Vegetable oils are among the essential ingredients in skincare. Generally, these active ingredients are used in their pure state or combined with other treatments. They are valued for their nourishing, hydrating, and revitalising properties, not only for the face and body, but also for the hair.
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How to properly store your vegetable oils?
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Published March 30, 2021,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
10 min read
What is the purpose of plant oils for the skin?
As their name suggests, vegetable oils are fatty substances extracted from oilseeds or oleaginous fruits. They are obtained through first cold pressing to preserve their beneficial properties. Moreover, these treatments do not require preservatives as they are water-free, unlike moisturising creams, and can even replace them.
Composed of healthy and 100% natural ingredients, vegetable oils are packed with fatty acids and unsaponifiables. Among the fatty acids, we can find monounsaturated acids such as omega-9 for their emollient, protective and nourishing properties, and polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3 and 6 for their anti-inflammatory and regenerative virtues. As for the unsaponifiables, we have vitamins and polyphenols for their antioxidant and repairing virtues, and phytosterols for their anti-inflammatory properties.
These oils are thus tasked with hydrating, deeply nourishing, softening the epidermis, and strengthening the skin's protective barrier. They are also used to regenerate damaged skin cells, relieve irritations, provide comfort, and slow down skin ageing. Contrary to popular belief, vegetable oils are even suitable for oily skin, which they purify, balance, nourish, and hydrate, provided that an appropriate oil is chosen.
How to preserve vegetable oils?
Skincare products based on plant oils are primarily composed of fatty acids (90% of the formula). However, these are highly susceptible to oxidation, which can be triggered by various factors such as exposure to air, heat, interactions with the container, or light. Thus, the oxidative potential of a plant oil depends on the nature and concentrations of the fatty acids. For instance, the more double bonds a fatty acid has, the higher its rate of oxidation. If the fatty acids are altered, the plant oil can lose its benefits and potentially become toxic to the body. This can be identified by a change in the colour or smell of the plant oil.
In order to slow down the oxidation process as much as possible and maintain their benefits, it is essential to store your vegetable oils under the right conditions. Above all, it is crucial to properly seal the bottle after use to prevent air from entering. Next, opt for coloured containers that protect from light. Even though some vegetable oils can be stored at room temperature, the "sensitive" vegetable oils should be kept in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator. This rule is particularly applicable for skincare products based on hemp, grape seeds, black cumin, hazelnut, prickly pear, flax, rosehip, and so on...
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