Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the macadamia tree (Macadamia ternifolia), which belongs to the Proteaceae family. This oil is known for its excellent emollient and moisturizing properties and is widely used in cosmetics and personal care products to improve skin softness and elasticity.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Key Components:
Fatty Acids: Macadamia seed oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, including palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, which are essential for maintaining the skin’s lipid barrier and improving elasticity.
Vitamins: Contains vitamins such as vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties, and vitamin B, which supports skin health.
Structure: Macadamia ternifolia seed oil is a light, non-greasy oil that absorbs easily into the skin without leaving a sticky residue.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Clear or slightly golden liquid.
Odor: Mild and nutty, with a hint of hazelnut.
Texture: Light and non-greasy, ideal for use in various cosmetic formulations.

Production Process:

Extraction: The oil is extracted from macadamia seeds through cold pressing or other mechanical extraction methods. This process preserves the oil’s nutritional properties.
Purification: After extraction, the oil is purified to remove impurities and enhance its stability and shelf life.
Formulation: Macadamia seed oil is then incorporated into cosmetic products such as creams, lotions, and skin and hair oils.

Applications:

Moisturization: Excellent for moisturizing and nourishing the skin due to its high content of essential fatty acids that help maintain hydration balance.
Emollient: Improves skin softness and smoothness, reducing dryness and roughness.
Antioxidant: The presence of vitamin E helps combat free radicals, contributing to a reduction in signs of aging.

Safety and Considerations:

Safety: Generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products. It is well-tolerated by most skin types, but individuals with nut allergies should exercise caution.
Environmental Impact: The production of macadamia oil has a relatively low environmental impact if managed sustainably, with the option to source from certified organic and sustainable sources.

INCI:


Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.
Synonyms:

CAS: 128497-20-1 129811-19-4