When I booked my trip to Morocco, I immediately began doing research to book excursions. One of the places that was at the top of my list to visit was Essaouira. Why was it Essaouira? Because that’s where the magic grows. If you don’t know what magic I’m talking about, it’s the Argan tree where we get the infamous argan oil or as some may call it, Moroccan oil.
7 Benefits of Argan Oil or Moroccan Oil:
- Skin moisturizer- great for hydrating and softening skin
- Hair conditioner- softer and silkier hair
- Anti-aging properties- to slow down the process of visible aging lines
- Acne Treatment- helps treat and prevent acne
- Treatment for feet, hands, and nails- softens and conditions feet, hands, and cuticles.
- Prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
- Lip moisturizer- great to prevent chapped lips
You can find argan oil pretty much anywhere in Morocco, but I wanted to visit one of the women’s cooperative to learn about the different types of oils. On our way to the coast of Essaouira, and after we stopped to see the goats in the tree we made our way to Assaisse Ouzeka (Argane Tichka) women’s cooperative.
Before we get to Assaisse Ouzeka I have to tell you about the goats in the argan trees. I’ve heard about these particular goats and I’ve seen pictures online, but it was a site to see in person. People kept asking me why the goats were in the tree and it is to eat the argan fruit. When goats eat the argan fruit and passes through them, people would collect the feces of the poop to get the argan fruit seed to make argan oil.
Yes you read that correctly….people would take goat poop to get the seed to make argan oil. Although that is not as common of a practice today, at Assaisse Ouzeka, I learned more about argan oil, its uses and how it is made.
Upon entering we saw three women hard at work. It was like an assembly line for creating the different argan products. Here are the steps:
1. Remove the seed from the ripe fruit
2. Break seed to get the kernel. The kernel is then roasted and then cooled.
3. Grind the cooled kernel using a hand mill.
4. The product from the hand mill creates a paste and the oil is extracted from the paste.
This is the same process for the cosmetic oil, but skip the roasting step. The roasting helps bring out the nutty flavor in the argan cooking oil.
We all know that argan oil and products with argan oil is extremely expensive. I must say after seeing how hard those women work it is worth every penny. This oil is not manufactured in some large factory. You only see a group of women working with their bare hands to help produce a product that we love.
At the cooperative we got test all types of argan products. We had argan oil honey, argan nut butter, and pure argan oil with bread. We also tested cosmetic products like face creams, scented argan oil, and argan masks. They guides were extremely helpful (of course they wanted us to buy things) and knowledgeable about the production and benefits of the products.
There was a plethora of products and options. I purchased cosmetic argan oil, lavender scent cosmetic argan oil, night cream with argan oil for wrinkles (you have to prevent them before they show up), and an argan oil clay mask.
Visiting Assaisse Ouzeka was definitely one of the highlights from my trip. If you are ever in Morocco, visit Essaouira and Assaisse Ouzeka. You won’t be disappointed.
New York City makeup artist, beauty and mom blogger . I immensely enjoy helping myself and others feel beautiful inside and out, which is why I started this blog and my YouTube channel. If you have a beauty or makeup related question, contact me. Your question could be featured on the site! I also accept guest post submissions, check the guidelines.
***Brands and PR firms sometime provide press samples of products for review consideration. These brands are not guaranteed a review on Makeup by Kim Porter Blog, nor do we accept payment of any kind for our reviews. For more on our disclosure policies, please see my terms . 33 Comments on How I Learned How to Make Argan Oil at Assaisse Ouzeka Women’s Cooperative in Essaouira
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OMG this is so cool! I knew it was an intensive process.
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Hi Phyrra,
It was definitely a cool experience and a lot of work!
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Wow, what a story!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw those goats in the trees. How do they stay up there without breaking the tree limbs? That is so amazing. I'm glad you didn't have to make argan oil from goats' poop. But yes, those women work very hard. Although I imagine the argan oil I have is probably made in a factory, I will remember your trip to this amazing cooperative in Morocco!
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I'm still trying to figure out how they stayed up there. It was insane. The argan tree must be extremely strong to hold up all of those goats. This was definitely a trip to remember.
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What a fantastic experience. I had no idea that extracting argan oil is such an intensely laborious process. This article gives me an even deeper appreciation for the golden stuff I love so much.
Hi Erika,
That's exactly how I felt when I was there! It was definitely informative.
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Wow Kim! What an experience!!! This was very informative because I had no idea that they used to use poop to make it or the process that they use to make it now. It does look like a lot of work and I am an argan oil lover. Nice pic and great choice of an excursion to take!!!
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Hi Kim,
I was just as shocked to learn about this as well. It was definitely a lot of work at each stage. It was a great experience.
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So interesting–there are so many steps and such hard work that goes into processing the argan oil! I will think of this post every time I use argan oil now.
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What an amazing process! Reminds me of the civet coffee process!
This sounds like an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would want to buy one of everything!
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It was a great experience!
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That is such a wonderful experienced. I love when you can find out and learn all about a favorite product from start to finish. I think it's great to know how your favorites are conceived.
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Yes it was a wonderful experience.
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Very interesting! Now I want to go see it for myself 🙂
Morocco is an amazing place!
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One of my favorite oils 😀
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omg this is SO COOL! What a crazy process!
It was a crazy process! I'm glad I got to experience it.
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Experiencing Morocco is fantastic. It's a country with so much rich history and culture. It's great that you were able to spend some time with the locals and learn an authentic craft. I've seen Argon Oil mentioned a lot on beauty boards but I didn't try it yet.
Reginia Cordell
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It's an amazing product for all things beauty.
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Sounds like a fun and interesting trip you took. So Argan oil and Moroccan oil are the same thing? I never knew that.
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This sounds like an experience of a life time. I would have laughed so hard at the goats in the trees. That will always be funny.
I had no idea about the process, I will appreciate my oils a little better.
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OMG this is so cool! I want to go to Morocco sometime next year. Will definitely be looking out for this.
your right it is worth every penny. It makes me want to only purchase from distributors who gives fair wages to these women. This is truely inspiring to read about.
I love argan oil and all the benefits it has to offer. Good stuff!!!
That's a dope experience! I understand why pure Argan oil cost those coins now. I would've never thought goats can climbing trees but I guess if you hungry you figure it out.
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Now this is what traveling is about. How beautiful it was for you to learn how to make super organic Argaan Oil thats amazing!
So cool! I love using Arian oil in my hair. Never tried on my skin yet.
That process makes you appreciate being able to support the company and the hard work they do to provide!
Oh my goodness! That is an amazing experience! I now have a better understanding of the price I'm paying for Argan oil. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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I know a number of people who have seen the goats in the trees lately. Super funny. But learning to make argan oil… worth its weight in gold.
WOW! What a great experience! I love ARGAN oil Thanks for sharing!