Camellia Japonica Seed Oil – Cosmetic Uses in Skin and Hair Care
What Is Camellia Japonica Seed Oil?
Camellia japonica seed oil, also known as Tsubaki oil or Japanese camellia seed oil, is the fixed oil expressed from the seeds of Camellia japonica. It has a long history of use in Japanese skin and hair care.
The oil is predominantly composed of triglycerides, with oleic acid typically accounting for around 80% of its fatty acid composition.
Cosmetic Uses of Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Camellia japonica seed oil is primarily used as an emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient. Its high oleic acid content gives formulations a smooth, lubricating and relatively rich skin feel.
It can be incorporated into:
- Facial oils and creams
- Cleansing oils
- Lotions and balms
- Hair oils
- Conditioners and hair masks
- Leave-in hair treatments
In hair care, Tsubaki oil is traditionally used to condition the hair and improve its softness, smoothness and manageability.
Formulation Considerations
Camellia japonica seed oil is oil-soluble and can be incorporated directly into the oil phase of anhydrous products and emulsions. Its oxidative stability should still be considered because, although it is rich in oleic acid, it also contains smaller amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The botanical identity should be confirmed carefully, as Camellia japonica and Camellia sinensis are different species.
Ingredient Information
INCI: Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Function: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
CAS / EINECS/EC: Not specified on the original page.
References
Dweck, Anthony. Handbook of Natural Ingredients. Dweck Books.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem – Camellia japonica and related constituents.
European Commission. CosIng – Cosmetic Ingredients Database.
Lee, et al. Research investigating the anti-inflammatory activity of Camellia japonica oil through NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways.
Matsui, et al. Research on the fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties of Camellia seed oils.
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