Argan Extract Composition for Skin Barrier Restoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Athletes and individuals exposed to outdoor UV radiation face skin damage due to photoaging, increased photosensitivity, and skin barrier deterioration, leading to hydration loss and inflammation, for which existing solutions are inadequate.

Innovation Solution

A dermatological composition comprising argan oil, argan leaf extract, and argan stem cells, formulated in ratios that provide synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, is applied topically to treat and prevent skin conditions such as aging, UV-induced damage, acne, and eczema, enhancing skin hydration and barrier restoration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the skin is exposed to UV radiation and environmental factors, then the skin performs its barrier function, but the skin barrier deteriorates leading to increased water loss and reduced hydration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin barrier functionVSAvoidwater loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The composition is applied to the skin before UV exposure to prevent damage proactively. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents are already present on the skin surface to neutralize free radicals and protect barrier lipids before oxidative stress occurs, rather than attempting to repair damage after it happens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The composition converts the harmful effects of UV radiation and environmental stressors into beneficial outcomes by using antioxidants to transform reactive oxygen species into stable molecules, and by stimulating the skin's natural repair mechanisms to strengthen the barrier function in response to controlled oxidative challenge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If antioxidants are used to protect against UV damage, then oxidative stress is reduced, but the complexity of the composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxidative stressVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antioxidants with different mechanisms of action (vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, resveratrol) are combined in a single composition that works synergistically. These antioxidants protect against different types of oxidative damage through complementary mechanisms, providing broad-spectrum protection while maintaining a unified product formulation rather than requiring multiple separate treatments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, moisturizer, and barrier protector. The same formulation addresses oxidative stress, reduces inflammation, prevents water loss, and supports skin repair, eliminating the need for separate products for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If the skin is moisturized to improve hydration, then skin barrier function is enhanced, but transepidermal water loss increases if the barrier is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin hydrationVSAvoidtransepidermal water loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The composition changes the physical and chemical parameters of the skin barrier by increasing lipid content and improving barrier integrity. The emollients and occlusives modify the hydration level and water retention capacity of the stratum corneum, while antioxidants prevent oxidative degradation of barrier lipids, collectively reducing transepidermal water loss and improving overall hydration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition effectively reduces photoaging, improves skin hydration, prevents water loss, and restores the skin barrier, offering potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection against UV-induced stress and skin damage.

Implementation Method 1

UV is the main cause to photoaging of the skin (contributes up to 80% of extrinsic aging) leading to free radicals, oxidative stress, depletion of antioxidants in the superficial epidermal layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntioxidant activity: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

One of the most important roles of the skin is to be an effective barrier between the internal and external environment. The skin serves as a barrier from pathogen, damage and fluid loss. The barrier function of the skin may be deteriorated in the dry environment or following UV radiation. This may lead to an increased water loss (transepidermal water loss, TEWL) that might result in reduced skin hydration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarrier function:

Implementation Method 3

UV could also cause inflammation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-inflammatory effect:

Data Source

PatentUS11304987B2Argan extracts for the treatment of dermatological conditions

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 FRE SKINCARE LTD

AI summary

The application provides compositions, in particular dermatological compositions comprising extracts from argan tree for the treatment and prevention of dermatological conditions. More particularly, a composition comprising argan oil (AO), argan leaf extract (AL) and argan stem cells (ASC) is provided. Further provided is a method for reducing photoaging of the skin of a subject due to exposure to UV radiation which comprises applying the composition of the invention to the subject prior to exposure to UV radiation.