PROPERTIES OF OILS
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Apricot Kernel ~ Prunus Americana |
| Apricot Kernel is a light but rich oil which is
especially good for sensitive skin, as well as for and skin that is inflamed or
dry. It can be used alone or in massage and is used quite often in lip balms
and creams. It is particularly helpful for dehydrated, delicate, mature or
sensitive skin. It has a high vitamin A content. |
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Avocado Oil
~ Persea Americana |
| Avocado oil nourishes and restores dry,
dehydrated, and mature skin. It is a rich, heavy oil that is best blended with
other carrier oils. Skin problems, especially eczema and psoriasis, respond to
its high content of vitamins A and E. This is a highly therapeutic oil which is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2,
vitamins D and E, protein, pantothenic acid, and fatty acids. |
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Babassu
~ Babassu Oil |
| Originating from the Brazilian rainforest, this
oil has been used by the native people for thousands of years. It leaves
the skin with a soft, lustrous smoothness. |
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Castor Oil
~ Ricinus communis |
| Used
in bath oils, soaps and many cosmetic products. It is natural emollient oil
that penetrates the skin making it softer. It acts as a humectant, and boosts
lathering in soap manufacturing. It
helps make nice, creamy bubbles. |
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Cocoa Butter
- Theobroma cacao |
| Is
the fat from the crushed seeds of the cacao tree that is separated during the
process of making cocoa. It has wonderful soothing qualities when used for skin
application. Cocoa Butter is fabulous for balms, lotions, creams, and soaps because of cocoa butter’s
softening and skin-healing properties. |
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Coconut Oil
- Cocos nucifera |
| Coconut
oil is used in a variety of applications and is especially important in the
making of soap. It helps form a hard bar and provides a rich, creamy lather. This is an essential ingredient
in making cold-processed soap. |
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Macadamia Nut
- Macadamia ternifolia |
| Also known as Queensland nut oil, this cold pressed oil is high in palmitoleic
acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that acts as an antioxidant, preventing
deterioration of cell membranes. For mature skin it is hydrating and gentle. It
is a skin lubricant and is easily absorbed by the skin, sometimes described as
a "vanishing oil." Helpful in cases of sunburn and wound healing. |
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Olive Oil
- Olive Oil |
| Olive Oil has legendary status amongst
traditional formulators. Rich in Oleic acid, Olive Oil also contains other
nutrients which keep the skin feeling moist and supple. It is rich in minerals,
vitamins, and proteins. Olive oil is the major ingrdient and backbone of a great bar of soap! |
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Palm Kernel Oil
- Elaeis guineensis |
| This oil is obtained from the kernels, taken
from the cracked nuts of the palm. This oil contains large proportions of
lauric acid, its chemical composition is quite different from that of palm oil,
and is used chiefly for soap making. Palm kernel oil is similar to coconut oil
and produces hard soaps that lather well in all kinds of water. Soaps made with
palm kernel oil are white, very hard, and lather beautifully. |
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Palm Oil ~ Elaeis guineensis |
| Palm
Oil is used in soap to balance out the hardness of the coconut oil. It provides stability and texture, helping create a well-rounded soap.
In soapmaking, it adds richness and mildness. |
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Rice Bran Oil ~ Elaeis guineensis |
| Rice
bran oil is high in the fatty acids with antioxidizing properties and
some sunscreen properties. Used in all products for softening and
moisturizing properties. Good for sensitive, mature, or delicate skin or
where additional moisturizing is desiered. Rice bran is a nice, emollient oil to use in soap. |
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Shea Butter ~ Butyrospermum parkii |
| Shea Butter is known to promote cell growth,
improve skin elasticity, prevent stretch marks and provide natural sun
protection against UV rays. Its healing and disinfecting properties are largely
due to its high content of unsaponifiable fatty acids. These fatty acids treat
and heal eczema, psoriasis, chapped, chafed skin, razor burn, diaper rash,
minor cuts and scars. Shea Butter is another one of my favorite butters. It is an excellent moisturizer and can be used "straight" on extremely dry skin. |
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Sweet Almond ~ Prunus Dulcis |
| Obtained from the nut kernel of the sweet almond tree. A pale yellow vegetable oil, almond oil is widely used in
aromatherapy, cosmetics and massage products. Functions as a skin conditioning
agent in a wide variety of products. Almond oil is rich in oleic acid and has
been in use for centuries. |
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