Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil
Watermelon seed oil in which linoleic acid makes up more than half of the fatty acids. Its effects on skin have not been studied, and there are no data on moisturizing, barrier or tolerance
Evidence by route
Topical application
There are no studies of watermelon seed oil on skin, so moisturizing and barrier repair are unconfirmed. Only its composition is known: linoleic acid makes up more than half of the fatty acids. Data on linoleic acid or on other oils do not automatically apply to this oil
- D
Barrier repair
There are no data on transepidermal water loss or barrier repair with this oil, either in people or ex vivo
- D
Moisturizing
Moisturizing with this oil has not been measured: the only emulsion study used a modified oil blended with mutton tallow and gives no figures in the abstract (Kowalska 2022)
- Cheikhyoussef N et al. Characterization of Acanthosicyos horridus and Citrullus lanatus seed oils: two melon seed oils from Namibia used in food and cosmetics applications. 3 Biotech. 2017;7(5):297. PMID 28868224
- Kowalska M et al. Quality of Emulsions Based on Modified Watermelon Seed Oil, Stabilized with Orange Fibres. Molecules. 2022;27(2). PMID 35056840
How to read tiers A–F
- DNo data, or very weak or conflicting data
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Unknown
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Watermelon seed oil is pressed or extracted from the seeds of Citrullus lanatus. In Namibia it is used in food and cosmetics (Cheikhyoussef 2017). Its composition is known from a chemical analysis of two Namibian melon seed oils, one of them from watermelon. Watermelon seeds held about 40% oil. In both oils linoleic acid was the main fatty acid at 52.6–57%, and gamma-tocopherol was the main tocopherol (Cheikhyoussef 2017). The oil has not been studied on skin. No published work has measured moisturization, transepidermal water loss or barrier repair with watermelon seed oil, either in people or in the laboratory. One study tested emulsions in which chemically modified watermelon seed oil was blended with mutton tallow (Kowalska 2022). Skin hydration was measured, but the abstract gives no figures, and the oil's own contribution cannot be separated. The emulsions were not accepted in sensory testing. Data on pure linoleic acid or on other oils do not automatically apply to this oil. There are no published patch tests or irritation data, and the oil's comedogenicity has not been studied either. There are no data on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil safe during pregnancy?
Safety data for Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil during pregnancy is insufficient. Best avoided when in doubt.
What skin types is Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil for?
Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil and what does it do in cosmetics?
Watermelon seed oil in which linoleic acid makes up more than half of the fatty acids.
Is Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 1/5 – very low comedogenicity. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil?
The INCI name is Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil. It may also appear as: Watermelon Seed Oil.
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