Argan oil

For the last few years, many hair products containing argan oil have been among the top sellers here in the U.S. In the salon we get many questions about what exactly argan oil is and why it is unique, so today we’ll do our best to answer some of those questions.

       Argan oil comes from the fruit of the argan tree. The tree is exclusive to southwestern Morocco, where it grows wild. Besides its exclusivity, the process of extracting the oil is labor intensive. Up to three kernels are contained within the fruit. These kernels are found inside of a nut in the fruit. To get the nut, the fruit must be dried and the pulp around the nut must be peeled away. At this point the nut is cracked, and the kernels are gathered. The kernels are then pressed, and the oils are left to sit for two weeks, allowing for solids to settle. Finally, the oil is placed in dark tinted bottles so sunlight cannot deteriorate its natural properties.

       Argan oil contains many vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, Tocopherols (vitamin E) and caffeic acid to name a few, which is essential in moisturizing and protecting the hair. It is often used in shampoos, conditioners and leave in products to repair the hair from heat styling and sun damage.

       Many varieties of argan oil are available on the market. The prices vary with the purity of the oil. 100% pure argan oil may still contain sediment. The value of argan oil on the global market has made the argan tree a valuable resource.