Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil

What Is It?

Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil is the oil expressed from the kernels of Prunus armeniaca. Addition of hydrogen to Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil results in Hydrogenated Apricot Kernel Oil. In cosmetics and personal care products, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil and Hydrogenated Apricot Kernel Oil may be used in the formulation of a wide variety of product types, including bath products, makeup, cleansing products, depilatories, hair conditioners, shampoos, perfumes, shaving products, suntan products, and other skin and hair care products.

Why Is It Used?

Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil and Hydrogenated Apricot Oil function as skin conditioning agents – occlusive. Hydrogenated Apricot Kernel Oil also functions as a viscosity increasing agents – nonaqueous.

Scientific Facts

Apricot Kernel Oil is the fixed oil expressed from the kernels of varieties of Prunus armeniaca. Seeds of the apricot grown in central Asia and around the Mediterranean are so sweet that they may be substituted for almonds. Oil pressed from these cultivars has been used as cooking oil. Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil contains approximately 58-66% oleic acid, 29% linoleic acid, 4-6% palmitic acid and 0.5-1% linolenic acid.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the safety of Apricot Kernel Oil and determined that it is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) as a natural extractive. The safety of Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil and Hydrogenated Apricot Kernel Oil has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products.

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.

CIR Safety Review:

Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil and Hydrogenated Apricot Kernel were included in the CIR Expert Panel’s review of plant-derived fatty acids oils. Based on a history of safe use in food, the composition of the oils, and data indicating that these ingredients were not dermal irritants or sensitizers, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that plant-derived fatty acid oils including Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil and Hydrogenated Apricot Kernel were safe as used in cosmetic products.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Apricot Kernel Oil

In selecting plant-derived ingredients for preparation of cosmetic 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.

Apricot Kernel Oil may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm

More Scientific Information

Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil and Hydrogenated Apricot Kernel Oil belong to the chemical class of fats and oils, which are normally found in animal and plant tissues. 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, apricot is known as Prunus armeniaca 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:

Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration

Food Ingredients and Packaging: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/default.htm

Food Contact Substances: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/default.htm

Substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS): http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/default.htm

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/