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Coconut Oil
Commonly known as:
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (INCI), coconut butter.
Botanical name:
Cocos nucifera.
Extraction process:
First cold pressing of organic coconut pulp, followed by degumming, bleaching and deodorising (RBD) using temperature controlled steam distillation.
Family:
Aceraceae.
Part of the plant extracted:
Coconut pulp.
Location:
Subtropical and tropical parts of the world, particularly prevalent in tropical Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines and India.
Flowering:
Throughout the year.
Provenance, origin:
The Philippines.
Phytochemical composition:
Saturated fatty acids (arachidic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, lignoceric acid, lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid, caproic acid, margarine acid), monounsaturated fatty acid (nervonic acid, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid), polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid), vitamins (A and E).
Sensorial properties:
Appearance: Solid at 20°C, liquid above 26°C; Colour: White-beige in the solid state, transparent in the liquid state; Odour: Distinctive; Feel: Dry.
Physical characteristics:
Quality: 100% pure, natural ingredients; Density: 0.908-0.921g/ cm3; Comedogenicity index: 4; Oxidative potential: Stable; Saponification index: 248-265mgKOH/ g; Refractive index: 1.448-1.450; Insoluble in water; pH: Non-aqueous product.
Benefits:
Nourishing, strengthening, emollient, fragrant, restructuring, restorative, antioxidant, softening, moisturising, soothing, anti-bacterial, foaming, leaves skin and hair soft.
Concerns:
All skin typologies, especially dry, damaged, rough skin that lacks elasticity; All hair typologies, especially dry, curly hair and hair with split ends.
Details
Properties
Soothing:
Fortifying:
Nourishing:
Use
Face care (creams, make-up removing oils, lip balms);
Body care (washing oils, balms, milks, hand and foot creams, deodorants, scrubs, solid soaps);
Hair care (shampoos, care masks, conditioners, hair oils).
Preservation
Store in a cool dry place, away from direct light and humidity, and at a temperature between 2 and 15°C.
Contra-Indications and Precautions
Coconut oil is well tolerated by all skin and hair types. It does not present any side effects. It is suitable for pregnant and nursing women, as well as for babies and young children. Indeed, coconut oil is considered by the international committee of experts as a safe cosmetic ingredient, which can be used up to a concentration of 80% in the finished product.
Find out more
Coconut oil nourishes and prevents skin dehydration. It leaves the skin feeling soft and has a subtle, sweet fragrance. It’s also effective in hair care, as its high concentration of lauric acid gives it a high affinity for hair proteins.
