Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Seed oil of Abyssinian cabbage (kale). Uniquely high in erucic acid (C22:1, up to 60%) – delivers a light, dry sensorial and substitutes silicones in hair and skin care. Non-comedogenic, pregnancy-safe.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Abyssinian oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of Crambe abyssinica – an oilseed cabbage from Ethiopia. Its fatty-acid profile is unique: up to 55-60% erucic acid (C22:1), 17-23% oleic, 5-10% linoleic. The long erucic-acid chain gives the oil a very dry, slippery sensorial – closer to silicones and dimethicone-type emollients than to classic plant oils. INCI: Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil. In cosmetics it is used in three directions: 1. Hair care – a substitute for cyclomethicone D5 in sprays and conditioners. Gives smoothness, light slip, and heat protection. 2. Skin care – a light emollient in sunscreens, BB creams, serums. Leaves no greasy film. 3. Color cosmetics – a component of liquid lipsticks and glosses, giving shine without tackiness. Use levels are 1-15%. Often combined with C13-15 alkane and squalane for silicone-free clean sensorial. On dietary erucic acid. In food, EFSA limits erucic acid to 5 g/kg of oil (Reg EU 696/2014) because high oral doses linked to myocardial lipidosis in rat models. This applies only to oral intake. Topical use does not contribute to systemic erucic acid levels – the molecule is too large for meaningful skin absorption, and cosmetic concentrations are tens of times below the dose of concern. CIR confirmed the safety of Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil in cosmetics. Pregnancy safety. Topical use is safe. Systemic absorption is minimal. Skin tolerance. Low irritation and allergen profile. Non-comedogenic. Suitable for sensitive skin and hair.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil safe during pregnancy?
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil for?
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil and what does it do in cosmetics?
Seed oil of Abyssinian cabbage (kale).
Is Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 0/5 – non-comedogenic. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil?
The INCI name is Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil. It may also appear as: Abyssinian Oil.
See Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil in a product composition right on the store page
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