Of the countless natural substances that can nourish and revitalize the skin, argan oil is one standout that has stood the test of time. Now science has combined the healing power of argan with the revitalizing effects of plant stem cell technology. The resultant argan stem cells are a new and improved way to get glowing, beautiful, age-defying skin!

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How Does Argan Oil Help Your Skin?

There are many reasons why argan oil in general can be so nourishing for both skin and hair. First of all, argan oil is rich in vitamin E. It’s this vitamin E content which makes it such a great moisturizer for the face, soaking in and sealing moisture without leaving skin feeling greasy or waxy.

Argan Oil Helps Protect You From Sun Damage

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. It and other antioxidant substances, such as tocopherols, help make argan oil a substance that can protect skin from the most harmful rays of the sun. Moroccans, especially Moroccan women, have been using argan oil for centuries as a protectant against the brutal Saharan sun.  

A 2013 study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine found that argan oil use led to a “dose-dependent decrease in melanin content.” This study found that argan oil protects against free radical damage and may also inhibit protein factors that are key in the growth of melanoma cancer cells.  

Other Skin Benefits of Argan Oil

Argan nuts are also rich in essential fatty acids, which is also good news for your skin. Research has confirmed that consuming healthy amounts of the “good” kinds of fats (or applying them topically) can help to reduce sun sensitivity and inflammatory responses associated with skin conditions such as acne.  

The combined effects of all the skin-healthy substances in argan oil results in skin tissue that is more supple, yet at the same time stronger than ever. This is why argan helps with scarring and can hasten wound healing. 

Showing argan oil about to be applied to the face

A Moroccan study conducted in 2015 on postmenopausal women found that those who used argan oil externally had a significant increase in skin elasticity, compared with those who did not use argan oil.

Other investigations have shown that essential fatty acids can help with psoriasis. Of course, essential fatty acid intake has also been associated with internal health as well. They can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, alleviate pain associated with inflammation, and can help to balance neurological conditions. 

Argan Oil… from Argan Tree Nuts

Argan (Argania spinosa) is a tree native to Morocco that produces a sweet fruit. The fruit is not what argan oil cultivators are after, however. Their prize is the seed or nut found inside of the fruit. 

Argan oil, which is made from this nut, is amazing for more than just the skin and hair. It can also be a pricey addition to gourmet menus since it’s edible and excellent for internal health. In fact, it has been used for millennia for inflammatory conditions.  

The fruit of the argan tree is a real treat for local goats too. Why would we mention this? Read on to find out the surprising role that goats play in argan oil production. 

How Do Tree-Climbing Goats Help Make Argan Oil?

Although argan trees are not particularly large trees, the fruit often grows on high branches – too high for argan oil makers (who are mostly women) to collect easily. This is where the goats come in. Goats are very nimble and able to climb up the trees. They eat the fruit and “expel” the seeds. Then the women come by and simply collect the seeds. 

Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as you may be thinking. According to a study conducted by researcher Ahmed El Aich of the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute in Rabat, Morocco, approximately 60% of all argan oil pressed in that country comes from nuts that are spat out whole (not expelled at the other end, as is popularly believed). In addition, argan nuts are encased in a thick outer shell that keeps goat saliva (or anything else, for that matter) from contaminating them prior to being shelled.  

As an interesting aside, while many people have tried to grow argan trees elsewhere, to this day the only place they grow is the southeastern part of this small, African country.  Since 1998, the argan forests of southwestern Morocco have been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. This is good news since the highest quality oil comes from small-batch producers who have cultivated and processed argan oil the same way for centuries.  

In modern times there have, of course, been questionable processing mechanisms developed by manufacturers wanting to produce large amounts of the pricey oil at the expense of quality. Luckily, most nuts today are still collected and pressed by hand, as they have for thousands of years. 

A Stronger Form of Argan? Argan Plant Stem Cells

In recent years, another form of argan has been discovered that takes the moisturizing, protecting, and nourishing components found in regular argan oil to the next level. This is known as argan sprout cell extract or argan stem cells.  

What makes plant stem cells so beneficial for human health? To understand this, it’s helpful to discuss what a stem cell is first. Regular cells are “programmed” for one particular function, whether that is to create skin tissue or blood plasma.  

Stem cells, however, are essentially “blank slates” and are designed to go wherever they’re needed most. They’re created “unprogrammed” and are sometimes called “source cells.” When they’re needed for new growth somewhere in the body, or in this case, in skin tissue, they simply “become” that type of cell, acting as a replacement for specific tissue cells.  

“Forever Young”: Plant Stem Cells vs. Animal Stem Cells

Both animals and plants create stem cells. There’s one big difference between them, however. The stem cells in animals naturally succumb to the aging process over time just like any other cell. In human skin, for example, this means that skin stem cells will become less effective as a person ages, and thus less able to support collagen production.  

Plant stem cells, on the other hand, are exempt from the aging process. They will consistently contain the ability for self-renewal, even under less than ideal conditions or environmental stress.  

Science is constantly discovering more about how important plant stem cells are for human health. The authors of a German study conducted at Heidelberg University explain:  

“[I]t has gone almost unnoticed that plant stem cells represent the ultimate origin of much of the food we eat, the oxygen we breathe, as well the fuels we burn. Thus, plant stem cells may be ranked among the most important cells for human well-being.”  

Some experts have found that plant stem cells can sometimes contain up to 1,000 times the beneficial effects (such as antioxidants) of regular plant extracts. What’s even more incredible is what plant stem cells may be able to do for human skin cells.  

A report published in the SOFW Journal found that when small amounts of plant stem cells are used (in a skincare formula, for example), they can act like young human skin stem cells and are able to help increase collagen synthesis.

Combining the Benefits of Argan with the Power of Plant Stem Cells for Your Skin

Argan oil has been used for thousands of years amongst people in Morocco for skin protection and revitalization as well as for help with inflammation and for overall health. It has a proven track record throughout history.  

Now research shows that argan stem cells are able to penetrate past the dermis level of the skin to provide protection and support at deeper levels than many other plant-derived stem cell types.  

All this can translate into more photoprotection (protection from sun damage), more moisture retention, and less wrinkling and sagging for your skin. 

FAQs

What are the benefits of argan oil for my skin?

Argan oil is cherished for its rich content of vitamin E, making it an exceptional moisturizer that absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. It’s revered not only for hydrating the skin but also for offering sun protection due to its antioxidant properties, including tocopherols. Studies have highlighted its effectiveness in reducing sun sensitivity, supporting wound healing, improving skin elasticity, and potentially protecting against certain types of skin cancers by inhibiting melanoma cell growth.

How does argan oil production involve goats?

An interesting aspect of argan oil production involves the local goats of Morocco. These nimble creatures climb argan trees to eat the fruit but cannot digest the nuts, which contain the oil. Traditionally, these nuts are then collected, often “spat out” by the goats, and these seeds are what’s used to press and produce argan oil. This traditional method helps gather nuts that are otherwise hard to reach, contributing to the oil’s unique story and sustainability.
A traditionally dressed Moroccan feeds goats on an argan tree

What makes argan plant stem cells different from regular argan oil?

While argan oil itself offers numerous benefits, argan plant stem cells (or argan sprout cell extract) take these advantages to a new level. Stem cells in plants, unlike their animal counterparts, do not succumb to aging and instead maintain their ability for self-renewal throughout their lifetime. This property makes them extremely potent in skincare, offering unparalleled benefits such as increased collagen synthesis, deeper skin penetration for more profound protection, and potent anti-aging effects partly due to their high antioxidant content.

How do argan stem cells enhance skincare products?

Argan stem cells add a powerful boost to skincare formulations by penetrating deeper layers of the skin than many other plant-derived stem cell types. This ensures more effective photoprotection, improved moisture retention, and a noticeable reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. When combined with other key ingredients, like raspberry seed, cranberry seed, and tremella mushroom extract, argan stem cells work synergistically to protect, nourish, fortify, and replenish the skin, making products like AnnieMak Clean Skincare Reverse Anti-Aging Serum profoundly effective.

Why is argan oil considered precious and sometimes expensive?

Argan oil is derived from the nuts of the Argan tree (Argania spinosa), exclusively native to southwestern Morocco. Its production is labor-intensive and often relies on traditional methods, including hand collection and processing of the nuts. The limited geographic location, combined with the intricate production process and the oil’s remarkable health and cosmetic benefits, contribute to its value and sometimes higher price point. Furthermore, the argan forests have been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, emphasizing the importance of sustainable production practices.

Wrapping It Up!

  • Argan oil has been used for centuries to protect skin from sun damage, and scientists are learning more and more about its many other skin benefits. 
  • Argan oil comes from the nut of the Argan Tree, native to southwestern Morocco. 
  • Traditional argan oil is processed by hand, using nuts that have been “spat out” by native goats who climb the tall trees in search of the tasty fruit. 
  • Research into stem cells suggest that plant stem cells offer more potential skincare benefits than their animal equivalents. 
  • Argan plant stem cells offer a far more potent form of Argan oil’s skin benefits… that’s why AnnieMak Clean Skincare Reverse Anti-Aging Serum contains argan stem cells to help replenish your skin.