Argan oil is derived from the Argan nut that is endemic to Southwestern Morocco. Used by women of the Berber tribe, Argan oil has a multitude of uses for the hair and skin: moisturizer, toner, age-defier, bath and facial oil, hair treatment, skin softener, treatment for skin disease, leave-on hair conditioner, and make-up enhancer among others. It takes hours of manual labor (or days when done by a lone worker) to eke out a liter of Argan oil. The effort, the scarcity, and the usefulness of Argan oil has earned it the moniker "Liquid Gold".
Unboxing
The Oil of Argan came in an unpretentious package: a black cardboard box decorated in a Moroccan theme. The oil itself is encased in a thick frosted glass container. Around 90% of the bottle is swathed by the black label. I wondered about this at first but as I researched more, I got why the manufacturers did it that way.
Simple packaging
The oil is contained within a chic sea-glass container.
The oil is dispensed through a pump. You only need a drop or two at a time, so be wary of the pressure you exert when pressing it.
A paper insert goes with the product, detailing its benefits, how to use it, and the myriad ways of how it can be incorporated in your beauty routine.
Note: Don't throw away the black box. You need it to store the bottle in to prevent the oil from breaking down.
My Impression
To start off, I don't have really bad skin. I have a breakouts every now and then. My skin, however, is oily, especially in the T-zone. And since having my second child, my skin has been evidence of sleepless nights, stress, and the haggard-ness typical of new mothers. Just a few weeks ago (before I started using Oil of Argan), I was inspecting my face and was grieving for its loss of luster and tone.
I first tested the product at the back of my hand, to see how fast it is absorbed onto the skin. To my surprise, it took less than 5 seconds for the Argan oil to disappear into my skin. I waited a few hours before applying it on my face to see if I had any allergic or adverse reactions to it. I had none.
I pumped two drops onto my fingers and applied it in small circles on my face. The first thing I noticed is that it did not have any strong artificial odours. Rather, the smell is reminiscent of nuts. The second thing is that it is viscous. It delivered just as the label says: 100% Moroccan Argan Oil. After putting it on, the oil was readily absorbed into my skin, without leaving any greasy residue.
As a night serum, I apply it after I wash my face and before I go to bed. I wake up with moisturized skin, I actually see the sheen when I look in the mirror first thing in the morning.
As a day serum, I put it on before I pat on pressed powder onto my skin. To avoid shine, let the oil sit on your face for a few seconds so that it can get thoroughly absorbed. One time, when I was in a hurry, I applied it too soon. I was left with a slightly oily feeling on my eyelids (my skin normally gets oily there). Though it was neither obvious nor unsightly, I just didn't like to feeling.
Since using Oil of Argan, my makeup routine was streamlined to less than five minutes: 60 seconds to apply the oil, 5-10 seconds to absorb, and the rest for applying pressed powder, eyebrow pencil, lipstick, cream blush, and eyeshadow (optional). I now see no need for concealer, foundation, BB cream, toner, astringent, etc.
Before: Oily with dry patches and uneven skin tone
Now: Glowing, taut, and with better tone
The photo above was taken after I attended an Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support course, where we had to do CPR, run through a simulated emergency situation, and sweat out a pen-and-paper test. Later, I walked under the heat of the afternoon sun to ride the public jeepney. I was pleasantly surprised that after all that activity, my skin looked this great. It was dewy, not oily. No wonder my co-commuters kept on giving me sidelong glances.
These past few days, I see people giving me a double take. Friends and acquaintances remark on how great my skin looks and feels. I have noticed that my skin is now taut, whereas before I was dismayed to find early signs of wrinkles. Gone are the days when I have to worry about oily skin. In the 13 days since I started using it, I haven't had a breakout yet. My pores feel unclogged and liberated.
I now have the confidence to wear minimal to no makeup. And it is liberating to face the world without having to pile on my war paint.
Cost-effective
As this blog post says, there is no such thing as cheap Argan oil. At P600 per 30 mL (SRP), you're basically buying just the 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil. Costs for packaging is quite minimal considering that it doesn't come in fancy containers and boxes. You don't pay for the name of the brand, nor any additional chemicals and artificial ingredients. You may wonder why it only comes in 30 mL bottles. If you only need at least 4 drops a day, 30 mL will last you quite a few weeks already.
Oil of Argan is the cheapest 100% pure Moroccan Argan oil in the market. It is undiluted with other oils and perfumes.
What Other People Say
My 54-year old mother bought a bottle for herself. After a week of using it, she said that her scars have faded. Mind you, those scars are not very deep, so don't expect miracles. They are just your usual facial scars from pimples, scratches, nicks, and the like. It's not like she's hacked in the face or something. Suffice it to say, her skin looks plumped up and rejuvenated.
Another satisfied customer updated me. "I love how Oil of Argan just lightens the dark spots caused by pimples. My face is smoother too. I love it." She went on to say that compared to other products she used, Oil of Argan lightens dark spots faster, and she now has less breakouts.
Final Verdict
As a beauty product, Oil of Argan is a multi-tasking gem. In the 2 weeks that I have started using it, my skin has improved visibly. I use it as a day and night serum, moisturizer, and make-up base. I am yet to test it on my hair and nails, and as a makeup enhancer.
Oil of Argan is an organic solution to your beauty needs. If you have sensitive skin, you have a good bet that this product will work on you. One of my friends, who has extremely sensitive skin, is an avid user. She reports that she has had no adverse reactions to the product. For those who want to see obvious results, Oil of Argan delivers on its promise.
Interested? Text me for orders at 09062066904.
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