Origins and method of extraction
Made from poppy flower petals and very red pomegranate peel, the recipe for Aker el Fassi is ancestral and well-kept. Indeed, the Aker has emerged from the beauty rituals and refinement of beautiful Berber women, since the dawn of time. Its first uses as a vegetabe dye go back even to ancient China.
Red poppy flower petals and pomegranate peels are dried naturally in the shade in a ventilated and sunny place and not too long in order to prevent the petals from darkening and therefore losing their natural coloring pigments. They are then pounded by hand to reduce them into small, naturally shiny, very fine flakes. Note that the poppy is a wild flower that grows on untreated wheat fields. Today with the advent of fertilizers we find them less and less.
Properties
Red poppy flower petals contain flavonoids, which give them antioxidant properties and prevent the breakdown of elastin and hyaluronic acid naturally present in the skin. They are rich in active ingredients, in particular in mucilages and anthocyanins which give the Aker moisturizing, softening and anti-wrinkle properties. The tannins it contains have an astringent effect and are also antioxidants. It also contains alkaloids, especially rhœadine, which has calming and soothing properties.
Benefits
A true treasure of nature, this powder used without any additions, allows you to make natural and vegan cosmetics, coloring, lipsticks, eyeshadows and cheeks:
- For the lips
In lipsticks or lip balms, it protects the lips from drying out, for 100% natural, understated and long-lasting make-up. Applied with a wet finger directly in the powder, it envelops the lips in a matte shimmering brick red, like bitten lips, which lasts for a long time without staining.
- For the face
Added to rose hydrosol, it restores radiance to the face and revives dull and tired complexions. Mixed with ghassoul and rose water as a mask, it treats oily skin and improves the radiance of the complexion. And of course, applied directly to wet cheeks, or mixed with your usual day cream, it gives a healthy glow, light, and natural. It would serve as a good base for your creams and soaps.
- For the body
Added in very small amounts to a body cream, Aker Fassi gives a natural tanned effect. And added to black soap (beldi), it helps to erase the skin of impurities and give freshness.
- For the hair
It can be incorporated into your shampoos and conditioners, for a reviving and nutritious care. Or used in hair care, mixed with henna, as Berber women do, it accentuates red highlights and softens the hair.
- For coloring
It can even be used as a natural coloring agent for all your cosmetic preparations: soaps, face and body cream, milk. It even allows you to obtain other colors; red being a primary color.
