What is "Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil" and what is its utility?

Botanically named Euterpe oleracea, the Brazilian açaí is a palm tree native to South America that produces fruits (berries) with multiple benefits. It grows wild in the swampy areas of tropical forests in several countries such as Venezuela, French Guiana, Suriname, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador.

The acai berry is often referred to as a "super fruit"due to its high concentration of nutrients and vitamins. The ancestral populations of South America used this berry to treat various ailments ranging from diabetes to hepatitis, including jaundice and liver and kidney diseases. Acai also helped to alleviate muscular and menstrual discomforts.

Today, açaí is widely used in cooking for its nutritional benefits. This berry is also found in certain skin and hair care products, in the form of an extract (I.N.C.I.: Euterpe oleracea fruit extract) or vegetable oil (I.N.C.I.: Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil).

This vegetable oil is obtained by first cold pressing of whole berries. It is rich in fatty acids essential such as the linoleic acid (omega-6), the acid oleic (omega-9), the palmitic acid and the stearic acid. For reference, oleic acid is the fatty acid monounsaturated long-chain most abundant in our body. Highly nourishing for the skin, it makes it more supple and softer but also more radiant. The plum vegetable oil also contains natural antioxidants, polyphenols (procyanidins, vanillic acid, syringic acid).

In terms of its organoleptic properties, the açaí vegetable oil is afluid oily liquid ranging in color from yellow to green, with a mild scent reminiscent of green olives. It has a dry touch and exhibits alow comedogenicity index, meaning it does not clog pores and quickly penetrates the skin. Even though it is relatively resistant to oxidation, it is best stored in a cool place, away from heat and light, in an amber bottle.