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.
Extracted part of the plant: Seeds.
Cultivation area, origin: Originating from East Asia (Japan and China).
Blooming: From December to March.
Origin, provenance: 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.
Sensory properties: Appearance: Oily liquid; Colour: Pale yellow to yellow; Odour: Characteristic, mild, subtle scent of hazelnut; Feel: Dry.
Physical properties: 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.
Concerns: Softening, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pliable, emollient, hair strengthening, nourishing, protective.
Effect: 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.
