Argan Oil For Skin Care
Argan Oil For The Most Beautiful Skin
Argan oil is derived from a tree with origins in North African. This 25 million year old species of tree known in the science world as Argania spinosa, has endured the most severe drought staving off the encroaching Sahara desert preventing erosion in the process. The Argan tree produces a most luxurious oil that has been used in hair and skin care products for its superb moisturizing results for centuries. In 1711 Lady Beaufort of Amsterdam cultivated Argan from a specimen that eventually came through her hands following the earlier travails of an explorer named Leo Africanus (if you can believe that was his real name) in 1510. In spite of those desperately sought after results, the United Nations Education and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) declared the Argan forests of North Africa endangered in 1999. This tree that once covered Northern Africa is now endangered—wrap your mind around that for a minute.
Despite that fact, Argan oil has gained popularity in skin care products and spa treatments for those seeking a rare ancient source of enrichment for their skin and hair.
When you consider that it takes 8 Argan trees to produce one liter of oil, it’s no small wonder why the tree is now in its final days after surviving millions of years on this planet. The oil has historically been produced by Berbers, indigenous peoples of Morocco, from the undigested pits passed by goats that climb the trees to partake of the fruit. This labor intensive process involved manually crushing and pressing the pits for the fine nutty Argan oil.
It’s difficult to discuss the benefits of such a botanical product without first addressing the issue of its rarity. As the rarest and most expensive oil in the world the exotic Argan variety also hold the anti-aging title when applied to skin and hair. This “miracle” serum is an extremely potent source of vitamin E that boasts 80% fatty acids, essential for the health of both hair and skin. By preserving the hydro-lipid layers of the skin, the compound saponin softens the skin as it decreases wrinkles. Triterpenoids, the active ingredient, heal all manner of skin ailments as a disinfectant including inflammation, damage due to sun exposure and wounds. Of course you’ll find tocopherols, the antioxidants that ward of the litany of free radicals in modern western civilization: pollution, toxins, and a myriad of unpronounceable chemicals in our environments. The sterolins present in Argan enable the skin to maximize moisture retention and promote metabolism.
The properties that are unique to Argan oil are schottenol and spinasterol which are the optimal anti-inflammatory phytosterols that actually reduce cholesterol absorption and prevent the onset of cancer in some cases. More unique, sadly, will be the last tree standing. These trees live anywhere from 150-450 years dating back so many millions of years. UNESCO officially protects 25,900 square kilometers of Argan forest in Northern African in an effort to preserve what is left of this ancient botanical legacy. We should all consider the alternatives in a conscience effort to aid in the preservation of the most enduring majestic Argan trees, a rich inheritance for future generations.
Joanna Vargas is a graduate from the University of Chicago and is a celebrity facialist well known for her unique facials and skincare treatments. She has been written about in Vogue, Allure and many other magazines. She is also the inventor and retailer of a full body LED light therapy bed and her own skin care products will be available soon.
