Broccoli originates from Italy where its species was actually created by the Romans from another type of wild cabbage. From its seeds a vegetable oil is obtained after cold pressing. Please note, this vegetable oil cannot be ingested but it has enormous benefits for both the skin and the hair. You can naturally use it on dry skin or on frizzy, curly hair that is difficult to tame. Latin name: Brassica cretica Lam. Part used: seeds (first cold pressing).
This article was updated on 05/07/2023Main properties
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emollient, moisturizing, nutritious :
thanks to its richness in fatty acids, Broccoli vegetable oil maintains perfect hydration of the skin but also of the hair. Its composition allows it to nourish skin and hair for a shiny and sheathing effect.
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smoothing, hair conditioner :
broccoli vegetable oil has a smoothing and sheathing effect comparable to silicones. In addition to nourishing the hair, Broccoli oil makes it easier to brush and detangle while acting on frizz, rebellious and unruly hair.
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anti-oxidant, regenerating :
broccoli vegetable oil is rich in vitamins, giving it very interesting anti-oxidant and skin regenerating properties. It will thus help fight against skin aging and the first emerging wrinkles.
Characteristics and composition
Cosmetic features
- Skin type: dry, mature.
- Hair type: all hair types, dry, damaged, brittle, curly, fine, frizzy.
Organoleptic characteristics
- Appearance: slightly viscous oily liquid
- Color: golden yellow
- Odor: atypical, cabbage smell.
- Feel: bold.
Characteristics for formulation
- Unsaponifiable and active ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K.
- Comedogenicity index: 1 (=low comedogenic)
- Average saponification index: 180
- Oxidation stability: good
- Stability at high temperatures: good
- Inci name: brassica oleracea italica seed oil
Fatty acid composition
- eicosenoic acid (omega 9 MUFA): 9 to 15%
- linoleic acid (omega 6 PUFA): 10 to 20%
- linolenic acid (omega 3 PUFA): 5 to 10%
- oleic acid (omega 9 MUFA): 10 to 20%
- palmitic acid (AGS): ≤ 5%
- stearic acid (SFA): ≤ 5%
- erucic acid (omega 9 MUFA): 40 to 50%
Physical characteristics
- Density at 20°C: 0.900 to 0.920
- Peroxide value: 15
- Acid number: 4,000
- Iodine index: 88 to 122
Botanical characteristics
- Botanical family: Brassicaceae
- Country of origin: Italy.
- Distilled part: seeds
- Obtaining process: first cold pressing
- Latin name: Brassica cretica Lam.
Precautions for use
- Be careful, contrary to what one might believe, broccoli oil is not edible due to its rich composition in erucic acid.
- Oil from broccoli seeds is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is also prohibited for children under 6 years old.
Authorized ways of use
Authorized users
Storage
Store preferably in a cool place, away from light and heat.
For the Curly hair, Curly hair, Wavy hair
Efficiency: ++++
It is once again the richness in fatty acids and that in erucic acid, a very particular unsaturated fatty acid which helps to repair the structure of the hair. This composition is thus suitable for hair curly, wavy and frizzy. Broccoli oil helps maintain hair while preventing frizz. In addition to providing care and nutrition, Broccoli oil reduces the static effect sometimes observed on the hair, it also facilitates detangling while providing shine and softness throughout the hair.
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Application advice :
apply Broccoli oil as a mask before shampooing to the ends and lengths. Leave it on for several hours or even overnight, then shampoo. It is also possible to use a few drops of vegetable oil as an after-shampoo treatment.
For the Dry skin, Redness
Efficiency: +++
Broccoli vegetable oil is particularly suitable for dry skin or skin prone to redness. It is rich in unsaturated and essential fatty acids that provide skin care and protection. This vegetable oil is quite dense, it helps keep the skin well hydrated thanks to its emollient action. Its association with another lighter vegetable oil is ideal, for example Raspberry Seed. This will also help to somewhat camouflage its cabbage smell. It is not suitable for oily skin. However, it fits very well in case of inflammatory conditions of the skin, in cases of eczema and psoriasis. Little extra, its particular texture provides care adapted to chapped lips.
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Application advice :
massage a few drops of Broccoli oil morning and evening on your skin.
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Other suitable vegetable oils :
In case of dry skin, vegetable oil Raspberry seeds is very nourishing just like that of Baobab or even the Shea Butter.
For the Thin hair
Efficiency: +++
Broccoli oil and its composition of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly erucic acid, provide a smoothing but also structuring effect by filling in hair gaps. Fine hair will then gain volume. Broccoli oil can in this case be used as a treatment before or even after shampoo.
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Application advice :
apply Broccoli oil as a mask before shampooing to the ends and lengths. Leave it on for several hours or even overnight, then shampoo. It is also possible to use a few drops of vegetable oil as an after-shampoo treatment.
For the Mature skin
Efficiency: ++
Broccoli oil contains mainly monounsaturated fatty acids, erucic acid, oleic acid but also vitamins. His action emollient and nutritious will be interesting in order to reverse the aging of the skin by always keeping it hydrated. The vitamins it contains contribute to theelimination of free radicals which may contribute to the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin C for example is a antioxidant major to protect the cells. In addition, one of its main functions is to contribute to the manufacturing of collagen, a protein essential for the development of skin tissue among others.
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Application advice :
massage a few drops of Broccoli oil morning and evening on your mature skin or to prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
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Complementary essential oil(s) :
against wrinkles and to prevent skin aging, you can add a few drops of Rosat Geranium, Italian Helichrysum or Fine Lavender essential oil to your Broccoli oil to increase its effectiveness.
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Other suitable vegetable oils :
other vegetable oils can also be used to combat wrinkles like Hemp, THE Apricot kernels, there Rosehip or even the Prickly Pear Seeds.
For the Dry hair, Brittle hair, Damaged hair
Efficiency: ++
Thanks to its high erucic acid content, Broccoli oil provides astonishing shine to the hair. This is a reference oil for our fabulous mane since it is often described as a conditioner with effects comparable to silicones, but without their undesirable effects (suffocated and weakened hair). Broccoli oil can therefore be used as a mask before or after shampoo and even included in the composition of your cleansing treatments. Thanks to it, the hair regains softness, hydration and nutrition. It is therefore ideal for brittle, dry or damaged hair. In the same way, Broccoli oil will be useful to limit hair loss by strengthening it.
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Application advice :
apply Broccoli oil as a mask before shampooing to the ends and lengths. Leave it on for several hours or even overnight, then shampoo. It is also possible to use a few drops of vegetable oil as an after-shampoo treatment.
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Complementary essential oil(s) :
complete Ylang Ylang essential oil is often used in hair care at a rate of 1%. In addition to providing a very pleasant smell, it helps regulate sebum secretion while cleaning the hair. It is particularly used to combat hair loss and brittle hair.
In case of'Brittle nails
Efficiency: ++
Erucic acid and its friends the other omega 9 but also 6 and 3 help nourish the nails in depth: they are thicker and shiny, less brittle and soft, and the cuticles are more flexible and easier to push back. Broccoli oil has a somewhat viscous texture which is very useful in this case; its emollient action can be appreciated several times a week.
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Application advice :
apply 1 to 2 drops of Broccoli oil on each nail, then massage until penetration. Repeat 2 to 3 times a week for better effectiveness.
Erucic acid in vegetable oils
L'erucic acid is a long-carbon, monounsaturated (C22:1) fatty acid. It is found in the seeds of plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family such as rapeseed, mustard but also in broccoli, used to obtain vegetable oil. In these oils, erucic acid represents around 40 to 50% of the total fatty acids. Erucic acid has many interests; it is used for its emollient properties in cosmetic products but also in the detergent industry for its anti-foaming effect. However, in the European Union, the erucic acid content of oils intended for human consumption is limited to 5% of the total fatty acid content in the fatty phase, according to regulations in force since July 1, 1979 (Directive 76 /621/EEC of the Council, of July 20, 1976). Indeed, it seems that it could represent a long-term risk, particularly in young children who consume it in excessive quantities. Studies carried out in the 1960s on rats notably noted heart problems following long-term absorption of this fatty acid. The tolerable daily dose was then set at 7 mg/kg of body weight.
But we regularly consume products made from mustard seeds or even rapeseed, will you tell us? For these products intended for food use, the concentrations of erucic acid must strictly be less than 0.5%, these cultures are therefore controlled and varietal selections have taken place in order to obtain oils without or with very little erucic acid. This is the case for “00” rapeseed grown in Europe. Other types of crops rich in erucic acid are intended for the industrial sector.
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Bibliography
Publication: De Wildt, D., & Speijers, G. (1984). Influence of dietary rapeseed oil and erucic acid upon myocardial performance and hemodynamics in rats. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 74(1), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008x(84)90275-8
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
Work : Pobeda, M. (2014). The benefits of vegetable oils: Learn to know them and use them for your health and beauty. Poessneck, Germany: Marabout.
Website : EFSA. (2016, November 9). Erucic acid, a possible health risk for children. Retrieved March 21, 2019, from https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/161109