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White wavy lines texture on a surfaceProfile: Camellia Vegetable Oil

Profile: Camellia Vegetable Oil

Commonly known as: Green tea oil, tea tree oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil/Camellia Japonica Seed Oil (INCI).
Botanical name: Camellia oleifera/Camellia japonica.
Extraction process: First cold pressing of the seeds.
Family: Theaceae.
Part of the plant extracted: Seeds.
Location: Originating from East Asia (Japan and China).
Flowering: From December to March.
Provenance, origin: China.
Phytochemical composition: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid), monounsaturated fatty acids (gondoic acid, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid), saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid, stearic acid), vitamins (A, B and E), polyphenols, phytosterols, squalene, flavonoids.
Sensorial properties: Appearance: Oily liquid; Colour: Pale yellow to yellow; Odour: Characteristic, mild, subtle scent of hazelnut; Feel: Dry.
Physical characteristics: Density: 0.905 - 0.925 g/cm3; Comedogenicity Index: 0 (non-comedogenic); Oxidative Potential: Stable; Saponification Index: 185 - 197 mgKOH/g; Refractive Index: 1.4650 - 1.4750; Soluble in oil; pH: Not applicable.
Benefits: Softening, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pliable, emollient, hair strengthening, nourishing, protective.
Concerns: All skin types, particularly dry and sensitive skin; All hair types, especially dull, dry, brittle and lifeless hair.

Details

Properties

  • Anti-inflammatory: Alleviating skin inflammation and reducing redness by disrupting the NF-κB signalling pathway, thereby leading to the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-23, etc.), an action carried out by unsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols;

  • Antioxidant: Minimising the damage caused to DNA and cells by exposure to free radicals, unstable molecules responsible for various signs of ageing (brown spots, skin sagging, wrinkles, etc.), through the ability of squalene and tocopherol to act as potential electron donors ;

  • Softening, emollient: Protecting the skin from dryness, irritations and exposure to external aggressions by strengthening the hydrolipidic film due to its richness in oleic acid ;

  • Hair Strengthener: Enhancing hair resilience due to the presence of a variety of fatty acids in camellia oil;

  • Nourishing: Ensuring the maintenance of the skin barrier to limit water loss through the provision of linoleic acid;

  • Protective: Preserving the skin's suppleness and elasticity by inhibiting the secretion of metalloproteinases (MMP-1), involved in the proteolytic degradation of collagen, through a flavonoid (kaempferol) in camellia oil.

Usage

  • Facial Care (balms/creams, serums, toners, makeup removal balms, oils, face masks, eye contour treatments, sun protection sticks, lash & brow serums);

  • Body Care (shower gels, hand and foot creams, cleansing oils, massage oils, solid soaps, nail serums);

  • Haircare treatments (shampoos, conditioners, scalp serums, hair masks).

Method of Preservation

Preferably store in a dry and cool place at a temperature between 2 and 8°C, shielded from light.

Contraindications, Usage Precautions

The camellia oil has been deemed to be safe in its current uses in cosmetics.

Find out more

Originating from the Asian continent, there are several varieties of camellia (Camelia japonica, Camellia sinensis and Camelia oleifera). In Japan, on the island of Oshima, the camellia flower is the first to bloom through the January snow. Whether pink, red, white or yellow, camellia flowers have been used for several centuries in Japan, Korea and China for their regenerative and softening properties on the skin. Japanese legend even associates it with eternal youth and longevity. Extracted from its seeds, camellia seed oil has long been used for culinary, ornamental, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. In the realm of skincare, it is famous for being the beauty elixir of Japanese geishas, who use it to cleanse their faces. Also referred to as green tea oil, this often refers to the tea tree leaf, whereas camellia refers to its flower.