WHAT IS A VEGETABLE OIL?
A vegetable oil is a fatty substance extracted from an oilseed plant, that is to say a plant with seeds, fruits or nuts that contain oil.
We can take as an example the pressing of the fruit of the olive tree: the olive
There are different extraction methods. Always favor cold mechanical extraction which, as its name suggests, is obtained by cold mechanical pressing (like a juice). You can identify them by the words "virgin oil" or "first cold pressing".
Choose organic if possible!
In common language, oily macerates are also called "vegetable oils".
These oils are obtained by macerating flowers and plants in a relatively neutral oil. Sunflower oil is very often used.
The oil then takes on the active ingredients of the macerated plant
We can take calendula or carrot macerates as examples.
Vegetable oils are made up of fatty acids, sources of energy for the cells of our body. Fatty acids moisturize, protect the skin and guarantee suppleness and elasticity to the epidermis.
Each oil has its own fatty acid composition. There are therefore as many properties as there are vegetable oils.
Mostly composed of fatty acids but not only!
If for food, these fatty acids are the most interesting, the cosmetic world is also very interested in the rest: Unsaponifiables
But then, what is hidden behind unsaponifiables?
This is a residue insoluble in water, it is called the non-glyceridic part of an oil. The nature of these unsaponifiables varies depending on the vegetable oil you use.
The main unsaponifiables:
Polyphenols: Antioxidants, healing and repairing
Phytosterols: Anti-inflammatory, protect against UV rays, improve microcirculation
Vitamin E: Natural Antioxidant
Vitamin A: (carotene) responsible for the orange color: Healthy Glow effect
Vitamin D: It also helps maintain skin hydration.
Squalene: Restructuring of the epidermis (close to the composition of skin sebum)
Minerals: zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper
And even if they are often present at less than 1% in vegetable oils, they are very powerful and their action is no less effective!
HOW TO USE THEM?
Vegetable oils are gentle and easy to use for everyone. There are 1000 possible uses and combinations...
They can be used in many products such as our moisturizers, shower gels, shampoos,.
You can also use them alone or combined. Pure they will bring all their virtues to your skin and hair
For me, oils are the best active ingredients in our cosmetics.