Why Argan is fantastic for wrinkled and acne prone skin.

About Our Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa) 

Argan is a perfect night cream.
It balances sebum and
naturally exfoliates skin
which you sleep.
Buy Pure Cert. Org Argan here. 

It is a yellowish liquid with medium viscosity. It does not have a distinctive odour, so won’t clash with perfume or fragrance.

From: Morocco (only natively grown in Morocco)

Method of distillation: Cold-pressed

Certification: Australian Certified Organic (ACO)

Quality: First Distillation / Therapeutic Grade (highest possible quality)

100% Pure, Unadulterated, Undiluted Carrier Oil

Chemical, Pesticide, Paraben Free

Buy Australian Certified Organic Argan Oil Here.

Use Coupon Code : Q244087E6 and get 20% off your Argan Oil and Free Delivery Within Singapore. S$10 delivery to India and Australia.

What is Argan Oil?

It is the essence of the argan tree. Only the oil from the nuts are used. Each batch of nuts is manually ground and pressed by hand.

Absolutely no heat is used to extract the oils. It takes about 12 man hours to produce just 1 litre of our premium argan oil. That’s how precious our argan oil is. 

Argan oil extracted from roasted nutsis used as salad dressing in the middleeast. Unroasted argan oil, which is cold-pressed is the right kind for skin care. Buy great quality argan for skin here.

Why Our Oils Are Offered Only In Small Volume Sizes?

15ml - You only need very small quantities of our oils for it to be effective. This size should last you 2 months.

Other oils may appear to be cheaper, but you need to use more of it and they are riddled with chemicals and pesticides. Completely unsafe for topical application. In the natural skin care industry, you really do get what you pay for.

Main Active Ingredients in Argan Oil

Oleic acid (43-50%), linoleic acid (29.3-37%), palmitric acid (10-15%), strearic acid (4.3-7.2%) and others.

What Do They Do?

The body cannot make any of the unsaturated essential fatty acids (UEFA) listed above. Yet they are vital to healthy skin.

High in anti-oxidants, vital for cell reproduction and health.

What Does That Mean For Your Skin?

Regulates sebum - this is why is it great for both oily and dry skin and combats acne.

Argan is high in UEFA, it is instrumental in cell nutrition, health, reproduction and elimination of waste. This means that skin will be bright, fresh, plump and heal quickly without scaring.

How Is It Currently Being Used In The Skin Care Industry?

• It is popularly used in hair care products.
• However, The Little Essentials’ Argan Oil is pure, organic and therapeutic grade. Perfect for skin! It cannot be stressed just how nourishing argan oil is to the skin. We call it SKIN SUPERFOOD!
• Great for wrinkles, dry skin/hair, eczema, oily or dry skin and brittle nails.
• Argan can be used by anyone (except those with nut allergies), on any part of the body and even on sensitive skin. It is the perfect serum for sexy, youthful, pump skin.
• Our argan is pure, unadulterated, Australian Certified Organic and cold-pressed. It is the best possible quality you can find on the market.
• How To Use On Your Face
• Direct application highly recommended.
• Ditch your face cream altogether and replace it with argan. Just a little will do. Simply fantastic!

How To Use On Your Body

Ditch your body moisturiser for argan. It doesn’t leave an oily residue but leaves a silky sheen on the skin. If this is too pricy an option, try applying it to extra-dry areas like your knees, elbows, feet and hands. 

How To Use On Hair

Direct application :

i) Use as a hair mask or leave-in conditioner. 3-4 pumps for a hair mask and rinse. Or just 1 pump as a leave-in conditioner.

ii) Rub 0.5 pumps in the palm of your hands and gentle fluff through your hair. Then pat down the ends. It will tame fly-away hairs and add a natural sheen.

To Condition :

We don’t recommend using argan in shampoo as argan does its best work on the hair itself. Not recommended for people with flat oily hair.

Other Uses Of Argan Oil.

Hot bath - Add 4 pumps to a bath. It will leave a natural glow to your skin.

Eczema - It is not known why eczema occurs. However, argan can treat the symptoms. Gently rub into infected areas. Even if your skin has cracked and is weeping, argan can still be applied. It contains no chemicals or steriods. It is safe to use on children with eczema.

Warning - Argan is a nut oil. It is not suitable for people with nut allergies.

After using our premium quality argan oil, you may be tempted to never use moisturiser or conditioner again - Try it today! 

The Science Behind Argan’s Efficacy

According to the Argan Oil Society (www.arganoilsociety.org), Argan oil is able to treat hair, skin, nails, stretch marks and various dermatological conditions due to the presence of essential unsaturated fatty acids like sterols, polyphenols, ferulic acid, linoleic acid and Vitamin E. 

Essential unsaturated fatty acids are important to the human body as they are vital for repairing cell membranes. However, they cannot be synthesised by the body, so they have to be ingested or topically applied. The extra benefit here is that while 80% of Argan oil is made up of unsaturated fatty acids, these fatty acids are extremely high in anti-oxidant properties.

Essential unsaturated fatty acids are also instrumental in obtaining optimum nutrition for cells as well as in excreting harmful waste materials. They also regulate sebum and assist in the formation of prostaglandins. These essential fatty acids are vital for the regulation and maintenance of healthy skin and prevention of premature aging.

Argan's Fatty Acid Profile

Palmitic Acid : 10-15%   Strearic Acid : 4.3-7.2%   Oleic Acid : 43-50%   Linoleic Acid : 29.3-37%

Enter here to discover the function these fatty acids have on your skin. Once you discover just how effective they are, you'll never use synthetic creams again.

* Each batch of the oils we get will be different from the next, so the percentage mix of each compound will be different. The reason being is that this is a completely natural product, with no added ingredients, synthetic or otherwise. The chemical make up of the tree will vary according to soil, rainfall and other weather related conditions. Whatever is distilled from the plant, flower or nut is, refined if necessary, then bottled. Indicated above is the average range in which the active ingredients of our essential oil falls into.) 

 

** If you would like an exact breakdown of the compounds found in the particular bottle you purchased from us. Feel free to email us at enquiries@thelittleessentials.com with your name, the name of the oil, the batch number and the order number you got when you purchased from us. We will be delighted to email the information to you.

Buy Australian Certified Organic Argan Oil Here.

Use Coupon Code : Q244087E6 and get 20% off your Argan Oil and Free Delivery Within Singapore. S$10 delivery to India and Australia.

How Essential Oils Are Extracted From Flowers, Bark & Leaves.

ALL OUR ESSENTIAL OILS ARE EITHER
 COLD-PRESSED OR STEAM-DISTILLED TO
MAINTAIN THERAPEUTIC GRADE AND
ORGANIC STATUS

I'm fascinated by how amazing it is that a flower, stem or leaves of a plant can be reduced to it pure essence (essential oils) and enjoyed as a raw concentrate. The time, effort and sheer amount of plant material required to do this has led me to compile some of the more time-tested methods of essential oil extraction methods. This may lead you to understand that essential oil quality DOES matter. 

Cold-Pressed

Cold-pressed oils are oils made by first grinding nuts, seeds, fruits or vegetables (depending on the oil being made) into a paste. Then an oil stone or other tool is used to press the paste which forces the oil to separate out.

Effleurage

Effleurage is an archaic method of extracting essential oils. It is rarely used nowadays because it’s a costly and time-consuming method of extraction. It involves placing the flower petals onto a layer of glass that is has been layered with fat called “chassis”. The oil from the petals diffuses into the fat. The fat is then collected and the oil is extracted from the fat using alcohol. Once the alcohol evaporates what is left behind is pure essence.

Expression

When oils are taken from the rind of fruits they are called “expressed oils”. This method is cold and does not involve any solvents or heat. Most of the citrus oils are extracted in this manner including mandarin, lime, orange and lemon essential oils.

Since citrus fruits are constantly sprayed with pesticides and cold methods do not adulterate the essence, pesticides can be present in high quantities in the oils. For this reason, our mandarin oil is organic, pesticide and chemical free.

Steam Distilling

Steam distillation has been used for hundreds of years and today remains one of the most common methods of extracting essential oils.

There are three different steam processes but in all of the methods, steam is used to rupture the oil membranes in the plant and release the essential oil. The steam lifts the essential oil into a condenser and as it re-liquefies the lighter essential oil floats to the top. The water is more commonly known as floral water and the oil is known as essential oil.

The distilling equipment including the distillation temperature and pressure will all have an impact on the quality of the oil. Essential oil distillers must have the knowledge and expertise to know how to produce therapeutic grade essential oils

Solvent Extraction

Solvent extraction is a method dominated by the perfume industry. Technically it does not produce therapeutic grade oils because chemicals such as hexane, acetone, di-methylene-chloride and others are used in the process. Plant material is immersed into the solvents to become a thick substance called ‘concrete’.

The oil particles are released when the ‘concrete’ is mixed with alcohol. When the alcohol and the ‘concrete’ are separated the chemicals still remain in the oil. These are perfume or aromatherapy grade oils. As they have chemicals in the oils, they are unsafe for direct application onto skin or hair.

Solvent extraction is faster and cheaper because the oil is cut with solvents and can increase production volume significantly. This grade of oil is often used in bath oils and gels, candles, shampoos, toothpaste, fly spray, and air fresheners.

Perfume or aromatherapy grade oils make up 98% of the oils sold in health food stores, retail outlets and aromatherapy suppliers. What you get at The Little Essentials is even rarer than the remaining 2% because, our products are also certified organic. You get nothing but premium,therapeutic grade oils here.

Percolation and Fractional Distillation

Fractional distillation separates the volatile oil in different portions at various boiling points. This method is used in oil refineries for distillation of petroleum products and is not suited for therapeutic grade essential oils.

Percolation is one of the newer methods of extraction essential oils. It is similar to normal distillation but the equipment is literally upside down! It has been used successfully in France; however sometimes an emulsion is produced that can’t be separated out, so until it can be further developed you will not see it in large scales.

Super Critical Fluid Extraction or Carbon Dioxide Extraction

Super critical fluid extraction or carbon dioxide extraction is also a fairly new solvent extraction process that uses carbon dioxide at very high pressures. The carbon dioxide is injected into the tank where the plant material is contained and acts as a solvent to extract the oil.

Carbon dioxide is colourless and odourless and can be completely removed. However, there is no research at this point to verify if there are any toxic effects of using this procedure. Additionally, the distilling equipment is extremely expensive. Until more is known about this process, it is advised using steam distilled and expressed oils is still safer.

Phytonic Process

The phytonic process is a one of the newest methods of extracting essential oils using non-CFCs (non-chlorofluorocarbons). It is also called florasol extraction and the oils are referred to as phytols. The oils are very natural. However, it does use fluoro-hydrocarbons which can be harmful to the environment!

My Armpits Are Flaky ... Help!

Keeping with the incidental theme of underarms, I've recently noticed that my underarms are feeling very dry. I have been using Rexona's roll-on which is very high in ammonia to help keep my perspiration at bay, and it works. Never going to give that one up! (This product incidentally is not sold in Singapore, which is where I'm living ATM, so I buy it from Australia when I go back.) The unintended consequence is that is has dried out the skin under my arms and if I'm wearing tight clothing around there, it hurts my skin.

I first tired applying Rosehip oil there, but I didn't see any results. In fact, I actually started to get mood swings - I'm positive it wasn't my imagination. After all, the armpits have immediate access to your bloodstream when anything is applied there and Rosehip has very strong hormonal balancing properties.

I've since moved on to 100% Pure Argan Oil and ... success. My skin has repaired itself! 

I still use my Rexona super antiperspirant during the day, so I rub just a little under my pits before I go to bed at night. 

Any of you facing the same issue and got a better solution? Would love to discover new products or ideas.

For More Info On What Argan Can Do For Your Skin, CLICK HERE!

The Science Behind Why Essential Oils Work Made Simple.

LISTEN UP! We are about to make something that others say is complicated very simple. 

What makes essential oils different from other oils are their terpenes. A terpene is the primary organic compound found in essential oils. Each essential oil has different terpene constituents making them unique in their healing properties. These make our essential oils unique and gives them their healing properties.

Terpenes are very small. This means they can penetrate into the dermal layers of skin where larger molecules (found in normal moisturisers) cannot. There are three types of terpenes found in essential oils. Most Essential Unsaturated Fatty Acids (EUFA) fall under one of the 3 terpene types.  

As mentioned in the previous post essential unsaturated fatty acids (EUFA) is the magic behind carrier oils . Below is a list of some of the more common EUFA, a.k.a Vitamen F, which are found in our carrier oils.

Prostaglandins

Prostaglandins formed from fatty acids under enzyme action within the cell, are important in catalyzing numerous processes. They are anti-inflammatory and have a bearing on overall cell development and growth.

Palmitric Acid

This does not fall in any of the categories above because it is a saturated fat. It is often found in nut oils like Argan and Sweet Almond Oil. You've heard of retinol-A? You know its great for the skin, but did you know that its molecules are open too big to penetrate past the dermal layers of the skin. Palmitric acid, once absorbed through the skin and into your blood steam gets converted into retinol-A. Palmitric acid also improved Vitamin A deficiencies.

Vitamin E

Importance of this fat soluble vitamin can’t be over emphasized. It destroys free radicals and is an antioxidant. It also protects Vitamin A levels and other essential fatty acids in the body. It is anti-inflammatory and gives strength to capillary walls. It prevents the evaporation of moisture from the epidermis of the skin. It acts as a barrier against aging of cells and promotes the nourishment of cells. Vitamin E is seen to be very helpful against scarring from wounds and stretch marks.

Polyphenols

Polyphenols or phenolic compounds, are natural components of most of plants which essential oils are extracted from. These compounds have the reputation of being anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-aging, anti-allergic and antioxidant.

Stearic Acid

Ever wondered why you have cleaning oils? How you can add oils to your face and yet cleanse it? This is beacuse of stearic acid. It reduces water tension making it possible for oil and water to combine. Working in conjunction with other fatty acids, it can lift impurities off your skin.

Ferulic Acid

Ferulic acid is the most abundant phenolic compound present in Argan oil. Its antioxidant potency increases on exposure to ultra violet radiations, thus it is a very potent barrier against the damaging effects of ultra violet radiation. It is an important ingredient in anti-aging mixtures.

Our Argan is Australian
 Certified Organic
and ships worldwide
 for free.
Visit www.thelittleessentials.com

Carotenoids

Natural fat soluble carotenoids protect the skin from ultra violet radiation and free radical reactivity. They maintain healthy skin and are an effective barrier against arthritis.

Sterols

Chemical structure of plant sterols and human sterols is strikingly similar. Therefore sterols present in essential oils work in great harmony with human skin. They perform a multitude of functions like keeping structural integrity of cell membrane, reducing inflammation, improving skin metabolism process and moisture retention. Sterols are primary component of the outermost layer of human skin and functions like an optimal barrier. Sterols are very easily absorbable and penetrable

Oleic Acid (omega-9)

This comes under the monoterpene family and is a very healthy monounsaturated fat. It is a super-hydrator as this it penetartes very easily into the dermal layers of the skin trapping moisture. And once its in the blood steam, it acts as an anti-oxidant, destroying free radicals. The fewer free-radicals you have on yor skin, the slower you age.

Linalool 

Linalool is a monoterpinoid and a naturally occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in many flowers and spice plants. Vitamen E and linanyl acetate are by products of linalool. It is cytotoxic. WARNING : Linalool gradually breaks down when in contact with oxygen, forming an oxidized by-product that may cause allergic reactions such as eczema in susceptible individuals. Between 5–7% of patients undergoing patch testing in Sweden were found to be allergic to the oxidized form of linalool. Ways to minimize exposure include not buying large bottles of perfumed hygiene products, and replacing the lid after each use.

Linoleic Acid

Sebum itself does not protect skin. It is the linoleic acid found in sebum that actually guards and defends the skin against bacteria. People who suffer from acne usually have sebum low in linoleic content.

A Bit More Info About the 3 TERPENES - The primary organic compound of essential oils

Phenylpropanoids

Create conditions unfriendly to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Most importantly, they clean the receptor sites on our cells so that our cells can communicate (our hormonal system depends entirely upon clear communication throughout the body). Oregano oil contains 60% phenylpropanoids.

Monoterpenes

Monoterpenes can reprogram miswritten information in your DNA. For you with cancer, this is how the disease starts. One cell with damaged DNA produces another and onward. However, it is the group known as the sesquiterpenes that really give cancer a boot to the groin.

Sesquiterpenes

These molecules deliver oxygen to your tissues. Cancer, viruses, and bacteria have a hard time existing in an oxygenated environment. Whereas monoterpenes reprogrammed the misinformation in your DNA, sesquiterpenes erase the misinformation.

Visit Our Certified Organic Essential Oil Range Here

The Great Oil Debate : Do Skincare Products That Contain Oil Cause Acne? By Dianne Little

Logic dictates that if your face is oily avoid putting oils on it. Makes sense, but not true. Well, not entirely.

Let me introduce you to the word comedogenic – it means “a substance that tends to produce acne, such as by clogging pores”, according to Advanced English Dictionary.

There are 3 kinds of oils that can be applied to skin. They are mineral oils, carrier oils and essential oils. As its name suggests, mineral oils are by-products of minerals like coal and petroleum. The common baby oil is a mineral oil. It is comedogenic and absolutely must not be applied to the face, especially if it is acne prone. Carrier oils are made from the fatty part of plants, like its nuts or kernels. They are rich in unsaturated essentially fatty acids, many of which the skin desperately needs to stay healthy but is unable to be synthesize by the body. Finally essential oils are made from the non-fatty part of plants, such as flowers, barks, roots and leaves. They are not true oils because they do not contain fatty acids but are termed oils because they look like oils. Essentially, they are plant essences.

Cocoa butter (theobroma oil), coconut oil and wheat germ oil are carrier oils that are highly comedogenic. On the other hand, argan oil and pomegranate oil are carrier oils that are non-comedogenic. They rebalance oily skin and tame acne fare ups. Essentials oils generally do not clog pores but are unsuitable for direct skin application. They are extremely potent compounds that may result in skin sensitivities. They have to be diluted in water or carrier oils to be safety used. So, diluting it incorrectly could make your mixture comedogenic.

So, the trouble lies with mineral oils (baby oil) and carrier oils. Mineral oils are used in cheap massage blends. They can be safely used on the body but if you are prone to in-grown hairs, body pimples and rash you should avoid it like the plague. Frankly, in my book it should not even be used on babies.

Carrier oils on the other hand are less straightforward. Some of them are so good, you should not leave home without smothering it all over your hair, body, face, feet and nails. I’m referring to argan and pomegranate oils here. Others are good for certain parts of your body and have very specific skin repair functions. Here I’m talking about rosehip oil. It is slightly comedogenic on the face but is a must have when repairing scars, stretch marks and sun/age spots on the body. No other oil or compound has scar-repairing qualities like rosehip has.

Then you have carrier oils that generally should not be used on skin. Olive and coconut oil while great for protecting hair and giving it shine are too heavy for skin. They do not absorb well into the skin, leaving a thick oily residue. Rosehip, for example, while mildly comedogenic is a dry oil. It absorbs quickly into the skin. Argan on the other hand does not absorb into the skin as fast as rosehip but is not comedogenic at all. So, it is not necessarily the thickness of the oil that causes acne breakouts necessarily but the oils essential compounds.

So, in the case of using oils on skin, not knowing will hurt you. However, knowing the right pieces of information will leave skin so marvellously radiant, you will never understand why you every used any big-brand name cosmetic concoction in the first place.

Argan nuts used for oil
are  green and unroasted.
These are roasted nut.
The oil will be used for cooking. 

Let me safely promote argan and pomegranate oils for magnificent skin radiance. If you have a nut allergy opt for pomegranate. However, pomegranate has a mild citrus scent and may clash with perfume. That’s why I personally prefer argan oil. It is odourless and leaves skin sexy smooth.

I simply cannot stop raving about the great results argan has given my skin. Word of warning! Argan is a pricey rare oil. If you are buying something that is too cheap, it’s probably been diluted or adulterated. Furthermore, argan oil designed for hair is unsuitable for skin. They have added other ingredients to make it more affordable. Please shop for Argan oil that only has one ingredient in it – ARGAN OIL – you will not be disappointed!

Buy Premium Australian Certified Organic ARGAN oil here

Essential Oil Fabulosity : Did you know …?

•                        Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, swore by frankincense and jasmine oil to keep her looking young and radiant.
• 
  
•             It can take up to 6 dozen flowers to make just one drop of premium essential oil.
• 
  
•             The right essential oil (e.g tea tree oil and argan oil) on your face will actually prevent and clear acne.
• 
  
•                  Essential oils are skin serums. They penetrate into layers of the skin moisturisers cannot.
• 
  
•             Vanilla is not only the second most expensive crop in the world to harvest, its oil smells great and has extremely potent anti-oxidant qualities when applied to skin.

                     Learn More About How To Use Essential Oils For Skin Here