Skincare Secret Ingredients: Argan Oil

Skincare Secret Ingredients --What Works, What’s A Waste

Volume Two:  Argan Oil

The next lineup in our ABC’s of skincare is perhaps the most cult-y of all cult beauty ingredients in recent years, the exotic and eco-luxe Moroccan “Liquid Gold,” Argan Oil.

What It Is: Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree, a type of tree that flourishes in the difficult and extreme environmental conditions of Morocco. The oil is purported to be rich in cosmetic and healing properties. It has reached cult status over the past few years as one of the top age-defying, miracle ingredients for skin.

Why You’ve Heard Of It: It’s attracting buzz because it’s cropping up everywhere as a youth-boosting ingredient in products from hair treatments to body lotions to lipsticks. Besides its alleged age-defying skincare powers, argan oil is also newsworthy of late because of its power-packed vitamin E and essential fatty acid content’s nutritional benefits (but culinary arts are not my department) and the abundance of women-only argan oil collective co-ops of Moroccan Berber women. Seen as a self-sustaining means of providing fair wages and good working conditions to a population that would not have it otherwise, argan oil production through these co-ops has politico-socioeconomic ramifications as well (uh, also not my department).  Though it’s history is also attention-grabbing, in the interest of space and plain old-fashioned good manners, I’m going to skip over the oil’s mysterious legend of originally being extracted from undigested argan pits eaten by Moroccan goats. (You’re welcome). The argan oil used in present day products is harvested and processed in a much more um… sanitary way.

What It Does:  Argan oil is one of those elixirs that is said to work magic on a host of stubborn skin ailments, including chronic dry skin, wrinkles, acne, psoriasis and eczema, sunburn and even stretch marks. It’s also touted as a wonder potion for dry, damaged hair and scalp, with claims to mend and prevent split ends, nourish and strengthen hair and give great gloss. Moroccan women have historically slathered it onto their hair, faces, body and nails as a multi-purpose moisturizer and beautifier. What’s indisputable is its high antioxidant properties, which is always an anti-aging plus.

Why It’s Staying Hot: Magical Properties + Mysterious Back-Story + Inflated Price = Cult Status Beauty Product. Always. Duh.

Why Some Love It:  Argan oil is surprisingly lightweight, absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel sticky on your skin. Some also love it because it’s a great organic, eco-friendly and chic beauty product, which is a rare triple threat.

…And Why Some Don’t: To be blunt, the stuff smells like rancid nuts to me, which makes the whole application experience seem a whole lot more crunchy-hippie-earth-mother to me than I’d like.

Why It’s Pricey:  As more and more Western beauty companies distribute argan oil and even more incorporate it into their established brand line-ups, the further the oil gets from its authentic, and not so expensive, artisan roots. It’s gone from being a Moroccan tourist souvenir to a staple of the spa-and-Sephora set.

Find It In:

Many cosmetics by Cle de Peau Beauté feature argan tree oil, including the Intensifying Cream Eyeliner ($60), Eye Color Quad ($75), Brilliant Enhancer ($62) and Extra Silky Lipstick ($50); www.neimanmarcus.com.

Dr. Hauschka Lipcolor contains argan oil, as well as many other nourishing oils, for a moist, cushiony feel, $23.95; www.beautyhabit.com.

The Josie Maran Line, which includes a 1.7 ounce bottle of 100% Pure Argan Oil ($48), as well as a full-spectrum of cosmetics that include it as an ingredient. At www.sephora.com.

Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Body Line, which includes a body lotion, skin salve and dry body oil, each of which is blended with fairly-traded argan oil. At www.kiehls.com.

Moroccanoil hair products, from the hair treatment oil to styling creams and masks, contain argan oil in their blend of hair healing ingredients. At www.moroccanoil.com.

Pangea Organics Facial Cleansers and Moisturizers, which include the oil in its über-natural mix of effective and fantastic-smelling formulas. At www.beautyhabit.com.

The Verdict:

Invest in a small bottle of the least expensive, but purest argan oil you can find, and try it out on your face/body/hair/nails to see how it works for you before you invest in a whole slew of argan-infused products. Though a nightly dose of the oil left my face smooth and surprisingly non-oily come sunrise, I’m not convinced of its ability to lessen the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, and the odd nut-like scent was a bit overpowering. However, my dry hair is quickly soothed and shined with just a tiny amount of the oil applied after my shampoo and conditioner, and it’s fantastic on dry cuticles.