Our Argan Stewards
Fatima & Stefan
TIZNIT - MOROCCO | AL-AMAL CO-OP & WORLD ARTISAN

In 2009, we stumbled upon World Artisan Guild led by a single entrepreneur named Stefan. He was working with a collective of twenty-two argan-producing women’s co-operatives. One stood out as superior. That was Al Amal – a self-governing, democratic co-op. The sole producer of our hand-pressed, certified organic, single-origin argan. In 2017 we visited their village. Welcomed with song and dance, the leader Fatima shared their happiness of coming together. She spoke about the power of women supporting women and creating beauty in the world; that though from different places and cultures we are all connected.

Stewards of a protected biosphere

Traditional oil of the indigenous Berber (Amazigh) people. Created from the fruit pits of a twenty million year old species, its history of human use spans millennia.If a plant can dominate a desert landscape, argan dominates the Anti-Atlas. The hills are dotted with the dark green ancient argan trees. They are shrub-like, scraggly and thorny. Hardy and resilient, this tree is strong willed. It refuses to be mono-cropped, and is difficult to grow outside of its native habitat. It’s here that it wants to be.

The Argan “forest” of Morocco is a UNESCO protected biosphere. This means argan trees can’t be cut without permission. Argan forests are critical in retaining the health of the soil, supporting the rhythmic life and fertility of the ecosystem preventing desertification. By planting argan trees with the support of World Artisan, the women of Al Amal steward these forests in this semi-desert region.

Local Impact

Ingredient: Argan Oil

Place: Tiznet, Morocco

Community: Al-Amal Women’s Cooperative 30+ women.

Reforestation: 400+ argan trees planted in a UNESCO protected biosphere.

Yield: It takes a year for an argan tree to produce a litre of oil.

Made with Al Amal argan

Argan & Skin

Vitamin E: High in gamma-tocopherol. Fat-soluble. Smoothes and softens the appearance of the skin.

Phytosterols. Support the skin’s protective barrier and help maintain healthy elasticity.

Squalene: This compound is deeply softening and moisturizing.

Essential Fatty Acids: High in Linoleic (omega 6) and Oleic (omega 9). Hydrates and supports barrier function.

  • Journey to the Al-Amal Co-op

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  • The Al-Amal Co-Op & Argan on the Skin

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