Meadowfoam seed oil
Meadowfoam seed oil and its special properties
The proprietary seed of Limnanthes Alba, which also bears the official name Meadowfoam plant, has a thirty percent oil content. After cold pressing, the oil is green and has a very distinctive odor. To neutralize this initially rather unpleasant odor and to give the oil more stability, it is then refined. In the refined state, it is then light yellow and almost odorless.
This oil has a very unusual and rare fatty acid spectrum: It consists of about 95 percent fatty acids containing 20 or more carbon atoms. Eicosenoic acid, docosenoic acid and docosadienoic acid are present in particularly large quantities. The double bonds of the unsaturated fatty acids give the oil a liquid consistency. In oleochemistry, Meadowfoam seed oil has recently become the focus of economic interests due to its special positive properties. In part, it is even seen in a close context with rapeseed oil.
But also, in the cosmetic field it can convince with some fascinating abilities
For the effect on the skin, the extraordinary length of the fatty acids is very interesting: namely, they do not penetrate very deeply into the skin as a result, but form a protective film on the skin without having an occlusive effect. In addition, this oil contains an above-average concentration of vitamin E (tocopherol). This fact makes it, along with jojoba oil, which is also very valuable, one of the generally most stable vegetable oils available. In studies, it has even proven to be significantly more stable natively than jojoba oil.
And in general: Meadowfoam seed oil is not only reminiscent of jojoba oil in the way it feels on the skin, but also in its absorption behavior. It provides a wonderfully silky, smooth, but not greasy skin feeling.
Due to its special composition, it significantly extends the shelf life of even unpreserved cosmetic formulations and thus has an enormously long self-lasting effect that is almost unique.
In addition, it spreads very little and is therefore also well suited for care products of eye area. Spreading means that it “does not creep”, i.e., the Meadowfoam seed oil does not “migrate” into the eye after application. That’s why the oil is popular for firming eye creams.
Rare fatty acids are the secret
Thanks to its high oxidative stability, Meadowfoam seed oil is an ideal base oil for formulations with oils rich in linoleic acids that are sensitive to oxidation (for example evening primrose oil or rosehip seed oil).
The otherwise rather rare fatty acids gadoleic acid (eicosenoic acid), docosenoic acid (erucic acid) and docosadienoic acid together make up about 95% of the oil.
The otherwise common oleic acid and linoleic acid are only present at less than 2%.
Meadowfoam oil has overall excellent moisturizing as well as cell renewing properties. It is highly valued for its UV-protective effect and its restructuring active ingredients and has long since ceased to be an insider tip.
The contained mustard oil glycoside derivatives (3-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate and 3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile) can compensate skin aging UV-B-induced damage to a certain extent and reduce collagen degradation in the skin.
Meadowfoam seed oil is conditionally suitable for combination and oily skin, but primarily for dry, sensitive and normal skin, and is used in a variety of cosmetic formulations. Face creams, sun cosmetics, massage oils, hand creams, nail care and lip care products are just a few examples.
It is also excellent as a nourishing hair oil.
Fact Sheet Meadowfoam Seed Oil
INCI: Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
Alternative names: White marsh flower oil, American Meadowfoam seed oil
Iodine value: 85 to 105
Saponification value: 160 to 175
Main ingredients: eicosenoic acid (about 63 percent), docosadienoic acid (about 17 percent), docosenoic acid (about 16 percent)
Storage: no special storage requirements necessary
Shelf life: up to 36 months
We like to work with these meadowfoam-containing agents:
| Name | Supplier | INCI | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meadowfoam Seed Oil | Natural Plant Products, LLC | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil | |
| FANCOR MEADOWFOAM SEED OIL | Elementis | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil | |
| Meadowfoam Seed Oil XPR | Natural Plant Products, LLC | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil | |
| SonneNATURAL Select Meadowfoam Seed Oil Enhanced | Sonneborn Europe | Olus Oil | |
| Hectone LA | The Innovation Company | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Disteardimonium Hectorite , Propylene Carbonate | |
| Creanatural LAB | The Innovation Company | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil | |
| Creabase MSO | The Innovation Company | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Cera Alba , Hydrogenated Meadowfoam Seed Oil | |
| AECOSOFT MEADOWFOAM | AE Chemie | Lauryl Glucoside , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil | |
| BIKIRA MEADOWFOAM OIL | AE Chemie | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil | |
| AQUA PHYTOPLEX | Sunjin Beauty Science (formerly Sunjin Chemical) | Glycerin , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Canola Oil , Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil , Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil , Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate | |
| Meadowfoam CP | Natural Plant Products, LLC | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil | |
| FANCOL VB | Elementis | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract | |
| AQUA MEADOWFOAM | Sunjin Beauty Science (formerly Sunjin Chemical) | Glycerin , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate | |
| Refined Meadowfoam Oil - BCE1109 | Biocosmethic | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil | |
| Biomethics LHS | The Innovation Company | Sucrose Stearate , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Xanthan Gum , Tocopherol | |
| Novawhite BN 9,2%/BO 27,6% | The Innovation Company | Kaolin , Bismuth Oxychloride , Boron Nitride , Hydrogenated Meadowfoam Seed Oil , Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil | |
| Novawhite BN 27,6%/BO 9,2% | The Innovation Company | Kaolin , Boron Nitride , Bismuth Oxychloride , Hydrogenated Meadowfoam Seed Oil , Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil | |
| Biomethics O/W | The Innovation Company | Solanum Tuberosum (Potato) Starch , Water , Squalane , Sucrose Stearate , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Hydrogenated Lecithin | |
| Biomethics W/O | The Innovation Company | Solanum Tuberosum (Potato) Starch , Squalane , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Xanthan Gum , Tocopherol | |
| Biomethics CPS W/O | The Innovation Company | Solanum Tuberosum (Potato) Starch , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Squalane , Xanthan Gum , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Tocopheryl Acetate | |
| Biomethics CPS O/W | The Innovation Company | Solanum Tuberosum (Potato) Starch , Water , Squalane , Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Xanthan Gum , Tocopheryl Acetate | |
| MEADOWESTOLIDE | Elementis | Meadowfoam Estolide |
Conclusion of Meadowfoam Seed Oil
Meadowfoam seed oil is considered to be absolutely non-irritating and can therefore be used in a very versatile way in eye, face, body or hair care. Especially in combination with an oil that contains better absorbing fatty acids, this oil is very well suited for the care and protection of dry and sensitive skin. It is often used in formulations together with argan oil and shea butter, but many other combinations are also possible. Moreover, despite its high molecular weight, Meadowfoam seed oil is liquid at room temperature. It leaves the skin feeling silky and soft, but does not become greasy. Meadowfoam seed oil is particularly interesting as a stable component for face and body oils when more unstable oils such as wild rose oil, sea buckthorn fruit oil or borage seed oil are to be incorporated.
Literature:
Meadowfoam seed oil as a natural dispersing agent for colorants in lipstick; Briana Maktabi, Matthew W Liberatore, Gabriella Baki; Int J Cosmet Sci 2021 Aug;43(4):484-493
Wiesenschaumkrautöl – Das oxidationsstabile Allrounder-Öl; Heike Käser