✨ The Igbar Cooperative - Exciting Partnerships ✨

When I started creating skincare products and sourcing ingredients, I quickly noticed the care and intention that some very special suppliers apply in uplifting community, preserving traditional practices and providing the best quality natural produce. In my search, it has been enriching to discover so many farmers, businesses and cooperatives across Africa that are doing great work and I'm proud to source Kanobe's organic argan and sweet almond oils from the Igbar Cooperative, a women's coop based in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco.

The Igbar Cooperative produces the most wonderful argan oil (and I've tested many by now!), with a unique nutty and fresh aroma that I love. Their production methods are also a great mix of new and old, with the women continuing to shell the argan nuts by hand, whilst making many great products in their lab (including yummy amlou paste, as seen in the picture). The spirit in which the women prepare the argan nuts is a great reminder of how I would always like to keep making Kanobe products - with joy, relaxed and some nice music! 

The cooperative's argan oil is a key ingredient in Kanobe's body oil blends and really does wonders for both the skin and the hair. Argan oil is uniquely non-greasy, whilst being high in moisturising fatty acids and antioxidants. Their pure, sweet almond oil is incredibly moisturising and has also made it into many Kanobe products! You can find it in Kanobe's cocoa body butter, coffee body scrub and oat and honey soap.

The Igbar Cooperative was created in 2006 to ensure fair compensation for women working in the rural argan industry and it has successfully expanded its production beyond argan oil and deepened its educational initiatives as well. There are currently about 40 members of the cooperative and it is great to do business with such a dedicated group of women!

From certified fair trade shea butter, coconut oil, rosewater and Sidamo coffee, to fairly and sustainably extracted frankincense oil - ethical sourcing is weaved into every aspect of Kanobe and the products ❤️. The Igbar Cooperative is part of a growing number of sustainable producers that I'm really proud to source from and I'll be talking a bit more about them in this blog!

Thanks as always for reading!