A lot was said about liquid gold of Barber tribes, mainly because, in the recent months, it has become one of the most willingly chosen substance for hair and body care. What is surprising, this natural product is extraordinarily popular, in spite of its high price. Its exceptional features are not the only factors that make this natural substance stand our form other cosmetic oils. Here is a brief description concerning argan oil, which aim is to clear out all doubts concerning it.

From nuts to argan oil

In the south of Morocco, there is an under protection region made by UNESCO. In the very territory, and only there, grows genuine argan tree (Argania Spinosa). The nuts of the tree are source of oil (cold pressed), which is beautifully called Liquid Gold of Morocco. Gold because it has yellowish colour, the liquid is pure and precious (not only because of its remarkable features).

Approximately 30 kg of argan tree nuts are needed to produce 1 litre of pure argan oil. The cold pressing is very time-consuming and requires proper processing. The nuts are protected by solid and tough shells that are hard to crack. Since local goats find the argan nuts as their treat, the feedstock for argan oil production is also collected after a partial processing and excreting of the very nuts by the animals. At present, cold pressing process is done mechanically.

Noble oil of many faces

Currently, argan oil is available on the market in two basic variations. The cosmetic oil has very characteristic, not that pleasant fragrance and golden shade. In general, it is slightly darker than olive oil. Food argan oil is even darker and is characterized by its reddish shade. What is more, it has nice nutty aroma and taste. The difference between these two oils arises from the manner the oils are obtained. Namely, food argan oil is extracted from roasted argan nuts whereas the cosmetic argan oil is extracted from fresh nuts. It is advised against mixing food argan oil with cosmetic one because they differ with their properties and composition.

Because of the great popularity of the argan oil, and partly because of its high price, this natural oil is frequently bogus. Basically, fairly often a regular food oil, yet darker and of nutty flavour, is sold as the cosmetic one. Unfortunately, even Ecocert certificate does not prove an oil to be pure, 100% argan. The truth is, such certificates do not regulate how much of pure argan oil has a product contain to be named as argan. Moreover, many producers usually mix the oil with other similar substances. Still, it remains organic, although it is no longer 100% pure Liquid Gold of Morocco.