Argan Oil and Other Natural Beauty Products Getting Lots of Attention

Argan oil, the ingredient used in the Moroccan Oil line of hair care products sold at Great Lengths, is making a name for itself in other areas. A recent Montréal Gazette story noted that in addition to shampoos and other hair treatments, argan oil is being used in body lotions, facial exfoliants, and lip glosses. One Canadian company is even planning to incorporate the oil into mascara.


Argan oil is pressed from the kernels of the argan nut, shown here. It has more vitamin E than olive oil and contains lots of Omega 3, 6, and 9. Its unique properties make it a powerful hydrator and anti-aging product.

There are some concerns about the sustainability of harvesting argan oil. Awareness of the care needed to harvest the oil is high, with major cosmetics firm L’Oréal issuing a statement about its responsible sourcing practices and others highlighting their organic, eco-certified argan oil. Co-ops have also been established to ensure responsible harvesting and to give workers a fair wage for extracting the oil from the tree’s seeds.

Argan oil also figured prominently in February’s Vivaness show, Europe’s leading trade fair for natural personal care and wellness. Along with argan oil, some other natural products also made headlines: sage, grape, lavender, juniper berry, cypress, rose, sallow thorn, ginger, lime, donkey’s milk, and seed oils of black cumin, pumpkin, raspberry, red grape and cranberry.

Sounds like some fascinating formulations await us at the cosmetics counter!