Ingredient Spotlight: Camellia Seed Oil
The genus Camellia brings beauty to the world in the form of beautiful blooms, tea leaves and luxurious oils for nourishing the body. Some varieties are valued for their flowers, others for their leaves, some for seeds.
Of the many varieties, we are concerned with these three: Camellia oleifera, Camellia sinensis and Camellia japonica.
Camellia japonica has been used for centuries by geisha, and is sometimes called ‘Tshubaki”. Camellia japonica is the one most associated with skincare. The flower extract is a modern addition to skincare and has proven anti-aging attributes.
Camellia oleifera is a Chinese variety and is an important source of Tea Oil. Used frequently as a cooking oil. You wouldn’t want to confuse the tea oil with ‘tea tree oil’. Tea Tree Oil is a different species Melaleuca alternifolia, and has different contributions to beauty and wellness.
Camellia sinensis, called tea plant, is the variety that gives us green tea, black tea, and oolong. This variety appears to be a more ‘modern’ entry into cosmetic products in the form of leaf waxes and extracts, the pressed seed oil.
Camellia seed oil is non greasy, absorbs quickly and helps your skin retain moisture because it is deeply penetrating. The fatty acids and polyphenols nourish skin and provide protection against signs of aging. It’s well tolerated and helpful for most skin conditions and unlikely to clog pores.
Fatty acids like the rich oleic fatty acids found in Camellia seed are building blocks of healthy skin and hair. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants produced by plants that protect from sun damage.
Camellia seed oil is also high in anti-aging Palmitic and Omega-6 Linoleic fatty acids.
You will find Camellia japonica in our soon-to-be re-released Psyche Nourishing Body Oil. Updated for 2022 it has Camellia japonica, and Camellia oleifera, rice bran, rosehip seed oil and a proprietary blend of plant essences for the feminine archetype.
Find Camellia Seed Oil in Bergamot + Blue Tansy Oil, Bergamot + Tansy Lotion, and the Face Cream
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
