In which cosmetic products can one find piqui oil?

The piqui oil is an orange-yellow vegetable oil, with a relatively dry touch and a slight fruity odor. Typically extracted by cold pressing, it is obtained from the pulp of the pequi, a fruit native to Brazil composed 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 skincare 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.

• Moisturizing oils.

  The richness in fatty acids of the piqui oil also allows it to be incorporated into several moisturizing 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 the reason for the high prevalence of pequi oil in moisturizing cosmetics.

• Lip care.

  The moisturizing 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.

  Calming and moisturizing, 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 fibers, 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. Thus, piqui oil 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 function similarly to hair masks, strengthening and softening the hair. Others are designed for textured hair and are used to reform curls. Indeed, by making the fibers more elastic, this type of treatment to be used on wet hair helps to coat the fibers and facilitates the definition of curls.

At Typology, we have decided to incorporate piqui oil into our nourishing hair oil. Entirely formulated with natural ingredients, this hair oil adapts to all hair types and 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 fibers and strengthen them, thus giving them a softer and shinier appearance.