In which cosmetic products can one find piqui oil?

The piqui oil is an orange-yellow vegetable oil, exhibiting a relatively dry touch and emitting a slight fruity odour. Generally extracted by cold pressing, it is obtained from the pulp of the pequi, a fruit native to Brazil consisting of round, oily seeds. In South America, the piqui oil is frequently incorporated into liqueurs as well as certain regional culinary preparations due to its interesting nutritional contributions. Its richness in fatty acids is also appreciated in the cosmetic field and pequi oil is included in the composition of many care products under its INCI name Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil.

• Soothing serums.

  Capable of acting on multiple levels of inflammation, the piqui oil is sometimes found in soothing serums aimed at restoring comfort to the skin. Indeed, it is rich in oleic acid, a compound that can inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), a protein involved in the release of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukins 1β and 6 (IL- 1β and IL-6). Piqui oil can thus help to alleviate irritations, whether they are due to skin dryness or mild inflammation.

• Moisturising oils.

  The richness in fatty acids of the piqui oil also allows it to be incorporated into several moisturising products, most often oily formulations. Some of its compounds indeed possess film-forming properties, enabling them to strengthen the hydrolipidic film, the half-aqueous, half-oily mantle naturally present on the surface of the epidermis. Others can insert themselves through biomimicry between the cells of the horny layer to improve the skin's barrier function. These various properties are at the origin of the high prevalence of pequi oil in moisturising cosmetics.

• Lip care.

  The moisturising and nourishing properties of piqui oil also benefit the lips, one of the most delicate areas of the face. Almost devoid of sebaceous glands, the lips require lipids that can form a film on their surface, in order to limit water loss. Predominantly composed of fatty acids, piqui oil can provide this supply. That's why it is frequently found in lip balms and lip oils.

• Shampoos.

  Soothing and moisturising, pequi oil is sometimes incorporated into the formulation of shampoos intended for dry or weakened scalps. Enriched with essential fatty acids, this oil forms a protective barrier that helps retain moisture, while providing deep nourishment. When incorporated into a shampoo, pequi oil offers the scalp a gentle cleansing without compromising its hydrolipidic film.

• Conditioners.

  Highly beneficial for hair, piqui oil is frequently used to formulate nourishing conditioners. In addition to strengthening the hydrolipidic film that coats the fibres, this ingredient inserts itself between the scales of the cuticle and consolidates the intercellular cement. This unique characteristic is due to its richness in palmitic acid, which has a structure similar to that of the lipids in the cuticle. Piqui oil thus helps to improve the texture of the hair, making it softer and shinier.

• Hair Oils.

  The nourishing and softening properties of piqui oil also make it a key ingredient in various hair oils. Some serve a similar function to hair masks, helping to strengthen and soften the hair. Others are designed for textured hair and are used to reform curls. Indeed, by making the fibres more elastic, this type of treatment, used on damp hair, helps to coat the fibres and facilitates the definition of curls.

At Typology, we have decided to incorporate piqui oil into our nourishing hair oil. Entirely formulated with natural origin ingredients, this hair oil, suitable for all hair types, strengthens hair damaged by the sun and salt. The nourishing hair oil is enriched with squalane and plant oils containing omega-9 to deeply nourish the hair fibres and strengthen them, thus giving them a softer and shinier appearance.

• MAXIEL GUEDES A. M. & others. Pequi: a Brazilian fruit with potential applications in the fat industry. OCL (2017).

• ALVES A. J. & co. The Fatty Acid Composition of Vegetable Oils and Their Potential Use in Wound Care. Progress in skin and wound care (2019).

• PEGORIN G. & al. Development of a Phytocosmetic Enhanced with Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess) Oil. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology (2020).