The argan tree is a thorny tree with edible fruit and an oleaginous kernel found mainly on the arid hills of Morocco and more rarely in the regions of Andalusia and Mexico. The argan tree or Argania spinosa L. is a plant of the Sapotaceae family. It is characterized by a short, often gnarled trunk with low branches and spiny leaves.

It is a tree endemic to Morocco (where almost its entire population is located, i.e. 20 million trees spread over 830,000 hectares) and Algeria (in the Tindouf region). Due to its role as a rampart against erosion and the advance of the Saharan desert, and as a major economic resource for the inhabitants of Souss-Massa, the vast argan grove of this region has benefited since 1998 from the status of Biosphere Reserve of the argan grove in order to protect it. The locals produce argan oil from its fruit, which has multiple uses for cooking, medicines and cosmetics. It is an important local economic resource which allows Moroccan women to work by grouping together in a cooperative.

The argan tree is considered by Moroccan Berbers as a miracle of nature. First, the wood and hard shells of fruits are used in cooking to fuel the fire. Then, the leaves of the tree, the dried pulp of the fruits and the cakes resulting from the extraction are used as animal feed. Finally, argan oil is used both for its culinary virtues and for its remarkable medicinal or cosmetic properties.

In an endless screw press, the healthy dried almonds from the stones are cleaned and pressed in a first cold pressing, without any intervention of solvent or chemical product. Then the oil is successively filtered on blotting paper. The oil is then stored away from light and heat.

Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, excellent for the skin, argan oil contains an incalculable number of nutritional active ingredients, vitamins A and E (carotenes, tocopherols), sterols (schottenol, spinasterol), triterpene alcohols, xanthophylls, etc.
Argan oil is regenerating.

Properties for facial and body skin

• Hydrates and nourishes the skin, thanks to its high content of essential fatty acids and vitamin E.
• Easily seeps into the skin and restores its elasticity and shine. It defends the skin from external aggressions, such as the sun, wind, cold, pollution or heating appliances.
• Creates a protective film on the skin and protects it from drying out and cracking. It repairs damaged skin, thanks to its healing, regenerating and antioxidant properties.
• Consolidates the production of collagen, the protein that maintains the structure of the skin, and stimulates the growth of new cells.
• Controls sebum production, making it suitable for oily or combination skin. It helps balance the skin's pH and prevent blemishes, inflammations or infections.
• Beautifies the skin, giving it a silky, smooth and radiant appearance.

Properties for hair and nails

Nutritious and strengthening, argan oil contains linoleic acid, a major fatty acid that penetrates inside the nail to nourish and hydrate it. Nails are made primarily of keratin, a fibrous protein that, when weakened, makes nails brittle. The essential fatty acids in argan oil help repair and strengthen nails.

The benefits of argan oil on hair

Argan oil is a vegetable oil that has many benefits for hair. Here are some of its properties:

• Hydrates and nourishes dry, damaged or dull hair, thanks to its high content of essential fatty acids and vitamin E. It easily infiltrates the hair fiber and restores its elasticity and shine.
• Defends hair from external aggressions, such as sun, wind, cold, pollution or heating appliances. It creates a protective film around the hair and protects it from drying out and split ends.
• Repairs brittle, fragile or split hairs, thanks to its restorative, regenerating and healing properties.
• Consolidates keratin, the main protein of hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy, strong hair.
• Controls sebum production, making it suitable for oily or combination hair. It helps balance the pH of the scalp and prevent dandruff, itching or irritation.
• Beautifies hair, giving it a silky, smooth and shiny appearance. It enhances the natural color of the hair and makes it easier to style.

To benefit from the benefits of argan oil for hair, there are several methods to use it:

In an oil bath, before shampooing, apply the oil to the lengths and ends, massaging the scalp, and leaving for at least 30 minutes under a warm towel or shower cap. As a mask, after shampooing, by mixing the oil with honey, yogurt, egg or aloe vera, and leaving it on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing. As a leave-in treatment, on damp or dry hair, applying a few drops of oil to the ends or damaged areas to nourish and protect them.

Argan oil is therefore a valuable oil for the beauty and health of hair, which can be used alone or in combination with other natural ingredients.

Fatty acid composition

• oleic acid (omega 9 MUFA): 43 to 49.7%
• linoleic acid (omega 6 PUFA): 29 to 37.5%
• palmitic acid (AGS): 11.5 to 14%
• stearic acid (SFA): 4.3 to 7.2%
• unsaponifiable: ≤ 1%