We know all the benefits ofArgan oil. This “liquid gold”, originally from Morocco, is known all over the world for its extraordinary nourishing, antioxidant and anti-aging properties, both for skin and hair. But precisely for its value and growing question, it is increasingly subject to falsifications.
Not everything we find on the shelves or online is truly pure argan oil and learning to recognize the authentic product is essential to avoid waste of money and above all to protect our skin.
This oil can really be a precious ally for our beauty and health but must be chosen with extreme attention. Behind a captivating label or a low price you can hide counterfeit products, ineffective or even potentially harmful. The good news? With a little attention and awareness, it is possible to recognize the original and fully enjoy its extraordinary benefits.
Let’s find out how not to be fooled.
The price speaks clearly
Authentic argan oil is not cheap. The process to extract it is long and tiring: about 30 kilos of fruits are needed to produce only one liter. If you find a 100 ml bottle for a few euros, most likely it is a diluted, refined or, worse, counterfeit mixture. A quality oil costs and must cost: distrust too attractive occasions.
The packaging counts: dark glass, not plastic
Argan oil is sensitive to light and heat, which degrade its properties. This is why high quality producers pack it in dark glass bottles, often amber or cobalt blue, which protect the content. If, on the other hand, the oil is in a transparent or plastic bottle, it is a clear sign that something is wrong: that container does not protect the product and could indicate poor quality or poor attention to conservation.
The smell is a signal
An authentic argan oil has a slightly hazel, warm, but never pungent smell. It is not fragrant or completely odorless: both extremes should make an alarm bell ring. An artificial smell can indicate the presence of added perfumes, while a total absence of smell can be the sign of too refined oil or another oil passed off as argan.
Color
Authentic Argan oil has a color ranging from straw yellow to amber golden, depending on the production process. The cosmetic oil, obtained from unstained seeds, tends to have a clearer and delicate shade, while the food one, produced by toasted seeds, shows a more intense and amber color.
A quality oil should appear clear or slightly veiled. In minimally filtered oils it is possible to find a slight natural sediment on the bottom, which does not compromise the quality of the product but testifies to its artisanal processing.
Signals of poor quality or adulteration are instead:
The texture
When applying it on the skin or hair, authentic argan oil is light, it absorbs quickly and leaves no fat residues. It must not be sticky or excessively watery. If you feel heavy or dense, it is likely that it has been cut with other cheaper oils.
The label
A pure argan oil must contain only one ingredient: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil. Nothing else. If on the label you find perfumes, preservatives, silicones or other vegetable oils, you are buying a mixture that will not make you get the benefits of an authentic oil.
How to avoid rips
Here are some good tips to buy an authentic argan oil:
