Bixa Orellana Seed Oil
Oil from the seeds of the tropical annatto shrub – source of bixin and norbixin, natural orange-red carotenoid pigments. Works simultaneously as an emollient and colorant, gives products a warm tone without synthetic dyes. Strong antioxidant potential, but stains skin and packaging.
Evidence by route
Topical application
Emollient with an antioxidant carotenoid profile. Safety as food colour E160b is well established, cosmetic tolerance is good.
- CIR Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessment.
How to read tiers A–F
- CWeak evidence. In vitro data, open-label studies, or expert consensus
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination
- Use with caution
- Oily
About this ingredient
Bixa Orellana Seed Oil is a cold-pressed fatty oil from the seeds of the tropical shrub Bixa orellana. Contains oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids and natural carotenoid pigments bixin and norbixin – which give the oil a deep orange-red colour. Mechanism. A dual role in the formula. As an emollient it forms a thin film on skin and embeds in intercellular stratum corneum lipids. As a natural pigment it gives a product a warm tint without synthetic azo dyes. Carotenoid antioxidant potential is documented in vitro, but on skin the effect is limited by the staining property. Where applied. Natural face and body oils, self-tanners (as a natural tint component), SPF products with a warm undertone, lip balms, lipsticks, UV-protective hair products. Concentration 0.1–5%. In Spain – niche lines Naobay, Freshly Cosmetics, imported Brazilian brands. Evidence base. Few direct clinical RCTs on topical Bixa orellana oil. In vitro the bixin and norbixin carotenoids showed antioxidant activity. The Tupinambá indigenous people of Brazil traditionally used the oil for insect and sun protection and ritual skin staining; that history kept it in ethno-cosmetics. Safety. CIR confirmed cosmetic safety in 2017. Non-comedogenic up to 5%, non-irritating. Contact allergies are rare; isolated cross-reactions in patients with food annatto allergy (E160b) are described. Permanently stains skin, clothes, and bedding. Avoid before light clothes and bedding. In pregnancy – safe topically. No direct lactation data; the risk is purely theoretical. Particularly suitable for. Dry skin, natural-cosmetics lovers, products with a warm undertone without synthetic dyes. Not for light fabrics and not on the face before makeup – it leaves an orange tint.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bixa Orellana Seed Oil safe during pregnancy?
Bixa Orellana Seed Oil is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Bixa Orellana Seed Oil for?
Bixa Orellana Seed Oil suits: normal, dry, combination. Use with caution in: oily.
What is Bixa Orellana Seed Oil and what does it do in cosmetics?
Oil from the seeds of the tropical annatto shrub – source of bixin and norbixin, natural orange-red carotenoid pigments.
Is Bixa Orellana Seed Oil comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 2/5 – low comedogenicity. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for Bixa Orellana Seed Oil?
The INCI name is Bixa Orellana Seed Oil. It may also appear as: Annatto Seed Oil, Achiote Oil.
See Bixa Orellana Seed Oil in a product composition right on the store page
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