Elaeis Guineensis Oil

_Elaeis guineensis_ oil, also called palm oil or palm kernel oil, is the oil extracted from the seeds of a tree known as the African palm. This tree is more abundant in oil than any other natural source (including olives and sunflowers) and the oil has numerous commercial applications – from a hair conditioning ingredient to a biofuel and almost everything in between. When it comes specifically to skin, palm oil offers a high amount of antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin E, making it a good anti-aging ingredient because of its ability to fight free-radical damage. Perhaps its greatest strength though is in its rich fatty acid content (including oleic and ceramide-building linoleic acids) that provide lasting hydration and improve the strength of skin’s barrier. Recently, and for many reasons, commercial methods of producing palm oil have come under scrutiny. A primary reason is that _Elaeis guineensis_ is a high-yield cash crop with a rapid growth rate. As such, areas of native plants have been razed to satisfy the global demand for palm trees, leading to deforestation. It’s a case of agriculture vs. biodiversity, although there’s still much to discover as this issue unfolds. In response, many brands are now seeking sustainable sources of palm oil to use in their products to reverse this trend. Paula’s Choice Skincare’s parent company, Unilever, is one of these brands. You can find more about its policy on the sustainable use of palm oil at this link: https://www.unilever.com/sustainability/nature/sustainable-palm-oil/. The independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel has ruled _Elaeis guineensis_ oil safe in its current use in cosmetics.

Related ingredients: Palm Oil