Argan Oil

This is a summary of research papers and studies
from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)

ABOUT ARGAN OIL

Argan Oil is often referred to as ‘liquid gold’ and justly so. Imagine a product of fruits that are so nutritious that goats climb trees just to feed on them. The precious oil extracted from the fruits of the native Moroccan plant, the Argan tree, is very rich in important nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, Omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid and anti-oxidants. These properties make the oil appropriate for skin and hair care. As such, it is a very popular ingredient in many anti-aging, skin and hair care products.

Properties

Argan oil is rich in bioactive compounds that contribute to its high value in skincare. Its effectiveness is rooted in its rich concentration of:

Polyphenol-rich fractions: These provide significant antioxidant support and are often combined with other botanical extracts like saw palmetto and sesame seeds to enhance efficacy.
Essential Fatty Acids: It contains a high percentage of fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic, alpha-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids. These lipids are essential for maintaining the integrity of the skin's lipid barrier and preventing transepidermal water loss.
Phytosterols: Specifically beta-sitosterol, which is noted for its ability to modulate skin functions.
Vitamin E: High levels of Vitamin E provide powerful antioxidant protection against environmental stressors and support skin repair.

Skin oil regulation

One of the most significant functions of argan oil is managing excessively oily skin and acne-prone conditions. Argan oil contains botanical compounds that act as natural inhibitors of the enzyme dihydrotestosterone, which triggers the sebaceous glands to overproduce oil. This function was confirmed in a clinical study.

Benefits for the Skin

Significant Reduction in Oiliness After four weeks of twice-daily application of a cream containing argan oil, clinical assessments showed a 33% reduction in mean oiliness scores as assessed by physicians. More importantly, instrumental measurements confirmed:

A 20% decrease in casual sebum levels on the forehead and cheeks.
A 42% reduction in the percentage area covered by oily spots. The number of active sebaceous glands remained unaltered, indicating that argan oil does not "shut down" the glands but rather regulates the amount of sebum produced and released.

Anti-Aging Benefits

Argan oil offers significant anti-aging benefits primarily by improving skin elasticity, enhancing hydration, and providing robust antioxidant protection against oxidative stress. Its efficacy is driven by a high concentration of essential fatty acids, tocopherols (Vitamin E), and specialized plant compounds.

Improvement of Skin Elasticity and Wrinkles

Argan oil is scientifically recognized for its ability to restore skin suppleness and reduce the visible signs of aging:

Clinical Evidence in Mature Skin: A randomized controlled trial involving postmenopausal women demonstrated that both topical and oral argan oil significantly improved gross, net, and biological skin elasticity.
Wrinkle Reduction: By restoring the skin's flexibility and firmness, argan oil helps decrease the appearance of wrinkles, which are often triggered by the age-related loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Regenerative Action: It stimulates intracellular oxygenation and promotes the regeneration of skin cells, helping mature skin appear younger and stronger.

Hydration and Barrier Repair

Aging skin often suffers from dryness and a compromised barrier, which argan oil helps to rectify:

Restoring the Hydrolipid Layer: Argan oil is composed of 80% fatty acids, including omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-9 (oleic acid), which are essential for reconstituting the skin's protective hydrolipid film.
Preventing Water Loss: By reinforcing the skin barrier, it helps control transepidermal water loss (TEWL), ensuring optimal hydration even in very dry or damaged skin.
Nutrient Delivery: It increases the nutrient content of skin cells and can facilitate the transdermal delivery of other active ingredients.

Antioxidant and Protective Properties

The oil acts as a powerful "anti-free radical" agent to prevent premature aging caused by environmental factors:

Neutralizing Free Radicals: Its high Vitamin E (tocopherol) content—specifically gamma and delta-tocopherols—neutralizes free radicals before they can cause oxidative stress and attack cell membranes.
DNA Protection: It helps prevent the destruction of cellular DNA by reinforcing cell membranes and restraining the chain reactions that lead to free radical formation.
Environmental Shield: Argan oil protects the skin against external aggressions such as sunlight and extreme cold.

Key Anti-Aging Components

The biological efficacy of argan oil is attributed to several specific nutrients:

Essential Fatty Acids: These polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) are necessary for maintaining skin elasticity and an effective barrier function.
Tocopherols (Vitamin E): Natural antioxidants that slow the skin aging process and help preserve the oil's stability.
Squalene: A component of human skin lipids that helps eliminate toxins and neutralize free radicals.
Phytosterols and Ferulic Acid: These compounds improve blood circulation to increase nutrient delivery and help protect connective tissues

Care for Specific Skin Conditions

The sources indicate that argan oil is a versatile ingredient suitable for a range of skin concerns:

Acne Management: Due to its anti-seborrheic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, it is effective in the prevention and daily care for problem oily skin.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: It helps reduce the greasiness associated with this condition and can improve the appearance of the scalp and facial skin.
Postmenopausal Skin Care: The lipid-replenishing properties of argan oil are vital for aging skin that naturally loses its moisture-retaining capabilities.

Conclusion

Argan oil stands out as a "confirming scientific contribution" to the field of cosmetic science. Its properties as a rich source of fatty acids and tocopherols allow it to function as both a potent oil regulator and a deep moisturizer. It provides a biological solution to the aesthetic problem of oily skin, while its benefits ensure that the skin remains elastic, hydrated, and resilient against aging.