Argan oil is pressed from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), a species found almost exclusively in southwestern Morocco, where it grows in a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve. Sometimes called "liquid gold" for its colour and value, argan oil has a long history of use in Moroccan culinary and cosmetic traditions, and it remains one of the most geographically distinctive oils used in skincare today. We use it in our Lemongrass Citronella Exploring Soap.
What makes it distinctive
Argan oil's fatty acid profile is dominated by oleic and linoleic acids in nearly equal measure, alongside a meaningful concentration of natural Vitamin E and antioxidant compounds unique to the species. This combination gives it a richer, slightly heavier feel than many other carrier oils, with a steady absorption rate rather than the fast, light finish of an oil like jojoba.
The scarcity of the argan tree, combined with the traditional, often cooperative-based labour involved in kernel extraction, has made argan oil one of the more expensive carrier oils on the market. We use it deliberately rather than as a default, in formulas where its particular richness earns its place.
Cosmetic grade, refined
We use a refined, cosmetic-grade argan oil, cold-pressed from the kernel and then processed to remove the stronger nutty scent and golden-brown colour associated with unrefined or food-grade argan oil. This gives us a lighter golden colour and a much fainter scent, which keeps it compatible with the citrus and herbal notes of an essential oil blend without competing for attention.
Refining also improves consistency from batch to batch, which matters in soap-making where small variations in oil colour or scent can shift the character of the finished bar in ways that are hard to predict.
Why it's in our Soap
The Lemongrass Citronella Exploring Soap is part of a series where we test and introduce new formulations, and argan oil was a deliberate choice for this batch. At a modest percentage of the total formula, it contributes a richer, more conditioning quality to the lather than the base oils alone would provide, rounding out a bar built primarily around bright, citrus-forward essential oils.
In our products
Argan oil currently appears in our Lemongrass Citronella Exploring Soap. As we continue developing new formulas, it's an oil we may return to where a richer, more luxurious character is the right fit for the rest of the ingredient list.
