Cosmetics: Where to find Pracaxi Oil?

The pracaxi oil is a vegetable oil originating from the Amazonian regions of Brazil. Its use is relatively common in South America, particularly for its hair benefits. It can be applied in its pure form or mixed with several vegetable oils. Indeed, the richness of its biochemical composition makes it particularly interesting in cosmetics and its use within products is increasingly valued.

Cosmetic skin products based on pracaxi oil.

• Soothing and healing treatments.

  The pracaxi oil has a high content of essential fatty acids. The oleic acid it contains is capable of acting on inflammation by stimulating the synthesis of anti-inflammatory compounds. Furthermore, it can inhibit the activation of the inflammation transcription factor NF-kB, acting on the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β and IL-6.

  This fatty acid may also play a role in stimulating the synthesis of type III collagen, a key protein in the formation of granulation tissue. Pracaxi oil also contains linoleic acid, which acts as a precursor to the synthesis pathways of regeneration mediators, notably type I prostaglandins, hydroxy-octadecadienoic acids and PPAR receptors, acting as mediators in the modulation of inflammation, repair and tissue regeneration. The pracaxi oil could thus soothe skin irritations and promote tissue healing and their remodelling. This oil is therefore found in the formulation of many soothing and repairing treatments such as creams, serums or even masks.

• Hydrating and nourishing care.

  The fatty acids found in pracaxi oil also allow it to exert moisturising and nourishing properties for the skin. Linoleic acid has the ability to penetrate through the skin barrier due to its structure being similar to the lipids of the stratum corneum, thus strengthening its cohesion. These fatty acids provide suppleness to the skin. Some of them, like oleic acid, promote the formation of a lipid film on the skin's surface, reinforcing the skin barrier and ensuring moisture retention. The richness of pracaxi oil in fatty acids makes its integration highly valued in the formulation of numerous moisturising treatments, such as oils but also creams, whether for the face or body.

• Skincare to prevent skin ageing.

  Pracaxi oil also contains antioxidants in its composition, with a high content of vitamin E and β-carotene. These bioactive compounds work to combat oxidative stress produced by free radicals by neutralising them. Through this action, pracaxi oil could help prevent premature skin ageing due to exposure to external aggressors, such as UV rays from the sun, pollution or even tobacco. As such, pracaxi oil can be found in the composition of skincare products designed to prevent the first signs of wrinkles.

• Lip care.

  The benefits of pracaxi oil can also be found in treatments aimed at specific areas of the face, such as the lips. Indeed, the moisturising and nourishing properties of pracaxi oil, provided by its fatty acids, allow it to care for the lips by limiting dehydration in this area by creating a protective film on its surface. Thus, this vegetable oil is frequently found in lip care products such as balms or lip oils.

Haircare cosmetic products based on pracaxi oil.

• Shampoos.

  Beyond its properties for the skin, the pracaxi oil is also found in the formulation of certain shampoos. Shampoos based on pracaxi oil thus allow the scalp to be cleaned without irritating it. It can be particularly integrated into the formulation of shampoos intended for dry scalps. It is generally found at fairly low concentrations, allowing it to hydrate the scalp without making it greasy. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturising action, the use of pracaxi oil can be beneficial to soothe thefeelings of tightness, itching and frequent flaking.

• Conditioners and hair masks.

  The ability of the fatty acids in pracaxi oil to insert themselves between the scales of the cuticle and reach the intercellular cement due to their biomimetic chemical structure also makes the oil interesting for inclusion in the formulation of conditioners or hair masks. Furthermore, its fatty acids strengthen the hydrolipidic film on the surface of hair fibres by coating them, thus limiting water loss by forming a protective barrier on their surface. These pracaxi oil-based treatments facilitate detangling and provide flexibility and softness to the hair by moisturising and protecting the lengths.

• Hair Oils.

  Pracaxi oil can be used on its own but can also be incorporated into hair oils to maintain the hair, making it stronger and softer. Hair oils can be used regularly to provide elasticity and hydration to the hair, thus making it less dry. The composition of pracaxi oil makes it particularly beneficial for damaged hair, but also for curly or frizzy hair by facilitating detangling and redefining their curls.

Our nourishing hair oil has been formulated with squalane, pequi oil (INCI: Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil) and pracaxi oil (INCI: Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil) to nourish, strengthen and soften the hair. It also helps to protect them from external aggressions to which they are frequently exposed.

• ALVES A. J. & co. The fatty acid composition of vegetable oils and their potential application in wound management. Advances in Skin & Wound Care (2019).

• BLOCK J. M. & others. Composition, thermal behaviour and antioxidant activity of pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba) seed oil obtained by supercritical CO2. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology (2020).

• ALBA G. & co. Update on anti-inflammatory molecular mechanisms induced by oleic acid. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (2023).