There are places in the world that take root inside you, places that entwine themselves with memory, fragrance, and feeling. For us, Morocco is one of those places. To love us is, in many ways, to love Morocco. Our love affair began long ago with the stewards of argan and prickly pear, and has continued to deepen with each return.
On our most recent journey, the air itself seemed alive with scent. Orange blossoms drifted from hidden courtyards, their honeyed sweetness weaving through the winding alleys of Marrakesh’s ancient Medina. In the quiet of a riad, the perfume of blossoms mingled with cedar smoke, rose petals, and saffron spice. The city was a tapestry of flowers, fruit, stone, and story.
Beyond the Medina, in the desert of Tiznit, we sat with the women of Al Amal as they gathered argan nuts and sang over them. Their voices carried into the air as golden argan oil flowed from their hands, oil both edible and medicinal, brimming with vitamin E and skin softening squalane. A gift of nourishment for body and skin.
Left to right: Saffron Crocus (Saffron flower,) Saffron threads, Saffron-infused jojoba oil
Inspiration in the garden of Morocco
Wandering Morocco is like stepping into an endless apothecary. Did you know there is a whole city devoted to roses, their petals distilled at dawn? That saffron, with its luminous threads, has been prized not only as the world’s most precious spice but also as a medicine for skin and spirit? These discoveries unfurled for us like a magic carpet, leading deeper into the heart of Morocco’s healing traditions.
Each ingredient tells a story. Each carries the resilience of arid landscapes, the tenderness of blossoms, the strength of resilient trees. Moroccan Moon Elixir is our attempt to bottle that story.
Back in the lab: The alchemy of ingredients
Laid out before us were both beloved and new treasures from Morocco:
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Saffron-infused jojoba (pictured above):
Saffron’s orange-gold threads are rich in crocin, crocetin, and picrocrocin, known to brighten, protect, and encourage collagen production. To capture its oil-soluble magic, we crushed the stigmas with a mortar and pestle and infused them into jojoba for six weeks, shaking the jar daily, coaxing out every drop of radiance. -
Argan & prickly pear oils:
Lightweight yet deeply restorative, these desert-born oils mimic the skin’s own natural function. They hydrate, soften, and lock in moisture, protecting the complexion from the elements. -
Rose-infused jojoba:
Drawn from Morocco’s rose valleys, rose petals hum with moisture-attracting properties. Infused into jojoba oil, they become a soothing humectant. -
Black seed oil:
A new ally for us, long revered as the “herb of blessing.” Rich in tocopherols (Vitamin E), beta-sitosterol (to strengthen barrier function), and thymoquinone (for regeneration), black seed oil fortifies, restores, and protects. Found in Tutankhamun’s tomb and praised by the Prophet Muhammad as able to cure everything but death, its story carries deep roots in both medicine and myth.
To these, we added: Neroli, Atlas Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, and Seabuckthorn Extract.
Left to right: Prickly pear cactus, Black seed plant, Argan tree
Folklore & the moon
We named this creation Moroccan Moon Elixir for two reasons. First, it carries with it the memory of a night on a riad rooftop, when the saffron moon rose over Marrakesh and the city seemed to glow with ancient light. Second, as we began to anoint ourselves with the formula, we discovered its deeply relaxing, mystical quality. It quickly became our evening favorite. A serum to usher the skin, and the spirit, gently into rest.
The ritual
To use, mist your face generously with Neroli HydroSoul, then press several drops of Moroccan Moon Elixir into damp skin. Pause. Inhale deeply. Let the fragrance carry you into the quiet night gardens of Morocco, where moonlight softens the world and every breath feels like a blessing. Inshallah.
