Pistacia Vera Seed Extract

What Is It?

Pistacia Vera Seed Extract and Pistacia Vera Seed Oil are made from pistachio nuts. Pistacia Vera Shell Powder is made from the dried shells of pistachio nuts. These ingredients may be used in skin care products, bath soaps and detergents and cleansing products.

Why Is It Used?

The following functions have been reported for the ingredients made from Pistacia vera. Abrasive: Pistacia Vera Shell Powder Hair conditioning agent: Pistacia Vera Seed Extract Skin conditioning agent – miscellaneous: Pistacia Vera Seed Extract Skin conditioning agent – occlusive: Pistacia Vera Seed Oil

Scientific Facts

The pistachio tree is native to Western Asia and Asia Minor. Pistachios were first planted in the United States in 1854. Commercial production of pistachios in the United States began in the late 1970’s.

Safety Information

Pistachios have been used as food since at least 7,000 B.C. Botanical and botanically derived ingredients used in the formulation of cosmetics are generally mild and safe. Prior to marketing the finished cosmetic product, the safety of each ingredient must be substantiated in accordance with 21 CFR 740.10. Safety substantiation of cosmetic ingredients may include tests for ocular and skin irritation as well as allergenicity, phototoxicity, photoallergenicity and mutagenicity, depending on the application or intended use. There is a considerable body of information about the safety of botanical ingredients and a well established history of use. These resources are consulted to ensure the safety of these materials as they are used in cosmetics.

Because some people are allergic to pistachios, the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that all food containing pistachios be clearly labeled.

Information about the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidance…

Pistacia Vera Seed Extract, Pistacia Vera Seed Oil and Pistacia Vera Shell Powder may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation:
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…

In selecting plant-derived ingredients for cosmetics and personal care products, formulators rely on the extensive history of their preparation and use. Such materials have been used for a long time and, based upon this experience, extensive knowledge of their safety has been gained. In the situation of newly identified botanicals in the cosmetic industry, appropriate ocular and skin safety studies are conducted prior to release into general commerce. There are many different references that describe the isolation, use and safety of botanical preparations.

More information about botanical ingredients.

More Scientific Information

Scientific studies suggest that eating pistachios may reduce blood levels of LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) in the blood. Pistacia Vera Seed Extract, Pistacia Vera Seed Oil and Pistacia Vera Shell Powder belong to a large and diverse class of materials that are not defined chemically. The majority of the materials in this class are mixtures derived from plants (herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, or seeds). In naming plants, botanists use a Latin name made up of the genus and species of the plant. For example, under this system the plant, pistachio is known as Pistacia vera L., where “L” stands for Linneaus, who first described the type of plant specimen. Plants are also known by a common name that has been handed down through generations. These common names may vary from country to country. Therefore, Latin names, which are more likely to be recognized in many countries, are frequently used on the label of a product to identify an ingredient made from plants.

Resources

Cross Reference for Common Names and Latin names for Botanical ingredient: http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/botanicals-cross-reference-latin-bino…

Find out more about the history of using plants to obtain beneficial materials:

Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm

EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/