First Part

The current success of organic cosmetics has developed in the last few
years. The choice of products is wider, ranges have grown and are
available in almost all retail stores.Customers have confirmed their
interest in organic cosmetics. After being considered regressive, in the
same way as organic farming, the image of organic cosmetics has
completely changed and they are now seen as an innovative business. No
one can deny the ever growing demand for organic cosmetics.This is no
longer a pioneering market sector. We are now looking to the future and
the market is booming.

Production of Argan in morocco oil as an example

In recent decades, argan oil has become one of the most expensive
cosmetic oils on world markets.
The production of the oil is a very laborious, manual process performed
by the Berber women. First, they separate the hard shell nut from the
fleshy fruit, and then they crack the shell using a stone to collect the
kernels, which have an oil content of more than 50%.
The kernels raw to produce cosmetic oil are ground into a brown paste
from which the oil is mechanically extracted by cold and dry pressing, with
no added solvents or water.
To ensure top quality, Argan oil is freshly pressed to order. This means
that, depending on the volume ordered, the minimum production time is
up to one week or more. As the 100% pure organic oil contains no
preservatives, under ideal storage conditions the guaranteed lifetime is 24
months for the cosmetic oil

The different methods of pressing Argan oil

Traditional (manual) extraction of Argan oil
Using the traditional stone hand mill Berber women grind Argan kernels
into a brown paste, which requires several days of hand kneading to
extract the oil. The paste must be mixed with water to bring the oil to the
surface so it can be collected.
Hand pressed Argan oil should not be used for cosmetic purposes for the
following reasons:

Hand extraction of Argan oil takes place under rather poor hygienic

conditions
This method of extraction requires water addition, which creates a

breeding ground for bacteria making the oil prone to mold and
oxidation
Hand pressing does not allow for extracting the maximum yield. It is
simply not as efficient as machines. This is a considerable waste
given the scarcity of Argan fruit and the hard work required to obtain
the precious Argan kernels.

Semi-mechanical extraction of Argan oil

Argan kernels are ground with electric machines made of stainless

steel.

Semi-mechanical extraction does not require water addition, yields

5-10% more than manual extraction, and the quality of the oil
remains intact since no chemicals are used.

However, some producers operate with old, over-used, or poor

quality machines that tend to overheat, exposing the oil to high
temperatures during pressing. As a result valuable nutrients are lost
and the structure of fatty acids is altered making the oil less
efficient.

Because we strive to offer our customers the best, our supplier has
been hand-picked because he operates in a modern hygienic facility
and with reliable systems that carefully monitor the machines while
pressing to make sure their temperatures never exceed room
temperature.

Leftovers from Argan kernels pressed by machine are fed to

livestock or used in the production of cosmetic products

Chemical extraction of Argan oil

As its name implies, chemical extraction of Argan oil involves the use of
solvents and food additives to compensate for the loss of valuable
nutrients and prevent the risk of oxidation.
Argan oil extracted with this method is not natural.

Other interesting and amazing facts about Argan oil production!

One single Argan tree yields 30 kg of Argan fruits or just 1 liter of

Argan oil
It takes 15-20 hours to produce 1 liter of Argan oil
4 million liters of Argan oil vs. 1.8 billion liters of olive oil are
produced per year
Second Part

Some key themes are emerging that give us a clue as to why the demand
for "natural" products is set to grow.
Consumers: are becoming better-informed, more well-travelled and
information hungry. The aging "western" population has more time and
resources to spend on itself on average. There is also a growth in
segments such as ethnic cultures and "active greys".
Safety and health: close on the heels of developments in the food industry,
safety and health issues are going to be key in the cosmetics industry as
increasingly astute and health-conscious consumers grow more aware of
the implications of what they apply on their skin. Scares around potentially
carcinogenic ingredients and pore-clogging ingredients have not reached
the proportion of scares in the food industry but are an underlying factor
driving consumers to demand a more natural approach.
Issues: environmental, ethical, pollution, waste, recycling all remain
important issues that can still differentiate products when effectively
addressed.
"No logo": the anti-capitalist, no logo movement has increasing relevance
in a post-September 11th world, and manifests itself through packaging.
Minimalist and basic packaging.
Science and genetics: advances in human genome technology generates
both fear and possibility in the minds of consumers, and again presents
both risks and opportunities for business.