Meadowfoam oil is an edible seed oil extracted from the seeds of Limnanthes alba, a low growing herbaceous winter annual native to the Mediterranean. Meadowfoam acquires its name from its scenic appearance at full bloom providing a canopy of creamy white flowers that, in the wind, resemble sea foam on the surf. It is widely used in cosmetics and hair care products mainly due to its exceptional stability, lubricity and its ability to stay on the skin. Meadowfoam’s unique chemical properties make it one of the most stable vegetable oils known. Its stability properties are attributed to it being over 90% long chain fatty acids. This provides it with the ability to resist deterioration when exposed to air. These long chain fatty acids are unique due to very high levels of mono-unsaturation and very low levels of poly-unsaturation, highly recognized by the personal care industry. This oil is also odourless and virtually colourless, thus providing a good all-purpose product for use in many different applications. This seed oil has many benefits when used in skin, hair, and cosmetic products. It delivers moisturizing properties while eliminating a greasy feel on the skin and sustaining moisture retention.
In hair care applications, it can provide added shine to the hair, as well as repairing dry/damaged hair, while moisturizing both the hair and scalp. Useful in lipsticks or lip balms to revitalize dry, cracked lips while retaining moisture, it may also be used in makeup products for better adhesion thus facilitating products to stay on the skin longer.
