Description

Aristotelia chilensis seed oil, also known as maqui seed oil, is extracted from the seeds of the maqui berry plant (Aristotelia chilensis). This oil is valued for its high content of essential fatty acids and antioxidants, which contribute to its beneficial properties for skin and health.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

The oil from Aristotelia chilensis seeds is rich in:

Essential Fatty Acids: Includes omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids, which are crucial for maintaining skin health and hydration.
Anthocyanins: Although present in lower concentrations compared to the fruit, these compounds contribute to the oil’s antioxidant properties.
Vitamin E: Provides additional antioxidant protection and skin conditioning benefits.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Light yellow to golden liquid
Odor: Mild, characteristic of maqui berries
Texture: Non-greasy, absorbs easily into the skin.

Production Process:

The production of Aristotelia chilensis seed oil involves:

Harvesting: Maqui berries are harvested, and the seeds are extracted.
Cold Pressing: The seeds are cold-pressed to extract the oil, preserving its beneficial compounds.
Filtration: The oil is filtered to remove impurities and enhance clarity.
Refinement (optional): Further processing may be done to improve stability and shelf life.

Applications:

Medical: Aristotelia chilensis seed oil is used in dietary supplements for its essential fatty acids and antioxidant properties, supporting overall health and well-being.
Cosmetics: In skincare products, it is valued for its moisturizing, anti-aging, and skin-repairing properties. It is used in creams, lotions, and serums to enhance skin hydration and texture.
Others: The oil can be used in culinary applications and as a nutritional supplement, offering both flavor and health benefits.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Aristotelia chilensis seed oil is generally safe and biodegradable. It is important to ensure the oil is produced using sustainable practices and is free from contaminants. Generally regarded as safe for topical application. However, like all extracts, it should be used in accordance with established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. People with allergies or very sensitive skin should be careful.

INCI Functions:


Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
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