title: The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During menopause, the decrease of estrogenic secretion induces the disruption of skin functioning, thus causing the decline in skin elasticity characteristic of skin aging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in postmenopausal women the effect of daily consumption and/or application of argan oil on skin elasticity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty postmenopausal women consumed butter during the stabilization period and were randomly divided into two groups for the intervention period: the treatment group of 30 participants received dietary argan oil, the control group of 30 participants received olive oil, and both groups applied cosmetic argan oil in the left volar forearm during a 60-day period. Assessments of skin elasticity parameters, ie, the three R-parameters (R2 or gross-elasticity of the skin, R5 or net elasticity of the skin, and R7 or biological elasticity), and the resonance running time (RRT) at both volar forearms of the two groups were performed during three visits: before starting oils consumption and application, after 30 days of oils consumption and application, and after 60 days of oils consumption and application.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The consumption of argan oil led to a significant increase of gross-elasticity of the skin (R2) (P<0.001), net elasticity of the skin (R5) (P<0.001), biological elasticity (R7) (P<0.001), and a significant decrease of RRT (P=0.002). The application of argan oil led to a significant increase of gross-elasticity of the skin (R2) (P<0.001), net elasticity of the skin (R5) (P<0.001), biological elasticity (R7) (P=0.001), and a significant decrease of RRT (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that the daily consumption and/or topical application of argan oil have an anti-aging effect on the skin demonstrated by the improvement of skin elasticity, characterized by an increase of R-parameters (R2, R5, and R7) and a decrease of RRT.
authors: Research Team on Formulation and Biopharmacy, Research Center for Drug, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
authors: Kenza Qiraouani
authors: KQ
authors: Boucetta
authors: Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
authors: Zoubida
authors: Z
authors: Charrouf
authors: Mixed Unit of Research in Nutrition, ITU/CNESTEN, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco.
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Aguenaou
authors: Faculty of Sciences, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors: Abdelfattah
authors: A
authors: Derouiche
authors: Research Team on Formulation and Biopharmacy, Research Center for Drug, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
authors: Yahya
authors: Y
authors: Bensouda
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; C555574:argan oil
keywords: argan oil; postmenopausal women; skin elasticity