ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL

Until now, fractional CO2 laser has been the gold standard for photodamage skin treatment. Topical therapy modalities can accelerate the wound healing process and influence the treatment results. However, no standardized topical therapy exists for subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedures. This research aims to determine the efficacy and safety of a cream combination of Stimu-tex AS™ (Spent Grain Wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter Extract) and Saccharide Isomerate after fractional CO2 laser treatment. A split-face, double-blinded, and randomized study was conducted in 2021 with 20 subjects, each given two types of creams, A and B, following fractional CO2 laser procedure. Subjects will apply cream A and cream B to each side of the face according to the randomization results. One of the creams was a moisturizing combination cream with a combination of Stimu-tex AS™ (Spent Grain Wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter Extract), and Saccharide Isomerate. Meanwhile, another cream was a placebo. The outcome assessment of this research was carried out subjectively and objectively. The subjective assessment was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). In contrast, the objective assessment evaluated the degree of erythema using the clinical erythema assessment score (CEA), dermoscopic examination, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) examination with TEWAmeter, and skin capacitance (SCap) with corneometer. This assessment was carried out before the laser procedure, 15 min, on the third day, and h the seventh day after the laser procedure. There are 20 subjects recruited into the study, with a split face method, resulting in 40 sample sizes. Significant differences between the experimental and placebo groups were obtained in the assessing of the CEA scale on the third day after the procedure. Meanwhile, on the seventh day after the procedure, significant results were obtained on the TEWL examination with TEWAmeter, SCap with Corneometer, and the degree of erythema using the CEA score. Apart from that, each group had no complaints about adverse events or serious adverse events (SAEs). The combination cream provides good results after the fractional CO2 laser procedure, by reducing the degree of erythema, increasing SCap, and reducing TEWL. Furthermore, this combination cream is safe to use because there were no reports of SAEs.

Intertrigo is an inflammatory skin-fold condition. Candida infections may occur concurrently or afterward. Topical corticosteroids may reduce inflammation but exacerbate Candida infections. The treatment is contentious. To evaluate the efficacies and safety of adsorbent lotion containing tapioca starch, spent grain wax, Butyrospermum parkii extract, argania spinosa kernel oil, aloe barbadensis, rosehip oil, and allantoin for the treatment of mild-to-moderate intertrigo, relative to 1% hydrocortisone cream. This randomized, double-blinded study enrolled 40 intertrigo patients. Twice daily, 20 patients applied adsorbent lotion while the remainder used 1% hydrocortisone cream. Efficacy evaluation, skin biophysical measurements, skin tolerability, safety, and visual analog scale (VAS) patient-satisfaction scores were evaluated at baseline and Week 2. The adsorbent lotion showed higher complete cure rates for color, partial epidermal loss, papules/pustules/vesicles/patches, dryness, and scaling than the corticosteroid without statistical significance. Adsorbent lotion demonstrated significantly higher reduction in pruritus than the corticosteroid treatment. Reduction of erythema level using Mexameter and VAS patient-satisfaction scores were not statistically different between adsorbent lotion and hydrocortisone cream. No adverse effects or superimposed infections were reported. The anti-inflammatory efficacies of adsorbent lotion and low-potency steroid were equivalent. The lotion was safe and produced excellent pruritus reduction. Patient satisfaction was high.

The objective of this work is to determine the chemical stability of cosmetic argan oil (INCI: Argania spinosa kernel oil). The methodology involves the repeated measurement over a 1-year period of the quality metrics used in the cosmetic industry: acid and peroxide value and specific absorbance. During this year, storage is performed at 40° or 25°C to assess the importance of temperature. In this latter case, oil samples have been either protected or exposed to sunlight. In addition, sterol and fatty acid composition is determined to attest argan oil chemical integrity over 1 year. Storage of argan oil at 40°C results in a rapid loss of quality. Stored at 25°C and protected from sunlight, argan oil quality is still satisfactory after 12 months according to the official Moroccan norm, but storage should not be longer than 6 months to fulfill industrial standards.