What is Argan oil? Benefits and cosmetic properties
Argan oil is one of the main active ingredients used in cosmetics for its innumerable beneficial properties. We too, at Nuvò Cosmetic,,often use this valuable ingredient in the production of our snail slime creams.
This oil is extracted from the seeds of the Argania spinosa plant, an endemic plant species from Morocco. Belonging to the Sapotaceae family, it has a medium-sized shrub-like habit; in fact, it reaches 8-10 meters in height and can live up to 150 years.
Argania has perfectly adapted to the environment in which it lives and has a thick, rounded crown with a robust and gnarled trunk. From the latter we obtain a wood particularly suitable for heating. It is part of the monoecious plant species, i.e. both stamens and pistils are present on the same plant. After pollination, by wind and pollinating insects, its flowers generate drupes. These are oval berries that take on a yellow-brown color as they ripen.
Inside there is a nut that has a woody part, called the endocarp, and three seeds, more commonly known as "Argan nuts". Precious Argan oil is obtained from these valuable seeds .
The harvest is generally carried out in the months of June and July but, in some cases, also in February. Women usually collect the entire fruit when it is on the ground; the nuts are not picked directly as they may have been eaten by the goats that are greedy for these berries.
Once the fruits have been harvested, they are transported with the help of sacks and donkeys to the cooperatives. Very often the extraction is carried out using traditional methods, i.e. the walnuts are placed inside a machine which, by rubbing and adding water, allows the oil to be extracted. However, the presence of water limits their conservation and for this reason women usually carry out the extraction only when the stocks run out.
The mechanical method, that has recently been introduced, allows the grinding and squeezing of the stones through a hopper; the liquid is then carefully filtered.
Properties of Argan oil
Argan oil consists mostly of triglycerides (99%). As in all other oils of vegetable origin, the quantities of its components may depend on exposure to atmospheric agents, cultivation techniques and the type of processing that is carried out for the extraction of the beneficial juice.
A small part (1%) however, is made up of beta-carotene, triterpenic alcohols, xanthophylls, sterols and the precursor of vitamin E (tocopherol).
Thanks to these elements, the properties of Argan oil have been praised for more than eight centuries.
In fact, in Moroccan folk medicine it was particularly used to treat some skin infections as wsell as to prevent diseases related to the cardiovascular system. The benefits of Argan oil have now been confirmed by scientific research, which has shown that a regular intake of this oil reduces the risk of developing prostate, breast, pancreas and colorectal cancer.
Argan oil applications
Argan oil is particularly used in cosmetics thanks to its elasticising properties .
In fact it is able to penetrate deeply into the epidermis favoring skin elasticity. It can be used to hydrate both body and face, especially at the end of the summer season when the skin, that has become dry due to sun exposure. needs to regain its vigour and softness.
It can also be used in "do-it-yourself" masks to give the face shine and freshness but also as an anti-wrinkle treatment by applying it to the affected areas every night before going to sleep.
Argan oil is also a good remedy against muscle contractures and cramps; in this case, it is advisable to massage it regularly on the upper and lower limbs: the result is guaranteed!
Thanks to the presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it can also be used as a natural remedy against burns to ease the process of healing and cell renewal.
Argan oil is indeed a very precious product that repairs, cares and hydrates all your skin!
