Watermelon Seed Oil

Product Description:

Watermelon Seed Oil is a cold pressed carrier oil extracted from the seeds of the watermelon fruit (Citrullus lanatus). The oil is pale yellow in colour with very little scent, characteristic of most light carrier oils, and a smooth, fast absorbing texture that leaves no greasy residue. Watermelon Seed Oil has become an increasingly popular ingredient in modern skin and hair care formulation, valued for its lightweight feel and compatibility with a wide range of skin types. At Maduras Herbals, we supply Watermelon Seed Oil as a raw material for cosmetic manufacturers, DIY formulators, and skin care product developers looking for a light, versatile carrier oil.

Botanical and Trade Names

Botanical Name: Citrullus lanatus
English Name: Watermelon Seed Oil
INCI Name: Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Other Common Names: Watermelon Carrier Oil

Key Properties

• Cold pressed from watermelon seeds with no heat and no chemical solvents involved
• Light, fast absorbing texture with a non greasy after-feel
• Naturally rich in linoleic acid and other essential fatty acids
• Unrefined and filtered to remove seed residue while retaining its natural composition
• Very little scent, characteristic of most light carrier oils
• Non comedogenic profile suited for oily, acne prone, and all skin types
• Compatible with other carrier oils, butters, and oil-phase ingredients

About Watermelon Seed Oil

Watermelon seed oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of Citrullus lanatus, the watermelon, a plant originating from the Kalahari Desert region of Africa that is now widely cultivated across India including in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. The seeds are typically a by-product of the watermelon processing and juice industry, and cold-pressing them yields a light, elegant carrier oil that has been gaining considerable attention in modern natural cosmetics for its surprisingly skin-friendly properties.

Watermelon seed oil is predominantly linoleic acid, which typically makes up 60 to 70% of its fatty acid composition, followed by oleic acid at around 15 to 20%, alongside palmitic and stearic acid. This strongly linoleic-rich profile makes it an excellent choice for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin formulations, as linoleic acid is associated with balanced sebum production and healthy skin barrier function. The oil has a very light, dry texture that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, making it one of the more elegant facial carrier oils available. It also contains natural sterols and tocopherols that add antioxidant and skin-barrier-supporting activity.

Working with Watermelon Seed Oil in Your Formulations

Watermelon seed oil is particularly well suited to facial oils, lightweight serums, and emulsions targeting oily, acne-prone, and combination skin where a non-greasy, fast-absorbing emollient is needed. Its near-neutral colour and very mild scent make it one of the most versatile and formulatorially flexible carrier oils available — it can be incorporated at high percentages without significantly affecting the colour, scent, or texture of the finished product. It also works well in body lotions and hair serums where a lightweight conditioning effect is desired.

Quality & Formulation Notes

No adverse effects or formulation restrictions are widely documented for watermelon seed oil. Its high linoleic acid content means it is more prone to oxidation than oleic-dominant oils, so antioxidant support in the formulation and cool dark storage are worth including as standard practice. Its very light colour and near-neutral scent mean it adds minimal formulation complexity compared to many other carrier oils, making it a particularly easy ingredient to work with across a wide range of product types.

Applications

Skin Care Formulations: Facial oils, serums, lotions, face masks, cleansers and makeup removers

Hair Care Formulations: Hair oils, scalp serums, leave-in conditioning blends

Cosmetic Formulation: Carrier base for essential oil and aromatherapy blends, lotion and cream oil-phase ingredient

General Use: Bulk supply for cosmetic manufacturers, DIY skin and hair care kits, salon and spa product formulations

Packing and Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the container tightly sealed when not in active use. Recommended storage temperature below 25°C. Watermelon Seed Oil has good natural stability and a longer shelf life among light carrier oils. Best before 18 months from packaging date.

Caution

Patch test is recommended before use on skin. In case of any allergic reaction, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist or physician.