Baobab Oil

The African baobab tree is visible from afar in its native habitat, the African savannah. It can grow up to 30 meters high and is most notable for its bizarre umbrella-shaped crown and bottle-shaped trunk. The tree, which can grow up to 500 years old and is also called baobab, is of great importance to the natives. They use the leaves as well as the bark, the roots and the fruits as food and medicine. For example, the seeds are said to be able to help against heart and liver diseases as well as malaria, while juices and sweets are made from the pulp. The egg-shaped fruits with the felt-like surface are also interesting for us Europeans. The light beige pulp, which visually resembles dried bread and is a coveted meal for monkeys (hence the name baobab!), has in fact been proven to have a positive effect on the human body. It is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, calcium, iron, and fiber, and can prevent a rise in blood sugar levels, among other things. The seeds of the tree, which are kidney-shaped and about 15 millimeters in size, are embedded in the pulp of the fruit. Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil (baobab oil), which is recommended for many cosmetic applications, is obtained from them by a cold pressing process.

 

Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil and its properties

The pleasantly nutty-smelling, golden-yellow oil has triggered a real hype in Hollywood. This is mainly due to its ingredients. Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil is extremely rich in linoleic acid and palmitic acid. In addition, vitamins E as well as A and F are present in impressive quantities. The extraordinary composition gives baobab oil protective and restructuring properties. For example, the contained linoleic acid is converted into anti-inflammatory hydroxy fatty acid by an enzyme in our skin. This also explains the regenerative effect in case of skin barrier disorders as well as skin inflammations. Although linoleic acid normally oxidizes quite quickly, the antioxidant medium-chain fatty acids also contained in baobab oil prevent this process. The linoleic acid remains stable for a long time, so that the oil can be kept for up to two years even if unrefrigerated. Baobab oil also has a high content of palmitic acid. As the dominant fatty acid in the human skin barrier layer, its content naturally decreases with age.

Thanks to palmitic acid, baobab oil is therefore very suitable for mature and dry skin, because the substance forms a light protective film and regulates moisture loss. The skin becomes soft, supple, and smooth for a long time. Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil is quickly absorbed and leaves no unsightly shine, but a completely natural, silky sheen. Baobab oil is also suitable for hair care, because it makes dry, strawy, or damaged hair wonderfully supple. It protects both the hair structure and the scalp. It increases the elasticity and firmness of the skin, has a rejuvenating effect and is suitable for cracked and brittle skin conditions. Additionally, because the oil is anticomedogenic (i.e. non-clogging), the use of baobab oil does not cause impurities, blackheads or pimples. On the contrary, because the oil has an anti-inflammatory effect, it is even suitable as an adjunct for acne or blemished skin. Also, other skin inflammations, eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis and fungal infections can be alleviated with baobab oil. It can even be used against burns and sunburn. In African folk medicine, it has been known for centuries that baobab oil makes burns subside without significant scarring. Another positive effect: the oil can prevent age spots, sun spots, and stretch marks. It can be very well integrated into massage and nail oils and is recommended for sophisticated oil baths. When applied to the skin in a cosmetic formulation after bathing or showering, it prevents unpleasant feelings of tension and leaves the skin feeling soft.

Baobab oil is also an excellent ingredient for male skin care products. The active ingredient improves skin tightening, alleviates signs of fatigue around the eyes and reduces wrinkles. Bags under the eyes and a clearly pronounced nasolabial fold can be reduced. The mode of action can even be explained quite clearly: Namely, the natural substance specifically inhibits the formation of the proteoglycan versican. Versican connects the microfibrils with the skin’s own hyaluronic acid and is one of the key elements for the viscoelasticity of the skin.

The hydrolyzed extract of baobab leaves (INCI: Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Extract) and the flower extract (INCI: Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract) also have similar positive properties.

 

Fact Sheet: Baobab oil

INCI: Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil

CAS number: 91745-12-9

EINECS/ELINCS number: 294-680-8

Main ingredients: palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, campesterol, cholesterol, stigmasterol

Fields of application: for dry, mature, and sensitive skin, for men’s skin, for hair care. as massage and nail oil

Effect: moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

 

We like to work with the following raw materials containing baobab oil:

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High quality cosmetics with baobab oil from Cosmacon

Baobab oil from the cold-pressed seeds of the baobab tree is suitable for barrier-damaged skin as well as for dry and sensitive skin and for hair care. The moisture-binding, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mode of action unfolds best in creams, lotions, bath additives, hair treatments and special care products for men’s skin. Cosmacon will be happy to develop appropriate formulations for you. Feel free to contact us!

 

 

Sources:

Beauty in Baobab: a pilot study of the safety and efficacy of Adansonia digitata seed oil. Komane, B. M., Vermaak, I., Kamatou, G. P., Summers, B., & Viljoen, A. M. 2017. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, 27, 1-8.

Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.): A Review on a multipurpose Tree with Promising Future in the Sudan. Gartenbauwissenschaft.; J. Gebauer, K. El-Siddig, G. Eber 2002, 67 (4), S. 155–160.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and physicochemical properties of Sudanese baobab (Adansonia digitata) seed-oil. El-Arab, N. B. 2017. International Food Research Journal, 24, S441-S445.

Fatty acid composition and metal content of Adansonia digitata seeds and seed oil.; Ajayi, I.A., Dawodu, F.A., Oderinde, R.A., & Egunyomi, A. 2003. Rivista Italiana Delle Sostanze Grasse, 80, 41-43.

Acylserotonins – a new class of plant lipids with antioxidant activity and potential pharmacological applications.; Trela-Makowej A, Kruk J, Jemioła-Rzemińska M, Szymańska R.Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. 2021 Dec;1866(12):159044.