Blueberry Seed Oil - The Fragile Powerhouse
This winter, I've been testing several new carrier oils in a series of personal oil blends. I will often make a mix, testing each new oil in different combinations and dosages to get a feel for how it behaves, what it mixes well with etc.
When I have 'gotten to know it', I might try it out in an emulsion: cream or lotion.
Some oils shouldn't be heated (making them difficult – but not impossible – to use in an emulsion) while others will take almost everything you throw at them.
This oil has several properties
A Relatively Fragile Oil
Blueberry Seed Oil (INCI: Vaccinium Angustifolium / Vaccinium Corymbosum) is said to be among the more fragile oils (having a somewhat shorter shelf life than most), and although it can be added to emulsions, I've been happy with how it performs in cold-mix products.This oil has several properties
- a natural range of vitamin E isomers (read: built-in antioxidants)
- high quantity of alpha lineolic acid (25-36%)
- plant sterols (also called phytoesterols)
All of these components are beneficial for the skin
I love the fabulous light green color it has, but best of all, it's a thin, dry oil that quickly melts in and leaves absolutely no greasy feel.
But Quite the Powerhouse
Even though it is classified as a carrier oil and can be used at up to 100% of a product (yup, you can apply it right out of the bottle), blueberry seed oil is a powerful addition to any blend.
The oil is great for battling skin problems due to environmental stress and is ideal for sensitive and oily skin.
It offers excellent cell and tissue regeneration properties, and is even claimed to be efficient for skin conditions such as acne.
More Qualities
- Helps repair damaged skin tissue (scars)
- Helps reduces fine lines and wrinkles (particularly around eyes and mouth)
- Helps boost the elasticity of the skin
- Anti-aging
LisaLise Products With Blueberry Seed Oil
I have included this oil in several custom blends, and have more recently testing in in an eye serum (custom formulated for a client).Do Tell
Have you worked with blueberry seed oil? What are your experiences with it?
Product sheet from Adina
Ingenta - a short overview
More About Blueberry Seed Oil
Product sheet from Natural SourcingProduct sheet from Adina
Ingenta - a short overview
Comments
Great question!
The shelf life of any anhydrous (water-free) product is dependant upon the ingredient with the shortest shelf life. Blueberry seed oil has a shelf life of about 6 months, but as you are adding an anti-retardant (vitamin E), you are extending the shelf life to about a year and a half. You'll need 1-2% vitamin E to do this.
Also, be sure to add the blueberry seed oil when the mixture is almost cool as it is very heat-sensitive,
Your recipe sounds great! I better warn you that blueberry seed oil doesn't actually smell very much like blueberries. I think you may have to factor in adding a scent if you want a specific blueberry scent. Also, if you use virgin coconut oil you are going to have a (divine) coconut scent that either needs to be 'worked with' or masked.
Let me know how it goes!
Great question! I imagine if you have the equipment, it would be possible to press your own oil. The fiddliness of separating the seeds from the blueberries is enough to have me running in a different direction, so I admire your idea. As the oil is pressed from the seeds, and you don't want any water, I imagine you will have to dry the seeds before pressing. I'd love to hear how it turns out for you!
Thanks again :o)
Kar
Thanks