Vegetable Oils in Cosmetics

Used in aromatherapy for the sense of well-being their fragrance provides, vegetable oils offer many health benefits. Due to their numerous and varied properties, they are used in beauty to hydrate and nourish the skin.

Vegetable oils are often confused with essential oils, although they are completely different products. Both are extracted from nature, but their chemical compositions are quite different. For example, essential oils are much more liquid than vegetable oils at a glance.

Vegetable oils are highly concentrated organic substances extracted from various plant tissues: flowers, fruits, seeds, or roots. They are obtained from the fatty parts of plants or fruits and consist of a molecular structure that penetrates the skin, activating it and providing essential fatty acids. The key requirement for vegetable oils is purity, meaning they must be extracted directly from the plant. Olivolein, the essential component of Olivolea creams, is obtained through the first cold-press extraction of olives. Since no heat is applied during its production, it retains all of its nutritional and therapeutic properties.

Each oil contains natural chemical compounds and specific characteristics from its source. Therefore, not all oils are the same, nor are they used in the same way. In general, they have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, toning, and cellular regeneration properties. Some examples of vegetable oils include almond, apricot kernel, rosehip, argan, wheat germ, macadamia, hazelnut, borage, evening primrose, olive, and sesame oils.

In the formulation of creams, shampoos, and balms, oil is mixed with water to create an emulsion, which can be more or less oily. In conventional cosmetics, a mineral oil (derived from petroleum) is mixed with water. This type of product prevents the skin from breathing and provides no benefits. In what's known as natural cosmetics, a vegetable oil is mixed with water or floral water to create a base emulsion that offers the best properties for the skin. Not only does it respect the skin's balance, but it is also rich in vitamins, acting as a cellular regenerator, blocking certain cell degradation processes, and restoring the skin's radiance and elasticity. Therefore, they help maintain healthy skin and reinforce the skin's defensive system.

Oils can also be consumed orally in pill form, known as nutricosmetics. They are beneficial for controlling cholesterol and balancing lipoproteins circulating in the blood. The most well-known are Omega 3, 6, and 9, famous for their relaxing effect. They are also used in aromatherapy to treat specific body issues by massaging the affected area to stimulate microcirculation.

Some of the most valued oils today are present in the composition of Olivolea creams:

• Calendula Vegetable Oil. Essential for sensitive and atopic skin. Light and gentle, this oil has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe itching and deeply hydrate the skin. It is used in creams that treat diaper irritations, such as Olivolea's Regenerating Baby Balm.

• Rosehip Oil. Highly regenerative, this oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for enzymes and the body's chemical processes. It prevents the appearance of wrinkles, heals tissues, and regenerates wounds and burns. It is also very effective in anti-cellulite and firming treatments.

• Tomato Lycopene Oil. Known for preventing cardiovascular diseases and improving cholesterol levels, the oil extracted from tomatoes is celebrated in beauty for its high antioxidant properties, delaying the aging of cells.

• Olivolein. Extracted from the first cold press of olives, olivolein is essential for rebuilding cell membranes and regenerating the epidermis due to its high oleic acid content and antioxidants. It forms a protective film that prevents dehydration and shields the skin from external aggressions.

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