ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL

Name of the plant

Argan Tree

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Used plant parts

Kernels

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Type of preparation

Fat or essential oil

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

FRAGRANCE FUNCTIONAL

Functional ingredient (excipient) of perfume oils and / or flavours

SKIN CONDITIONING

Maintains the skin in good condition

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Softens and smoothens the skin

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Origin

plant

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Occurrence in cosmetics

Skin and haircare products

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Background information on use in cosmetics

Argan oil (INCI: argania spinosa kernel oil; hydrogenated argania spinosa kernel oil) is a very valuable oil which is obtained from the seeds of the argan tree. The argan nut contains only approximately two to three seeds of the size of a sunflower kernel, so that the production is very expensive. Approximately 30 kg of harvested fruits are needed to obtain one litre of argan oil. The oil is used as foodstuff and remedy and also in cosmetics. Here it is appreciated, more particularly, because of its caring properties in hair and skincare. Argan oil contains many unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid. It helps protect the skin against moisture loss and strengthens skin elasticity. Moreover, the oil is supposed to have anti-inflammatory properties, so that it is also frequently used for flaky, dry skin tending to be irritated. In addition, argan oil has a high concentration of antioxidants such as Vitamin E. In haircare products, the oil prevents hair breakage and secures a nice gloss as well as good combability. Fragrances or mixtures of fragrances are often referred to in the cosmetics area as "perfuming agents" or "perfume oils" or "parfum oils". On the cosmetic products they are declared with the INCI name "PARFUM". These are undiluted individual substances or their mixtures which originate from natural raw materials or can be produced (semi-) synthetically. They are starting materials for the production of perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and other perfumed cosmetic products. The average content of fragrances amounts in perfume to 15-30 %, in eau de parfum to 10-14 %, in eau de toilette to 6-9 %, in eau de cologne to 3-5 % as well as in skin creams, shampoos, hair and deodorant sprays to approximately 0.2-1 % and approximately 1-3 in deodorant sticks. The perfume oils include essential oils, resinoids and absolutes. The sources are, amongst others, flowers, leaves and stems, fruits and fruit peels or roots of plants; woods, grasses or herbs, needles, resins and balsams. Moreover, only compounds isolated from natural products such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols etc. are used (geraniol, citronellal, citral, eugenol, menthol) as well as semi-synthetic (citronellol, geranyl acetate, jonone) and synthetic scents (eg phenylethyl alcohol and linalool) are used. Scents of animal origin such as musk and ambra are only rarely used. Vegetable oils are characterised by a high share of (poly) unsaturated fatty acids, which are characteristic for the liquid consistency. As an admixture many vitamins, carotenoids and free fatty acids are present.

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.