From Manila with Love Blog: argan oil

If you're reading this, you're probably not new to the words "Argan Oil". At the very least you've most likely heard it from a YouTuber or read about it in an article online. Using facial oil is a nice addition to your skincare routine. I for one have been using facial oils for over 3 years now. The French and Koreans have lauded its benefits for years and it's particularly important during the Winter months.

"How does it help my skin and what does it do?" You might ask.

What is Argan Oil?

Argan Oil is a rare plant oil produced from nut kernels of argan trees which only grow in Morocco. The oil can be ingested and applied topically so it's versatility is as great as its benefits.

The oil contains essential antioxidants like Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin E which help treat skin infections and effectively moisturizes it. (source) (source)

Uses of Argan Oil

Apart from culinary uses (make sure the argan you use is culinary/food grade before consuming) it's also popular as a skin treatment for eczema, dandruff, acne (yes!), rashes, infections, bug bites and yes as an all-over moisturizer.

Popular Uses

Face moisturizer
Nail/Cuticle moisturizer
Stretch mark healer
Hair oil/serum/leave-in conditioner
Helps with skin allergies like asthma, eczema, psoriasis, dandruff etc
Heals irritated and dry skin

What properties help with the skin and hair?

Argan oil contains tocopherols (vitamin E), phenols, carotenes, squalene, and fatty acids, (80% unsaturated fatty acids) The main natural phenols in argan oil are caffeic acid, oleuropein, vanillic acid, tyrosol, catechol, resorcinol, (−)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin. - Wikipedia

Essential Fatty-Acids - Some natural occuring in our body, decreases over time. Ingestion and topical application helps smooth out skin, moisturize it and aids in skin infections and irregularities.

Vitamin E - Keeps skin elastic, helps lighten brown spots from poor liver function, encourages cell regeneration (source) and improves appearance of scars. (source)

I've been using White Allure's 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil and yes it's legit. Certified Organic. Coldpressed and Vegan, I also like that it's in a glass amber tinted bottle (tinted is essential for Argan Oil) and has a plastic stopper incase of accidental spillage.

It's 1,200 PHP for 100 ml with shipping and I think that's more than reasonable considering you get 100 ml of pure Argan Oil. (I bought an "unpure" one for around 1,500 PHP).

The packaging, box and bottle is nice too. The glass is hefty, granted not the best for travel, but looks so inviting on your vanity table with the amber and gold colours.

How to know if Argan Oil is Pure?

It says 100% Argan Oil. 100% Pure Argan Oil or 100% Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
It's in a dark tinted glass bottle, aluminum or stainless steel bottle. Glass should be tinted Amber or Blue/Violet. The best come in dark bottles although some do come in clear glass bottles. It's said that those are "more pure" and "can withstand light", but I'm not certain so it's best to err on the side of caution.
Price is reasonable but not "cheap". It's expensive to make, a few nuts can only make about a couple of drops. That isn't to say the most expensive is the best.

How to know if Argan Oil is Pure? - http://www.arganoilmanila.com

Further Reading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArganPropertiesandUses
http://skincare.about.com/ArganBenefits
https://www.hairguard.com/argan-oil-shampoo/

Other Argan Oils I've tried. (here) (here) (here) & (here)

xx,
CJ

PS. Do you use facial oils? Have you tried this particular brand?
PPS. If you're pregnant please consult your OB or are allergic to fatty acids, vitamin e, please check with your dermatologist first.

http://www.arganoilmanila.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WhiteAllureArganOil
https://www.instagram.com/magicpotionsbeautyshop
http://www.magic-potions.com
https://www.jenreviews.com/argan-oil/

It was about three years ago, give or take, when we were introduced to the "wonder" oil after the Maracuja phenomena —the Argan oil. Seemingly out of nowhere this oil became the highly "lemmed" beauty elixir that promised a myriad of things from the understandable moisturization to a remedy for skin allergies etc etc etc.

WHAT IS ARGAN OIL?

Argan Oil is one of the rarest oils in the world. It's a plant oil produced from nut kernels of argan trees which only grow in Morocco. The oil can be ingested and applied topically (which is how it's popularly used today).

After my moment with a falsely marketed "100% pure" argan oil (review here) I started using a 100% legitimate argan oil and my facial routine to be honest has never been the same again. Whilst I was using that particular argan oil, I still searched for other options available in the Philippines.

There are a number of brands all claiming authenticity, most of them found in online shops but I haven't found any that personally rung my feminist heart as much as Wellspring of Morocco has.

KNOWN BENEFITS

Heals and repairs acne marks, dark spots, cracked heels, dry skin and elbows.
Heals skin allergies such as psoriasis, eczema, and skin asthma.
Maintains skin elasticity which prevents stretch marks during pregnancy.
Prevents scalp problems such as dandruff, dry hair and hair loss.
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles (anti-aging).

ABOUT WELLSPRING OF MOROCCO ARGAN OIL

Wellspring of Morocco Argan Oil comes from the argan oil cooperatives in Essaouira region in southwestern Morocco. Their argan oil is extracted from argan nuts through traditional means by tribes of Berber women.

Every purchase made contributes to a worthy cause and consumers indirectly take part in the fair-trade movement by supporting and empowering the women cooperatives and tribes that produce the argan oil.

Apparently extracting the oils is extremely labor intensive. It can take up to eight hours for one woman to crush enough nuts for one liter of oil. Being as labor intensive as it is, these women do it proudly and confidently as this provides them the social and economic freedom they wouldn't have otherwise.

Medina, Essaouira - Image via travelchannel.com

Not only that, Wellspring of Morocco Argan Oil is also sourced directly from traditional, government - authorized, Ecocert and USDA organic certified Argan oil cooperatives in Essaouira Morocco.

EXPERIENCE | SCENT | TEXTURE

Argan oil according to discerning beauty articles, is supposed to smell "nutty" or "popcorn-ey" which rings true for this particular brand. It's thin, watery and clear. It doesn't have that yellow-tinge some oils have.

I use it as my night moisturizer and sometimes as my day moisturizer. It feels light on the skin and hasn't given me any problems when used under makeup or mixed with makeup. I'll gladly continue using argan oil or facial oils for that matter as a healthier more natural and organic alternative to chemical-based moisturizers.

This 10 ml starter bottle retails for Php 280 and I've had this bottle for a little over three weeks. I'm currently down to half. My usual amount is three to four drops so I'm sure after a month I'll be out of it. If you limit yourself to two drops nightly (skip during the day) I'm sure this will last a lot longer.

If want to get into facial oils or want to try out argan oil, this 10 ml noncommittal bottle is a good start. Oily or acne-prone skin need not be alarmed with putting oil on the face as these are supposed to help soothe the skin. For the record I have sensitive skin with dry patches and mild rosacea and I've had no problems with it.

Have you tried argan oil? What other facial oils have you tried?

xx,
CJ

PS. My friend who owns/sells this contacted me if I wanted to give it a try. Naturally I said yes! They also have 30 ml bottles for Php 800.
PPS. Make sure the Argan oil you buy comes in a tinted bottle. Argan oil shouldn't be exposed to light as it changes its composition. Comparing to my other argan, that one didn't come in a tinted bottle so I have to make sure it's always in a dimly-lit area in my room. As for other comparisons, they both smell and perform the same to me.

EDIT: Argan oil CAN come in un-tinted bottles, so people can see the golden colour of the oil. Argan oil that come in untinted bottles are supposedly of higher quality so it's deemed ok for light to pass through them but just to be safe, choose the tinted ones. They're usually in amber or blue bottles.

Bottom line it can come in clear or colored bottles but it should be glass (more eco-friendly and plastic also disturbs/changes the property of the oil). Wellspring of Morocco comes in a blue glass bottle just for branding consistency. :)

PPPS. For GOT fans, the series filmed some (or most) of their scenes in Morocco. Cool eh?

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