Argandor Argan Oil Natural Cosmetics
The gold of Morocco is not dug out of the earth, but hangs in the branches of a very special tree. The argan tree was formerly native to the whole Mediterranean region. Today it only grows in south-western Morocco in an area of almost 8,000 square kilometers in the Souss-Massa-Draa region. Anywhere else it became extinct and all attempts to replant it in other countries have failed so far. The fruits of the argan tree contain kernels with up to four seeds. These contain a seed core from which the precious argan oil is obtained, which is also known in the Orient as the ”Gold of Morocco“. The argan tree, also known as Argania (lat. Argania spinosa) is one of the oldest trees in the world. Researchers assume that the Argania has specialized itself in dry and desert-like regions 25 million years ago. Despite the low precipitation and temperatures of up to 50° C, the argan tree can live up to 400 years. Its roots penetrate up to 30 meters deep into the barren soil.
Because the argan tree has become that rare, UNESCO has declared its habitat in Souss-Massa-Draa as a biosphere reserve. The trees there are under special protection and belong to the state. However, the Berber families are granted rights of use. It is strictly forbidden to cut the valuable trees or even to shake them. For the regional Berbers the argan tree has always been their ”Tree of Life“. For centuries they have won the coveted argan oil from its fruits. The Berbers use it to refine cold and warm dishes, for skin and hair care as well as for the cure of various conflictions. The knowledge and techniques for the extraction of the oil have been passed down from generation to generation. In November 2014 this knowledge was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of mankind.
Argan trees bear fruits only every two years. With the few water they draw from the soil on the edge of the Sahara, they have to be economical. In phases of extreme drought, they often even stop their growth and have no leaves or fruits. But when it rains again, they are full of flowers and new leaves appear within a very short time. In exceptionally rainy years, even a few generations of fruits hang in a tree at different maturity levels. The argan fruits are not harvested from the tree, but collected after they fall down by themselves. On the outside, the fruits are reminiscent of large yellow plums. Below the bitter fruit pulp there is a core of about the size of a hazelnut with oily seeds. The seeds are traditionally hand-pressed by Berber women in small stone mills. For a liter of oil, almost 30 kg of fruit must be collected. This corresponds to the harvest of 5 to 7 trees. But the effort is worth it: Skin care with argan oil has been exceptionally successful for ages. And because more and more consumers are looking for pure natural cosmetics, argan oil is now entering the shelves in the western world.
Argand’Or offers high-quality care products for face, body and scalp. The basis for the different formulations is hand-pressed organic argan oil. The Argand’Or Argan Skin Oil envelops your body with a fast absorbing texture and provides long lasting moisture. The formulation of the Eye Care Serum Roll-on pampers the sensitive eye area with a mixture of organic argan oil, organic sea buckthorn oil, organic aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. The Argand’Or Argan Oil Scalp Treatment regenerates, soothes and cares for dry scalp with a combination of argan oil, wild rose oil, almond oil and Sacha Inchi oil. The high-quality care series is perfectly rounded off with a gentle Body Lotion with aloe vera and a rich Face Care with macadamia nut oil. Let yourself be enchanted by tender care and discover the power of Morocco's liquid gold.
