Moroccan roots…
When looking for luscious ingredients for skincare, Morocco is a the top of the list. In fact, Argan trees only grow in one small geographic region of the world - - in MOROCOO.
This trio makes an easy 3- step routine for folks who want to keep it super simple
Moroccan Black Soap: Savon Beldi*
Made with olive oil and mashed olives, it’s surprisingly gentle. The pH is 9 which works to your advantage because it cleanses AND works as a gentle exfoliant. Small changes in pH trigger cellular change-over, this means functional skincare can penetrate deeper into the skin. Made by Alchemy.
2. Neroli Water
Use on its own or with the Prickly Pear Serum. Neroli Water helps to improve elasticity and reduce irritation from dehydrated skin. I bring this directly from my Marrakshi apothecary. The very aroma of the orange blossoms permeate various quarters of the old city as the distillers work their alchemical magic.
3. Prickly Pear Serum
Argan oil and prickly pear seed oils are the plant-equivalent of ceramides which are better at preventing moisture-loss than hyaluronic acid. This is an oil-based serum that nourishes and protects your skins barrier function. Formulated, poured and packaged by Alchemy.
*Beldi means ‘authentic’, from the country; various arts, crafts and products are described as ‘beldi’.
The roots of beauty practices are a source of inspiration: Like how our ancestors didn’t know what an alpha (or beta) hydroxy acid is - - but they knew how to find them in the kitchen (buttermilk, vinegar, yogurt).
MOROCCAN TRAVELS
In February 2024 I’ll be headed back to Morocco for my fourth trip. As a student of henna and as a formulator of skincare, I am drawn to Morocco.
You’ll find a lot of ingredients in my formulas from Morocco:
The rose absolute in the Patchouly Rose Oil is from Morocco… the blue tansy in Blue Jay and the Bergamot Tansy Oil, also from Morocco; argan oil, prickly pear seed oil, and of course the neroli water.
**there are other regions that are trying to diversify the range for argan oil
Neroli Water (Orange Blossoms)
In the spring time you can smell the distilleries in this quarter of the Medina. It’s a treat to walk through the gardens, with the aroma of the orange trees in bloom. Oranges are one of the rare trees that actually bloom and fruit at the same time… You can walk the ruins of El Badi palace and see the orchards in the sunken gardens with storks nesting overhead…
The hydrosol is from the apothecary in Rabha Kedima, The Spice Market.