The 3 Uncommon Benefits of Argan Oil

Argan oil is a new trend sweeping the cosmetic world! The benefits for healthy, glowing skin and glossy hair make this oil high in demand!

These days, you can find so many brands out there, it’s difficult to know exactly what you’re buying. If you look on iHerb, you’ll see argan oil ranging from $6 – $60. What makes the difference?

It turns out the benefits of buying pure argan oil go far beyond what meets the eye!

I sat down with Habiba Raffa, the founder of Ayelli. She’s a third generation argan oil producer and a passionate beauty!! That hair!!

She’s here to give us a behind the scenes look into her world, why it’s important to choose pure argan oil and three uncommon benefits that you should know about too!

Take it away, Habiba!

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UNCOMMON BENEFIT #1: Pure Argan Oil is a Whole Food for Your Skin

Due to its rich combination of vitamin E, anti-oxidants and fatty acids, pure argan oil effectively restores skin elasticity, combats wrinkles and repairs skin imperfections, while moisturizing.  It also fights hair damage, nourishes the scalp, and improves hair growth.   It is so effective that it even helps to treat eczema and psoriasis.

HOW PURITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE: Argan oil’s effectiveness depends of its quality.  Non-pure and diluted argan oil has no beauty benefits due the loss of its key properties. Any cosmetic effect is probably due to the chemical ingredients the oil is mixed with. These ingredients act like a band-aid on skin and hair problems rather than fixing them from the root.

HOW PRODUCTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE: Pure argan oil needs to be produced in a certain way to preserve its full properties. For a high quality argan oil, it must be cold pressed under a certain temperature in a very controlled environment and only using fresh argan kernels from the latest harvest.  Some argan oil companies use nuts from goat droppings to lower production costs, which requires bleaching and/or deodorizing. This strips the oil of all its benefits, making it useless. This is why it is very important to check how the company you’re buying from produces its argan oil. Ayelli’s premium production process guarantees the oil’s full moisturizing and repairing qualities. This level of purity gives the oil a non-greasy light texture and smell which make it an ideal unisex beauty regiment for any skin and hair types.

UNCOMMON BENEFIT #2: Pure Argan Oil Benefits Women Farmers

Argan oil production is labor intensive and requires delicate skills that have traditionally been a women affair. However, many of these women often work under unfair-trade practices. Ayelli hire rural women farmers in southwest Morocco to produce their argan oil and make sure they are fairly compensated with steady salaries, a good working environment, access to health care and education for their kids.  Thus giving them emancipation, recognition, and power to better their lives in a male dominated society.

Their financial, social and environmental empowerment is important, as it is the pillar of a growing economy and the continuity of the argan oil production.  We call it Beauty with a heart! A beauty that Ayelli is working on extending to South East Asia by partnering with other entities that work toward women empowerment through development programs.

My great-grandmother was in the argan oil production, which gave her opportunities for a better life that impacted the next generations. So this cause is extra important and personal for me!

UNCOMMON BENEFIT #3: Pure Argan Oil is Environmentally Sustainable

The argan tree is a vital part of the local ecosystem. The tree’s deep roots in the desert are an important element against desertification erosion and soil infertility. Consequently, maintaining a local system on which millions of people and animals depend.

As the demand of argan oil grows and irresponsible production continues the future of the argan tree is endangered. Excessive-grazing, wood- cutting and allowing animals to stand on the branches to eat the argan fruit, and other unsustainable practices are causing permanent harm leading to the regression of the argan tree forest. Thus making argan oil even more rare and precious. These issues are often not a priority for many producers. Ayelli uses environmentally responsible and eco-friendly practices; no striping the forest, no wood cutting and no goats on the trees. 100% organic and chemical free, using dark amber glass and recyclable packaging to bottle their pure argan oil. Most importantly, Ayelli invests in teaching the farmers the best environmental practices, such as responsible harvesting and reforestation to ensure the preservation of the argan tree.

Argan oil’s beauty, social and environmental benefits are tightly connected. Make sure you consider these points to do an educated purchase.

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Thanks Habiba! You’re such a beauty, inside out.

Check out Ayelli to see more!