Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil

Cotton (Gossypium Herbaceum) seed oil is a high-quality refined vegetable oil taken from the seeds of the cotton plant. It is light in color and nearly odorless. Cottonseed oil is used for its excellent skin conditioning and emollient effects. A significant portion of cottonseed kernel contains about 30% oil by dry weight. The fatty acid composition depends on the variety of cotton grown and the growing conditions.

Thanks to the high content of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid,  Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil is the perfect ingredient for cosmetic applications. The essential fatty acids present a vital immunoregulatory function in the complex biochemical process of maintaining the skin in good condition. Linoleic acid, known as vitamin F, is converted to arachidonic acid and other members of the ”ω-6-family” of fatty acids by the in vivo biosynthesis. These long-chain, highly unsaturated fatty acids are essential in the membrane structures to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, preventing water loss, and as starting materials for synthesizing hormone-like substances, such as prostaglandins and thromboxanes.

Topical application of Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil rich in linoleic acid has been shown to restore the lipid barrier in humans suffering from fatty acids deficiency and impaired stratum corneum functions. Decreased susceptibility to skin xerosis in winter has also been demonstrated for these oils. In addition, linoleic acid is also regarded as a biological precursor of vital ceramides, which are shown to be essential for the barrier function of the skin. Consequently, topical application of triglycerides rich in linoleic fatty acids, such as cotton-seed oil, can improve the skin barrier function.

• phytosterols, about 70% of the unsaponifiable fraction, are dominated by the ß-sitosterol and campesterol
• hydrocarbons and aliphatic alcohols, about 14% of the unsaponifiable fraction.

The level of natural tocopherols in refined cottonseed oil is 700-800 ppm, mainly α- and γ-tocopherols. Tocopherols are the most essential lipid-soluble antioxidants in the cell membranes, acting by a free radical scavenging mechanism. Other minor components of crude cottonseed oil, such as gossypol, a terpenoid substance, cyclopropenoid fatty acids, sterculic, and malvalic acid, are efficiently removed by the three critical steps of oil processing: washing, decolorization, and steam-boiling.