Botanical name: argania prickly (Latin Argania spinosa).
Family: sapotovye.
Country of growth: Morocco.
Origin
Argan tree is found only in the western and central part of Morocco and in the Atlas Mountains. It is an evergreen tree with a height of up to 15 meters and a life span of up to 300 years. The fruits of argan are yellow, bitter to taste and contain a few seeds inside, almond-shaped in shape, with a very strong shell. In desert conditions, where a tree grows, it yields two crops a year.
Obtaining oil
Argan oil is extracted from the bones by cold pressing. He has a light nutty smell with a touch of spice. Color varies from golden to red. To obtain edible oil, bones are fried before pressing, which gives the oil a characteristic nutty aroma. Cosmetic oil is extracted without preliminary frying of raw materials, and it almost does not smell.
Properties
The useful properties of argan oil are explained by its chemical composition: it is 80% composed of unsaturated fatty acids. Of these, about 35% is linoleic, which is not produced by the human body and can only be obtained from the outside. In addition to linoleic acid, argan is rich in natural antioxidants - tocopherols (vitamin E), which are three times more than olive oil and polyphenols, and also contains rare sterols not found in any other oil.
Due to this unique composition, argan oil has many useful qualities:
- has anti-inflammatory and desensitizing effects (due to the content of sterols);
- promotes the preservation and restoration of the hydrolipid layer of the skin;
- increases the elasticity of the skin, promotes rejuvenation;
- protects the skin from changes in temperature and other unfavorable factors of the environment;
- accelerates regeneration, promotes the healing of burns, including sun, wounds and abrasions, reducing visible scars;
- strengthens brittle nails;
- improves the hair condition, gives shine, reduces brittleness;
- reduces pain in muscles with loads and stretches, promotes their relaxation, with massage or addition in the bath;
- is used in drugs for the treatment of neurodermatitis and other skin inflammations, as well as in cosmetics of various profiles.
Application of argan oil
It can be used both in its pure form and in various cosmetic products: masks, creams, shampoos, balms, facial and hair serums.
- For the skin of the face, it is recommended to apply the oil once a week in pure form (on damp skin), or, with excessively dry skin, mix with aloe gel in a 1: 1 ratio.
- Mask for dry skin: 1 teaspoon of argan oil, combine with 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, add a tablespoon of honey and 2 egg whites. Stir well until smooth and apply to face for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water, then wash with cold water.
- To strengthen hair mix agranovoe and burdock oil in equal proportions. Apply the mask to the scalp for half an hour, before washing your head. Apply 1-2 times a week.
- Mask for dry and damaged hair: mix 1 teaspoon of argan oil, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, 1 egg white, 5 drops of essential oil of medicinal sage and 10 drops of essential oil of lavender. Apply the mask to the scalp for 15 minutes.
- A means for reducing the stretch marks. In 1 tablespoon of agran oil add 5 drops of essential oil of neroli and 3 drops of essential oil of rose damascene,
apply to stretch marks and rub with light circular massaging movements. - For massage, you can also use pure agran oil, with the problem skin - in a mixture with black cumin oil 1: 1. When stretching it will be useful to add to the mixture essential oils of lemon and mandarin (3 drops per 25 ml).
When buying argan oil, remember that this is quite an expensive and rare ingredient produced in only one country in the world, and its cost starts from $ 35. Cheaper options at best are a mixture of oils, where argan is a small percentage, and at worst - a synthetic product that does not possess useful properties.