Camelina oil or linseed oil: which one to choose?

Biochemical Composition: The oils of camelina and flax show great similarities in their biochemical composition. Indeed, they are both significant sources ofacid α-linolenic (flax with 52 to 60% of total fatty acids; camelina with 35 to 40% of total fatty acids).

They also contain tocopherols (flax with 40 to 50 mg/100g of oil; camelina with 56 to 99 mg/100g of oil), phytosterols (flax with 630 mg/100g of oil; camelina with 331 to 442 mg/100g of oil), and carotenoid pigments (flax with 1 to 3 mg/100g of oil; camelina with 10 to 20 mg/100g of oil).

Benefits: These oils are renowned for their multiple benefits. Anna K. SHOVELLER demonstrated in a study that after 16 days of oral supplementation with camelina oil and flaxseed oil (8.2 g/100 g of total food intake) in 30 dogs, the softness of the skin and the shine of the coat increased equally compared to the initial situation for both treatments.

As a dietary supplement or topical application, these oils allow for skin hydration, improved wound healing and prevent skin ageing due to their richness in omega-3 fatty acids, which form a lipid barrier, and antioxidants (vitamin E) that trap free radicals through electron transfer.

Method of Obtaining: Linseed and camelina oils are both typically obtained through cold pressing extraction, which involves pressing the seeds at a temperature below 40°C to extract the oil. This process does not use any chemical agents, respects the environment and the oil retains important bioactive compounds .

Oxidative Stability: These oils are not the most stable when faced with oxidative degradation. Indeed, they are concentrated in omega-3 fatty acids, but their chemical structure, rich in double bonds and their bis-allylic hydrogen atoms, make them susceptible to oxidative degradation, characterised by the production of free radicals.

However, camelina oil is somewhat more stable towards oxidation than linseed oil, particularly because it contains fewer polyunsaturated fatty acids and more antioxidants, such as tocopherols, which trap free radicals and prevent their formation.

Phytoestrogen content: Phytoestrogens are present in large quantities in flaxseed oil in the form of lignan, but not in camelina oil. However, these plant compounds can have a activity oestrogenic or anti-oestrogenic by binding to the receptors of oestradiols, which could potentially disrupt the endocrine system.

A study published in 1993 demonstrated that the consumption of flax seeds by 18 women with a normal menstrual cycle resulted in a longer luteal phase, as well as a higher progesterone/oestradiol ratio during this phase.

However, the concentrations alone have not changed, which is surprising given the previous result. Therefore, we cannot assert that linseed oil is an endocrine disruptor due to the lack of scientific evidence on this matter.

Price: Camelina oil is somewhat less known and less sold than linseed oil, making it a more expensive product. Expect to pay around 23 euros per litre for camelina oil, compared to 17 euros per litre for linseed oil.

Contraindications: Thecamelina oil does not pose a major risk in its use, as shown by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) report, and is not contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor in children or babies. However, its oral use is discouraged for people taking anticoagulant medications.

On the other hand, the French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA) recommends not giving flaxseed oil to children under three years of age due to its high omega-3 content. Individuals suffering from thyroid imbalance and coagulation disorders should also exercise caution.

Comedogenicity: Thecamelina oil is renowned for being non-comedogenic (index 0). It is fluid and light, and is quickly absorbed by the skin without leaving a greasy film, thus not clogging the skin pores. Moreover, it contains a significant amount of antioxidants, which stabilise the oil and slow down its oxidation, a reaction that is most of the time responsible for comedogenicity.

Linseed oil, on the other hand, is quite comedogenic (rating 4). It penetrates the skin less effectively, has a low antioxidant content and a significant presence of fatty acids with double bonds (polyunsaturated fatty acids), which are sensitive to oxidation. Therefore, it can cause the formation of comedones if applied to the skin.

However, it is important to remember that comedogenicity is a controversial term. What is "comedogenic" for one person may not necessarily be so for another.