What Science Is Telling Us About
This Ancient Miracle Oil:
What makes argan oil so effective as a moisturizer… anti-aging solution… hair repair oil… nail strengthener… cuticle softener… stretchmark eliminator… and even acne fighting solution… is its unique makeup.
In its purest form, with no additives or enhancers added, Mother Nature’s miracle oil ALREADY includes a potent series of tocopherols, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, squalene, polyphenols, sterols, and triterpene alcohols – all of which play a critical role in keeping you looking fresh, radiant, and youthful.
And we know this because over the last 15 years, the medical community has invested considerable time studying the outstanding cancer-fighting and cardiovascular health benefits of argan oil. And their findings grabbed the attention of the dermaceutical and cosmetics industries, who then began running extensive studies of their own…
… Proving in labs what Moroccans have known for over 3,500 years: Argan oil has outstanding moisturizing, healing, and anti-aging properties!
When analyzed in pharmaceutical laboratories, argan oil has been shown to include:
Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Argan oil contains 200% more tocopherols (Vitamin E) than olive oil, acting as an important antioxidant and free-radical scavenger. It protects the fibroblast of the skin (the cells that make collagen, elastin, and the glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix). It also improves your skin’s water-binding ability, increases the natural moisture content of the skin, boosts the effectiveness of your sunscreen, prevents and treats scars, plus heals damaged skin.
Argan oil offers 771 mg of tocopherols per kg of oil. That’s more than DOUBLE the 320 mg/kg found in olive oil! (Source: Eur. J. Lipid Sci. Technol. 2011; 113: 403-408) And while doctors recommend you look for skin care products that include a minimum of 0.5% tocopherols, argan oil typically offers 5-9% tocopherols!
Tocopherols also help the skin to absorb other compounds and studies show it’s well-absorbed by human skin.
It’s also worth mentioning that pure argan oil is reported to contain 300% more tocopherols than skincare products that include argan oil in a series of ingredients due to the poor solubility of tocopherols in solvents. Which means you’re better off spending your money on pure argan oil, as the purity preserves the integrity of the Vitamin E!
Essential Fatty Acids
Argan oil includes high levels of fatty acids, primarily oleic (Omega 9) and linoleic (Omega 6) acids, which are both easily absorbed by the skin. Fatty acids are essential to the health of your cellular membranes – keeping the skin elastic and firm, and improving moisture retention. They are also critical in the formation of prostaglandin, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and healing agent.
A Breakdown Of The Fatty Acids In Argan Oil
- Oleic Acid 43-49.1%
- Linoleic Acid 29.3-36%
- Stearic Acid 4.3-7.2%
- Palmitic Acid 11.5-15%
Source: Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology 2010; 62: 1669-1975
Natural Antioxidants
Argan oil is high in natural antioxidants that, when applied externally, help to protect your skin from environmental factors like chemicals, pollution, and sun damage – preventing free radical damage, assisting in skin repair and rejuvenation, and giving your skin that hard-to-achieve "glow."
Not only does it include exceptionally high levels of tocopherols, but it also includes traces of copper, which not only acts as an antioxidant, but also supports collagen production for more youthful looking skin.
Squalene
Squalene is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon liquid that is naturally produced by your skin. It functions very much like Vitamin E, acting as an important antioxidant, protecting against free radical damage while preventing the breakdown of your skin's natural collagen and elastin, which is what keeps your skin looking firm and youthful.
Squalene contains lipoproteins that help to prevent the formation of harmful peroxides that can destroy important vitamins in your skin. Plus, squalene has many wound healing and antibacterial properties that make it an excellent choice for those suffering with eczema and psoriasis.
It's deeply moisturizing and acts as an emollient, helping to prevent water loss from the skin. It is also quickly absorbed without making your skin feel greasy.
Polyphenols
Argan oil contains high levels of polyphenols, which fight sun damage and photoaging with UV protection. They also help promote skin repair with anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, and free-radical fighting properties.
In particular, argan oil contains high levels of Ferulic Acid, which is prized because it actually increases in potency as an antioxidant when exposed to sunlight, making it particularly effective in helping to prevent photoaging. Other phenols in argan oil include vanillic acid, syringic acid, tyrosol, catechol, resorcinol,(-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin.
Sterols
Sterols help prevent skin aging by promoting moisture retention as well as optimizing the function of the skin barrier. Sterols are important for healthy skin because they mimic the effects of cholesterol on the skin, and cholesterol is an important part of the skin's epidermal layer and contributes to overall skin health.
Sterols have been shown to help prevent wrinkles and increase skin elasticity.
Plus argan oil contains the very rare D-7 stigmasterol, which is highly regarded for treating skin diseases and healing wounds and compromised skin tissue.
Triterpene Alcohols
Argan oil also contains a series of triterpene alcohols, which are noted for their potent anti-inflammatory action. Initially studies reported this action occurring upon ingestion, but more recent studies are now showing that they act as an anti-inflammatory when applied topically as well. This may well be another reason why argan oil is known to be so effective for healing a variety of skin conditions including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
More Scientific Journal Articles & Studies Featuring Argan Oil:
Over the last 15-20 years, argan oil has received a lot of attention from the medical community, as well as the dermaceutical and cosmetic industries, with hundreds of studies completed and published.
Here are a few notable ones from the last few years that may interest you:
Therapeutic potential of argan oil: a review
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology 2010; 62: 1669-1675
Argan oil and other argan products: Use in dermocosmetology
European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology 2011; 113: 403-408
Ethnoeconomical, Ethnomedical, and Phytochemical Study of Argania spinosa (L.): A Review
ELSEVIER – Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1998; November: 1-9
Consumption of argan oil (Morocco) with its unique profile of fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene, sterols and phenolic compounds should confer valuable cancer chemopreventive effects.
European Journal of Cancer Prevention 2003 Feb;12(1):67-75.
Argan oil: Which benefits on cardiovascular diseases?
Pharmacological Research; Volume 54, Issue 1, July 2006, Pages 1-5
