All Topics

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.

Part of the plant extracted: Seeds.

Location: Originating from East Asia (Japan and China).

Flowering: From December to March.

Provenance, origin: 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.

Sensorial properties: Appearance: Oily liquid; Color: Pale yellow to yellow; Scent: Characteristic, mild, subtle hint of hazelnut; Feel: Dry.

Physical characteristics: 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.

Benefits: Softening, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pliable, emollient, hair strengthening, nourishing, protective.

Concerns: 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 signaling pathway, thereby lowering the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-23, etc.), an action carried out by unsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols;
Antioxidant: Minimizing the damage caused to DNA and cells by exposure to free radicals, unstable molecules responsible for various signs of aging (brown spots, skin sagging, wrinkles, etc.), through the ability of squalene and tocopherol to serve as potential electron donors ;
Softening, emollient: Protect the skin from dryness, irritation, 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 supply 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 removing 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 (shampoos, conditioners, scalp serums, hair masks).

Method of Preservation

Preferably store in a dry and cool place at a temperature between 36 and 46°F, away from light.

Contraindications, Usage Precautions

The camellia oil has been deemed to be safe in its current uses in cosmetics.

Find out more

Originating from the Asian continent, there are several varieties of camellia (Camelia japonica, Camellia sinensis, and Camelia oleifera). In Japan, on the island of Oshima, the camellia flower is the first to bloom through the January snow. Whether pink, red, white, or yellow, camellia flowers have been used for several centuries in Japan, Korea, and China for their skin-regenerating and softening properties. Japanese legend even associates it with eternal youth and longevity. Extracted from its seeds, camellia seed oil has long been used for culinary, ornamental, cosmetic, and medicinal purposes. In the realm of skincare, it is famous for being the beauty elixir of Japanese geishas, who use it to cleanse their faces. Also referred to as green tea oil, this often refers to the tea tree leaf, whereas camellia refers to its flower.