Macadamia nut oil

The macadamia nut originally comes from Australia, where it is also known as the Queensland nut or Australian hazelnut. However, the evergreen tree, which can grow up to 15 metres tall, is now also native to the South Pacific and South Africa. It takes around seven to eight years for a young tree to bear fruit for the first time. The very hard, chestnut-like drupes, which are around three centimetres in size, are cracked after harvesting using a special machine and then roasted. They are generally regarded as the most expensive and finest nuts in the world. The golden yellow macadamia nut oil is obtained by gently cold-pressing the nuts. It has a delicate flavour and a subtle nutty aroma.

Incidentally, the macadamia nut was named after its discoverer, Dr John McAdam, who first described the tree around 150 years ago.

Macadamia nut oil and its specialities

Macadamia nut oil is considered exceptional due to its high palmitoleic acid content (up to 20 per cent), as this rare fatty acid is normally only found in such high concentrations in animal fats. The monounsaturated fatty acid consists of 16 carbon atoms.

Palmitoleic acid promotes the oil’s ability to be absorbed and ensures an optimal tactile spread.

Macadamia nut oil is rarely used in the kitchen, but this is primarily due to its relatively high price. In natural cosmetics, however, it is now an established ingredient. As it is very pleasant to spread, it is ideal for massages. Any additives such as essential oils penetrate the skin very well due to its high oleic acid content. The oil is often seen as a substitute for mink oil, which should be viewed very critically for animal welfare reasons. At 16 to 18 per cent, mink oil also has a high palmitoleic acid content and is therefore similar to macadamia nut oil.

Advantages in cosmetics

Macadamia nut oil is also an excellent active ingredient for sensitive and dry skin. This is partly due to the similarity of the fatty acid composition to human sebum. When used regularly, it has an extremely smoothing, regenerating, and softening effect on the skin.

It is also an excellent choice for the care of brittle and dehydrated hair. Macadamia nut oil has a very positive effect on dry hair ends in particular, and as macadamia nut oil itself contains hardly any significant amounts of linoleic acid, it can be combined well with corresponding oils that emphasise linoleic acid, such as argan or grape seed oil.

Use of macadamia nut oil in cosmetics

Macadamia nut oil is ideal as a base for skin creams, massage oils, balms, and lotions. The same applies to its use in make-up removal products for skin and eyes. Another advantage is that the oil has a very long shelf life. However, it is relatively sensitive to oxidation due to its number of double bonds. It should therefore be stored as dark as possible (in a dark bottle, for example) and in a cool place. If this is adhered to, macadamia nut oil can be used for up to twelve months.

If the oil is massaged into slightly damp skin after bathing or showering, it is a soothing and very effective speciality care product that ensures softness and suppleness. Despite its cosmetic richness, it is considered a rather light oil, and its low viscosity means that it does not give emulsions a thick consistency.

The benefits of macadamia nut oil at a glance:

– Absorbs relatively quickly

– Can have an anti-inflammatory effect and thus significantly improve the skin’s appearance (applies when used pure)

– The skin becomes visibly more even and plumper

– Has a sun protection factor of 3 to 4

Macadamia nut oil profile

INCI: Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Saponification value: 190 to 200

Melting point: minus 12.0 degrees Celsius

CAS number: 128497-20-1

See here the macadamia-containing raw materials we like to work with:

Summary

The precious macadamia nut oil is a great emollient especially for dry and sensitive skin and free of side effects, provided it is of high quality without critical additives. It smoothes the skin and ensures improved regeneration. Macadamia nut oil is also ideal for mature, flaky, or inflamed skin and is generally well tolerated by sensitive skin conditions.

Please ask us if we can develop a product with this valuable oil for your line.

Literature: 

Combined Transcriptome and Lipidomic Analyses of Lipid Biosynthesis in Macadamia ternifolia Nuts.

Shi R, Bai H, Li B, Liu C, Ying Z, Xiong Z, Wang W.Life (Basel). 2021 Dec 18;11(12):1431.