Argan Oil and Henna: Traditional Moroccan Skincare

Argan: an Essaouira endemic

The argan tree (Argania spinosa) grows almost nowhere else on earth than the region between Essaouira and Agadir, in a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Its fruit contains a hard nut, and inside, one to three kernels. Cold-pressing the kernels gives a golden oil; roasting them first gives the nuttier oil used in food.

What argan oil does

• About 80% unsaturated fatty acids plus a high level of vitamin E and plant sterols.
• Restores suppleness to dry or wind-exposed skin — useful after a day on the Atlantic coast.
• Absorbs cleanly, so it works as a night face oil, a body oil after the hammam, and a treatment for brittle hair ends and cuticles.
• Look for “100% argan oil”, cosmetic (cold-pressed) grade, in a dark bottle. It should smell faintly nutty, not rancid.

Henna, beyond the tattoo

Henna is the dried, ground leaf of Lawsonia inermis. Most travellers meet it as body art, but in the hammam it is used as a care mask: mixed with warm water or argan oil into a paste, it is said to purify, soothe and strengthen. On hair it conditions and adds shine and a warm tone. Natural henna is green-brown and smells of hay; a jet-black “henna” that stains in minutes contains chemical dyes — avoid it.

In our ritual

The traditional mask in the YallaHammam hammam step is argan-based henna; the closing massage uses pure argan oil. You can also buy genuine oil from women's cooperatives around Essaouira — ask us for directions.