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Cosmetics: Where to Find Pracaxi Oil?

Pracaxi oil, used for centuries in Brazilian culture, is typically extracted by cold pressing the seeds of Pentaclethra Macroloba. This oil is renowned for its composition enriched with fatty acids and antioxidants, bestowing numerous cosmetic benefits for both skin and hair. Discover in this article the various cosmetic products containing pracaxi oil available on the market.

Summary
Published August 21, 2024, updated on August 21, 2024, by Marie, Scientific Editor — 6 min read

In which cosmetic treatments can one find pracaxi oil?

Thepracaxi oil is a vegetable oil originating from the Amazonian regions of Brazil. Its use is relatively common in South America, particularly for its hair benefits. It can be applied in its pure form or mixed with several vegetable oils. Indeed, the richness of its biochemical composition makes it particularly interesting in cosmetics and its use within products is increasingly valued.

Skincare cosmetic products based on pracaxi oil.

  • Soothing and healing treatments.

    The pracaxi oil has a high content of essential fatty acids. The oleic acid it contains is capable of acting on inflammation by stimulating the synthesis of anti-inflammatory compounds. Furthermore, it can inhibit the activation of the inflammation transcription factor NF-kB, affecting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β and IL-6.

    This fatty acid may also play a role in stimulating the synthesis of type III collagen, a key protein in the formation of granulation tissue. Pracaxi oil also contains linoleic acid, which acts as a precursor to the synthesis pathways of regeneration mediators, notably type I prostaglandins, hydroxy-octadecadienoic acids, and PPAR receptors, which act as mediators in the modulation of inflammation, repair, and tissue regeneration. The pracaxi oil could thus soothe skin irritations and promote tissue healing and their remodeling. This oil is therefore found in the formulation of many soothing and repairing treatments such as creams, serums, or even masks.

  • Moisturizing and nourishing care.

    The fatty acids found in pracaxi oil also allow it to exhibit moisturizing and nourishing properties for the skin. Linoleic acid has the ability to penetrate the skin barrier due to its structure being similar to the lipids of the stratum corneum, thereby strengthening its cohesion. These fatty acids provide suppleness to the skin. Some of them, like oleic acid, promote the formation of a lipid film on the skin's surface, reinforcing the skin barrier and ensuring moisture retention. The richness of pracaxi oil in fatty acids makes its integration highly valued in the formulation of many moisturizing products, such as oils and creams, whether for the face or body.

  • Skincare to prevent skin aging.

    Pracaxi oil also contains antioxidants in its composition, with a high content of vitamin E and β-carotene. These bioactive compounds work to combat oxidative stress produced by free radicals by neutralizing them. Through this action, pracaxi oil could help prevent premature skin aging due to exposure to external aggressors, such as UV rays from the sun, pollution, or tobacco. Therefore, pracaxi oil can be found in the composition of skincare products designed to prevent the first signs of wrinkles.

  • Lip care.

    The benefits of pracaxi oil can also be found in treatments intended for specific areas of the face, such as the lips. Indeed, the moisturizing and nourishing properties of pracaxi oil, provided by its fatty acids, allow it to care for the lips by limiting dehydration in this area by creating a protective film on its surface. Thus, this vegetable oil is frequently found in lip care products such as balms or lip oils.

Hair cosmetic products based on pracaxi oil.

  • Shampoos.

    Beyond its properties for the skin, the pracaxi oil is also found in the formulation of certain shampoos. Shampoos based on pracaxi oil thus allow the scalp to be cleaned without irritating it. It can be particularly integrated into the formulation of shampoos intended for dry scalps. It is generally found at fairly low concentrations, allowing it to hydrate the scalp without making it greasy. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing action, the use of pracaxi oil can be interesting to soothe thefeelings of tightness, itching, and frequent flaking.

  • Conditioners and Hair Masks.

    The ability of the fatty acids in pracaxi oil to insert themselves between the scales of the cuticle and reach the intercellular cement due to their biomimetic chemical structure also makes the oil interesting for inclusion in the formulation of conditioners or hair masks. Furthermore, its fatty acids strengthen the hydrolipidic film on the surface of hair fibers by coating them, thus limiting water loss by forming a protective barrier on their surface. These pracaxi oil-based treatments facilitate detangling and provide flexibility and softness to the hair by moisturizing and protecting the lengths.

  • Hair Oils.

    Pracaxi oil can be used on its own, but it can also be incorporated into hair oils to maintain hair, making it stronger and softer. Hair oils can be used regularly to provide elasticity and hydration to the hair, thus making it less dry. The composition of pracaxi oil makes it particularly beneficial for damaged hair, but also for curly or wavy hair by facilitating detangling and redefining their curls.

Our nourishing hair oil has been formulated with squalane, pequi oil (INCI: Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil) and pracaxi oil (INCI: Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil) to nourish, strengthen, and soften the hair. It also helps to protect them from external aggressions to which they are frequently exposed.

Sources

  • ALVES A. J. & others. The fatty acid composition of vegetable oils and their potential use in wound care. Advances in Skin & Wound Care (2019).

  • BLOCK J. M. & others. Composition, thermal behavior and antioxidant activity of pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba) seed oil obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology (2020).

  • ALBA G. & others. Update on anti-inflammatory molecular mechanisms induced by oleic acid. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (2023).

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