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White wavy lines texture on a surfaceIdentity Profile: Maracuja Oil Concentrate.

Identity Profile: Maracuja Oil Concentrate.

Commonly known as: Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil (I.N.C.I.), Maracuja Concentrate, Passion Fruit Oil, Passionflower, Yellow Grenadilla, Parcha, Parchita, Chinola, Mburucuyá.
Botanical name: Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa.
Extraction process: First cold pressing of maracuja seeds, followed by molecular distillation.
Family: Passifloraceae.
Part of the plant extracted: Seeds.
Location: Originating from the Atlantic Forest.
Flowering: From June to October.
Provenance, origin: Peru.
Phytochemical composition: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (linolenic acid, linoleic acid), monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, gadoleic acid), saturated fatty acids (behenic acid, lignoceric acid, arachidic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid), polyphenols (piceatannol, which has a structure similar to resveratrol, scirpusin B), tocopherols, tocotrienols, flavonoids, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, isoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, luteolin derivatives, ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Sensorial properties: Appearance: A viscous liquid that may exhibit slight cloudiness or sediment; Colour: Light golden yellow; Scent: Fine and delicate fragrance of passion fruit; Feel: Dry, absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy sensation.
Physical characteristics: Density: 0.918 g/cm3; Oxidative potential: Sensitive; Comedogenicity index: 2 (slightly comedogenic); Saponification index: 185 - 205 mgKOH/g; pH: Not applicable.
Benefits: Antioxidant, regenerative, anti-inflammatory, soothing, emollient, hydrating, fragrant, nourishing, protective, soothing, anti-inflammatory.
Concerns: All skin types, particularly mature, dry, dehydrated and reactive skin; all hair types, especially dry and damaged hair.

Details

Properties

  • Anti-inflammatory: Inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory molecules due to the presence of isoorientin;

  • Antioxidant: Protecting cells from oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species through the presence of antioxidant compounds (polyphenols, tocopherols, tocotrienols) by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting the release of elastase, an enzyme responsible for the degradation of skin matrix proteins such as elastin, proteoglycans, collagen... ;

  • Soothing: Restoring comfort to the skin against external aggressions;

  • Nourishing, protective: Restoring the lipid layer that shields the skin from dehydration and lipid depletion, particularly due to its high concentration of oleic acid;

  • Regenerative: Activate the synthesis of elastin and collagen, and stimulate the contractive strength of fibroblasts;

  • Restorative, restructuring: Stimulating the phases of cell proliferation and migration (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) during the skin healing process due to its high content of omega-6 (linoleic acid).

Applications

  • Facial Care (masks, face creams, lotions, milks, scrubs, serums, makeup removers);

  • Body Care (hand and foot creams, scrubs, body lotions, milks, shower creams/gels, balms, massage creams/oils, sun care, bath oils);

  • Hair Care (hair balms, shampoos).

Method of Preservation

Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light and at a temperature of 15°C to 25°C.

Contraindications, usage precautions

There are no contraindications for the cosmetic use of maracuja oil concentrate in current usage practices and concentrations.. Pregnant women and young children can use it. Avoid contact with the eyes.

Find out more

The Maracuja is a plant that presents itself in the form of a shrub or climbing herb. It produces an ovate fruit, often of a yellow to orange colour, known as the passion fruit. In the indigenous language, its name "Murukuia" means "meal prepared in a gourd", referring to the seeds and the bowl-shaped fruit rind. The seeds of the fruit can be harvested to extract an oil enriched with unsaponifiables. The resulting maracuja oil is a regenerating concentrate that activates the skin's natural production of elastin and collagen. It is thus particularly recommended for the care of mature skin. Indeed, it promotes the skin healing process, while protecting against oxidative damage thanks to its antioxidant properties conferred by the presence of antioxidant molecules (polyphenols, tocopherols, tocotrienols). Rich in oleic acid (10 - 20%), the maracuja concentrate also helps to nourish and protect the skin from insensible water loss (IWL) and external aggressions.