Ironwood, pictured here, grows in the African semi-deserts. The Moroccan argan oil extract is obtained by pressing. The expensive product of golden yellow color, reminiscent of pumpkin seeds in taste, is a valuable cosmetic remedy and unsurpassed culinary additive.
What is argan oil?
From the fruits of argania (lat. argania) experts make a special vegetable oil, which has many uses. In the cuisine of southwestern Morocco gourmets use argania oil in cooking. For cosmetic purposes it is used because of its medicinal properties. This product is one of the rarest oils, as the range of the argana plant is extremely limited and is protected by UNESCO. Moroccan authorities prohibit the export of the fruit of the tree, but in processed form it can be exported to other countries.
Composition
Unlike olive oil, the composition of argan oil is famous for its high content of “vitamins of youth” E, A, F. The product is rich in tocopherols and polyphenols – natural antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effect. The peculiarity of argan oil from others is the presence of very rare substances, for example, sterols. They remove inflammation and have desensitizing properties. The rest, no less useful substances:
- polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-6, omega-9, palmitic acid, stearic acid, ferulic acid;
- carotenoids;
- triterpene alcohols;
- natural antioxidant squalene.
Properties
For medical purposes, argan oil is used in diseases of the heart and blood vessels, musculoskeletal system, to eliminate muscle and joint pain, infectious diseases, chicken pox, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease. The beneficial properties of argan oil help treat dermatological diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, acne. The oil extract is used for rapid tissue repair of scars, burns, scars, abrasions and wounds.
In cosmetology it is used for complex skin care, affecting not only the epidermis, but also the dermis. It moisturizes the skin, nourishes it, protects it from negative effects of the environment, removes wrinkles and reduces their depth, stops aging. Argan oil moisturizes the cuticle, strengthens the nail plate, improves the growth of eyebrows and eyelashes. Hair becomes soft, elastic, strong, without split ends.
If you combine everything, then you can distinguish the following actions that the product has on the body:
- regenerative;
- moisturizing;
- analgesic;
- anti inflammatory;
- tonic;
- antioxidant.
What is useful for argan oil
Argan oil is famous for its unique chemical composition. Substances called sterols are necessary for the skin, and in combination with oleic acid (omega-9) prevent the absorption of harmful cholesterol from the intestines into the blood. The rest of the acids are needed to activate the body’s defenses, to maintain immunity and to improve the wound healing process. The benefits of argan oil are in ensuring the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system with the help of vitamin E.
Moroccan oil is valued for its ability to quickly penetrate into the blood and bones, it slows down the processes of destruction in tissues in rheumatism and arthritis, helps with problems with the digestive tract. The magical quality of “liquid Moroccan gold” lies in the inhibition of the aging process: massage with the product will strengthen the muscle tissue.
Types
Depending on the scope of use, degree of purification and method of production, argan oil is divided into 3 types: cold-pressed from roasted seeds, cosmetic from unroasted seeds, cold-pressed from unroasted argan seeds. The roasted seeds are used only in food industry, and the cold-pressed unroasted ones are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes because of the high concentration of beneficial substances for the human body, although they can also be used in cooking.
Argan oil – application
Edible oil is subjected to heat treatment and is characterized by a dark color and pronounced taste. The light color indicates frequent filtration processes. The product should not be subjected to overheating, because otherwise it can lose all its useful properties. Traditional Moroccan amlu paste is made from almonds, argan oil, honey, and is served with bread for breakfast.
The use of argan oil in cooking is popular because of its organoleptic properties. Slight roasting of argan tree fruits produces an amazing hazelnut and almond flavor. Cooks love to add argan oil to various sauces, fish and couscous. Cosmetic applications of argan oil are not only benefits for the skin, improving the condition of nails and hair, but also to get rid of stretch marks during pregnancy.
For hair
As described above, Moroccan argan oil for hair is the best solution to get rid of dullness. It can be used alone or in complex mixtures with additional ingredients, for example, with almond oil and hazelnuts. A great recipe for brittle hair and split ends: 1 tsp. argan oil, instead of balm, should be applied on the entire length of the hair after washing. To get rid of dandruff, you need to wash your hair and rub the oil into the roots. After 20 minutes, rinse your hair, shampoo and conditioner.
If hair is falling out, it is necessary to take a course of treatment with cosmetic argan oil (2 months). For this purpose, it is necessary to apply the product 1-2 times a week at night or 40 minutes before shampooing. The bulk of the product is placed on the roots and scalp. To provide protection from UV rays and humidity, 2 tbsp. of oil elixir should be applied before washing the head and left for half an hour. You can wear a plastic bag and warm a towel. Shampoo your hair thoroughly.
For face
The advantage of argan oil is that it is suitable for all skin types, just find your recipe. Judging by the reviews on the Internet, for problematic skin prepare a mask of argan and almond oil extracts (1 tsp. each), blue clay (1 tbsp.). The mixture should be diluted with water to the state of sour cream and apply to the skin. When dry, rinse. The procedure should be carried out 2 times in 7 days, for a whole month. Argan oil for the face will help to get rid of flakiness, but to do this, you need to whip with a mixer 1 egg white and mix with 1 tbsp. of the oil elixir. Apply in layers and wash off after 20 minutes.
For skin
In case of skin damage, the oil elixir is applied spot-on to burns, wounds and abrasions. It should be rubbed in until the tissues recover and heal. Argan oil for the skin provides perfect care for the body, you just need to add a few drops to your lotion or other products. A mixture of argan (1 tbsp.) and tangerine (10 drops) oil extracts can help against stretch marks. For smooth skin on hands, add 5 drops to an ordinary cream. To strengthen the nails, the oil elixir is applied together with lemon juice.
Cosmetics based on argan oil
The source of skin health is argan oil in cosmetology. Ecotesting cosmetics are not harmful to the environment. Plant materials are 100% natural, which reduces the risk of allergic reactions. Organic products made according to the Moroccan recipe are delicate, do not cause irritation, contain no parabens, dyes, chemicals. According to the numerous positive reviews on the use of argan oil, testify to its demand and use in beauty salons, manufacturers of natural cosmetics.
Hair Mask
Strengthening mask with argan oil for hair is made with the addition of another ingredient, burdock or castor oil extract (2 tbsp. each). Means as a quick balm does not require washing: you need to moisten your hands with the oil elixir and apply to the hair. Moisturizing mask is made from lavender (10 drops), argan (1 tsp.), olive (2 tsp.), sage (5 drops) oil extracts, egg yolk.
Cream
To take care of the condition of the skin will help cream with argan oil for the face. It is best to use the product separately, apply it to specific areas. Argan eye cream eliminates wrinkles and gently cares for the skin around the eyes. You can mix the product with regular cream, which will enhance the properties of both products. To do this, take 1 tsp. of argan oil extract and mix it with 1 tbsp. of the usual cosmetics.
How to use argan oil
Slightly heated product is better absorbed, so the jar should be placed in lukewarm water before use. The use of argan oil on clean skin promotes the absorption of micronutrients. It is necessary to remove all remnants of cosmetics from the face and use a scrub. Warm oil extract should be applied to the skin with massaging movements. Due to the light texture the product is quickly absorbed, but after 1 hour it is necessary to remove the remains with a paper towel. Excess oil elixir indicates that the skin has already absorbed the amount of vitamins it needs.
How to store
The product should be kept in a container protected from sunlight. In most cases, when you buy the oil extract, it is already in a bottle of dark color. The neck of the container should be narrow or you should buy a drip bottle, so the argan oil will be stored for a long time. The shelf life of the product is not more than 2 years, so if the indicated date of storage is longer, it means that the product contains chemical additives. In this way it is possible to distinguish a fake.
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