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Vitamin F
Commonly known as:
Vitamin F.
I.N.C.I. list name:
Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid.
Extraction process:
Extraction from cold-pressed vegetable oil.
Source:
Plant-based.
Botanical name:
Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower Vegetable Oil).
Family:
Asteraceae.
Part of the plant extracted:
Seeds.
Provenance, origin:
Chemical characteristics:
Polyunsaturated essential fatty acids; Water-soluble vitamin.
Characteristics:
Emulsion, colloidal solution, true aqueous solution, true oily solution.
Dosage required in cosmetic products:
Between 0.5 and 3%.
Function:
Antistatic, cleansing agent, emollient, hair conditioner, skin conditioning agent, surfactant.
Properties:
Nourishing, softening, lipid-replenishing, emollient.
Benefits:
All skin types but particularly dry and sensitive skin; All hair types, especially dry hair and sensitive scalps.
Details
Usage
Facial Care (day and night creams, sun care, serums, masks, cleansing products, eyelash and eyebrow care, lip masks/balms); Body Care (hand creams, shower oils, nail care products, exfoliators); Hair Care (length and tip serums, restorative shampoos, masks, lotions, conditioners, hair oils); Makeup (lipsticks, foundations, BB creams).
Method of Preservation
Highly sensitive, they are often combined with vitamin E (INCI: Tocopherol) to stabilise the solution. It should be stored away from moisture, heat and light.
Contraindications, Usage Precautions
Vitamin F does not pose any particular health risks, it is very well tolerated by the skin.
Find out more
Vitamin F is actually composed of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids extracted from cold-pressed vegetable oils: linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic acid (omega-3). These are particularly found in sunflower oil, hazelnut oil, safflower oil, and so on. These fatty acids are very important for the body, both internally and externally, for the health of the skin, bearing in mind that the body cannot synthesise them.