Amande en Crème

There are two types of almond tree: bitter and sweet.

The bitter almond tree can be distinguished by its flowers and larger fruit. This highly nutritional fruit gives us the famous sweet almond oil. Used in cosmetics since ancient times, the softening, emollient and even anti-aging properties of this oil are no secret. We also used the sweet almond fruit in our range as an emollient extract and its powder as a gentle exfoliator.

The argan tree, endemic to south Morocco, plays a key ecological role in protecting the area from desertification and soil erosion. It produces an edible oil when its fruit is roasted, or a cosmetic plant oil if it is extracted by first cold pressing. Argan oil benefits from a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) guarantee label which confirms its origin. In order to preserve its main active ingredients and pleasant taste, it must not be exposed to heat.

The economic sector for this oil is set apart by the fact that it involves women, who are often in a precarious situation. They harvest the argan, then produce this oil for small communities.

It is appreciated in cosmetics for its unique components, in particular omega 6 and 9, vitamin E and squalene. Its polyunsaturated fatty acids give it anti-aging and antioxidant properties which Berber women had intuitively known for centuries. Argan oil rebuilds the cutaneous barrier, limits skin water loss and increases collagen synthesis.

We also appreciate the shell of the stone – a residue from the manufacture of the oil – which, when dried and reduced to a powder, becomes an effective natural exfoliator.

Bitter orange, also known as bigarade orange, is the only tree to have leaves, fruit and flowers at the same time. In Morocco, the flowers are hand-picked when they first blossom at the end of April or start of May. All parts of the plant have medicinal properties but numerous cultures use the water extracted from its flowers, called neroli floral water. It is collected when the essential oil is gently extracted by steam distillation.

This highly-perfumed floral water is renowned for promoting sleep (in Europe, a few drops are often put in hot milk in the evening), adding flavor when cooking (you can spot its smell in numerous patisseries) or even preparing the famous Lebanese white coffee (it is diluted in sweetened hot water to make the most of its digestive properties).

It is used in cosmetics due to its numerous qualities. It is soothing, lightening due to a bioflavonoid it contains, antimicrobial and even capable of boosting cellular cohesion.

Discover almond, spiced up by original associations to reveal its most mysterious facets. Always sweet, almost silky, musk just feels clean and forms a harmonious couple with almond, bringing out its woody aspects. Violet is like a gentle, powdery breeze; it is boosted by hawthorn, floral and sensationally sweet. This perfume unveils itself in the hair and is used in some of our hair products.