes wonderful hand and foot creams. Its good supply of saponins makes it mildly fungicidal (although combining it with Castor Oil would enhance that) so it is good for protecting against athlete’s foot. To pack an extra punch add some Tea Tree Essential Oil. Try rubbing some into broken and cracked heels to soften and repair the skin.

Its softening effects not only protect hands (such a boon at a time when we are washing them so much) but Argan Oil strengthens nails, preventing them from flaking and breaking,  as well as conditioning the cuticles. 

Anecdotal evidence reports that nails grow faster, stronger, and healthier. 

Argan Oil for Beard

Argan Oil softens and thickens beards without the heavy residue that waxes can leave behind. The Argan has good penetrating abilities and refineries and nourishes the skin below, further increasing hair growth.

Argan Oil Uses: For Wholesale Purposes

Argan Oil used by Aromatherapists

Argan Oil has high levels of tirucallol (27.9%) known for its cicatrization effects. 

Beta amyrine (27.3%) is believed to give skin protection from the sun, and butyrospermol (18%) is anti-inflammatory. Also of interest is squalene which is thought to be active against skin cancer. Squalene is also known to be an active treatment against psoriasis. 

It should be noted that is now an active ingredient in most beauty products that hit the high street. That’s great news for the Moroccan ladies and it's fantastic news for our skin. 

There are so many uses in Aromatherapy to even contemplate! As one would imagine it makes a good massage oil but is probably too expensive to use as the whole of the blend. It meshes well with Rosehip and Jojoba, particularly. 

It has applications for most skin conditions including sunburn and sun damage as well as skin that has been burnt in other ways. Use for eczema, psoriasis dermatitis creams and ointments as well as cosmetic skincare. Use in night creams especially to encourage skin regeneration during sleep.

Mix with Rosehip Carrier Oil for an incredible recipe for hand creams. 

Argan Oil Benefits for Soapmakers

Argan Oil has a saponification index of 0.136 so adds a lovely firm hardness to soap mixes. Argan Oil’s benefits in a blend are its stable rich later, and its ability to condition and moisturize the skin. 

Argan Oil Blends: DIY Recipes

Argan Masque for Over Treated Hair

• 20ml Argan Carrier Oil (Argania Spinosa)
• 10ml Castor Carrier Oil (Ricinus Communis)
• 10 drops Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)
• 10 drops Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil (Cedrus Deodora)

Argan Moisturiser for Psoriasis 

• 40ml Aqueous Cream
• 5ml Argan Carrier Oil (Argania Spinosa)
• 10 drop Cajeput Essential Oil (Melaleuca Cajeputi)
• 2 drops Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
• 1 drop Myrrh Essential Oil (Commiphora Myrrha)

Argan Moisturizer for Acne 

• 20ml Aqueous Cream 
• 5ml Argan Carrier Oil (Argania Spinosa)
• 1 drop Helichrysum Essential Oil (Helichrysum Splendida)
• 1 drop Clary sage Essential Oil (Salvia Sclarea)
• 1 drop Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)

Method of use: Use morning and evening, after thoroughly cleansing and toning the skin. 

Safety: Not suitable for use during the first 37 weeks of  pregnancy (Clary sage)

Argan Arthritis Massage Oil

• 20ml Aqueous Cream
• 5ml Argan Carrier Oil (Argania Spinosa)
• 1 drop Copaiba Essential Oil (Copaifera Officinalis)
• 1 drop Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
• 1 drop Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber Officinale)

Method of use: Use up to five times a day for the first week to build up oils in the system, and then morning and night. 

Safety: Not suitable for use during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy 

Precautions

Argan is a seed oil, rather than a nut oil but on rare occasions can cause reactions in nut allergy sufferers.

Why Choose VINEVIDA?

At VINEVIDA, we love botanicals and the planet they come from. We believe in stocking the best at affordable prices and supplying to the discerning, which is why we are also members of both the Alliance of International Aromatherapists and the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. In recognition of our excellent standard of product, we are proud to hold a 2021 Certificate of Registration as a Cosmetic Products Establishment with the U.S. Drugs and Food Administration.

Our joy at seeing people make beautiful things means we stock from the smallest amounts to the largest. Our wholesale carrier oil prices begin with our smallest carrier oil of 120ml to our largest of 396lb, meaning any manufacturing company can afford to stock as many or as few oils as their business can accommodate without running the risk of spoilage of some of nature’s most precious commodities. Why not see if you can save money by buying your Argan oil in bulk?

Don’t forget too, we like to look after our customers with reasonable prices and excellent customer service and reward the loyal ones with money off discounts over the year. 

Flash Point

200 °C

Conclusion

Why not check out if you qualify for our loyalty scheme and start saving today with an environmentally friendly choice of oil for skin, hair, massage oils, and soapmaking.

Add VINEVIDA Argan Oil to your cart today. 

References: 

1. Cable, Kelly. The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners: Do-It-Yourself Soaps Using All-Natural Herbs, Spices, and Essential Oils (p. 35). Althea Press. Kindle Edition. 
2. Macah, Eddie. 5 Things to Know Before Buying Argan Oil - A quick and informative guide on Argan Oil including Argan Oil for hair, Moroccan Argan Oil, and much more. . Kindle Edition.
3. Valeri, Ana. Argan Oil: Quick Guide to Best Uses of Argan Oil for Hair, Skin and Nails. Ana Valeri. Kindle Edition. 
4. Dunn, Cari. Carrier Oils: A beginner's guide to using over 40 carrier oils in bath and beauty recipes. (p. 6). Cari Dunn. Kindle Edition. 

Safety Data Sheet
Certificate of Analysis
GCMS Analysis