Argan oil is product of Morocco, processed and produced from the Argan tree, which is endemic to the country. This is a highly valued product because it used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. There is a high demand for Argan oil, but since it is endemic to Morocco, there’s a very limited supply for such a product. Because of this, Argan oil is considered as one of the most expensive oils, and probably the rarest one as well because of the small number of Argan trees and the very limited area that it grows on. If you want to know more about the Argan oil, just read through this article and find out.
Extracting the Argan Oil
The traditional way of extracting the Argan oil is a lengthy process. The indigenous people of the country started the process by collecting the Argan pits from the excrement of the goats that eat the Argan fruit. This means that they would need to collect a lot first before they have a substantial amount that would yield oil. After collecting these pits for several days, they were then ground and pressed in order to extract the oil. This requires a lot of effort from those who are extracting the Argan oil manually, since they used crude tools like stones and rocks.
Before the Argan oil was mass-produced, it was a laborious process that took a lot of hours just to arrive with the product. The Argan pits are cracked, so that the kernels inside would be exposed. These kernels are roasted, giving the oil its nutty flavor. In one season, a single tree will produce only a liter of Argan oil. That’s from 30 kilos of the fruit, and several days collecting and processing. This just shows how painstaking it is to produce the oil, that’s why it is very expensive and very rare.
Argan Oil as beauty product
Nowadays, Argan oil is used as an ingredient in most beauty products out in the market today. It is now known as liquid gold in the field of cosmetics because it effectively moisturizes and conditions dry skin. This is possible because it contains a high concentration of vitamin E as well as all the essential fatty acids to keep human skin healthy and hydrated. This was discovered because of the Argan oils practical application in Morocco, wherein it kept the skin hydrated and protected from the hot sun.
It is also used as an anti-oxidant, and is used either as topical application or taken orally. It can fight free radicals from the environment, thus helping reduce the risk of cancer and other related illnesses. It also prevents the formation and development of wrinkles, thus slowing the signs of aging that becomes evident on your appearance.
Argan oil is really a transformative product, not only for those who use it, but also for the Moroccans who works hard to produce it. Because of the Argan oil’s rarity, producing it has supported many Moroccan women, as they’re paid generously based on what they’re able to produce.