Palm kernel oil is an oil derived from the African palm Elaeis guineensis and widely used in cosmetics for neonatal skin care.

It is a good emollient with a beneficial moisturizing effect on the skin.

The various oils extracted from the palm fruit have long been used in food, medicine and industry, for example in the production of soaps. Palm kernel or Palm kernel oil is an edible vegetable oil, derived from the kernel of the African palm tree Elaeis guineensis. This tree is believed to have originated in the jungle of East African forests and there is some evidence that its oils were used in Egypt some 5000 years ago at the time of the pharaohs (1).

African palm oil produces two different types of oil, namely palm oil and palm kernel oil. The palm oil is extracted from the mesocarp of the fruit, that is the pulp, which contains 45% -55% of oil, while the palm kernel oil is obtained from the stones enclosed in the endocarp, that is the woody part.

Palm kernel oil has a high content of saturated fatty acids of about 80% which include: Lauric acid (48.7%), Myristic acid (15.6%), Palmitic acid (7.5%), Acid stearic (1.8%) and other saturated fats.
In the remaining 20% ​​we find monounsaturated Oleic Acid and polyunsaturated Linoleic Acid (2).

References____________________________________

(1) Pantzaris TP, Mohd JA. Properties and utilization of palm
kernel oil. Palm Oil Dev 2001
(2) Chiabi A, Kenmogne MH, Nguefack S, Obadeyi B, Mah E, Meka FZ, Tchokoteu PF, Mbonda E, Ekoe T.
The Empiric Use of Palm Kernel Oil in Neonatal Skin Care:
Justifiable or Not?
Chin J Integr Med. 2011 Dec;17(12):950-4. doi: 10.1007/s11655-011-0938-1.