PLANT OIL
Argan Kernel Oil
A rich oil pressed from the kernel of the Moroccan argan tree, valued for its essential fatty acids and vitamin E, used to help skin feel soft and moisturised.
Source
Argan tree kernels
Used for
Dry-feeling skin, softness
How it works
Argan oil is cold-pressed from the kernels of Argania spinosa, a tree endemic to southern Morocco. It's exceptionally rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids (nearly half its composition is oleic acid, a fatty acid used in skincare to help skin feel soft), alongside natural tocopherols (vitamin E) and phenolic compounds.
Studies on skin have looked at its moisturising effect, in line with its long-standing use as a moisturising and conditioning oil.
Argan oil works well as a finishing step, applied alone or blended into a moisturiser to help skin feel moisturised. Its fatty-acid profile suits skin that feels dry, and it layers comfortably with other actives.
Studies on skin have looked at its moisturising effect, in line with its long-standing use as a moisturising and conditioning oil.
Argan oil works well as a finishing step, applied alone or blended into a moisturiser to help skin feel moisturised. Its fatty-acid profile suits skin that feels dry, and it layers comfortably with other actives.
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01
Rich in oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids
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02
Contains natural tocopherols (vitamin E) and phenolic antioxidants
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03
Helps skin feel soft and moisturised
Questions
What is argan oil?
Argan oil is the oil pressed from the kernels inside the fruit of the argan tree, Argania spinosa. The fruit is peeled to reveal a hard nut, which is cracked open to release the kernels. Argan oil for food is pressed from kernels roasted for a few minutes, while cosmetic argan oil comes from unroasted kernels. (Gharby & Charrouf, 2021)
What is argan oil made of?
Argan oil is mostly unsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic acid, which makes up a little under half, and linoleic acid. It also carries natural tocopherols (vitamin E), with gamma-tocopherol the main form. In skincare it is valued as an emollient and skin-conditioning oil. (Gharby & Charrouf, 2021; European Commission CosIng)
Is there research on argan oil for skin?
Yes. Studies on skin have found that argan oil helped skin hold more moisture and lose less water, and that a gel made with argan oil increased skin hydration. (Boucetta et al., 2014; Tichota et al., 2014)
About the plant
The argan tree is an evergreen, spiny-branched large shrub or small tree. It is endemic to a semi-desert, low-rainfall region of south-western Morocco, bordered by the Sahara to the east and the Atlas Mountains to the north, with its range reaching as far as the Hamada of Tindouf in Algeria. (Missouri Botanical Garden; Gharby & Charrouf, 2021)
Argan is regarded as an important forest species for social and economic reasons, and for its ability to stand against the spread of the desert. Its fruit holds a hard nut, and the kernels inside that nut are the part used for the oil. (Gharby & Charrouf, 2021)
Argan is regarded as an important forest species for social and economic reasons, and for its ability to stand against the spread of the desert. Its fruit holds a hard nut, and the kernels inside that nut are the part used for the oil. (Gharby & Charrouf, 2021)
Good to know
Argan oil is pressed from the kernels inside the argan nut, so if you have a nut allergy, check with your doctor or allergy specialist before using it. As with any new skincare, patch test first if your skin is easily irritated.
The research
- Boucetta K.Q. et al., "Design, characterization, and clinical evaluation of argan oil nanostructured lipid carriers to improve skin hydration," International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014 (opens in a new tab)
- Gharby S, Charrouf Z. Argan oil: chemical composition, extraction process, and quality control. Frontiers in Nutrition, 2021;8:804587 (opens in a new tab)
- Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Derouiche A, Rahali Y, Bensouda Y. Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use. Przeglad Menopauzalny (Menopause Review), 2014;13(5):280-288 (opens in a new tab)
- Tichota DM, Silva AC, Sousa Lobo JM, Amaral MH. Design, characterization, and clinical evaluation of argan oil nanostructured lipid carriers to improve skin hydration. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014;9:3855-3864 (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission CosIng database: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (functions: skin conditioning - emollient, skin conditioning) (opens in a new tab)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder: Argania spinosa (opens in a new tab)
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