Coconut Oil

On Saturday I was teaching a scrubs class through Redwood City Parks and Rec and I used up most of my grapeseed oil for one project.  I happened to go to Lucky's on Woodside Road and found that they sell the same brand (Pompeian) that I happened to use in the class.  It was great it was on sale so I purchased a bottle for my lotions class for next month.  But I was really surprised to find that they sold coconut oil in a bottle.  I am so use to seeing it in a jar so I was happy to see it in the form.  Since it was on sale I decided to buy it and try it in my lotions class next month.  For any of those who have taken a class and wanted to try coconut oil, try your local Lucky store and see if they have it.

Argan OIl

Would you believe that five years ago Argan Oil could not be found in many beauty products?  Now you can find alot of bath and beauty products touting its magical properties.  Never heard of Argan Oil? Well, I found a posting from The Soap Queen called Saturday Night Spotlight:  Argan Oil that tell you all about this carrier oil and its benefits.

Can oils penetrate our skin?

Have you ever wondered if fatty acids and triglycerides in oils can penetrate our skin?  In this post by Susan Barclay-Nichols titled Can Oils Penetrate Our Skin? explains it in detail on what happens. It is a very interesting read and if you want to learn about this subject, this post has it all!

Oils That Can be Purchased Locally to Make Lotions and Creams

If any of my readers have taken a lotions class from me in the past, I just wanted to let you know that Sprouts Farmers Market located at San Antonio Road and El Camino in Mountain View carries the following oils in Avocado, Almond, Flax Seed, Grapeseed. Coconut and Rice Bran in regular food aisle. But if you are looking for Macadamia Nut, then go to Whole Foods.  Just to let you know if you are looking for Avocado Oil at Whole Foods, it can be a crap shoot.  They had it for awhile and now they don't.  I asked and they said it will be back in the future but they could not tell me when.

In beauty section you can purchase Jojoba and a few others.  In addition, I noticed that they do have the following essential oils that you may not find at Whole Foods: Vanilla, Pine, and Lemon Eucalyptus.

I recently took a class at The Nova Studio on how to make natural haircare products.  And one of the ingredients used was Argan Oil.  I have never heard of this type of oil, but what was discussed in class is that undoubtedly one of the rarest vegetable oils in the world, and consequently one of the most expensive due to its small and slow productivity rate. It has the appearance of a dense, golden liquid at room temperature and is extremely rich and diverse both in minerals and vitamins.

As I started my search to learn more about this ingredient, I found the following online article about this oil:

Argan Oil

Benefits Of Argan Oil

What is Argan Oil?

Argan Oil for Hairs

If anyone out there has used this oil in their products, I would like to hear about your experiences and where is the best place to purchase this oil. Also are there any other articles that you would like to add to this list?

Rice Bran Oil

by Allison B. Kontur from  Bath Body Supply.

Rice Bran Oil, which is obtained in the milling process, is the part of rice richest in fat. This natural oil, which is expeller pressed, has the presence of natural antioxidants making it an excellent ingredient for food grade products.

Rice Bran Oil is full of antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, ferulic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and oryzanol. The oil acts as both a carrier and emollient.

In Japan, Rice Bran Oil is used as a skin and hair beauty enhancer. It is also used throughout the world in a variety of cosmetics, especially for those that treat dry and mature skin.

If you would like to purchase Rice Bran Oil from Bath Body Supply -http://www.bathbodysupply.com/product-p/bo1800.htm

Source: http://bathbodysupply.blogspot.com/2009/12/rice-bran-oil.html

What is the difference between sweet almond oil and bitter almond oil?

There are two principal forms of the Almond: Sweet Almonds & Bitter Almonds. Botanically, they are considered merely variations of the one type. The Sweet Almond is cultivated more than the Bitter Almond. It is valuable as a food and for confectionery purposes, as well as in medicine, being rich in a bland oil, and sustaining as a nutriment: the staying power conferred by a meal of Almonds and raisins is well known. It is only the Bitter Almond in the use of which caution is necessary, especially with regard to children, as it possesses dangerous poisonous properties.

In this article, I found through Ask.com Almond Oil has many benefits for health and beauty purposes.  It is a rich source of vitamin E and some essential minerals such as magnesium and calcium.

From Botanical.com a profile of Sweet Almond Oil has the breakdown of specifications and fatty acids and this product is for cosemetic use only.


Source: http://www.botanical.com/

Properties of Hazelnut Oil

From Aroma Web

Hazelnut Oil
Botanical Name: Corylus avellana
Aroma: Light. Nutty and Sweet.
Viscosity: Thin.
Absorption/Feel: Leaves a Slightly Oily Film on the Skin.
Color: Light Yellow.

Hazelnuts are sometimes mistakenly called Filberts. Although similar in appearance, Filberts are slightly longer in shape.

Source:http://bathnbody.craftgossip.com/category/tips-tricks/soap/

Grapeseed Oil Profile

From Oils by Nature

Grapeseed Oil (Vitis Vinifera)

From the Latin words “vinifera” (wine bearing) and “vitis” (vine)…

The grapeseed plant is actually a deciduous climbing vine that ranges in length from 70 to 100 feet. There are more than 3,000 varieties, and none contain more than two seeds.

Grapeseed Oil is thought to have originated in Napoleonic France during times of hardship where it was used for lighting.

Grapeseed Oil is made from the seeds (by-products of the manufacture of wine) of grapes. It is believed that actual production of grapeseed oil began as early as the 16th century. Low in saturated fats and rich in vitamins and minerals, it is used in cosmetics, soaps and most recently has become a popular cooking oil.

Due to the high linoleic acid content, Grapeseed Oil has good moisturizing and nourishing properties. The light greenish oil contains essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, protein and GLA which promote healthy skin.

Grapeseed oil is a light, slightly astringent oil great for massage and leaves the skin with a smooth satin finish without feeling greasy.

COMMON USES FOR GRAPESEED OIL
* Creams and lotions for oily and acne prone skin
* Massage products

BENEFITS OF GRAPESEED OIL
* Slightly astringent
* Strengthens tissue cells
* Preserves natural moisture
* Non-greasy feeling

Source: http://bathnbody.craftgossip.com/grapeseed-oil-profile/2009/05/08/

What is Rice Bran Oil?

There are many body product recipes that include the carrier oil, rice bran oil.  You are wondering what is rice bran oil because you rarely see it in your local grocery store. According to wisegeek.com,

"Rice bran oil is a natural oil that is created using the hull of the rice grain. Considered to be rich in antioxidants and several vitamins, rice bran oil is used for cooking as well as in the creation of creams and other skin care products. When prepared as a cooking oil, the rice oil will usually keep for anywhere from six months to a year when stored at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.

One of the advantages of using rice bran oil in cooking is that the oil has a high smoking point. This means the oil is ideal for frying foods without running the risk of overheating and burning the food before the meat or coated vegetables are cooked all the way through. Many cooks prefer rice bran oil because the ability to achieve a crunchy texture and a uniform color to the coating enhance the visual appeal of the finished product.

The creation of rice bran oil involves the pressing of the hull or bran of the rice grain. By pressing on the hull, small amounts of oil can be extracted and collected. The oil released from the rice bran contains a hefty amount of Vitamin E as well as fatty acids that lend a great deal of taste to the oil. The presence of a number of antioxidants also help to make rice bran oil a healthier alternative for use in salad dressings and as an ingredient in baked goods.

Another attribute of rice bran oil is the mild degree of flavor that the oil lends to many recipes. When used in drying, the oil gently enhances any herbs and spices that are used in the coating of the meat or vegetables. As an ingredient in a salad dressing, rice bran oil provides a slightly sweet taste that mixes very well with flavored vinegars and various spices. When used as oil in baked goods, the rice bran oil can help to provide a slightly nutty flavor to the overall taste of the baked good without interfering with any flavoring that was included in the batter.

While rice bran oil is thought to have originated in Japan, the oil has been used in many different countries. Until recent years, purchasing rice bran oil in the United States required a trip to a local health food store. However, as more people search for healthier ways to prepare their favorite foods, rice bran oil has begun to appear on the shelves at many larger supermarket chains."

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-rice-bran-oil.htm

Anti Aging Carrier Oils

For those ladies from my lotions and creams class interested in anti-aging ingredients for their formulations I am providing a list of carrier oils and botantical extracts to add. Here is a list of anti aging carrier oils you can use in your lotions:

Acai, almond, apricot, avocado, borage, evening primrose, cameilla, carrot root, cranberry seed, Foraba (aka tamanu), jojoba, kukui, macadamia nut, meadowfoam seed, peach kernel, palm kernel, pumpkin seed, pomegrante, raspberry seed, rice bran, seabuckthorn, seasme.

Also you can add botanical extracts such as Cranberry, Green Tea (which is also good for wrinkles), Elder Flower, Gingko Biloba leaf, Ginseeng Root, Grape, Kelp, Olive leaf, Rooibos Tea, White Tea,White Willow Bark. (Note: Normally you would use these in the water phase of any formulation. It would be .5% to 5 % depending on your formula.) You can get these extracts from online from Essential Wholesale.

You can add microfine titanium dioxide or zinc oxide for sunscreen protection. But you will not not know the extact amount of protection. If you want to add titanium dioxide you would add 5-10% and for zinc oxide it would be 1-5% of your formulation.

Oils for Lotions and Creams

For the students who have previously taken my lotions and creams class you can purchase small bottles of avacado, grapeseed and almond oils for your creations at Whole Foods Market. These particular oils are in glass bottles and are priced around $9.00 depending on the oil. They even carry coconut oil on the same aisle (and alot more expensive).

I would highly recommend checking Whole Foods out for your oils. If you would like to go to a particular store near you, I know that Whole Foods have locations in San Mateo, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Los Altos and Cupertino. To find where the nearest Whole Foods to your home go to http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/.

Vegetable and Carrier Oil Information

I was looking over my Mountain Rose Herb (www.mountainroseherb.com) catalog that I was given in Joan Morais' (http://www.joanmorais.com/) Whipped Butter and Lotion Sticks class at The Nova Studio (www.thenovastudio.com) on July 12, 2008.

On page 44 of the catalog describes the ways that Vegetable and Carrier Oils of their oils (and of the industry). I would like to share with you...

There are a varying degree of quality and are processed by different methods. The following is some information to help you understand the methods of extraction.

Cold Pressed - Mechanical extraction where heat is reduced and minimized, thus maintaining the oils' original constituents and depth. Temperatures are rigorously controlled not to exceed 80-90 degrees F (Fahrenheit). Not practical extraction method for some vegetable oils, but highly regarded as the method of choice.

Expeller Pressed - Natural, mechanical extraction and processing, where only a small amount of heat is produced from friction created by hydraulic presses. Usually around 120-200 degrees F. This makes a fine food grade oil and base for body care because of its fairly undisturbed molecular state.

Refined - Fully processed; exposed to refinement methods that include flash fluctuation in temperatures as high as 450 degrees F and winterization as low as -30 degrees F; deodorization, which removes heavy and/or strong odors; and bleaching, where clays and other mediums alter or remove color and scent. An economical oil in cosmetics and body care, but not the healthiest food grade oil.

Partially Refined - Limited processing may include, but is not limited to, deodorization, winterization and natural bleaching. Used to stabilize oils which may go rancid quickly, and to minimize order and deep color.

Unrefined - Mechanical extraction and screen filtering with no additional refining. Ensures finest quality, best for food and cosmetics. Oil closely retains natural aroma, flavor and color.

Proper Storage of Aromatic Oils

I have been reading a book titled, "Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions...101 Natural Formulas to Revitalize & Nourish Your Skin" by Donna Maria.

I always knew to store essential oils in colored bottles and keep them in a cool, dry, dark environment. And of course, the chief enemy of essential oils is oxygen, which destroys their chemical components and significantly compromises their effectiveness. But the author mentions something that I never thought of and that is the air space between the top of the oil and the lid of the bottle. She recommends having as little air space as possible. So as the oil is used, transfer the unused portion to a smaller bottle to minimize the headspace. This retards oxidation, extending the shelf life of the essential oil.

I guess the same principal can be applied to carrier oils.