Encyclopedia
Oils
42 oil ingredients explained in plain English.
Apricot Kernel Oil Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil A lightweight, fast-absorbing oil from apricot pits. Mild, almost scent-free, well tolerated by sensitive and mature skin. Argan Oil Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil A prized oil from Moroccan argan kernels, high in oleic and linoleic acid with natural tocopherols. Conditioning for skin and hair. Avocado Oil Persea Gratissima Oil A rich, deep-green oil pressed from avocado flesh. High in oleic acid and unsaponifiables; deeply nourishing for dry and mature skin. Babassu Oil Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil Light tropical nut oil similar to coconut. Solid below 24 C, melts on contact, mild lather in soap. Black Cumin Seed Oil Nigella Sativa Seed Oil A potent, dark amber oil rich in thymoquinone — a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial compound used for acne, eczema, and scalp care. Black Seed (Nigella) Oil Nigella Sativa Seed Oil Distinctive, spicy-scented seed oil rich in thymoquinone. Used for inflammation, scalp, and acne-prone skin. Borage Oil Borago Officinalis Seed Oil The highest natural source of GLA in any cosmetic oil. The active repair oil par excellence. Broccoli Seed Oil Brassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil Light, fast-absorbing seed oil rich in natural erucic acid. Adds a silicone-like slip to hair and skin products. Camellia Oil Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil A silky, oleic-rich oil from tea plant seeds. Lightweight and shine-giving; a classic Japanese hair oil with skincare credentials. Castor Oil Ricinus Communis Seed Oil A thick, glossy oil uniquely high in ricinoleic acid. Adds shine, lather, and slip to lip products, hair oils, and soap. Cherry Kernel Oil Prunus Avium Seed Oil Light fruit seed oil with a fast-absorbing finish and a balanced linoleic-oleic profile. Great for face and hair. Coco-Caprylate Coco-Caprylate A silky, dry-touch ester from coconut alcohols and caprylic acid. Light emollient that gives fast-absorbing creams a silicone-like slip. Coconut Oil Cocos Nucifera Oil A lauric-rich, semi-solid fat from coconut flesh. Comes as fragrant virgin or odorless refined (RBD); cleansing and lather-boosting in soap. Coffee Oil Coffea Arabica Seed Oil Pressed from roasted or green coffee beans. Caffeine-rich oil for eye creams, body firmers, and hair growth blends. Cottonseed Oil Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil Inexpensive linoleic-rich seed oil. Light, conditioning, and useful in budget hair and body formulas. Evening Primrose Oil Oenothera Biennis Oil GLA-rich seed oil prized for irritated, mature, and hormone-affected skin. A repair-blend essential. Flaxseed Oil Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil Extremely high in omega-3 (ALA) and powerfully anti-inflammatory — but oxidizes faster than almost any other carrier oil. Fractionated Coconut Oil Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Liquid clear oil split from coconut. Ultra-stable, lightweight, dry-feeling — a formulator's workhorse. Grapeseed Oil Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Light, fast-absorbing seed oil with a high linoleic content. A workhorse for oily and combination skin. Green Tea Seed Oil Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil A lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil cold-pressed from tea plant seeds — absorbs quickly without a heavy residue. Hemp Seed Oil Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil A green, grassy oil pressed from hemp seeds. Exceptionally high in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid; needs cold storage. Isoamyl Laurate Isoamyl Laurate Plant-derived ester with a silicone-like dry finish. A clean swap for cyclomethicone and dimethicone. Isopropyl Myristate Isopropyl Myristate Synthetic ester used for fast skin penetration and dry feel. Workhorse for makeup, sunscreens, and after-shave products. Jojoba Oil Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil A liquid wax ester that mimics human sebum. Lightweight, exceptionally stable, well tolerated by all skin types. Macadamia Nut Oil Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil Rich, oleic-heavy nut oil with a high palmitoleic content. Skin-mimicking and excellent for mature skin. Marula Oil Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil African nut oil with a high oleic profile and natural stability. Lightweight feel, rich emollience. Meadowfoam Seed Oil Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil Unusually stable seed oil from a Pacific Northwest flower. Long-chain fatty acids give it natural silicone-like feel. Olive Oil Olea Europaea Fruit Oil A classic, oleic-rich Mediterranean oil. The default soap-base oil, also useful in rich body lotions and balms. Plum Kernel Oil Prunus Domestica Seed Oil A light, fast-absorbing French beauty oil cold-pressed from plum pits — high in oleic acid with a natural marzipan scent. Pomegranate Seed Oil Punica Granatum Seed Oil Unique seed oil rich in punicic acid. Anti-inflammatory and supportive for mature, irritated skin. Prickly Pear Seed Oil Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil Premium cactus seed oil with an unusually high linoleic content and a fast, dry-feeling finish. Pumpkin Seed Oil Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil Dark green, zinc-rich seed oil with a balanced fatty acid profile. Useful for hair growth and balanced face care. Raspberry Seed Oil Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil Fruity seed oil with high natural vitamin E and a strong linoleic-linolenic profile. A face-care favourite. Rice Bran Oil Oryza Sativa Bran Oil Mild Asian staple oil with natural gamma-oryzanol. Light, balanced, and gentle on sensitive skin. Rosehip Oil Rosa Canina Fruit Oil A delicate, dry-touch oil pressed from rosehip seeds. Exceptionally high in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid; needs cold storage. Sea Buckthorn Oil Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil Vivid orange fruit oil packed with carotenoids and omega-7. A potent skin-repair and barrier oil. Sesame Oil Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil A balanced, mid-weight oil from sesame seeds with natural antioxidants (sesamol, sesamolin). Conditioning and surprisingly shelf-stable. Squalane Squalane A stable, saturated hydrocarbon emollient. Skin-mimicking, exceptionally light and dry-touch; the hydrogenated, shelf-stable form of squalene. Sunflower Oil Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil An affordable, widely available carrier oil. Regular sunflower is high-linoleic and supports the skin barrier; high-oleic variants feel richer. Sweet Almond Oil Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil A gentle, mid-weight carrier oil from sweet almonds. High in oleic and linoleic acid, well tolerated by most skin types. Tamanu Oil Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil A dark green, woodsy-scented oil from tropical tamanu nuts. Strongly regenerative for scars and inflamed skin, with a polarizing smell. Watermelon Seed Oil Citrullus Vulgaris Seed Oil Lightweight West African seed oil with a balanced fatty acid profile. Fast-absorbing and gentle.