Description

Argania spinosa kernel oil/hydrogenated argania spinosa kernel oil esters is the product obtained by conventional extraction methods, which can be: solid-liquid extraction with continuous reflux, which is carried out in a Soxhlet extractor, maceration with movement, percolation, re-percolation, diacolation.

Substances contained
Tocopherols, oleic acid, campesterol, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, myristic acid, ferulic acid, triterpenoids, saponins. Of these components, many exert antioxidant activity.

Safety
Ingredient considered safe.

What it is used for and where
Argania spinosa L.Skeels, is a large tree native to south-western Morocco, belonging to the Sapotaceae family and the genus Argania. It is usually about 8 metres high, but can reach, under favourable soil and climate conditions, 20 metres with a trunk diameter of 1 metre. The fruits are oval, the size of a walnut, green or bright yellow and are used to feed cattle, sheep and goats. In 2014, UNESCO declared this tree to be on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Not only the leaves are used for extracts, but also the root, stem, flower and fruit.

Cosmetics
Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment by restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants.

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.
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