If you're like me, you're probably excited to have discovered argon (also known as argan and argane) oil and are looking forward to enjoying its many beauty benefits first-hand, including: softer skin, diminished wrinkles, more even skin tone, reduced scarring, lustrous nails and hair - and even relief from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
But before you rush off and purchase the first bottle you find of this liquid gold, be sure to read the below tips. You will soon realize that, firstly, not all argon oil is created equal. And, secondly, even the best raw material can be easily compromised due to the commercial manufacturing and treatment processes used by some cosmetics companies.
TOP 10 TIPS FOR BUYING ARGON OIL:
1. Make sure you are buying authentic argon oil. If you are buying argon oil from a reputable (online) retailer in the USA or Europe, you can skip this tip and go straight to #2. However, if you are planning on purchasing the oil while visiting Morocco or from an unfamiliar retailer, then please read on. Apparently, some unsuspecting tourists browsing the local souks, or stopping at road-side stands, have been sold common vegetable oil simply labeled as argon oil. To make sure you are getting what you paid for, read the label and check that the name of the cooperative that produced it is featured. Better yet, go directly to the cooperatives and buy it straight from the source.
2. If you are choosing to use argon oil as a beauty product, make sure you buy cosmetic grade and not culinary argon oil. The nuts destined for culinary oil are roasted to bring out their distinctive nutty flavor; those that will be used for skin- and hair-care products are usually left raw to maintain the integrity of the essential fatty acids and vitamins.
3. To gain the maximum beauty benefit, choose argon oil that is all-natural and preferably certified organic. That way you don't have to worry about how it was produced.
4. Choose cold-pressed or first cold-pressed argon oil. If you want to buy the best argon oil, look for oil that is labeled "cold-pressed" or, even better, "first cold-pressed." Cold-pressed means that the oil was not heated over a certain temperature (usually 80 degrees Fahrenheit) during processing, thus retaining more nutrients and undergoing less degradation. First cold-pressed, which is of even higher quality than cold-pressed, means that the oil was made with the first pressing of the argon nuts.
5. Above all, do your best to purchase fairly-traded argon oil. Women in Morocco have greatly benefited from the heightened interest in argon oil and are now operating cooperatives in return for fair wages and good working conditions. By actively seeking out fair-trade products, you are supporting their efforts.
6. To preserve as many of the oil's properties as possible (and be more eco-friendly), opt for a dark-colored, UV-protected glass bottle, rather than a plastic container.
7. If you are not buying 100% pure argon oil, research the other ingredients in the finished product. You will want to double check that they are not diminishing the oil's natural properties, such as acetic acid is thought to do.
8. Given its price, make sure that there is a high enough concentration of argon oil in any finished product you buy to make an actual difference in your skin. Since argon oil has become the latest miracle ingredient in the beauty industry, its mere mention has lots of advertising power! A quick and easy way to ensure you are getting good amounts is to read the label. If argon oil is listed as one of the first ingredients, your money will be well-spent. If it appears as the last ingredient, then it's likely that it is being used in small quantities and you may not see the results you are looking for.
9. If you are sensitive to the natural nutty odor of argon oil (which does dissipate upon application), choose a product that has been deodorized.
Although it's preferable to use the oil in its 100% natural state, I understand that some people could be put off by its distinctive smell. To combat this, some companies offer a deodorized version, so bear this in mind if you have a sensitive nose!
10. Finally, if you want to enhance your health and beauty from the inside out, you might like to buy the culinary version of argon oil.
Be sure to choose a smaller size, opaque bottle though as, once open, the oil should be consumed relatively quickly and ideally be refrigerated. (As a side note, culinary argon oil should not be heated. Simply drizzle it over salads, vegetables or fish for a healthy, gourmet taste).
Armed with the above information, you should now be able to source the best argon oil for your needs - and soon be enjoying all its health and beauty benefits.
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