Description

Simmondsia Chinensis Meal Extract is derived from the meal of the Jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis), which is known for its nourishing and skin-conditioning properties. This extract is used in cosmetic and personal care products to enhance skin health and provide moisturizing benefits.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Active Compounds: Contains proteins, fatty acids, and essential nutrients derived from the Jojoba seed.
Structure: The extract is a fine powder or suspension, retaining the beneficial compounds of the Jojoba meal.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Typically a fine, light-colored powder.
Odor: Mild, nutty scent.
Solubility: Insoluble in water; dispersible in oil-based formulations.
Texture: Powdery, can vary in coarseness depending on processing.

Production Process

Harvesting: Jojoba seeds are harvested from the Jojoba plant.
Processing: The seeds are cleaned, dehulled, and ground to create a meal.
Extraction: The meal is processed to extract beneficial compounds, often using mechanical or enzymatic methods.
Drying and Milling: The extract is dried and milled to achieve the desired powder consistency.
Packaging: Packaged in controlled environments to maintain quality and prevent contamination.

Applications

Cosmetics: Used in skincare products such as creams, lotions, and masks for its moisturizing and conditioning properties.
Personal Care: Incorporated into hair care products to improve texture and manageability.
Pharmaceuticals: May be used in topical formulations for its skin-nourishing benefits.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Biodegradability: Generally biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
Toxicity: Considered safe for topical use when formulated correctly. It should be used in recommended concentrations to avoid any potential allergic reactions or skin irritations.
Sustainability: Sourced from renewable Jojoba plants, making it a sustainable ingredient choice.

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.

Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.
Synonyms:

CAS: 90045-98-0 EC number 289-964-3