Argan Oil - Hollywood Stars Liquid Gold
“Berber women began cultivating Argan oil pre-modern times, for its healing properties, employing it for a variety of uses from cooking, to topical treatment of skin diseases, to cosmetic uses in the protection of the hair and skin against the harsh, dry, climate of the Moroccan desert. In the 1500’s, the legend of the miraculous Argan Tree and it’s precious oil began to reach Europe, with demand for the exotic oil reaching its historical height in 1867 when it debuted at the International Fair in Paris.” – cosmetic company
“Stars will be flashing “liquid gold” on the red carpet like never before. While it has recently seen its popularity increase, Argan oil from Morocco has been a secret among the Hollywood “A-list” for many years. “Essence of Argan” will be exclusively providing selected stars with their product before they arrive on red carpets at movie premiers for this years Toronto International Film Festival.” – PR release
I really like Argan oil. It tastes just great on bread for breakfast. It’s not bad on vegetables, and wonderful on fish. I don’t usually rub it on my face or in my hair. However, my mother swears by it. In fact we buy some each month down in the souq. In the past I would buy half a litre but recently the price went up again so now I buy a smaller bottle for about 180 dirhams ($22.00). I blame the “Hollywood A-list” of course. If they continue “flashing” this liquid gold, then my mother and I will be unable to afford it.
We certainly couldn’t afford the prices some of these products sell for. It seems incredible, but 15 mil of pure Argan Oil on sale for $35 works out at $2300 a litre. Of course there are all those expenses, freight, packaging, advertising and so on, but it is a long way from the $300 per litre that the export quality local product sells for. It may be “liquid gold”, but it’s not the local women at the end of the rainbow.
The Argan oil industry is now big business and the cosmetic companies are playing hardball, even going so far as to attempt to discredit rivals -”Aside from the mix of Argan oil that can be found within the product, Moroccanoil products also include silicone and other fillers “. Then there are all those ways to make the product more powerful. Truthfully, who is going to buy simple Argan oil, when you can get…
Oh, and for the record, I believe that the “Superfruit Indian Amla Oil” is Indian gooseberry. Whatever. It might taste nice on bread. To be honest, I really don’t care how much the cosmetic companies can screw out of the pampered rich, as long as the hard working Moroccan women get paid a decent amount and the Argan forests are protected.
Over recent years, the women’s co-operatives have been at the forefront of the Argan oil boom that began in the 1990s. However, recently, the men are moving in and there is a growing problem with diluted oil, bogus co-operatives and a lack of accreditation. To make the situation even worse, there are negastive impacts on the actual Argan forests themselves. Local people are calling for action
“The argan oil sector employs a substantial number of women, who provide for many families that benefit economically and socially from this activity. I would like to take this opportunity to launch an appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture, the argan agency and the High Commission for Water, Forests and Decertification Control to give more attention to this sector, because it needs it.” – Khadija Benaiss, chairperson of Amanar co-operative “
And the price? Moroccan Hair Oil, $50 for 100ml. In the USA we came across 50 ml for 369.90 MAD which works out at 7398 MAD a litre… someone is making a lot of money.The argan tree (Argania spinosa) is endemic to Morocco, where it is second in coverage only to the cork oak tree and is ecologically indispensable. Its deep roots are the most important stabilizing element in the arid ecosystem, providing the final barrier against the encroaching deserts. Despite its uniqueness and indispensability, the argan tree faces a variety of serious threats.
Nearly half of the argan forest disappeared during the 20th century – and average density in the remaining half dropped from 100 to less than 30 trees per hectare. This historical pressure on the forest was driven by demand for high quality charcoal (especially important during the world wars) and, more recently, to conversion to agricultural production of export crops such as tomatoes.
While neither of these pressures emanated from locals in the argan forest, the important contemporary forest threats do. Particularly important among these threats are local intensification of livestock browsing and grazing and encroaching suburban and rural settlements – driven in part by recent European demand for rural real estate near popular tourist destinations such as Essaouira.
Back in 2006, The View from Fez reported about the large scale replanting but it is a long and slowq process. The tree resists domestication and remains extremely difficult to transplant or establish on any meaningful scale outside Morocco. In recognition of its ecological value and local economic importance, the argan forest region was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1998.
The man who appears to be most up to date on situation is Travis Lybbert, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. According to Travis, the booming demand for Morocco’s argan oil, now the most expensive edible oil in the world, is providing economic and social benefits for rural communities but appears to be threatening the health and future of the native argan forests in southwestern Morocco
“Our research indicates that while the argan oil boom seems to have benefited locals and improved educational opportunities, especially for girls, it has not improved the forests and may actually have led to their degradation,” says Travis Lybbert.
Argan oil, derived from the seeds of the deciduous argan tree fruit, has been an important resource for Morocco’s Berber people for centuries. The oil came to the attention of the outside world in the 1990s and is now highly sought for culinary, cosmetic and medicinal purposes, pushing the price today to roughly $300 per litre
As demand for argan oil has grown since the beginning of the boom around 1999, many people have looked to the argan oil market as a “win-win” way to reduce rural poverty and lessen the environmental threat to the argan forests. Lybbert and his colleagues have been investigating those claims during the past decade, concluding in part that among the households in the argan-growing region, those with access to argan fruit benefited economically and were more likely to send their girls to secondary school.
The researchers saw similar benefits of the argan trade across villages and communes or collections of villages. We conclude that the argan boom has benefited some rural households. Encouragingly, households that stood to benefit from the boom in 1999 increased their weekly consumption spending at souk (market) and goat herd size more than households that did not stand to benefit. These households were also significantly more likely to send their girls to secondary school in subsequent years.
However, the researchers also found evidence of negative effects. For example, as households benefited economically, they often purchased more goats – the primary threat at this time to the argan forests, because the goats climb the trees to graze their leaves. Households also appear to be resorting to more aggressive fruit harvesting techniques, which can damage branches and dislodge buds for the next year’s production. To complement this household-level analysis, the researchers used satellite imagery from 1981 to 2009 to see the impact of the argan oil boom, finding evidence that rapid appreciation of argan oil prices had not helped the argan forests and may even have sped their degradation
The researchers argue that policies and programs that aim for “win-win” benefits to both local households and local biodiversity must be based on empirical evidence and informed by the complex interactions between people and nature, which are often shaped by social norms, institutions and markets.
Along with Lybbert, the research team included Abdellah Aboudrare, a researcher at the École Nationale d’Agriculture in Morocco; researcher Deborah Chaloud and statistician Maliha Nash, both with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Las Vegas; and Nicholas Magnan, a postdoctoral fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, D.C.
Boom in Moroccan argan oil boosts rural economy but threatens forests
The researchers reported their findings online this week in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“Our research indicates that while the argan oil boom seems to have benefited locals and improved educational opportunities, especially for girls, it has not improved the forests and may actually have led to their degradation,” said Travis Lybbert, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
Argan oil, derived from the seeds of the deciduous argan tree fruit, has been an important resource for Morocco’s Berber people for centuries. The oil came to the attention of the outside world in the 1990s and is now highly sought for culinary, cosmetic and medicinal purposes, pushing the price today to roughly $300 per liter. (One liter equals slightly more than one-fourth gallon.)
As demand for argan oil has grown since the beginning of the boom around 1999, many people have looked to the argan oil market as a “win-win” way to reduce rural poverty and lessen the environmental threat to the argan forests.
Lybbert and his colleagues have been investigating those claims during the past decade, concluding in part that among the households in the argan-growing region, those with access to argan fruit benefited economically and were more likely to send their girls to secondary school. The researchers saw similar benefits of the argan trade across villages and communes or collections of villages.
However, the researchers also found evidence of negative effects. For example, as households benefited economically, they often purchased more goats – the primary threat at this time to the argan forests, because the goats climb the trees to graze their leaves. Households also appear to be resorting to more aggressive fruit harvesting techniques, which can damage branches and dislodge buds for the next year’s production.
To complement this household-level analysis, the researchers used satellite imagery from 1981 to 2009 to see the impact of the argan oil boom, finding evidence that rapid appreciation of argan oil prices had not helped the argan forests and may even have sped their degradation.
The researchers argue that policies and programs that aim for “win-win” benefits to both local households and local biodiversity must be based on empirical evidence and informed by the complex interactions between people and nature, which are often shaped by social norms, institutions and markets.
The study was funded by the University of California. In addition to Lybbert, the research team included Abdellah Aboudrare, a researcher at the École Nationale d’Agriculture in Morocco; researcher Deborah Chaloud and statistician Maliha Nash, both with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Las Vegas; and Nicholas Magnan, a postdoctoral fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, D.C.
Argan Oil: Beauty's best kept secret.
Although it seems too good to be true, argan oil is a product that can tackle many of our physical imperfections. As one of the word's best natural moisturizers, we cannot recommend it enough for you to hunt the highstreet for a product that works best for your skin type.
If you're a more mature woman interested in ways to keep the crows feet at bay, then argan oil is a winner here too. It is not just confined to your face either. Argan oil is great for easing the appearance of stretch marks and scars you may have picked up along the path of life.
Though you may be familiar with the impressive list of benefits for our skin, did you know that argan oil is also very good for our hair and nails too? Not only does it keep them both strong, but it is especially good for keep hair healthy and protected against the numerous heat intensive rituals we put it through.
Particularly if you suffer from frizzy hair, we cannot recommend enough you take a note of these little beauties.
Whether your hair has lost its summer shine or simply had a bit of a holiday hammering, this little bottle will be your knight in shining amour.
Michael diCesare Gold Argan Oil may seem a little expensive for £22.75 (about $37), but you don't need a lot for it to work its magic. Not only does it help put the shine and softness back into your hair but it can even help to tame the thickest and frizziest of dos that may leave you wanting to tear your hair out! Available from QVC.
This Michael diCesare shampoo also available from QVC is great for keeping hair looking glossy all the time. It too is £22.75, but using this only once a week will help to keep that shine building and leave hair manageable and look well-maintained.
It also will keep hair strong, an added bonus if you have a heavily heat based hair ritual.
If your hair is in need of some quick TLC then this argan oil hair treatment from Superdrug is a winner. For only £6.49 (about $10.50), you can hydrate your hair and keep it soft and shiny with minimal fuss or effort.
If you're a little unsure about using argan oil, in oil form then it could not be simpler. Just wash and condition your hair as usual and rub a few drops of the oil into your palms. Glide through the wet hair to see some great results.
If you're after some instant shine then rubbing a little onto already styled hair will bring it to life - perfect for any parties or special occasions you're wanting to glam up for!
Zoe Saldana's Hair Stylist Talks Us Through Her Party Ponytail
First, Roszak applied Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil to Zoe's damp hair, then blow-dried it straight. Next, she sprayed the hair with Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray and added a bit of Oribe Pomade for a more natural, rough texture.
Roszak gathered Zoe's hair into a low, loose ponytail, twisting the sides back and securing with an elastic band. She wrapped a piece of hair around the elastic, along with a small piece of chain (even an old necklace will do!) and secured by crisscrossing bobby pins through it. Finally, she set the look by spraying Leonor Greyl Voluforme Setting Spray.
Labels: argan oil hair, Zoe Saldana
Argan Oil Hair Treatment
Labels: argan oil beauty, argan oil hair
Ricky Producing Argan Oil-Based Cosmetics
New York City-based beauty retailer Ricky’s now is offering the Zinn Beauty Collection, a line of Argan oil-based cosmetics imported from Morocco, the manufacturer has announced.
The Origin Land of Argan Tree - Morocco
Argan oil is becoming the new oil trend. It is used more often in the trendy restaurants and its medicinal properties now recognized blew the sales of cosmetic products.
Argan spinosa: a tree with amazing properties
Argan, Argan spinosa is an endemic tree in Morocco found overall between Essaouira and Sidi Ifni, mainly in the plain and the Sub Region Haha on a surface of about 900 000 hectares.
It an amazing tree is used for firewood, fodder for goats as well as food and cosmetics. The argan tree is resistant to heat large even when the soil is poor. It is a natural bulwark against desertification.
Biosphere Reserve of the argan tree approved by UNESCO was created in December 1998 to preserve the biological resources and cultural landscape values and maintain the balance of the ecosystem while promoting local economic development.
Argan oil is used in salads, tagines, couscous and to enliven the meal. It is also used in the preparation of the amlou dish served to guests (a mixture of argan oil, crushed almonds and honey) that would have aphrodisiac properties. The oil is very thin nutty, rich in unsaturated fatty acids.
For many dates, argan oil is also used by the Berbers for treatment. He is given virtues to reduce cholesterol. It is also used under the skin and hair to fight against dryness and aging. The foliage is used for its anti-inflammatory drugs, to treat rheumatism, joint pain and earaches.
On the way to the Argan
Traditionally, the Moroccan women are reaping the fallen fruit in spring and dry them.They take the soft pulp and then crush the almonds of the Argan tree between two stones. After the crushing, sorting is done first so that there are no impurities with the almonds. They are then lightly roasted (for cooking oil) before being pressed - then out comes a paste, which is then kneaded with a little water to obtain oil and meal. In the case of cosmetic argan oil, the almonds are roasted and the oil goes through a filtering process that makes it more pure and more refined at the molecular level. It takes 100 kg of fruit to 1.5 liters of oil.
Between Essaouira and Agadir, the argan forests are numerous and walk among the trees and a real pleasure. Feel free to stop in a village, meeting people. With a little luck, a Berber family invites you to go home. A sign of hospitality, you will probably tea and Argan oil along with some bread. Maybe you can taste the amlou?In poor families, it happens that the almonds are replaced by peanuts and honey for sugar.
On the way, the cooperative biological posters abound. The essence of the argan tree, however, is threatened by overexploitation of its resources. Overgrazing, excessive collection of fruits, lower the water table and devastate the argan tree felling. All co-ops have a different sense of ethics. To address this, the project was created Arganier with the aim of increasing the participation of rural women in the socio-economic fabric of the region while promoting sustainable management of the argan tree.
You can also visit the following addresses:
The Union of Cooperatives of Women of the argan tree (UCFA) includes 22 women's cooperatives between Essaouira and Agadir Tiznit in the south. 1000 women join the UCFA in the five provinces arganerie: Essaouira, Agadir, Tiznit, Taroudant and Chtouka Aït Baha. The products are certified by Ecocert. More information:
www.cooperation-argane.com .
Address : 7 Rue Al Khansa – Cité Dakhla – Agadir, Morocco
Tel : +212 5 28 23 52 79
E-mail : contact@cooperative-argane.com
Targanine is a group of women's cooperatives for production and commercialization of argan oil. Six cooperatives involving 240 women join. The products are certified by Ecocert. More information: www.targanine.com .
Creo Care Nano Pro-Tec Body Oil - Reviewed by Nancy
Argan Oil Getting More Popular In Britain
Labels: argan oil beauty, argan oil skin, beauty
Argan Oil Among Top 10 Beauty Secrets
- Morocco: Argan oil This antioxidant-packed oil is great for hair and skin, and it absorbs much more easily than common skin oils like apricot and avocado. Argan oil is exclusively found in Morocco.
- China: Camellia oil Worried about stretch marks? Camellia oil is one of the most common cooking oils in southern China, but it's also renowned for its ability to prevent stretch marks and discoloration.
- Mexico: Tepezcohuite The bark of this tree has tons of astringent tannins in it, making it great for preventing infections and keeping scars from forming.
- The Dominican Republic: Garlic Here's a smart secret from the DR for strong, healthy nails: chop up some garlic, throw it in a bottle of top coat, and then, after letting it soak for about a week, start using it as normal. It makes your nails stronger and also has antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
- India: Neem Want glossy, strong hair? A weekly head massage with neem and coconut oil is Indian women's go-to treatment for gorgeous hair and a healthy scalp. Recipes for the combination have a long history in Ayurvedic medicine.
- Japan: Sake Want an easy skin softener? Try a sake bath. Sake is high in kojic acid and enzymes that soften skin and help reduce hyper-pigmentation.
- New Zealand: Manuka honey People have been using honey for its antimicrobial properties (and its deliciousness) since prehistoric times. The Kiwi type of honey, however, is even better as an antibacterial and antimicrobial than the regular kind, and it's even used in poultices to protect wounds.
- Ghana: Black soap This great Ghanian soap is legendary for its gentle cleansing properties and skin-softening abilities. It's made with plantain skins, which have loads of vitamins A and E, and moisturizing shea butter. What you get is a cleanser that removes dirt and oil but doesn't strip skin of any natural moisture.
- France: Milk Milk is full of gentle lactic acid, which exfoliates and softens without the harshness of stronger acid types. Pour some fresh whole milk or cream into your bath along with honey or lavender to get a gorgeous glow.
- The Amazon: Passion flower oil Passion flower oil, aka maracuja, has been used in the Amazon for thousands of years because of its anti-inflammatory abilities, but it's also high in fatty acids and vitamin C.
Labels: argan oil beauty, argan oil skin, beauty
Nivea Going Argan Oil, As Well
How it works
In one application study, testers found that, after using the products for just three days, their dry, flaky skin had been effectively improved. Oxidative stress in the skin cells was also significantly reduced.
Suitable for: Normal and dry skin
- NIVEA Pure & Natural Body Milk
How it works
In one application study, testers found that, after using an emulsion with Argan Oil for just three days, their dry, flaky skin had been effectively improved. Oxidative stress in the skin cells was also significantly reduced.
- NIVEA Pure & Natural Hand Cream
How it works
Argan Oil is a natural source of vitamin E and therefore has outstanding antioxidant properties. It’s the ideal protection against free radicals in the skin, which can be caused by environmental influences and stress.In one application study, testers found that, after using an emulsion with Argan Oil for just three days, their dry, flaky skin had been effectively improved. Oxidative stress in the skin cells was also significantly reduced.
Suitable for: Normal and dry skin on the hands.