The Latin name for Argan Oil is Argania Spinosa. The Argan tree is indigenous to Morocco. The resulting oil is rich in fatty acids like oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids [1]. Argan oil does not clog pores. Plus, its absorption is fast and leaves a non-greasy feel to the skin making it an all-natural moisturizer. That makes it the perfect oil for your baby’s skin.
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Origins Of Argan Oil
Argan oil, formally Argania Spinosa oil, comes from the fruit of the Argan tree. This native tree found in Morocco is also responsible for the oil’s other name, Moroccan oil.
The tree is small and is somewhat round in appearance. Depending on the extraction process, the Argan nut or fruit contains 30-50% of argan oil [2].
Its mother plant, the Argania Spinosa, is an endangered tree and classified as a World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO [3]. When produced for high-quality Argan seeds, the Argan tree is cultivated for almost 125 years. It can survive up to 300 years more after that [4].
The first group to produce Argan oil was the indigenous Berber Tribe of North Africa. How did the Berber women of Morocco extract Argan oil in the first place? This has always been considered a meticulous job that special women perfected. In the beginning, they had help from tree-climbing goats. When the goats climbed Argan trees to scour for food, they ate the fruit and discarded the nuts. Women would then retrieve these nuts and crack them the traditional way [5]. For many years, the indigenous women of the Berber tribe sat in circles just pounding the Argan tree nut’s outer shell. The shell is estimated to be 16 times more difficult to crack than a hazelnut shell[10]. It takes patience to accomplish cracking the nut, and there is a specific amount of mastery involved to avoid destroying the three kernels inside the nut.
The traditional method used by these women has been the same process for hundreds of years. Even now, these women are considered the sole gatekeeper of the technique. However, they now skip the goats, and the fruits are picked directly from the Argan tree. Because of the extraction process and the widespread knowledge of Argan oil benefits, Argan is now one of the most costly oils in the world.
Argan oil came to light in the wider world thanks to Leo Africanus in 1510. Although there have been attempts to mimic the process of these Moroccan women, no machine can do the meticulous work that they do by hand. To this day, Argan oil is only extracted manually. It takes up to 250 pounds of Argan fruit to produce 1 liter of Argan oil [6]. As the demand for the famous Argan oil increased, the method had to be cut shorter to produce the oil more quickly. Argan oil skin benefits have recently become well-known. It is a go-to ingredient when it comes to manufacturing aesthetic and skin care products.
Women continue to lead the production force of this coveted oil. Because of this dominance, opportunities for women in Morocco to earn money independently have increased and do not show signs of slowing down. At present, approximately 2 million Moroccan citizens live off of cultivating and producing Argan oil [7]. Dr. Zoubida Charrouf, with the help of the Development Research Center, founded the first ever cooperative for women in the Argan oil business. To preserve the traditional extraction of the penetrating oil, they created 22 more cooperatives in Morocco [8].
According to the report of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it now sells for at least $300 per liter which makes it a money-maker for families and businesses who have access to the oil [9].
Locally, the women of the Moroccan cooperatives have also created stalls in the village of Essaouira to sell jars of Morocco Argan for hair, face creams, and Argan oil products for babies. It is now a tourist attraction in the region.
Argan oil skin benefits have recently become well-known. It is a go-to ingredient when it comes to manufacturing aesthetic and skin care products.
Argan oil is a staple in the cosmetic industry business. But, it’s also used as a dip for bread during breakfast and a flavoring for couscous or pasta. That is not surprising as organic Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. The latter component serves as a dominant force in disposing of potentially dangerous free radicals.
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Argan Oil Helps Treat Baby Acne
Argan oil has a wide array of health benefits. It’s golden color and antioxidant properties have garnered the moniker “golden liquid.” Acne-prone skin can result because of the accumulation of excess fat on the face.
Topical creams for acne with harsh synthetic ingredients may offer some relief, but these substances may do more harm to the skin in the long run. With Argan oil’s high content of linoleic acid, it a natural anti-inflammatory.
Argan oil also regulates the natural production of oil in the skin. It can also reduce the discomfort caused by infections, rashes, and bug bites. It is not surprising that this Moroccan oil is known for its care of the skin.
In 2007, there was a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology that tested 20 healthy volunteers with oily/combination skin. The volunteers were instructed to apply cream with an Argan oil base two times a day for four weeks between January and February. Sebum levels of each volunteer were recorded before and after the experiment. The test resulted in 95% of the volunteers experiencing a clear and considerable reduction in excess oil on the skin [10].
Taking this experiment into consideration, the benefits of Argan oil to acne-prone and sensitive skin are numerous. It heals damaged skin and renews skin cells to reduce inflammation.
Many people pair Argan oil products with tea tree oil or green tea to combat acne-causing bacteria and lower excess sebum. These natural ingredients are especially helpful to adult women who experience acne breakouts in their 30’s. Acne at this age can be challenging to treat. Argan oil benefits are ideal for skin at this age because it has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. When applied to acne-prone skin, it may also reduce scarring.
Minimize The Appearance Of Stretch Marks
Giving birth is an incredibly rewarding moment in a woman’s life. Having to deal with stretch marks during and after pregnancy is a horror to many mothers.
Argan oil intensifies the elasticity of the skin which may help to minimize the appearance stretch marks.
Vitamins A and E in the oil can rejuvenate and moisturize the scars with circular massage to the affected areas.
Argan Oil Moisturizes Babies’ Skin
It is no surprise that many moisturizing lotions in the manufacturing industry contain Argan oil.
The age-old natural ingredient is safe for babies and produces excellent skin protection. Argan oil can also hydrate your baby’s skin. It is ideal for tender skin which is why many mothers swear by it.
A single drop of pure Argan oil goes a long way. Apply it to your baby’s dry facial skin and body for soothing relief.
The purest form of Argan balances the production of the body’s natural sebum. Extracted through a traditional and meticulous process, Argan oil, neutralizes the pH of your baby’s skin.
Argan Oil Is Safe To Help Treat Eczema
Eczema in babies is a common problem for parents. This skin condition can transform your baby’s skin into a canvas of red, itchy patches. Argan oil for babies is recommended when a child is suffering from atopic dermatitis or inflammations like eczema.
It is also known to heal diaper rashes and decrease flare-ups among infants due to its rich fatty acids. Linoleic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and oleic acid are found in Argan oil. These acids help lock in moisture, oxidize the skin, and combat painful skin diseases.
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Safe And Effective Sunblock Recovery
Newborn mothers are advised to get their babies enough sunshine when they are young. UV radiation causes sunburns that are too harsh for a baby’s fragile skin.
One of the Argan oil skin benefits is its ability to recover the skin from sun damage [11].
Applying Argan oil to your baby’s skin may also prevent damage caused by the sun and promote new and healthy skin cells.
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Argan Oil Is A Leading Ingredient In Organic Baby Skincare Products
Argan oil is a natural ingredient that contains 35-40% of linoleic acid and 42-48% of oleic acid [16]. Linoleic acid acts as an anti-inflammatory and moisturizing agent. Oleic acid enhances fragile skin’s permeability.
When combined with other natural ingredients, organic Argan helps in the fast penetration with healing properties. Argan oil rates a zero in the comedogenic rating which means it does not clog the pores.
Argan oil for babies is effective in treating rashes, infections, and bug bites. It also moisturizes the skin and boosts the production of new skin cells which promotes healthy hair and skin.
Is Argan Oil Safe References:
[1] Journal of Chemistry; Characterization of Fatty Acid Profile of Argan Oil and Other Edible Vegetable Oils by Gas Chromatography and Discriminant Analysis, Ascensión Rueda, Isabel Seiquer, Manuel Olalla, Rafael Giménez, Luis Lara, and Carmen Cabrera-Vique, August 18, 2014.[2] International Development Research Centre; Helping Moroccan women preserve the argan tree at the gateway to the Sahara, Charrouf, Z., & Dubé, S, November 01, 2010.
[3] UNESCO – MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory; Arganeraie, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), June 24, 2008.
[4] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Argan.
[5] Natural Public Radio; Do Tree-Climbing Goats Help Plant New Trees? Silver, M., May 31, 2017.
[6] Research Gate; Influence of argan fruit peel on the quality and oxidative stability of argan oil after prolonged storage, Harhar, H., Gharby, S., Guillaume, D., Bouzoubaa, Z., Kartah, B. E., & Charrouf, Z., June 2015.
[7] European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology; Charrouf, Z., & Guillaume, D.; Argan oil: Occurrence, composition, and impact on human health, 2008.
[8] The International Development Research Centre, Cooperatives boost opportunities for Moroccan women, October 22, 2010.
[9] Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; Booming markets for Moroccan argan oil appear to benefit some rural households while threatening the endemic argan forest, Lybberta, T. J., Aboudrare, A., Chaloud, D., Magnan, N., & Nash, M. June 22, 2011.
[10] US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health; Clinical and instrumental study of the efficacy of a new sebum control cream, Dobrev H, June 2007.
[11] US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health;Activation of MITF by Argan Oil Leads to the Inhibition of the Tyrosinase and Dopachrome Tautomerase Expressions in B16 Murine Melanoma Cells, Villareal MO, Kume S, Bourhim T, Bakhtaoui FZ, Kashiwagi K, Han J, Gadhi C, Isoda H., July 2013.
