Hidden Oils from Argan Oil and Morocco’s Backyard

 Morocco is well known globally for Argan oil, but is that the only oil this Amazigh country has to offer?

You will be surprised to know that that might not be the case. Argan oil, nicknamed the liquid gold, is a prime natural ingredient for skin and hair care, and it takes the shine of all the plant oils from Morocco.

It dominates Instagram feeds, shampoo bottles, creams, and lotions. However, many don’t know it’s one of the many Moroccan skincare oils Moroccan women have used for centuries.

In this post, we will reveal other beauty oils that Moroccan women have used for centuries.

Argan Oil and Morocco: A Global Beauty Icon

Cosmetic argan oil (INCI: Argania spinosa kernel oil) has earned its spot in the beauty industry, making it a famous Moroccan product. Is it overhyped? No, not at all.

The dominant fatty acids in argan oil are oleic acid, linoleic acid, and less saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid and stearic acid).

But there’s more. It contains natural oxidants and plant nutrients like polyphenols, tocopherols,  CoQ10, melatonin, and carotenes.

What do these actually mean, you might ask?

The balance of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fatty acids gives it unique properties. It is silky, lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy, and its bioactive compounds provide it with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Argan oil supports skin barrier repair, softens and deeply moisturizes skin, and smoothens and strengthens hair. It also helps calm redness and inflammation.

Indeed, argan oil nourishes, restores, and is excellent for keeping skin and hair healthy, soft, and glowing. In addition, it works well on its own as a carrier oil or in formulations.

It's not surprising that argan oil has been claimed to cure a wide range of skin anomalies. The beauty world caught on, and argan oil and Morocco became a popular theme.

Other Moroccan Oils You Should Know

Morocco has a rich heritage in plant-based oils and beauty products. While argan oil is most well-known, the country also produces prickly pear seed oil (Argan’s luxe cousin), Nigella (Black seed), and olive oil.

Do you know that prickly pear seed and argan oils are so valuable that they are on the list of single oil skincare ingredients?

These are around a dozen well-balanced, fatty acid-rich oils that are both effective and luxurious on their own.

1. Prickly Pear Seed Oil

Also known as Barbary Fig oil, it contains linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It also contains an abundant amount of gamma–tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, as well as phenolic compounds.

Let’s skip the chemistry and break down how these benefit you.

Prickly pear seed oil is lightweight, supportive, and fast-absorbing, making it helpful for brightening the skin and calming redness. The balanced fatty acid profile and bioactive compounds make it a complete oil for facial use.

That’s not all; this oil strengthens weak strands and adds shine to the hair without leaving a greasy residue.

Prickly pear seed oil is protective, rich, and non-greasy, making it suitable for mature skin, just like argan oil. The only downside is that this oil is expensive, it costs over 900% of the price of Argan oil.

It costs this much due to the extraction process and the large amount of fruit required to produce just a small amount of prickly pear seed oil.

2. Nigella Seed (Black Seed) Oil

This oil is an all-in-one treatment for both internal (health)and external use. It has been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine and is said to be “a cure for all diseases except death.”

Black seed oil mainly contains linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It also contains tocopherols, squalene, carotenoids, and polyphenols.

Nigella Seed Oil is a powerful oil that supports irritated or blemish-prone skin, making it ideal for those with acne-prone skin.

It has a medium, earthy, and a bit spicy feel on the skin, and a little usually goes a long way.

3. Olive Oil

Olive oil needs no introduction; this Mediterranean delight is deeply rooted in Moroccan life. It is used in cooking and is the major ingredient in the popular exfoliating Moroccan black soap.

Besides oleic acid, extra virgin olive oil(which contains at least 55% oleic acid) contains linoleic acid and palmitic acid. It also contains trace amounts of tocopherol, squalene, phytosterols, pheophytins, and carotenoids, which contribute to its green and yellow hues.

The squalene and vitamin E in olive oil help it retain moisture and increase the absorption and retention of water by the skin.

Olive oil is the classical carrier oil for herbal infusions; it is rich and conditioning. This oleic-rich oil is excellent for dry skin and hair. However, olive oil can be heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

Why Argan Oil Overshadows the Rest

So why has argan oil overshadowed them all, even though Morocco also makes more than just argan? Here’s why

• Argan Has a Strong Global Branding

Argan oil is native to Morocco and southwestern Algeria, making it a rare and exotic product.

Also in 1998, the Arganeraie region of Morocco, where argan oil is sourced, was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

This promotes argan oil as a Moroccan treasure while preserving the ecosystem and its natural resources.

Moreover, in 2021, the United Nations adopted May 10 as its International Day of Argania, recognizing the importance of the argan tree.

• Beauty Industry Demand

Argan oil, the liquid gold, is heavily marketed in global beauty and is a premium ingredient in skincare and hair care products.

It’s a rich, nongreasy, and multifunctional ingredient for skin and hair, which makes it appeal to more consumers.

As a result, argan oil is associated with minimalism and clean beauty and is known as a hero ingredient.

• Olive, Nigella, and Prickly Pear Oils Are Not So Exclusive

Olive oil is not exclusive to Morocco; it's commonly produced worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean.

While Nigella oil has a long history of therapeutic uses, it is not as luxurious as argan oil. Similarly, it has less of a beauty narrative.

The more potent Prickly pear oil is very expensive, so it doesn’t enjoy wide mass marketing.

• Argan Oil: A Moroccan Cultural Export

Argan oil contributes to a significant Moroccan beauty export; 1,240 tons of argan oil were exported in 2020.

Besides its economic value, argan oil also impacts the livelihoods of Berber women and their families, as well as the cooperatives engaged in oil production.

It provides them a source of income and a strong social impact story that increases the appeal of argan to ethical consumers.

• Investment

From the Moroccan government, researchers, marketers, and beauty brands, argan oil is heavily invested in. This prioritization and support make argan oil more recognized than other oils from Morocco.

Also Read: Plant Oils Vs Butters: Which is better for your skin

Argan Oil and Morocco? More Than Just Argan

Argan oil is the face of Moroccan oils because it's multifunctional and has a powerful story behind it. Whether used as a stand-alone product or as part of your skin or hair care regimen, this oil is worth the hype.

However, this liquid gold is only a part of a bigger and diverse range of natural oils in Morocco.

Luxurious prickly pear, healing nigella, and rich olive oils are equally helpful but less marketed, and they cater to different skin concerns and are suitable for many skin types.

Now that you know other lesser-known Moroccan oils, it's time to broaden your oil horizons.

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FAQs

1. Besides argan oil, what other oils does Morocco produce?
   Morocco also produces prickly pear seed oil (Barbary), nigella (black seed) oil, and olive oil.

2. Does argan oil live up to its claims, or is it overhyped?
   Argan oil lives up to most of its claims due to its rich composition, although its marketing may be slightly exaggerated.

3. Why is argan oil more popular than other Moroccan oils?
   Argan oil is more popular due to its strong Moroccan cultural heritage, its focus on exports, and global branding and marketing efforts.