Argania Cosmetics Marouane Rouicheq Interview

Argania Cosmetics Marouane Rouicheq Interview

There is one beauty oil that rules them all – Argan Oil. Having made its way into mainstream cosmetics, what many people do not realise is that Argan Oil is only effective when it is 100% pure.

In 2012 Argania Cosmetics was born. Not only have they developed a luxurious and superior range of Argan Oil products, they only use 100% pure Argan Oil - ethically sourced from south western Morocco and certified organic by ECOCERT.

The Argan tree is indigenous to the arid southwest region of Morocco and Berber women (native Moroccans) have used it for centuries by producing the Argan Oil for consumption and traditional Moroccan medicines. The oil has interesting nutritional and cosmetic properties well-known across the globe.

The Argan trees of Morocco play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance and the economic situation of the population and in 1999 The United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) added the Argan tree to the World Heritage List.

'At Argania Cosmetics we purchase our Bio Argan Oil directly from the women's village co-operatives in southern Morocco," says Argania Cosmetics, Owner / Director Marouane Rouicheq. 'These co-operatives aim to improve the social and economic situations of the rural populations, especially for the women and young girls," he says.

So far 2,500 women have followed educational courses in reading, writing and mathematics and now more than ever the women understand their legal rights.

There are hundreds of products in the market today that promise to restore the youth and vitality of your skin. While some of these products do contain beneficial extracts or essences which have anti-aging properties, the majority of these commercial brands often contain harmful or harsh chemicals that only give the feeling of suppleness or elasticity to skin, making it look younger merely on the surface. What's more, commercial anti-aging products often contain toxic substances that choke the skin or cause it to break out.

Since its fairly recent discovery by the West, scientific studies conducted on the oil has shown that it has significant anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties. Argan cosmetic oil possesses these powerful anti-aging properties that have beautified and nurtured the skin and hair of generations of Moroccans since ancient times.

'The difference with Argania is not only do we produce all-natural, chemical-free cosmetics, but we also believe in an absolute fairness in trading," says Marouane. 'When you buy Argania you can ensure that the women who harvest the nuts received a fair price for their product".

Exfoliating Body Scrub
Argania Exfoliating Body Scrub exfoliates and purifies your skin by removing dead cells from the epidermal surface. The extracts of mimosa and camomile combined with the soothing properties of Argan Oil and almond oil complement the softening effect. Your skin becomes smoother, softer and remineralised.
RRP $36.50

Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub
Gently exfoliates dead skin cells from the skin's most delicate areas, leaving the skin looking smooth and radiant. Argania Facial Scrub aims to fight premature aging by using a unique blend of Argan powder and natural active ingredients to specifically target cell turnover, hydration and collagen production.
RRP $32.95

Creme Hydratant, Soothing Night Cream
The organic Argan Oil in Argania Soothing Night Cream is naturally rich in vitamins A and E and antioxidants that nourish and promoted the renewal of youthful and healthy skin. With its unique formula it provides intense moisture helping to restore its natural defence system and consolidates skins barrier function. With Argania Soothing Night Cream, your skin wakes up refreshed with balanced moisture and a renewed glow!

RRP $28.95

Anti Wrinkle Daily Serum
Enriched with Argan Oil and Barbary fig seed oil, Argania Anti Wrinkle Face Serum is specifically formulated to ensure moisture for dry skin by creating an emollient defence that resists daily dehydration and softly nurtures the skin. Organic Argan Oil nourishes, moisturises, softens and also fights against skin aging while improving skin tone and firmness.
RRP $149.95

Eternal Youth Anti Aging Serum
Eternal Youth Serum will rapidly relive dermal dehydration; intrinsically brightening and dermally resculpting even the driest of skin. Age spots and freckles are visibly lightened and skin is resurfaced unveiling a smoother, more uniform appearance. Apply every night to cleansed and dry skin.
RRP $119.95

Douceur - Moisturising Bath and Shower Gel
A gentle wash that leaves the skin feeling luxuriously silky and lightly scented the Argania Douceur is a cleansing shower gel enriched with the goodness of Argan Oil and essential oils to help moisturise your skin and instantly pamper the body. Argan Oil rich in Vitamin E, is moisturising, regenerating, nourishing and high in antioxidants. Highly recommended for dry and devitalised skin.
RRP $24.99

Smooth Relief Sulphate Free Shampoo
For all hair types, this nourishing shampoo enriched with organic Argan Oil and natural extracts helps build, thicken and protect hair from pollution and other airborne toxins. Argan oil anti-inflammatory properties aid those with sensitive scalps for easy stying giving volume and shine without residual build up. Argan Oil rich in Vitamin E, is moisturising, regenerating, nourishing and high in antioxidants. Highly recommended for dry hair.
RRP $25.00

Healing Hair Mask / Intensive Repair Conditioner
Formulated with organic Argan Oil, shea butter and essential oils, Argania Intensive Repair instantly revitalises the hair roots. The hair is left untangled, shiny, stronger and full of life. Argan Oil rich in Vitamin E, is moisturising, regenerating, nourishing and high in antioxidants. Highly recommended for dry hair. Shea butter has remarkable protective properties and helps fight against cellular degeneration.
RRP $35.00
All Argania Cosmetics products are available online through www.arganiacosmetics.com.au
www.facebook.com/ArganiaCosmetics

Interview with Marouane Rouicheq

Question: What inspired the creation of Argania Cosmetics?

Marouane Rouicheq: My family descends from a village called Argana in the Souss Massa national park in Morocco. It's always felt like a mission to reveal and promote the argan oil treasure and to ensure fair trade opportunities for the local argan oil women cooperatives along with providing genuine skincare products to the consumers.


Question: Have you always wanted to have your own cosmetic business?

Marouane Rouicheq: Yes. I've always wanted to have a cosmetic business with real green approach. A brand that provides genuine and environmentally friendly products while respecting fair trade practices.


Question: What research did you do, prior to beginning Argania Cosmetics?

Marouane Rouicheq: I have grown up knowing how good is argan oil for one's overall wellbeing. My major interest when I started my research is to understand how consumers perceive argan oil products? What they know about argan oil and where they get their information from? I've also been interested in knowing more about the brands offering similar products, their background, what they claim they offer and what they actually do.


Question: How important, to you, is the value and quality of ingredients in your products?

Marouane Rouicheq: I believe in beauty, and I believe it is a duty to preserve and embrace it. That is why every step in argania's production is very important, and of course the quality and value of each ingredient we use is on top of the list.

Question: What are the benefits of Argan Oil?

Marouane Rouicheq: Argan Oil has numerous therapeutic, pharmacological and cosmetic properties thanks to its high-unsaturated fatty acid content. This include but not limited to Moisturising, Anti-aging, Anti-acne, Anti-proliferative, Wound healer and Anti-sebum activities. Ant diabetic, antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic properties have also been demonstrated through a number of cohort studies.


Question: How is Argan Oil beneficial to the skin?

Marouane Rouicheq: Argan is the very first active ingredient able to protect and vitalize human dermal precursor cells at the same time. Argan oil have strong anti-oxidative properties used to combat physiological aging, wrinkle and drying of skin by neutralize free radicals and conjunctive tissue leading to a much smoother dermis-hypodermis junction which gives the skin its properties of elasticity and tensile strength.


Question: Why does Argan Oil have to be 100% pure?

Marouane Rouicheq: Argan Oil has a unique chemical constituents and bioactive components. Triglycerides compose not less than 95% in addition to other organic derivatives such as (poly)phenols. This unique formula is the main factor behind its therapeutic and cosmetic benefits for the skin. Knowing that We absorb up to 60% of what we apply to our skin according to clinical studies , it is very important to make sure that the oil we use or related product are made of 100% pure and organic argan oil to get the results we aim for.


Question: Where do you source your Argan Oil from?

Marouane Rouicheq: All our products are made based on pure organic argan oil source directly from active women cooperative within the arganeraie Biosphere reserve in the southwest of Morocco.


Question: Which of the products do you use, on a daily basis?

Marouane Rouicheq: I use Shampoo, Conditioner, shower gel and anti-wrinkle serum on a daily basis. And facial scrub and body scrub 3 times a week.


Question: What's a typical days beauty routine, for you?

Marouane Rouicheq: Shampoo, Conditioner, shower gel and serums are recommended for daily use. Anti-wrinkle daily serum to be used at least 15min before any make up

Anti ageing night serum to be used with moisturiser. Scrubs to be used 2-3 times per week.


Question: What's next for Argania Cosmetics?

Marouane Rouicheq: Introduction of larger range of products not just in the cosmetic category but for the overall health and wellbeing of our customers.


Interview by Brooke Hunter